Ticker for March 28, 2017

                
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March 28, 2017     March 28, 2017     March 28, 2017     March 28, 2017


Keep your head on a swivel


Today is one of those days in the Southern Plains. And by "one of those days" I
mean just about any day when severe weather is possible around these parts. It
certainly doesn't feel like "one of those days." Heck, for what we're used to
the last 6 or 7 months, it's downright cold! And it was even downrighter(??)
colder this morning.




But that's the key. Severe weather can occur just about any day in Oklahoma,
given the proper conditions. Now what are those proper conditions? Well, there's
an upper-level storm approaching, and the sun rose in the east. That's about
what it takes. Okay, it's a bit more complicated than that, but the ingredients
are there for supercell thunderstorms to form in SW OK and NW TX and then march
to the E. That's when the tornado threat will be the highest, although not TOO
high (but high enough).



As per usual, however, hail and high winds are the greatest threat.




Overall, the SW corner of the state is at greater risk according to the current
forecast data.



The other threat? Heavy rain. While the dewpoints in Oklahoma aren't too
impressive right now, they are higher to our south. And those higher dewpoints
will be pushed farther north as the storm system approaches and southerly winds
begin to kick up.




And of course what's above the surface, not measured by our surface instruments,
is also important. That air to our south has a good bit of moisture as you
increase in height as well. The storm system doesn't end today. There will
also be a decent chance of rain and storms tomorrow, a bit on Thursday, and
again on Friday with the arrival moves our way. A very bumpy road in store for
Oklahoma, it would appear.

A very MUDDY bumpy road.



Gary McManus
State Climatologist
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@mesonet.org