textproduct: Tulsa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1210 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026

- Anomalously warm temperatures continue into the weekend. Near record or record high temperatures are forecast each day.

- Limited fire weather threat each afternoon through Saturday. Elevated to near critical fire spread potential behind a cold front Sunday.

- No meaningful rain chances over the next seven days.

SHORT TERM

(Through tonight ) Issued at 1154 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026

An anomalously strong area of high pressure continues to build over and to the west of the area. Dry northwest flow aloft will keep skies clear today. And a thermal trough just to the west of the area will continue to strengthen. Winds will be light southerly into this trough axis. These factors will support even warmer temperatures than yesterday, with upper 80s to low 90s expected. Record highs may be set at several of our climate sites. The warm temperatures, dry conditions, and receptive fuels support fire weather concerns but the light winds will mostly keep this threat in check today.

With clear skies, light winds, and relatively low moisture levels, temperatures will still cool off tonight. Lows will be in the mid to upper 50s across the area.

LONG TERM

(Tomorrow through Friday) Issued at 1154 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026

Record breaking upper level ridging continues Saturday, with conditions essentially unchanged from Friday other than that highs may increase another degree or two. Be sure to take proper heat precautions if you are out and about. Heat of this magnitude is unusual so early in the year. Fire weather concerns will remain on the lower end. On Sunday the upper level pattern will weaken just enough to send a cold front through the area. The upper level support will remain well removed to the north, so no rain will occur. With that said, the front will enter northeast OK in the early afternoon, advancing southeast through the forecast area by the evening hours. Based on the frontal timing, anywhere along and southeast of I-44 will be near or above 90 Sunday before cooling commences.

Behind the front, gusty northerly winds will develop, with gusts of 30-40 mph. There will be a brief window along and behind the front when moisture levels will be low, temperatures will still be warm to hot, and winds will be strong. A Fire Weather Watch was issued to account for the favorable fire weather potential Sunday afternoon for parts of the area.

Monday will be much cooler and cloudier, with lows in the 40s and 50s and highs in the 60s to low 70s. Southerly flow will quickly become reestablished Tuesday and Wednesday, with widespread 80s by Wednesday. The increased southerly flow and continued dry conditions will likely result in a resurgence in fire weather issues midweek. The next cold front appears to be on track for later Thursday or Friday next week.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1210 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the forecast period.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

TUL 57 93 66 92 / 0 0 0 0 FSM 58 92 61 93 / 0 0 0 0 MLC 59 92 65 93 / 0 0 0 0 BVO 51 93 60 88 / 0 0 0 0 FYV 56 90 62 90 / 0 0 0 0 BYV 59 90 66 89 / 0 0 0 0 MKO 57 90 64 93 / 0 0 0 0 MIO 56 90 64 88 / 0 0 0 0 F10 57 92 66 95 / 0 0 0 0 HHW 58 87 63 90 / 0 0 0 0

TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Fire Weather Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening for OKZ054>056-059>061-064>067.

AR...None.