Easter Sunday soaker

By News 9 Meteorologist Nick Bender

After the devastating wild fires this week, rain - regardless of the day, is welcomed. So, perhaps it is more of a blessing than hindrance that beneficial rain is on the way for Easter Sunday.

Showers and thunderstorms developing this evening across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles will spread into western parts of the state around midnight. Rain, heavy at times, will reach central Oklahoma by sunrise Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon, rain will overspread much of the state. Farther to the south along the Red River Valley, afternoon thunderstorms may be capable of producing very large hail and gusty winds.

The rain will gradually begin to clear from west-to-east Sunday night into Monday morning. Showers wrapping around the back side of the storm system may linger into Monday afternoon across central, northern and eastern Oklahoma. Total rainfall accumulations could reach as much as one to two inches widespread with locally heavier amounts.

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