Ticker for August 21, 2018

                
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August 21, 2018    August 21, 2018    August 21, 2018    August 21, 2018


It ain't over!





Have we seen out last 100? Uh, no.

It might seem like a safe bet, seeing how we failed to reach 90 degrees in the
state yesterday, and Eva has been in the 40s two mornings in a row.





By the way, that 48 degrees at Eva ties for the 14th lowest temperature ever
recorded on Aug. 21 in Oklahoma, dating back to the 1880s. Not a record breaker,
but significant nevertheless.

BUT, this is August. Summer is always a heat dome away. That high pressure dome
that keeps us baking and without significant rainfall moved away for a time, but
now it's on its way back. So another nice couple of days, relatively, then back
into the fire.







It looks like this coming heat will stick around awhile, according to the
temperature and precip outlooks from CPC.





And if you think YOUR location is impervious to another triple-digit
temperature, that's a risky bet in some cases. Take OKC, for instance. It's had
a whopping TWO days at or above 100 degrees this year, but they were fairly
significant at 105 and 109 degrees on July 19 and 20, respectively. It was
89 on the 18th, so quite a jump. Since that time it's been in the 90s 16 times
and the 70s/80s 15 times (twice in the 70s).

Again, though...summer tends to find a way. OKC's latest 100 was on Sept. 30 ,
1977, and it has reached triple digits a meager 90 times since records began
in 1890 (vs. 636 times in August). So they definitely dwindle after this month.
But this month ain't over yet. In 1893, OKC hit 100 degrees exactly twice...
the first time on June 24 and the last on Sept. 13. SUMMER FINDS A WAY. Heck,
in 1989 it reached 100 degrees exactly ONCE, on Sept. 1.

Okay, we'll concede to Miami's chances. Probably no more 100s up that way. But
the western 2/3rds of the state? I'd bet with your money, not mine. For the
western third...almost a certainty. For far SW OK? That's a sure thing. Bet
the house.

While we worry about some random number on the thermometer (99 degrees is hot
as well, and don't forget about all that rain adding extra misery with the
heat index!), we actually do have some rain chances coming up across northern
Oklahoma tonight through Thursday. Maybe some severe weather, but nothing like
the deluges of the last week or so.



This summer has been quite the roller coaster ride. Looks like we're going to
smooth out awhile before the fun begins again!

Oh by the way, in case you think you're completely safe from the sweat-o-meter
after September, Oklahoma's latest 100 on record?

October 17 in 1972 AND 2016.

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