Oklahoma City wakes up clear and cool this morning, sitting around 48°F, with temperatures set to climb quickly toward a high near 74°F this afternoon. South winds will turn breezy, generally 8 to 16 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, so factor that in if you are planning time outside. A Grassland Fire Danger Statement is in effect this afternoon for parts of western and northwestern Oklahoma, and officials are urging people in those areas to skip any outdoor burning.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Southerly winds will ramp up through the morning and into the mid to late afternoon. The peak of the wind looks to hit in the mid-afternoon hours, when gusts could reach the mid 20s. Hour by hour, temperatures are expected to step from the 50s into the low 70s by early afternoon, topping out near 74°F. It would not be a bad idea to secure patio furniture, trash bins, and anything else light enough to go tumbling down the block.
Small Rain Chances Tonight Into Tuesday
Tonight stays partly cloudy with a low near 54°F and south-southwest winds around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to about 24 mph. A slight chance of showers sneaks in Monday night into Tuesday, mainly across southern Oklahoma and western north Texas, but any rainfall looks light. Where clouds hang around on Tuesday, highs should run cooler, generally in the mid to upper 60s.
Severe Threat Later This Week
The middle of the week turns warmer and more unsettled, with highs back in the 70s on Wednesday and close to 82°F on Thursday. Thunderstorm chances increase late Thursday into Friday, and a few storms could turn severe. Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Norman have flagged both the late week severe setup and continued fire weather concerns to the west. Check NWS Norman for the latest detailed guidance if you are trying to time outdoor plans.
What You Should Do
Bring outdoor plans inside or have a backup option if gusty winds or storms look likely, avoid outdoor burning in areas under the grassland fire danger statement, and keep your phone charged so you can receive any watches or warnings. For more context on the evolving pattern and recent local forecasts, see OKC sizzles today. If you live or spend time west of the metro, pay extra attention to any local burn bans or advisories.
