After a volatile Friday that fired up strong storms across northern Oklahoma, the state is finally getting a breather. Forecasters say a quieter, sunnier stretch is settling in, with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s and chilly mornings dipping into the 30s. Some of the coldest neighborhoods could see a bit of patchy frost. While the skies calm down, officials caution that dry soils and gusty winds will keep pockets of elevated fire danger going across western Oklahoma.
Two confirmed tornadoes Friday night
According to KOCO, meteorologist Joseph Neubauer said two tornadoes were confirmed Friday night near Ponca City. The first was an F0 that began near Ranch Road and crossed the south end of Ponca City, while crews confirmed an F1 that impacted the southwest end of Kaw Lake near Hideaway Marina.
Part of a wider Plains outbreak
Those twisters did not spin up in isolation. They were part of a larger severe-weather setup that tracked across the central Plains on Friday, producing numerous reports of tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds, according to AccuWeather. National forecasts had highlighted enhanced risk areas over parts of northern Oklahoma as the storms rolled through.
What to expect this week
Products from the National Weather Service show mostly dry, sunny days through next Thursday, with overnight lows running much cooler than the pleasant afternoon highs. Many locations can expect localized morning temperatures in the 30s. The NWS fire-weather outlook also highlights elevated fire concerns in parts of western Oklahoma where low humidity and gusty winds are expected to linger, so residents are advised to follow local advisories and any burn restrictions.
Local preparedness
KOCO's forecast calls for the nicer stretch to last through next Thursday, while still urging viewers to keep tabs on watches and warnings in case conditions change. If you live in drier areas, follow any local fire restrictions and sign up for wireless emergency alerts so you can get storm warnings quickly if the weather takes another turn.
