Oklahoma City residents are advised to prepare for a shift in weather patterns with forecasters from the National Weather Service in Norman anticipating potentially hazardous conditions over the coming days; today's sunny skies with highs near 93 degrees will shift as thunderstorms enter the outlook starting Thursday. With humidity already at a sticky 97 percent before sunrise, the city expects heat index values as high as 97 by the afternoon, the mercury just beginning its climb toward the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Weather officials warn that Thursday could bring more than just heat with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms following 1pm—temperatures are anticipated to soar near 97 degrees, heat index values potentially reaching a scorching 104 degrees, this night's forecast brings a low around a balmy 76 degrees with continued southern winds keeping the air in motion. Residents should take heed of the hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service, which extends beyond Oklahoma City to parts of northern, western, and southern Oklahoma, as well as western north Texas, detailing threats of strong wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to the size of quarters.
On Friday, the heat wave intensifies with a high near 99 degrees and light winds. Evening temperatures will drop to around 77. The weekend will be mostly sunny but has a 20% chance of thunderstorms after 1 AM Saturday, as reported by the National Weather Service. Sunday will cool slightly to a high of 85 and Monday to 81, but the risk of storms will continue. Locals are advised to stay alert, especially from Friday evening through the weekend, and to check weather updates at weather.gov/norman and on social media for safety information.
