Next week kicking off with high winds and dangerous fire weather

(TULSA, Okla.) Fire weather conditions Monday will be the near term focus. The combination of above normal temperatures, delayed low level moisture return, and persistent low level wind max are all favorable for an increased fire weather concern Monday. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected in Northeast Oklahoma, generally along and north of Interstate 44. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Motorists should exercise caution while driving. Be alert to sudden gusts of wind which may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Extra attention should be given to cross winds and on bridges and overpasses. This general area also looks poised to experience the highest grassland fire spread rates and a fire weather watch has been issued for accordingly. Winds will stay up through the evening hours which will extend a heightened fire weather concern past the typical sunset time frame. Winds will eventually relax somewhat Monday night as the next cold front nears, with the front passing through much of the forecast area Tuesday. Again, any ongoing fire suppression efforts could be impacted by the winds shift on Tuesday. Scattered light showers are possible Tuesday afternoon primarily southeast of Interstate 44 with rain and isolated thunderstorm more widespread Tuesday night. Rain chances push south of the forecast area early Wednesday with an expansive region of surface high pressure settling into the southeastern U.S. by Saturday. The coolest temps locally will be Wednesday with a light freeze possible Thursday morning for the typically colder valleys. The influence of the aforementioned surface high will maintain dry weather through next weekend as the deep southward push of dry air and persistent surface ridging through the western Gulf will limit moisture return. Monday Sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. South wind around 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 35. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 66. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 42. South wind around 10 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 68. South wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.