Chilly start to the week in Tulsa, rain expected by Thursday

A cooler Sunday will be followed by a warm-up early in the week.

Rain chances and a wetter pattern return later in the week, with widespread rainfall possible heading into February.

Oklahomans can expect a mix of sun, warmer temperatures, and midweek rain in the coming days, according to Meteorologist Megan Gold’s latest forecast.

Sunday starts cool, with highs in the low to mid-40s across Green Country—about 10 degrees cooler than Saturday. North winds will make it feel even chillier, especially in areas like Pawhuska and Bartlesville, where wind chills have dipped into the teens.

“Bundle up this morning,” Gold said. “We’re feeling the bite of the wind today, but hold on—warmer weather is on the way.”

Temperatures will rebound Monday and Tuesday, with highs climbing to the low 50s and mid-60s, respectively. These sunny, mild days will be perfect for outdoor plans before clouds begin rolling in Wednesday, signaling the start of a rain event.

A developing storm system is expected to bring widespread rain and possible thunderstorms Thursday into Friday. The system, which initially looked to peak Friday, is now moving faster, with heavier rain expected Thursday and lingering showers Friday morning.

“This system has sped up a bit, so Thursday looks like the rainiest day,” Gold said. “We’ll keep an eye on its track, but widespread rain could bring much-needed moisture to the region.”

Morning lows Monday and Tuesday will range from the teens to 20s, though winds will lighten, keeping wind chill values manageable. By Thursday, highs will level out near seasonal norms in the 50s as the rain settles in.

Here's a quick breakdown of Tulsa’s forecast:

1. Sunday: High of 42, mostly cloudy, with wind chills in the 20s.
2. Monday: High of 53, sunny skies and light winds.
3. Tuesday: High of 63, sunny and mild—perfect for outdoor plans.
4. Wednesday: High of 55, increasing clouds ahead of rain.
5. Thursday: Widespread rain and thunder, with highs in the 50s.
6. Friday: Lingering showers in the morning, clearing by afternoon.
7. Saturday: Partly sunny, highs in the upper 50s.

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

Follow the News On 6 Meteorologists on Facebook!

1. Meteorologist Travis Meyer
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4. Meteorologist Stephen Nehrenz
5. Meteorologist Aaron Reeves
6. Meteorologist Megan Gold