Ticker for August 22, 2019

                
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August 22, 2019    August 22, 2019    August 22, 2019    August 22, 2019


This cold air craze




So how do you like your weather? Do you like it hot and spicy? Or are you a
classics fan, the mild and bland version? Wait, are we still talking weather
here? In the midst of this spicy chicken sandwich craze, generated by the
marketing geniuses at Popeye's (come on, Chick-Fil-A, you know you helped, too),
the weather made the spicy part a bit unnecessary. I mean, all you had to do
was eat a McChicken while standing outside. At any time of the day, even! You
could take a bite at midnight and you'd still be sweating.

At any rate, relief has arrived in the form of a late-August cold front, courtesy
of good old Mother McNature (new phrase coined by State Climatologist Gary
McMcManus...I have bona fides). All you need to do is walk outside if you're
in the northern two-thirds of the state and you'll get the news firsthand.



So we're headed for a NICER day than what we've seen in awhile, at least most
of the state is. But things will get even nicer as we head to the weekend. Then
we'll see a reinforcing shot of cold air next week.







In the midst of our misery, we've also been dealing with this flash drought,
especially across western and central Oklahoma. Well, maybe we'll get some help
there as well. Could see some good rains today through the weekend, again, then
maybe some more next week! And we had some pretty darned good rains last night
along the northern fringe of the state.





The need for this rain is obvious, especially when looking at the Mesonet rain
maps, as well as the new Drought Monitor.







That 11.87% of the state in Severe drought is the highest amount we've seen
since Sept. 4 of last year. Heck, was anybody worried about a new Popeye's
spicy chicken san...I mean DROUGHT two months ago? NO! You were worried about
flooding!



We need rain. And we need a Popeye's spicy chicken sandwich. And we need
Chick-Fil-A waffle fries. And we need a Wendy's Frosty.

And we need McDonald's, just in case.

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