Ticker for August 13, 1999

                
MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ...
August 13, 1999    August 13, 1999    August 13, 1999    August 13, 1999


Refreshing Summer Breezes, for Most of Us

As of 3:00 this afternoon about 90% of the state sits behind an
advancing cold front (they're still called cold fronts in August!).
As a result, temperatures are 10-15 F less than yesterday afternoon
over most of the state.  Some locations are nearly 20 F cooler than
yesterday afternoon!

Mesonet 24-Hour temperature change map is updated every 15 minutes at:


Today's brisk northerly winds are not only ushering in cooler air,
but drier air as well.  Dew points in the 50s and low 60s are largely
responsible for making today one of the most pleasant afternoon in
weeks.  Mesonet heat indices behind the front are in the 80s, which
is always welcome in August.

South of the front is a different story.  An air temperature of 102F
and a dew point temperature of 73F means a heat index of 115F at
Antlers, as of 3:00 pm.


Speaking of Antlers ...

It's been a rough period for southeastern Oklahoma.  Since July 1st,
the east-central climate division has observed just 9% of its normal
rainfall, and the south-central (40%) and southeast (29%) climate
divisions haven't fared too much better.  The Keetch-Byram Drought
Indices for the region are approaching (and exceeding, in some cases)
the 600 level, which indicates substantial dryness in the upper soil
layers and enhanced fire danger.


The Most Recent Hot Spell, Part Two

Yesterday in the Ticker, we mentioned that overnight low temperatures
were even warmer over the last three weeks than during the same period
last year.  As promised, here's the graphic which accompanies that
statement.  Brace yourselves for the next electric bill!