Freeze likely on Wednesday

(TULSA, Okla.) A significant warm up is expected on Monday ahead of unseasonably strong cold front. Although most locations have seen a significant green up in vegetation, gusty southwest will combine with afternoon minimum relative humidity values in the 25 to 30 percent range to create at least a limited fire danger threat.

A strong cold front will move into northeast Oklahoma late Monday night sweeping through most of the area by noon Tuesday. A band of light precipitation will be likely along and directly behind boundary with best precipitation chances across northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. There is still the potential for rain to mix with snow across portions of northeast Oklahoma Tuesday morning, north of I-44. If precipitation is heavy enough, surface temperatures will likely fall briefly into the mid-30s with a quick burst of snow possible before precipitation shifts east Tuesday afternoon. We expect no significant accumulations, but will continue to monitor latest trends.

A widespread frost/freeze is likely across much of eastern Oklahoma/northwest Arkansas Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as surface high pressure builds over the area and a Freeze Watch has been issued during that time. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 degrees possible and temperatures in the Tulsa metro area could fall into the 30-32-degree range.

These conditions could kill plants and other tender vegetation that are left outdoors or unprotected. Precautions should be taken to protect them.

Another light frost or freeze is possible in a few locations across northwest Arkansas Thursday morning before a more significant warming trend develops late week through the weekend.

Precipitation chances return Thursday into Thursday night as stronger isentropic lift develops ahead of the main upper system. Heavier rain is expected Friday into Friday night with embedded thunderstorms, especially across southeast Oklahoma where instability may be modestly higher.

There remain some uncertainties regarding the exact timing of the main upper wave, however precipitation chances should begin to taper off into Saturday with a dry forecast for the remainder of the weekend.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 40. South wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight.

Tuesday

Rain likely before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night

Areas of frost after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday

Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Friday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.