textproduct: Tulsa

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1044 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

- Strong cold front arrives today bringing colder temperatures and strong northwest winds, gusting 25-35 mph.

- Despite colder temperatures, fire weather concerns will remain heightened this afternoon due low relative humidity and strong winds.

- Several mostly dry cold fronts are expected over the next several days, with below normal temperatures favored through Monday.

SHORT TERM

(Through Saturday) Issued at 1044 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

Light snow showers remain possible across NE OK and NW AR overnight as an elevated boundary pushes through the region. No winter impacts are expected with minimal or no accumulation. This boundary will also bring a period of strong winds overnight, with gusts up to 25 mph. Another strong cold front will then advance through the FA by the late morning/ afternoon. This is likely to bring even colder air, as well as additional strong winds during the day, with gusts 25-35 mph. Another round of sprinkles or flurries will be possible as a shortwave passes overhead, but again no impacts are expected. All in all, it will certainly feel like winter Saturday as temperatures remain in the 30s (lower 40s south), and wind chills struggle climb out of the 20s for much of the area. Dry conditions and strong winds will also increase fire spread rates this afternoon, though cold temperatures should help limit overall potential.

LONG TERM

(Saturday Night through Friday) Issued at 1044 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

High pressure fills in behind the front Saturday night, allowing for strong radiational cooling given calm winds and clear skies. This permits low temperatures to plummet into the 10s areawide, perhaps in the single digits across far NE OK and NW AR. South winds return on Sunday ahead of yet another cold front, with temperatures warming back into the 40s and 50s by afternoon. The front is then projected to advance through the CWA late Sunday into Monday, bringing another cold winter day on Monday, with high temperatures comparable to Saturday. Dry conditions will persist, though another batch of sprinkles or flurries cannot be ruled out with the frontal passage.

The +PNA pattern somewhat deamplifies early next week, opening the opportunity for warmer temperatures and modified gulf moisture to work north into the area. Models generally agree on the idea of at least low PoPs arriving on Wednesday as another shortwave and associated cold front influence the area. Depending on the timing and intensity of the colder air, some wintry precip could develop with this system. Dry conditions are then expected to finish the work week as high pressure fills in across the southern plains. There are hints in the long range guidance of a pattern change late next week, potentially resulting in more precip potential for the last week of January.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1022 PM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

Scattered light snow showers and flurries will continue to spread across NE OK and NW AR into the overnight hours. No aviation impact is expected as ceilings remain VFR and any brief reduction in visibility will also likely remain VFR and short duration. Little to no accumulation will also prevent impacts. Periodic gusty winds continue overnight as reinforcing cold front moves southward with winds increasing during the day Saturday with any ceilings remaining VFR.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

TUL 24 38 15 52 / 10 10 0 0 FSM 27 41 17 51 / 0 0 0 0 MLC 26 42 13 53 / 0 0 0 0 BVO 21 35 10 52 / 10 10 0 0 FYV 22 33 10 46 / 10 10 0 0 BYV 21 32 11 44 / 10 10 0 0 MKO 24 40 12 51 / 0 0 0 0 MIO 22 31 12 47 / 10 10 0 0 F10 24 41 13 54 / 0 0 0 0 HHW 30 44 17 52 / 0 0 0 0

TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...None. AR...None.