Oklahoma is on the cusp of another scorching summer, with State Climatologist Gary McManus warning that the state is “set to broil.” The dangerous heat, which began over the past weekend, is drawing eerie parallels to the summer of 2023, a year marked by a sudden onset of intense heat and widespread flash drought.
McManus noted the striking similarity to July 21, 2023, when severe heat struck with a vengeance for the first time that summer, quickly leading to the development of flash drought across Oklahoma. That year, temperatures remained warmer than normal for much of the rest of the year. While McManus emphasizes he’s “not saying that’s gonna happen here, just eerily similar,” the current conditions are certainly raising concerns.
A prominent feature of this summer’s forecast is the persistent heat dome overhead. These high-pressure systems trap warm air, suppress cloud formation, and significantly reduce the chances of widespread rainfall. While some isolated showers and storms might pop up along the periphery of this heat dome, significant precipitation is not anticipated. This lack of rain, combined with soaring temperatures, creates ideal conditions for the rapid onset of “flash drought.”
Flash drought, as defined by experts, is the rapid intensification of drought conditions, often driven by a combination of abnormally high temperatures, strong winds, and reduced precipitation. These factors lead to increased evapotranspiration—the process by which water evaporates from the soil and transpires from plants—quickly depleting soil moisture.
Indeed, concerns about drying conditions are already mounting across parts of Oklahoma, with Southwestern Oklahoma specifically identified as an area to watch for developing flash drought.
The memories of 2023’s prolonged heat and drought are fresh in the minds of many Oklahomans, particularly those in the agricultural sector, which bore the brunt of those extreme conditions. While the extent of this summer’s heat and drought remains to be seen, the early warning from the State Climatologist underscores the importance of staying informed and preparing for a potentially challenging few months.
To read more From State Climatologist Gary McManus on his mesonet ticker, click here:
