EMSA has issued a medical heat advisory for Tulsa for 6 p.m. Thursday. EMSA recommends that people take heat precautions when outdoors.
From late afternoon into the evening, isolated strong to severe storms are expected in northeast Oklahoma.
Observations and warnings
- A severe weather warning has been issued for Tulsa County until 11 p.m.
- A severe weather warning has been issued for Creek, Osage, Pawnee and Wagoner Counties until 10:45 p.m.
- A severe weather warning has been issued for Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Kay, Lincoln, Mayes, Noble, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington Counties until 12 p.m.
What’s the weather like on Thursday?
A weak boundary is expected to move across northern Oklahoma and settle along the I-44 corridor by Thursday afternoon.
Abundant moisture remains at low elevations and heat index values are expected to be between 42 and 46 degrees this afternoon. Additional heat warnings and advisories will be necessary.
As a wave in the upper atmosphere moves from central Kansas into the upper Midwest, isolated showers and thunderstorms will develop near the border in northeastern Oklahoma later Thursday.
Some storms may intensify, increasing the risk of severe weather, with damaging winds being the main concern. Thunderstorms will not occur in all areas.
What will the weather be like the rest of the week?
The boundary will linger near northeastern Oklahoma on Friday, and the currently prevailing mid-level high pressure ridge will shift westward over the weekend, creating favorable upper-level airflow from the northwest.
This pattern should produce further showers and thunderstorms Friday night and into early Saturday morning, some of which could be heavy to severe. The greatest danger is damaging winds.
Upper-level flow from the northwest is expected to continue through the weekend and there is a possibility of further overnight and early morning thunderstorms in the area.
Although most operational data does not contain significant indications of storm probability, we still mention it in the forecast, depending on the pattern.
Although there is a chance of some showers or thunderstorms over the weekend, heat and humidity will persist throughout Saturday and part of Sunday.
Expect morning lows between 21 and 30 degrees Celsius and daytime highs around 35 degrees Celsius. Heat warnings are expected to remain in place for most of the region.
Saturday afternoon. Data suggests the ridge is far enough west of the state that a cold front could arrive late this afternoon or evening. This should finally bring a break from the extreme heat and humidity for a few days early next week.
EMSA HEAT SAFETY TIPS:
- Hydration is key to preventing heat-related illness. Drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement drinks several hours before and during prolonged exposure to summer heat.
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when working outdoors, and take frequent breaks in the shade.
- No alcohol or caffeine.
- If you don’t have air conditioning, find a cooling station or a public place (such as libraries or shopping malls) during the day.
- Do not restrict the use of the air conditioning.
- When working outside, use the buddy system and look out for older neighbors.
- Always carry a mobile phone with you when outdoors, such as when walking, running daily errands, gardening, or participating in sports and physical activities.
Emergency Information: Power outages throughout Oklahoma:
Northeast Oklahoma has several utilities and electric cooperatives whose service areas often overlap. Below is a link to various outage maps.
PSO failure map
OG&E Outage Map
VVEC outage map
Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) outage map
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives outage map – (Note that several smaller cooperatives are included)
Link to Alan Crone’s morning weather podcast from Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/03KuCPYyb4hNFyC42Yo6Bt
Link to the morning weather podcast by Alan Crone from Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weather-out-the-door/id1499556141?i=1000656145416
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