Cool weekend ahead with slight rain chances in southern Oklahoma

Near Normal Today Before a Sunday Cool-Down

Normal temperatures will return today and tomorrow before a storm system approaches parts of Oklahoma on Sunday.

While many locations will remain dry, there is a slight chance for a few showers across southern Oklahoma. Additional rain chances will return to parts of Oklahoma by the middle to the end of next week.

Do I Need a Coat This Afternoon?

Yes. You should keep the coat this afternoon. South winds will develop at 15 to 25 mph with afternoon highs reaching the upper 40s and lower 50s.

Mostly sunny conditions are expected, with wind chill values reaching the mid-forties this afternoon.

More cloud cover on Saturday will keep highs in the lower 50s, with a lighter wind from the south at 10 to 15 mph for most of the day. A cold front moves across the area late Saturday night.

Any Rain This Weekend?

A cold front will approach the area Saturday night and early Sunday, bringing temperatures back down to the upper 30s and lower 40s on Sunday.

There is a low-end chance for a few showers Saturday night into early Sunday morning, mostly along and south of the I-40 corridor.

The latest data has continued to trend even more southward with precipitation chances, but there will still be at least a low-end mention of showers for late Saturday evening into early Sunday across the southeastern third of the area.

Active Weather Returns Next Week

The evolution of next week’s forecast remains tied to the eventual outcome of the cutoff low that will be positioned across Southern California by late this weekend and early next week.

It’s not unusual for data to struggle with consistency and placement of such a feature but as the low attempts to move eastward next week, shower and precipitation chances will develop.

Global model data this morning remains highly inconsistent on the exact track of the upper-level system.

A broad-based approach to precipitation chances will continue from Wednesday through early next weekend, with changes to this portion of the forecast likely.

Monday through Wednesday of next week will feature morning lows in the 30s and daytime highs mostly in the mid to upper 50s. A few spots may be near 60° on Tuesday afternoon.

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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