textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 140 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

- Breezy southerly winds will result in elevated fire weather conditions across northwest Oklahoma today and Thursday.

- A more active pattern is expected to bring a return of showers and thunderstorms by the end of the week into the middle of next week.

- Strong to severe storms and locally heavy rain/flooding possible.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of today and tonight) Issued at 140 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

Breezy and warm conditions are in place this afternoon as lee cyclogenesis to our northwest maintains a tight pressure gradient over the area. With relative humidity values in the 20-30% range, elevated fire weather will affect portions of northwest OK for the remainder of the afternoon, especially for areas that missed out on beneficial rainfall last week.

A cold front will stall just to our north across KS and will serve as a focus for thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The vast majority of this activity is forecast to remain in KS, but can't rule out a stray shower or decaying storm making it into far northwest portions of the area this evening with some gusty winds. Overall chances for this are very low (15-20%) with dry conditions more likely to prevail. Lows tonight will not be quite as cold as the last several nights, with reading in the low to mid 50s expected for most locations.

Ware

SHORT TERM

(Thursday through Friday night) Issued at 140 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

The synoptic pattern does not change much for Thursday as low amplitude upper ridging remains over the southern Plains, with a surface trough across CO into KS. Breezy conditions and fire weather are expected once again for northwest OK, while moisture begins to slowly increase for the remainder of the area. A diffuse dryline will foster storm potential across the panhandles Thursday afternoon and evening, with activity possibly making into northwest/northern OK during the evening as it weakens. Gusty winds and small hail is possible, but severe weather is not expected at this time.

Moisture will continue to increase through the day on Friday to the south of a cold front that will stall across southern KS. The front will serve as a focus for thunderstorm development, with some of this activity potentially developing across or moving into northern OK Friday evening. A few of these storms could produce marginally severe hail and wind, though lack of shear will be a limiting factor for better storm organization.

Ware

LONG TERM

(Saturday through Tuesday) Issued at 132 AM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

The pattern shift to SW flow aloft will continue leading to an active pattern over the weekend into the middle of next week with multiple disturbances possibly moving through the flow and the upper low eventually moving across the Plains.

Shower/storm chances will increase over the weekend and continue into the middle of next week. Currently, the highest chances are Saturday afternoon into Sunday. Strong to severe storms will be possible over the weekend into at least early next week. Locally heavy rain/flooding will also become an increasing concern, especially late this weekend into next week with multiple rounds of rain and increasing PWATs expected.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1212 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

VFR conditions continue in the next 24 hours. High cloud cover will be sporadic at most. Winds are forecast to be nearly due south at 10-15 knots during the day and around 10 knots at night. Low-level wind shear is expected in the northwest corner of Oklahoma late tonight.

Meister

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 54 81 60 82 / 0 0 0 30 Hobart OK 53 83 57 84 / 0 0 0 20 Wichita Falls TX 55 83 59 83 / 0 0 0 10 Gage OK 52 83 56 83 / 10 10 30 50 Ponca City OK 52 82 59 82 / 0 0 20 60 Durant OK 55 80 60 81 / 0 0 0 10

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...None. TX...None.