Flash flood watch Wednesday into Thursday

(TULSA, Okla.) Thunderstorms are expected to move into Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas after midnight Wednesday, with activity lingering into Thursday. This rainfall, in combination with the multiple rounds before, could cause main-stem river flooding as well as flash flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect for much of Eastern Oklahoma and also Northwest Arkansas tonight into Thursday. Avoid flooded roadways. Strong to severe storms will be possible, especially late into early Thursday morning, with the western part of the forecast area likely seeing the greatest severe threat overnight. Additional strong to severe storms may develop by early Thursday afternoon across parts of east central and southeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, with this activity shifting quickly east of the forecast area by late afternoon or early evening. Locally heavy rainfall will also be a concern, and given the saturated soil conditions from recent heavy rains, the flash flood watch has been issued for areas along and south of Interstate 44 from late Wednesday evening through Thursday. A cold front will move south across the area Thursday night bringing much colder temperatures Friday and Saturday. Freeze headlines will likely be needed in some places for Friday night. Rain chances will return by Saturday night into Sunday, with low rain chances continuing into early next week. As of now, it still appears rainfall amounts at that time will be fairly minimal however. Temperatures will gradually warm back to near or above normal levels early next week.