Clear skies and a mild 63°F greeting at Will Rogers World Airport on Thursday morning may feel calm enough, but Oklahoma City is in for a very different kind of day. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, March 26, with very dry air and gusty south winds creating extreme fire spread potential across parts of the region. Forecasters expect highs near 93°F this afternoon and sustained southerly winds gusting into the 30–40 mph range. Residents are being urged to treat outdoor fires and unsecured yard items as immediate hazards.
Afternoon Heat And Fire Risk
Low humidity combined with strong south winds will push fire danger to critical levels across western and northern parts of the forecast area. Relative humidity could fall as low as 10 percent and any fire that starts could spread rapidly, according to the National Weather Service Norman. Wind gusts this afternoon may top the mid 30s, raising the odds that small spot fires could grow quickly. Officials are urging residents to skip pile burns and any other outdoor burning while the warning is active. If you see smoke, call emergency services immediately.
Tonight And Friday: Wind Shift And Travel Caution
A cold front will sweep through Thursday night, shifting winds to the northeast and keeping gusty conditions going into Friday. High profile vehicles and east west stretches such as I 40 and TX 287 will be the hardest hit. Strong crosswinds can blow unsecured trailers or loose debris into lanes and make driving difficult during the evening commute. Motorists should give extra space to large trucks, lower speeds on exposed bridges, and secure any loose cargo before heading out.
How To Stay Safe
Skip outdoor burning and postpone yard pile burns while the Red Flag Warning is active - "any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly," the National Weather Service warns. Bring in or tie down patio furniture, grills, and trash cans before midday and have a plan if gusty winds blow debris into the road. If power goes out, check your utility's outage map and report outages; only qualified crews should handle downed lines and they should always be treated as live. For official watch and advisory details, check the OG&E storm center, and for updated forecasts, go to the National Weather Service Norman.
