Strong Winds Could Amplify Conditions For Grass Fires in Oklahoma

TULSA, Oklahoma – 

A surface ridge of high pressure moves east quickly as the next strong upper-level trough develops and moves across the intermountain region.

This will bring gusty south winds across the southern and central plains, including Oklahoma both today and on Tuesday. Wind speeds from 15 to 30 mph will be likely over the next two days. Despite recent rainfall, some fire spread rate issues will arrive. If a grass fire starts today or tomorrow, it will spread rapidly due to antecedent conditions combined with the gusty south winds. Highs today will reach the mid-70s with sunshine before a few clouds arrive into the area tonight through Tuesday.

Tuesday morning lows will start mostly in the 50s with afternoon highs reaching the mid to upper 70s. As the strong upper-level trough ejects into the central plains Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, a surface cold front arrives from the northwest along with a mention for a few storms. Instability will be low, but low-level moisture will be increasing during this period. Despite increasing moisture, amounts should be limited in space and scope. Because of these limitations, we’ll carry relatively low perception chances for the area.

This front will cross the region Wednesday morning and reside south of the state Thursday and Friday. A dry northwesterly upper-level flow will remain during this period with pleasant weather into the first part of the weekend before the next upper-level system arrives from the west and impacts the central plains Friday into Monday. A weak front should enter northern OK Friday and possibly stall near or north of highway 412 allowing for a few scattered showers or storms into part of the weekend. This boundary may slowly slosh around until lifting north of the state early next week.