Ticker for July 25, 2023

                
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Hades Heat Dome




No no, we've done the Johnny Cash meme many times before, which we'll take as a
sign that this isn't really that uncommon for the summer in Oklahoma. And besides,
I'm a "Boy Named Sue" guy! However, it *IS* uncommon this summer.

NO, not being a "Boy Named Sue" fan. I just naturally assume that's everybody's
favorite Johnny Cash song. I'm talking rainfall. Check out this graph of the
statewide average rainfall for this warm season (March 1-forward) for this year.
I threw in last year as well for comparison. Amember (I'm all out of Re's) last
year's flash drought that started on June 11 (last year's avg. in green) after
a really wet late-April through June 10?



Very similar to this year through that early June period, but this year's graph
(green) continued right on through and lasted until...well, last week. The
difference between the two years is remarkable. That's why having the Heat Dome
from Hades (I say "Hades" because I'll get in trouble if I say "Hell") AND it's
rain- and cloud-killing effects during this part of summer isn't unusual...but it
is THIS summer. As that high pressure dome sits over the Southern Plains and
Oklahoma, the air sinks, killing any widespread cloudiness or rain chances.

Now the bad news is that this looks to last through early next week, as we noted
yesterday.



And the good news is the current strike in Hollywood has shut down the
"Roadhouse" remake! I mean, really??? Jake Gyllenhall for Patrick Swayze? I'm
so perturbed (English to Okie dictionary: upset) I didn't even bother to look
up how to spell Gillenhall.

Oh, the other good news...there appears to be signs the heat dome will be moving
off to the east later next week, which should usher in a bit more seasonable or
milder weather, as well as a return of our rain chances.



Until then, it's just BLAH. Lots of heat, lots of sun, lots of wind, some fire
danger, and our continued gaze at the latter parts of the 7-day forecast for
those changes to start showing up.

Gary McManus
State Climatologist
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
gmcmanus@mesonet.org