Ticker for October 31, 2023

                
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October 31, 2023   October 31, 2023   October 31, 2023   October 31, 2023


Primal cold




In the heartland of Oklahoma, a chilling specter descends prematurely upon the
land. The frosty tendrils of winter unfurl in October, as if nature itself
conspires to test the resolve of its inhabitants. This untimely arctic embrace is
a reminder of the implacable indifference of the cosmos. In the face of this
premature wintry desolation, one can only ponder the fragility of human existence
and the eternal struggle of life against the unforgiving forces of the universe.

Hey, it can't all be pumpkin spice! Besides, we skipped right past pumpkin spice
lattes and went straight to piping hot chocolate (and we all know just how painful
that can be). A reinforcing shot of cold air is arriving as we Tick in the form of
a....uhhhhh, cold front.

Warm front? I WISH! The wind is picking up and the wind chills aren't getting
much better.





There will be lots of sun today, so we will see 40s and 50s, although some
might struggle in northern OK to escape the 30s.



You know, if you escape the 30s to the 40s, you'll need reading glasses.

Yes, I'm here to help.

So be prepared for a chilly, windy day...which if you make it a chili (with
beans) day you should prepare for a windy night.

If you think that joke was spooktacular, check out the wind chill forecast for
prime trick-or-treat time, 7 p.m.



I won't lie...when it got like this when my kids were trick or treating, I'd
just follow along in the car. Oh, I was still in charge of checking the candy
over for the kind I like...I mean to make sure there was nothing bad in there.
Parental rights, you know.

Want to hear something else that's really scary? Yesterday was the coldest day
statewide in Oklahoma since March 19. Yesterday's statewide avg. temperature
was 36.2 degrees, the coldest day since March 19's 34.7 degrees. AND it was the
20th coldest day of the year thus far (coldest was Jan. 30 at 20.1 degrees).



I'm not sure if tomorrow will be colder, but tomorrow MORNING will be the coldest
we've had this cool season, with lows into the teens and lower 20s nearly
statewide.



It's all uphill from there, at least for awhile.





Until then, may your treats be Snickers bars. Full size, even.

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