Tulsa is staring down another steamy, slap-you-in-the-face kind of weekend, with a Heat Advisory in effect Friday afternoon and a round of Saturday night storms lurking in the wings. Forecasters say the combo of scorching temps and muggy air will drive "feels like" readings into the triple digits, and some of those late-day storms could punch out damaging wind gusts after dark. Residents are being urged to play it smart in the heat and keep one eye on the radar.
Heat advisory runs through the evening
The National Weather Service in Tulsa has issued a Heat Advisory for parts of eastern Oklahoma and west-central Arkansas from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Friday, warning that heat index values could climb to about 106°F in some spots. The advisory stretches into Saturday afternoon for many of the same counties, with forecasters noting that values could push even higher Saturday where the sun breaks through and things stay relatively dry. National Weather Service Tulsa has a county-by-county breakdown and the latest timing.
Storms expected Saturday night; wind the main threat
Forecast models show a weak boundary teaming up with an upper-level disturbance Saturday to fire off scattered showers and thunderstorms, with storm chances ramping up Saturday night around the metro. Forecasters say the primary severe concern is isolated damaging wind gusts, though any stronger storm could drag down bursts of heavier rain and brief, frequent lightning. As reported by FOX23, many of these storms may hold off until after sunset, which means they could sneak in just in time to mess with evening outdoor plans.
How to stay safe
Officials are urging people to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, sip water consistently rather than waiting until you feel thirsty, and check in on elderly or medically fragile neighbors, as well as pets. Children and animals should never be left in parked cars, even for a few minutes, and anyone without reliable air conditioning is encouraged to use air-conditioned public spaces when possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers guidance on spotting heat exhaustion, recognizing signs of more serious heat illness, and knowing when it is time to seek medical care. CDC has detailed tips and resources.
Weekend outlook
Even with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the mix, National Weather Service forecasters are only expecting a modest cool-down by Sunday, with highs slipping into the low 90s for many locations before more typical early-summer readings arrive early next week. Slow-moving or training storms could wring out localized heavy downpours and brief flash flooding, while any stronger cells could deliver wind gusts up to around 70 mph in isolated pockets. Local residents are encouraged to keep tabs on updated forecasts, watches, and warnings as the weekend unfolds; National Weather Service Tulsa updates its products regularly throughout the day.
