Oklahoma City started Monday, May 4, on a clear and comfortable note, with temperatures near 61°F at Will Rogers World Airport and a light south-southwest breeze. By midafternoon, though, that calm early chill is expected to flip to full-on early summer, with highs climbing to around 87°F, the warmest of the week, and winds strong enough to get your attention.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Through Monday afternoon, south-southwest winds are forecast to run around 16 to 21 mph, with gusts up to about 31 mph, especially from midday into late afternoon. That is strong enough to shove around patio furniture and make driving high-profile vehicles a bit more of a chore, so it is a good day to tie things down before you head out. Rain chances stay low in this warm, windy window, sitting near 5 to 10 percent.
Fire Weather And Storm Risk
According to the National Weather Service in Norman, "elevated fire weather conditions are possible Monday afternoon" across parts of western Oklahoma as warm, dry air teams up with those gusty winds. Farther south and west, a few isolated storms could try to pop, carrying a conditional threat for damaging winds or large hail. A cap should keep storms from becoming widespread, and the Oklahoma City metro is expected to stay mostly dry. For the latest forecast and discussion, see the National Weather Service in Norman.
Cold Front Brings Cooler Tuesday
A cold front sweeps through on Tuesday, May 5, dropping highs into the mid 60s across the metro and putting an abrupt stop to Monday's heat. By Tuesday night, lows should fall into the upper 40s around Oklahoma City, with some locations north of the metro slipping into the 40s by Wednesday morning. If you are out early Tuesday, plan on a noticeably cooler start and bring a light jacket.
This update builds on our May 1 preview; for more background see our earlier report. For hour-by-hour details and any watches or advisories, check the NWS in Norman and our May 1 coverage at OKC wakes up chilly.
