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KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1220 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

- Widespread dangerous heat returns today with high temperatures between 105-110 degrees

- Fire weather conditions increase to an Elevated Risk across western Oklahoma & western north Texas for today and Wednesday.

- A weak cold front will restrict the dangerous heat to southern Oklahoma & western north Texas on Thursday, but it will return and become widespread Friday into the weekend.

NEAR TERM

(Today and tonight) Issued at 1134 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Widespread dangerous heat is returning to the area today as the upper level ridge strengthens once again. With mostly clear skies and modest southwest winds, surface temperatures will quickly increase, with high temperatures of 105-110 F. Due to recent dry conditions, dew points will be low enough that the humidity will only marginally contribute to the apparent temperature for portions of central Oklahoma. The Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for central Oklahoma with a Heat Advisory for western Oklahoma and portions of western north Texas. A few CAMs indicate the potential for an isolated afternoon thunderstorm for central or western Oklahoma (10% chance), but most locations will not see anything. The overnight hours will be quite warm as a southwesterly breeze persists, with lows in the mid 70s to low 80s.

SHORT TERM

(Wednesday through Thursday night) Issued at 1134 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

A weak cold front will move into the area Wednesday, likely stalling midway across the area. There is some question about how warm temperatures will get behind the front, but given the middle of the day timing elected to reissue the Extreme Heat Warning for the same areas that had it today, with a Heat Advisory elsewhere. This will be reevaluated depending on the frontal timing. High temperatures will mostly remain 105-110 F, except possibly slightly lower near the KS border.

The cold front will push a little further south by Thursday morning, still near or just north of the Red River. This is expected to knock highs down into the upper 90s to near 100 F, except for near and south of the Red River where highs will be closer to 105-107 F. Model guidance indicates the potential for a few showers and isolated storms late Wednesday into Thursday morning, mainly near the KS border. Impacts will be limited to nonexistent.

LONG TERM

(Friday through Monday) Issued at 220 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Upper ridging across much of the western U.S. continues to build eastward over the Southern High Plains with our heatwave returning across our entire forecast area with widespread triple digit highs across our area by Saturday. Sunday & Monday looking even hotter between 105-110 degrees all air temperature vs heat index values. Could see another "summer" cold front at least partially push through early next week.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1220 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the forecast period. Winds will shift to the north late in the period for northwest Oklahoma TAF sites.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 80 107 76 102 / 0 0 0 0 Hobart OK 79 108 76 105 / 0 0 0 0 Wichita Falls TX 80 108 79 108 / 0 0 0 0 Gage OK 77 102 69 100 / 0 0 20 0 Ponca City OK 79 102 71 98 / 0 0 20 0 Durant OK 81 107 81 107 / 0 0 0 10

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for OKZ004>006-009>011- 014>017-021>023-033>038-044.

Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for OKZ004>006- 009>011-014>017-021>023-033>038-044.

Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for OKZ007-008- 012-013-018>020-024>032-039>043-045>048-050>052.

Extreme Heat Warning from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for OKZ007- 008-012-013-018>020-024>032-039>043-045>048-050>052.

TX...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for TXZ083>090.

Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for TXZ083>090.