textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 545 AM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

- Dangerous heat expected to persist most days into at least the middle of next week.

- Thunderstorm chances today into Friday, mainly for northern/western OK.

NEAR TERM

(Today and Tonight) Issued at 132 AM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

Surface pressure falls across southwest KS will allow for easterly winds to gradually veer through the day. Temperatures will warm slightly over Wednesday's highs across central/northern OK but a lingering easterly component will keep temperatures from warming too drastically. The warmest temperatures overall will remain across western OK and western north TX where highs in the low 100s and heat indices of 105-109 are forecast. A heat advisory is in effect this afternoon for these areas.

Other than heat, a few storms are possible within the plume of moisture ahead of the dryline that will set up across the panhandles this afternoon. The bulk of this development appears to be mainly in the panhandles but can't rule out a storm or two making it into western OK this afternoon. The stronger storms could bring damaging winds and brief heavy rain, along with a risk for lightning. Additional showers and storms from the high plains could move into northwest/northern OK Thursday night as a shortwave draws closer to the area, but the expectation is that storm strength should be waning as they reach our area.

Ware

SHORT TERM

(Friday through Saturday night) Issued at 132 AM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

The aforementioned shortwave will traverse the central US on Friday as the upper ridge briefly retreats westward. Showers and storms will be possible once again Friday, either from lingering overnight activity or redevelopment during peak heating close to the surface trough in northern OK and/or in the vicinity of lingering outflow boundaries from Thursday night. Storms Friday could bring a risk for strong winds and brief heavy rain, but overall coverage should only be 20-40% (isolated-scattered) so most will stay dry.

Highs Friday will once again be hot, though there is greater uncertainty on temperatures than the last several days (especially across northern OK) given the expectation of at least some cloud debris in the area leftover from Thursday night. Regardless, increasing humidity (low to mid 70s dewpoints) is expected to lead to heat indices near or over 105 degrees across much of the area. Similar conditions are expected on Saturday, though will once again have to see what impact, if any, lingering cloud cover may have on temperatures Saturday.

Ware

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 132 AM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

Ridging is forecast to expand over the southern Plains Sunday into the middle of next week, keeping hot temperatures and mainly dry conditions in the forecast for the foreseeable future. Highs are forecast to be generally in the lower to mid 100s across the area with heat indices 105+ each day through at least the middle of next week.

Ware

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 545 AM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

VFR conditions to continue.

Showers and storms across southern Kansas may impact PNC for a couple of hours to start the forecast so have included a PROB30 at PNC. Otherwise, some daytime cu with east to southeast winds increasing this morning with gusts of 15-20kts at most sites. Additional convective activity could develop late this afternoon and overnight impacting northwest Oklahoma and have introduced a low probability at WWR beginning at 06Z tonight. Gusts are expected to diminish after sunset.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 97 76 97 78 / 0 0 10 20 Hobart OK 100 76 101 78 / 0 0 10 20 Wichita Falls TX 100 76 100 78 / 0 0 0 0 Gage OK 101 76 102 74 / 20 20 20 30 Ponca City OK 88 74 95 78 / 20 0 50 20 Durant OK 96 77 96 79 / 0 0 0 0

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for OKZ004-009-010-014>016-021-022-033>037.

TX...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for TXZ083>089.