Warmer temperatures return with rain expected on Thursday

A Mild Pattern Before Rain Returns to Oklahoma

A sunny and pleasant day is expected with afternoon highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Winds will be relatively light for most of the day. 

A storm system moves across the area, mostly on Thursday, bringing rain to most of the area. More sunshine returns on Tuesday, accompanied by a warming trend.

Morning lows will be in the upper 20s and lower 30s, with daytime highs nearing 60°F.

When’s the Next Best Chance of Rain?

Higher chances of rain return on Thursday. The evolution of an upper-level low currently across Southern California is becoming more consistent in the data. We could see a few spotty showers on Wednesday across southern Oklahoma.

The entire system will eject eastward on Thursday, bringing rain and some thunder across most of the state and exiting the area Friday morning to midday with lower chances.

Will There Be Heavy Rainfall?

Some pockets of locally heavy rainfall will be possible in the southern and eastern third of the region on Thursday.

This system may also produce some severe weather, but mostly to our south along or south of the Red River Valley both Wednesday evening and Thursday. 

Strong winds aloft will roll across North Texas and Southern Oklahoma on Thursday. However, the higher probability of severe weather parameters will stay slightly south of the Red River Valley.

The threat of severe storms in our immediate area remains very low, though a few rumbles of thunder are possible.

A few lingering showers may continue Friday as the upper air system moves over northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.

Could We See Snow?

Probably not. Colder air aloft could briefly change any remaining precipitation to some light snow shower activity on Friday evening across extreme northern OK or southern Kansas. However, this probability remains very low.

What About the Weekend?

Most of the weekend looks pleasant with morning lows in the mid-30s. Saturday’s highs will be in the mid-50s, and Sunday’s highs will be in the lower 60s.

Where are the warming shelters available in Tulsa this year?

The city of Tulsa, local shelters, warming stations, and outreach teams are working to ensure access to safe, warm spaces during the cold temperatures.

>>> City of Tulsa prepares for extreme cold temperatures

>>> Warming Shelters Open Across Tulsa Amid Freezing Temperatures

Tulsa shelters and temporary warming locations are open to provide refuge. Major locations include:

1. John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne — Open 24/7
2. The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave. — Open 24/7
3. Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St. — Open 24/7 (Pets allowed, limited capacity)
4. Youth Services of Tulsa, 311 S. Madison Ave.

Temporary overflow shelters will also be open for the cold weather:

1. The Merchant: 605 S. Peoria Ave., open Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.–Noon; Tuesday-Friday, 9–11 a.m.
2. Denver Avenue Station: 319 S. Denver Ave., open Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 5:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
3. The Station at Youth Services: 311 S. Madison Ave., open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
4. Iron Gate: 501 W. Archer St., open daily, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
5. The Ministry Center: 312 S. 33rd W. Ave., open Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

For a full list of warming station locations and hours, visit Housing Solutions’ Winter Weather Information Page.

>>> Warming Shelters, Safety Tips For Cold Temperatures This Winter In Oklahoma

Bring Pets Inside!

Winter temperatures can pose additional challenges for pets, particularly older animals or those with health conditions. Hartfield recommends:

1. Wellness Checks: Ensure pets are up to date on vaccines and discuss arthritis or other cold-weather health concerns with a veterinarian.
2. Outdoor Time: Monitor the duration of outdoor activities, especially for short-haired breeds or pets with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
3. Paw Care: After walks, inspect and clean paws to remove ice or de-icing chemicals that could harm your pet.

>>> Cold Weather Pet Tips: How To Keep Animals Safe During Winter Months

How Can I Protect Myself From Sickness This Winter?

The Tulsa Health Department is urging residents to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent respiratory illnesses as Oklahoma enters the coldest months of the year.

1. Health experts say the risk of respiratory illnesses is higher during the winter, as colder weather often leads to more indoor gatherings, increasing the likelihood of viruses spreading. 
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Oklahoma is one of 11 states with very high respiratory virus activity, and with flu vaccination rates lower than this time in 2024, more people have reported getting sick.

>>> How to Protect Yourself From Respiratory Illness This Winter

Emergency Info: Outages Across Oklahoma:

Northeast Oklahoma has various power companies and electric cooperatives, many of which have overlapping areas of coverage. Below is a link to various outage maps.

>>> Tulsa HVAC, Plumbing Companies Flooded With Calls During Cold Weather

1. PSO Outage Map
2. OG&E Outage Map
3. VVEC Outage Map
4. Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) Outage Map
5. Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage Map — (Note Several Smaller Co-ops Included)

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dCHRWMFjs4fEPKLqTLjvy

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/oklahoma-news-from-kotv-news-on-6-in-tulsa-oklahoma/id1499556141

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