More storms to kick off next week

(TULSA, Okla.) Thunderstorm chances return Sunday night and continue into the day on Monday. The highest chances for storms will be across northeast Oklahoma and far northwest Arkansas. More storms are expected throughout the week, including the potential for severe weather toward the middle of the week, as an active weather pattern persists across the region. Highs for both Monday and Tuesday should reach above normal levels. Any low end shower and thunderstorm chances through Monday should largely remain across the northern half of the area as fast moving disturbances move through the apex of the ridge. A trough approaching from the west will allow for higher shower and thunderstorm chances to spread to all of eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas by Tuesday. The better chances for severe weather should occur Wednesday and into Wednesday night as storms develop on the dryline well west of the area and move eastward during the evening. Instability and shear across much of the area is currently expected to be more than sufficient for severe weather, including very large hail and isolated tornadoes. Additional thunderstorms will be likely as the associated cold front moves through the area overnight, which could increase the damaging wind potential across the area as well. Much of this activity will clear the area by Thursday as the front moves through, although additional showers and thunderstorms will remain possible off and on through the end of the week, especially across southern portions of the forecast area, and possibly into the weekend as southwesterly flow persists aloft. Temperatures late in the week and into next weekend should be well below normal.