textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 612 PM CDT Sat Apr 18 2026

- Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are possible across parts of northwest and western Oklahoma into next week.

- Dry and cooler weather this weekend. Warming but remaining mainly dry into the middle of next week.

- Storm chances and potential for severe weather return by Thursday for at least portions of the area.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of today and tonight) Issued at 135 PM CDT Sat Apr 18 2026

Much cooler and drier air has settled over the region in the wake of yesterday's storm system which continues to move farther from the area. North winds will subside this evening and veer as the surface ridge axis moves to our south later tonight. Light winds and dry air underneath the ridge will allow for good radiational cooling conditions overnight, with lows expected to drop into the mid 30s to low 40s. Some of the more sheltered locations across western/northern OK could see lows near freezing overnight but given this is expected to be rather limited spatially and temporally, have held off on any freeze related products at this time. Another mitigating factor is that winds are expected to increase towards sunrise across northwest OK which could cause temperatures to remain steady or even increase with more mixing which further lowers confidence in a contiguous area to target for freeze headlines. Frost is not expected as relative humidity values remain in the 50-70% range overnight across these areas.

Ware

SHORT TERM

(Sunday through Monday night) Issued at 135 PM CDT Sat Apr 18 2026

The return of southerly winds on the backside of the surface high will allow for slightly warmer temperatures on Sunday, in the low to mid 70s for highs in most spots. Winds will become breezy during the afternoon in western Oklahoma which could lead to elevated to near-critical fire risk when combined with relative humidity values below 20%. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for these areas. On Monday into Monday night, a weak wave tracking across Texas will increase shower and storm chances to our south, but extensive dry air in the low levels will make it hard for much to reach the surface this far north. Retained low PoPs near and south of the Red River, but amounts will be light regardless. The warming trend will slow Monday given increased cloudiness, but still expect temperatures to warm a few degrees over Sunday's highs.

Ware

LONG TERM

(Tuesday through Friday) Issued at 140 AM CDT Sat Apr 18 2026

Medium-range guidance continues to be in agreement with a mid- level ridge dominating the Plains through the middle of the week. Highs will gradually increase through the week and get back into the 80s/90s by Thursday afternoon. At least elevated fire weather conditions will persist through the rest of the week across the western third of the area.

Still good agreement with a next potential system moving in Thursday which will bring thunderstorms back into the area. Another cold front will sweep through the area late Thursday into Friday, providing another cool down into the weekend.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 612 PM CDT Sat Apr 18 2026

Winds will become light and variable over the next few hours. By morning, winds should predominantly be southerly. Some afternoon breeziness is expected in parts of western Oklahoma tomorrow.

Day

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 41 72 45 73 / 0 0 0 0 Hobart OK 38 74 43 76 / 0 0 0 0 Wichita Falls TX 40 74 45 74 / 0 0 0 0 Gage OK 35 76 44 78 / 0 0 0 0 Ponca City OK 38 73 45 75 / 0 0 0 0 Durant OK 42 72 46 74 / 0 0 0 0

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Fire Weather Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening for OKZ004-005-009-010-014.

TX...None.