textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 125 AM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026

- Excessive heat continues through the weekend and into next week.

- Isolated rain/storms are possible most days.

NEAR TERM

(Through Friday) Issued at 125 AM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026

The weak surface boundary from northwest Oklahoma southeast toward I- 40 will continue to move slowly south through the night. As this occurs southwest/westerly flow in the lower/mid levels will result in the development of some warm air advection. This waa will aid in a few high based showers/storms possibly developing across our northeast counties and then sliding south and east toward morning. Other isolated activity will be possible farther west.

Some this activity may linger into the morning hours before dissipating. Then additional isolated storms may redevelop late today and this evening across southeast Oklahoma.

Elsewhere, the heat, unfortunately, will be the story once again. After some morning clouds expect abundant insolation from mid- morning through the afternoon. Highs will once again be in the triple digits with some spots in southwest Oklahoma and western north Texas topping 110. Heat headlines will continue today across a majority of Oklahoma and western north Texas.

In addition, even with lighter winds, the combination of excessive heat, low afternoon humidity, extremely stressed vegetation and drought will result in easily induced fire starts again today. Be careful with any potential heat source which may aid in starting wildfires.

SHORT TERM

(Friday night through Sunday night) Issued at 125 AM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Some late day and evening showers and thunderstorms will be possible as a minor disturbance drops south and southwest across eastern and southeastern Oklahoma. Later in the overnight period an area of waa may again assist in a few showers and thunderstorms developing, again mainly across far eastern part of the area. Much like Friday, a residual boundary along with daytime heating may result in late day convection Saturday, this time mainly along and south of I-40.

Some slightly cooler temperatures may slide into north central Oklahoma (highs in the upper 90s). Otherwise another day with triple digit heat, heat indices and likely more headlines for Saturday.

Sunday looks to remain dry as the upper ridge keeps shortwave well to our north and any associated convection relegated well to our north and east. However this shortwave will bring a weak front into the northeast quarter to a third of the state with portions of north central possibly only climbing into the middle and upper 90s Sunday afternoon. Very hot conditions will continue farther south. A few overnight showers will be possible near the boundary Sunday night.

LONG TERM

(Monday through Thursday) Issued at 125 AM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026

As we go throughout the upcoming week, the upper ridge slowly retrogrades back westward. Even by Monday this will allow a more northwest mid-level flow, although weak, to develop across the Southern Plains. Do not anticipate any big changes Monday or Tuesday with another couple of days with near record heat. Although an isolated late day storm can not be ruled out.

As we go into Tuesday night, a stronger shortwave drops southeast out of the central Rockies and into Oklahoma, bringing a better chance of rain to portions of Oklahoma and western north Texas. Currently we have 20-40% chance of precip, best across northwest Oklahoma. Hopefully these increase as we get closer, but I don't want to get too optimistic at this point.

In the wake of what we hope is some precip, some cooler air slides into parts of the area with temperatures in the 90s along and north of I-40 Wednesday and Thursday.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1005 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

Predominately VFR conditions are expected during the upcoming period, though will still carry low/scattered mentions of rain and storms into Friday. For now, the most "likely" periods are across northern Oklahoma after 08Z and again by the early evening. Gusty-erratic winds will be possible with activity during the latter period.

Passing outflows/weak fronts are also likely to shift wind direction occasionally across the northern one-half of Oklahoma, though a south-to-southeast wind direction is expected for most of the period.

Safe travels!

Ungar

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 106 76 104 75 / 10 20 10 10 Hobart OK 108 78 108 76 / 0 10 10 0 Wichita Falls TX 109 79 109 78 / 0 10 10 0 Gage OK 104 72 102 72 / 0 0 0 10 Ponca City OK 100 73 97 72 / 20 10 10 0 Durant OK 107 78 106 76 / 10 20 20 10

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for OKZ005>008-010>017- 020>023-026-033>038.

Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for OKZ018-019- 024-025-027>032-039>048-050>052.

TX...Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for TXZ083>089.

Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for TXZ090.