Ticker for August 24, 2026

                
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I'm a short bit away from leaving for a drought meeting in Texas, which is odd
because I've met plenty of drought in Oklahoma and...not really a fan! But hey,
as I dash your hopes for a cool transition into September, let's accentuate the
positive with some good news first.

No, not today. Other than a chance of rain (LOL! It doesn't rain during
droughts!), today could be the hottest day of the year thus far. For those that
don't think it can get as hot in late August as it can earlier in the month...
where ya been?





Ask those hanging around on this date in 1922. Or 2011. Or 2024. Or today at
about 6pm.



Drought begets heat. Heat begets drought. Drought begets more heat. Heat begets
a rash in your trousers. A rash in your trousers begets Gold Bond Medicated
Powder.

You know you've used it!

Anyway, we will see a cool-down, at least where we'll be just a little above
normal instead of HOLY CRAP, WE'RE WAY ABOVE NORMAL for a few days.





But it does continue to look hot as we head through the weekend into the first
week of September.



Now for the rain. I think we'll see areas that'll get a good dose of moisture
with storms the next few days, but pretty scattered. The storms have been
over-performing, so we'll hold out hope. And watch out for the wind out of any
collapsing storms! We have seen our share of downbursts the last few days.







Not drought-busting rains, but maybe some dust-settlers or even a bit more?



These outlooks aren't locked in stone, though. Maybe we'll have a pattern
change sneak up on us. Maybe the heat dome won't come back so far east after
it meanders to the west over the next few days.

You know my motto: "Taco Bell in abundance leads to bathroom time in abundance."

But also: "Let's get through today first."

Stay cool. Stay safe.

Gary McManus
State Climatologist
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climate Survey
gmcmanus@ou.edu