Oklahoma City starts off sunny and calm on Thursday, July 23, 2026, but the afternoon will crank things up again, with highs near 96°F and heat index values pushing close to 100°F. A Heat Advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. CDT for parts of central and western Oklahoma, and the harshest conditions will be in wide open, sunbaked areas and big parking lots.
Afternoon Heat And Timing
The sun will do its worst through the midday and early afternoon hours, and even with an east southeast breeze at 6 to 12 mph, it will not feel like much of a cooldown. The most intense heat is expected between about 1 and 6 p.m., when temperature and humidity will combine for heat index readings near 100°F. Try to move heavy outdoor work to earlier or later in the day, and make a point of checking on older neighbors and pets. According to the National Weather Service, most of the metro should stay dry, with the hottest readings focused west of I-35.
Spotty Storm Chances
Most people will get nothing but sun, although a few late day storms could bubble up across northern and western Oklahoma into Friday. Any stronger cells that form may deliver brief heavy downpours and some gusty winds. We flagged this developing storm chance and the advisory in Wednesday’s update, and you can check our earlier breakdown of the heat wave for more on storm timing and the recent string of heat alerts.
Week Ahead
The upper level ridge overhead is expected to hang on into next week, keeping the heat locked in and nudging highs into the upper 90s and lower 100s by the weekend and beyond. Forecasters are calling for highs in the 101 to 103°F range from Sunday through Tuesday, with heat index values at times topping 105°F. Keep outdoor plans flexible, and try to stack the heaviest activity in the morning or evening as this dangerous pattern keeps grinding on.
Cooling Centers And Help
For residents without reliable air conditioning, the City of Oklahoma City offers a heat health resource hub along with a downloadable list of public cooling centers. Call 2-1-1 or visit the city’s resource page for locations and hours. The city also notes that utilities may not disconnect service when the heat index reaches 101°F or higher, so reach out to local assistance programs if you are struggling to stay cool, according to the City of Oklahoma City.
