textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 135 PM CDT Thu Sep 17 2026

- Heat wave and elevated fire danger persists through at least Saturday.

- A cold front arrives this weekend, bringing medium-high rain chances and less hot temperatures next week.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of today and tonight) Issued at 135 PM CDT Thu Sep 17 2026

The center of the upper high continues to slowly drift towards the region today. With the high influencing the region more, another hot one is expected this afternoon with highs in the upper 90s/low 100s across the area. Heat index values of 105+ are still expected in parts of south central OK this afternoon/early evening so the heat advisory remains in effect.

Elevated fire weather conditions are expected again through early evening, especially along/south of I-40 and west of I-35 where drought-stricken vegetation remains susceptible to fire starts/wildfires.

Another warm night is expected tonight with lows in the low/mid 70s across the area. These temperatures are well-above normal, which is low/mid 60s, for this time of year.

SHORT TERM

(Friday through Saturday night) Issued at 135 PM CDT Thu Sep 17 2026

The upper high will continue to build into the region over the next couple of days with an upper low/trough moving across the western U.S. This will lead to SW flow aloft across parts of the region Saturday and cause a sfc cool front to move across KS, possibly into parts of northern OK Saturday/Saturday night.

RAIN: With the shift in weather pattern, rain chances will finally begin Saturday afternoon in NW OK then spread south and east Saturday night/early Sunday. Some of the storms could become severe late Saturday afternoon and evening with damaging winds and large hail possible.

HEAT: Unfortunately, the heat will persist Friday and Saturday across the area with highs mainly in the upper 90s/low 100s. Triple digit heat index values will also be possible but most of the fa is expected to have values remain below 105.

FIRE WEATHER: Elevated fire weather conditions are expected again Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the most likely area will be along/south of the I-40 corridor and along/west of the I-35 corridor where the very dry vegetation remains susceptible to wildfires. On Saturday, models are showing the low level thermal ridge perhaps being a little further east with a pocket of drier air developing generally SE of I-44 Saturday afternoon which would lead to lower RH values further east than has been occurring the last several days. These conditions could expand the Elevated fire weather conditions east of I-35 Saturday afternoon. The winds in the area of lower RHs are expected to be lighter (5-10 mph) compared to further west and northwest where wind speeds are expected to be more around 15 mph.

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 228 AM CDT Thu Sep 17 2026

The front will battle the heat on Sunday and could remain nearly stationary across far northern Oklahoma much of the day, with medium-high probabilities of rain/storms expanding and shifting southward into portions of central Oklahoma by Sunday evening. This will likely keep hot temperatures for the majority of the CWA on Sunday. As the cooler airmass begins to advect into Oklahoma Sunday afternoon and evening, low-level frontogenesis sharpens and mid-level lapse rates steepen. As a result, strong to severe storms with large hail are possible by Sunday afternoon/evening across northern Oklahoma.

The front moves slowly southward on Sunday night and Monday morning, and may not fully exit our area until late Monday. There is the hope that Monday will mark the end to our long season of triple- digit temperatures as highs remain in the 80's and 90's, with continued shower and storm chances.

Thompson

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1105 AM CDT Thu Sep 17 2026

VFR conditions are expected to continue through the period. Winds are expected to back tonight, before veering towards the southwest by Friday morning. A few mid-level clouds are expected across the region.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 75 97 75 98 / 0 0 0 0 Hobart OK 75 99 75 100 / 0 0 0 0 Wichita Falls TX 75 101 74 101 / 0 0 0 0 Gage OK 73 98 74 98 / 0 0 0 20 Ponca City OK 74 96 74 97 / 0 0 0 0 Durant OK 75 100 73 100 / 0 10 0 0

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for OKZ032-042-043- 046>048-050>052.

TX...None.