textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1221 PM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026

- Our heatwave will persist through next week.

- Very low chances for rain on Thursday afternoon across south central Oklahoma but otherwise dry through the forecast.

- Fire weather will continue to be a concern with the ongoing drought and dry fuels.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of today and tonight) Issued at 1221 PM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026

Heat Advisory this afternoon across southwest and portions of central Oklahoma generally west and north of the I-44 corridor as well as all of our counties in western north Texas. A line of elevated rain across northwest Oklahoma should diminishing as the mid-level moisture fueling it starts decreasing.

Surface moisture transport remains strong with a pseudo dryline gradient further west over the last 24-hours stretched across the Texas/OK Panhandles with all of our forecast area now in upper 60s to lower 70s dewpoints from west to east. Obviously this muggy hot air will result in triple digit heat indices across our entire area this afternoon even in areas where the air temperatures may not exceed triple digits. Pressure height falls from an upper high shifting further east across the Southeastern U.S. combined with cloud cover coming up from eastern Texas may keep afternoon temperatures from going triple digit generally east of the I-35 corridor with highs in the mid to upper 90s. A closed upper low remnants of "Edouard" over eastern Texas was increasing dense cloud cover across southeast Oklahoma although some uncertainty how long it will last through the entire afternoon? Both NAM & HRRR in good agreement with current satellite imagery but start scattering the cloud cover as the afternoon progresses. Scattering to few cloud cover could impact solar heating east of I-35 and start increasing heat indices in this lower 70s dewpoint air. Will maintain current Heat Advisory in areas where heat indices are expected to exceed 105 degrees and monitor our southeast for cloud cover & heat indices should our current advisory need to be expanded. As far as any rain, will maintain 20-30% storm POPs near the Red River in southeast Oklahoma for this afternoon coming up from eastern Texas (Edouard's remnants). There could also be some late afternoon convection activity firing up on the TX/OK Panhandles but most likely should not impact northwest Oklahoma.

SHORT TERM

(Friday through Saturday night) Issued at 1221 PM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026

Our upper flow remains in a blocking pattern with deep longwave troughing across the entire western U.S. and the second trough over the U.S. New England states with ridging over the entire central one- third of the country. Of course ridging remains strongest across the Central through Southeastern inland U.S. where the heatwave is persisting. Our area will remain well under the ridging with our heatwave and dry humid conditions persisting into the weekend. Heat Advisories due to afternoon heat indices between 105-109 degrees across parts of our area will be needed both days in the short term. For Friday afternoon expecting only up to scattered CU across central through southeast Oklahoma with pressure heights from the ridge increasing from out of the east and hotter especially east of I-35. Will have a more widespread Heat Advisory for Friday afternoon including all counties except portions of western & northwest Oklahoma.

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 129 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026

The upper ridge will continue to influence the region into next week which will cause the hot and humid conditions to persist with highs in the upper 90s and low 100s along with heat index values in the 105-110F range. These conditions mean that heat headlines (most likely heat advisories) will continue into at least early next week.

Unfortunately with the ridge over the area, it looks like there will not be much of a chance for any much need rainfall into next week as well. Fire weather conditions will also remain low but as mentioned earlier the very dry vegetation will remain susceptible to wildfires so everyone needs to take steps to prevent fire starts.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1209 PM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026

This morning's stratus deck south of I-40 and east of I-35 is beginning to devolve into scattered to broken cumulus clouds. Tropical moisture will keep these bases low, and the occasional MVFR report is possible this afternoon at DUA. Otherwise, VFR conditions expected through about midnight. Early tomorrow morning, MVFR stratus development is expected in a very similar location to where it occurred today. Prevailing winds will be from near the due southeast.

Meister

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 73 98 74 98 / 0 0 0 0 Hobart OK 72 103 74 101 / 0 0 0 0 Wichita Falls TX 73 102 73 101 / 0 0 0 0 Gage OK 71 101 72 100 / 10 0 0 0 Ponca City OK 73 98 74 98 / 0 0 0 0 Durant OK 72 97 72 99 / 10 10 0 0

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for OKZ005>008-011>013- 017>020-022>027-033>039-044-045.

Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 7 PM CDT Friday for OKZ005>008- 011>013-017>020-023>048-050>052.

TX...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for TXZ083>090.

Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 7 PM CDT Friday for TXZ083>090.