Chances of storms and showers throughout the week

What is the forecast for Monday?

Warmer weather arrives today with afternoon highs reaching the upper 80s near 90. Low humidity levels are also increasing later this evening setting the stage for showers and storm activity Tuesday into part of Wednesday. Our upper air pattern presents a chance for additional thunderstorms again Friday into Saturday before a cold front passes through the area bringing mostly pleasant weather Sunday into early next week. Both systems offer the potential for strong and severe storms.

Our first chance for some showers and storms will be early tomorrow morning across part of northeastern Oklahoma as a low-level jet strengthens early across the region. Additional storms will likely develop to our west Tuesday afternoon and evening as they move east and southeast over time. As these areas approach northeastern OK, some may become strong with severe weather and damaging winds the main threat. There is also the potential for locally heavy rain in some pockets in some locations, but not all. Tuesday morning lows will be in the 60s with afternoon highs in the low to mid 80s. Southerly winds will remain brisk at 15 to 15 knots per hour. There may be some additional showers and storms around Wednesday evening into early Thursday, but chances will still be relatively low.

We should be in between systems on Thursday with additional storm chances on Friday moving back into the weekend as a strong upper level system moves across the western US into the central Plains. This will bring additional storm chances for part of Friday and Saturday. Active southerly winds are also likely during this period with Friday morning lows in the 60s and afternoon highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Saturday features lows near 70 and highs in the lower to mid 80s with additional rain and storm chances during the day and early evening. A few of them may be strong to severe with the Friday and Saturday regime. Another surface boundary will likely accompany this storm system and should move through the area sometime Saturday afternoon or evening resulting in more fall weather on Sunday with morning lows in the upper 50s and afternoon highs in the upper 70s.

Click here for Alan Krohn’s weather podcast

Are Oklahomans losing an hour of light in September?

Oklahoma will see a decrease in daylight in September due to the Northern Hemisphere approaching the fall equinox, with the decrease initially being three minutes per day and then slowing to one minute per day at the winter solstice.

The trend of losing daylight continues until the clocks “fall back” on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 2 a.m., and daylight saving time ends until March 2024.

This twice-yearly ritual has led some members of Congress to push to make daylight saving time permanent.

According to the Sleep Research Society, daylight saving time causes more light exposure in the evening, which delays melatonin production in the body.

This can lead to sleep loss, which is linked to obesity, heart disease, depression and stress.

Are allergies bad this time of year in Oklahoma?

Starting in mid-September, trees in central Oklahoma begin pollinating, according to the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

This means that it is ragweed season and common species such as elm, oak, maple, birch, mulberry, juniper and others will be pollinating for a few weeks. Overall, the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic says the season is too long.

The OAAC says ragweed pollination begins based on daylight hours and almost always begins when the days shorten around mid-August.

These weeds often continue to pollinate until a hard freeze occurs, usually by late November.

“These next few weeks of September are when temperatures often peak,” News On 6 meteorologist Stephen Nehrens said. “That’s when it becomes a problem.”

You can read more about allergy season in Oklahoma below.

Follow the news of 6 meteorologists on Facebook!

Meteorologist Travis Mayer

Meteorologist Stacia Knight

Meteorologist Alan Krohn

Meteorologist Stephen Nehrens

Meteorologist Aaron Reeves

Meteorologist Megan Gould

————

On Wednesday (8/23), EMSA doctors responded to six heat-related sick calls and transported four (4) patients to hospitals in the Tulsa area. Since the heat medical alert was issued, EMSA doctors in Tulsa have responded to 29 suspected heat-related illness calls and transported a total of 24 patients to local hospitals.

The current EMSA Medical Heat Alert will remain in effect until Sunday.

EMSA doctors in Oklahoma City and Tulsa respond to more than 250 heat-related sick calls each summer. These calls can range from minor pains to severe cases of heat exhaustion such as a person losing consciousness.

EMSA issues a heat medical alert when there are five or more suspected calls for heat-related illness within 24 hours, and the alert expires when there are fewer than 5 calls per day.

For more information about thermal safety, click here.

What are some ways Oklahomans can stay cool before temperatures rise this summer?

Don’t exercise intensely during the hottest times of the day, and wear light, loose clothing. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to replace the fluids you lose through sweating. To keep cool, mist your skin with water and cover the windows with a blanket or sheet during the day.

What are the signs of heat exhaustion?

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, which can be: heavy sweating, cold, pale, clammy skin, rapid and weak pulse, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and fainting. If these symptoms appear, people should drink water, move to a cooler area, or take a cool bath. Finally, seek medical attention if symptoms persist for longer than an hour.

What are the signs of heatstroke?

The CDC defines the symptoms of heatstroke as: hot, red, dry, or clammy skin; Fast and strong pulse. headache; Dizziness; nausea; Confusion and fainting. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately, and try to move the person to the shade or a cooler area. Try to lower your body temperature by using cool clothing.

How to protect children from heat stress and heat stroke

Parents and caregivers should be aware of the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in young children and take precautions such as making them wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, using sunscreen, and staying hydrated. To keep cool, activities such as playing in water or shade should be encouraged, and a spray bottle can help increase comfort. Children with heatstroke may also have a high temperature or even have seizures.

For more information about heat exhaustion and heat stroke from the CDC, click here.

How do I keep my pet safe from extreme heat?

Pets are susceptible to dehydration and overheating in hot and humid weather. Owners should provide shady places for pets, limit exercise, and keep them indoors in extreme temperatures. Signs of overheating include excessive panting, increased heart and breathing rates, drooling, weakness, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.

For more information on how to keep your pet safe, click here.

How to protect your skin from extreme heat

Stay hydrated throughout the day and provide your body with proper sleep. To protect your skin from damage, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 every two hours. Make sure to wear protective clothing, use lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For tips on skin safety, click here.

Cooling centers in Tulsa

Expo Square is located at 4145 E. 21st St., 405-744-1113, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

John 3:16 Mission is located at 506 N. Cheyenne Avenue, 918-587-1186, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and year-round.

Tulsa County Emergency Shelter 2401 Charles Page Boulevard, 918-896-5591, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, year-round.