Cooler temps and thunderstorm chances for the upcoming week

(TULSA, Okla.) Main forecast concerns into the upcoming holiday weekend will revolve around near daily thunderstorm chances. Most days will see that potential focused in the higher terrain of southeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas during the afternoon hours, at least until late next week and next weekend. Heat and humidity were slightly reduced Sunday and that will continue into a good part of next week, with triple digit heat index values looking unlikely. Afternoon highs will drop to near to slightly below normal values, as upper level heights decrease from those of the last few days. Highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s will be common. Greater thunderstorm coverage remains probable toward the end of the upcoming work week as an upper level disturbance lifts across the area. Beyond that, the highest chances will focus near the Kansas and Missouri borders for the most part, as the core of the upper high shifts southward some and northwest flow develops to the north, allowing for additional disturbances to move through northern parts of the region.