Warmer Temperatures in Forecast for Week

By Gary England, NEWS 9 Director of Meteorology

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Compared to Oklahoma's hugely below normal temperatures of December, January and February, this week is going to be just the opposite. The old thermometer will read up to and into the 80s without much effort. Parts of western Oklahoma will be in the 90s for afternoon high temperature readings.

Southerly component winds will blow at 15 to 30 mph with gusts in excess of 40 mph through Friday. Very low moisture content in the atmosphere will keep the relative humidity quite low, and correspondingly the fire danger will be very high. Any wild fire may be very difficult to control and could become a significant risk to property.

Low level moisture will increase from the Gulf of Mexico Thursday night, Friday and Saturday. During that time frame there will be a risk of severe weather.

At this time, the weather for Easter appears to be good with a morning low in the metro of 46 degrees and an afternoon high of 72 degrees.