Ticker for April 20, 2020

                
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April 20, 2020     April 20, 2020     April 20, 2020     April 20, 2020


Hold your breath


Darn, this might be the first full week of actual spring we've seen since, uhhhh,
February? No massive cold fronts are forecast to hit the state this week, with
temperatures in the 60s and 70s (and a few 80s) through next weekend.











The coldest morning would appear to be Thursday, but even then you don't see
any 30s on the forecast map, and for darned sure no freezing marks.



There will be a chance for storms, befitting a week of spring, beginning
tonight and then again Tuesday and Wednesday. Those will come with severe
chances, of course (it's spring!), especially tomorrow and Wednesday. Hail
looks like the big threat for both days, but Wednesday is still a bit more
unsure than Tuesday.









Despite the threat of storms, that would be good news today in the far
western Panhandle. That is an area that has gone without significant rainfall
for nearly four straight months. The rains forecast for the next week would
be welcomed by most of Oklahoma. Not sure if parts of northeastern Oklahoma
are clamoring for more muddy ground, but most of western Oklahoma sure is.





Let's get back to that freezing weather again. We did have that really
not-so-nice freeze this weekend. Wasn't much, but like Mercutio's scratch, it
was enough to possibly damage some vegetation.



"No, 'tis not so cold as an icicle, nor so long as a January-week; but 'tis
enough, 'twill serve."

Okay, I ain't no Will Shakespeare, but our weather is sort of like a tragedy
at times. We have to be star crossed to keep getting these freezes, after all.

So no freezes, maybe some severe weather (but not TOO severe), probably some
rain, and seasonable high temperatures? We'll take it. It could be worse, as
evidenced by the above freeze map AND the storm report map from the Southeast's
second major severe weather outbreak of the spring.



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