'Fire and Rain' in the Forecast

South-southeasterly winds will increase this morning ahead of an
incoming cold front and upper trough. Winds will become quite
gusty by late morning into early afternoon and continuing into
the overnight period. These gusty winds combined with dry fuels
will allow for elevated fire weather concerns today despite
scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Showers and
thunderstorms will increase in coverage this morning with strong
storms possible through the afternoon and evening across portions
of southeast Oklahoma. Hail and gusty winds are the primary
concerns with the stronger storms.


A dry air mass will move in behind the cold front Monday with
strong northwesterly winds both Monday and Tuesday. Fire weather
concerns will remain very high due to the relative humidity dropping
below 25 percent both days. Northwesterly winds gusting 25-35 mph
over much of the forecast area will allow any fire to quickly
become unmanageable.