Skies were clear and the thermometer read about 61°F at Will Rogers World Airport early Wednesday, March 11, 2026, but the calm started slipping away fast. South-southwest winds were already running near 25 mph and a cold front is set to shove through this morning, flipping winds sharply to the northwest and cranking gusts into the 40s by afternoon. Behind the front, humidity drops, temperatures cool and the rest of the day turns blustery.
Wind Advisory In Effect
A Wind Advisory is in place from 4 AM to 7 PM CDT Wednesday, with north winds expected at 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. Those conditions can make driving tricky for high-profile vehicles, and unsecured outdoor items may turn into airborne hazards. Patio furniture, tarps and any lightweight debris should be tied down or brought in well before the midday wind spike, according to NWS Norman.
Fire Weather Watch For Thursday
Forecasters are also flagging elevated to near critical fire weather across western Oklahoma later this week. A Red Flag Warning stays in effect for parts of western Oklahoma through this evening, and a Fire Weather Watch is posted for Thursday afternoon. The western third of the forecast area faces the biggest concern as dry fuels combine with gusty winds and low humidity, according to NWS Norman.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Wednesday highs should top out near 63°F before slipping into the upper 50s as northwest winds rise to 13 to 26 mph with gusts near 40 mph. The punchiest winds are expected from late morning into mid afternoon. Those gusts could knock down small limbs and trigger a few scattered power hiccups, so today is not the day for ladder projects or loosely secured tarps. If you have to be on the road, build in extra travel time and be especially cautious on bridges and open stretches of highway.
Plan Ahead
To play it safe, bring in or weigh down outdoor furniture, lock down tools and think about delaying pile burns and outdoor barbecues in western areas through Thursday. For background on the overnight watches and the shifting severe-storm setup, check out the twisters on the table. Keep phones charged, pick out a safe room ahead of time and stay on top of local alerts in case conditions take a turn.
Forecast Snapshot
Wednesday night should turn clear with a low near 36°F. Thursday looks sunny with a high near 64°F. Friday warms into the mid 70s and Saturday could climb into the low 80s. Another front may move in late in the weekend, so it is worth staying weather aware into Sunday and next week as the next round of gusty winds lines up.
