Weather to cover wide range of extremes today

Ponca City Emergency Management Director Paula Cain is calling today’s weather “crazy.”

“You can bet there will be all kinds of things going on this week.  Even for Oklahoma, this isn’t exactly typical,” she said.

“Today’s high will be 51°,” Cain said.  “Yes, it is 61°right now, but a cold front will move through the area shortly, dropping the temperature by 10 degrees.  That doesn’t sound so bad until you factor in the strong north winds that will follow the front, at speeds from 26-31 mph and gusts up to 44 mph.”

She said a  wind advisory will be in effect until 7 p.m. this evening.  And for tonight, a Freeze Warning has been issued with temperatures dropping to 22° overnight.

“Covering delicate plants will be critical tonight,” Cain said.

Through this week, Cain said, Thursday will be the best day this week: sunny with a high of 69°.

“Then Friday will arrive with a high of only 49° and a 50 percent chance of showers and more windy conditions.  There is a low chance of snow and sleet Friday night and another freeze.  Right now I’m afraid to look at a weekend forecast,” Cain said.

“I’m pretty sure it is supposed to be spring, but it sure doesn’t seem like it,” she said.