Oklahoma heat wave to gradually weaken

By News 9 Meteorologist Carrie Rose.

The triple-digit temperatures that have gripped Oklahoma for days will gradually weaken the rest of this week.

Afternoon highs will return to the 90s to most places Wednesday, with a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms in the state Wednesday evening through Thursday.

The best chance for rain is Thursday night into Friday.  At the upper levels of the atmosphere, a ridge will build across the western U.S. as a trough develops in the eastern U.S.  With Oklahoma in between the two, there is an opportunity for showers and storms.

The recent heat wave upped Oklahoma City's tally of 100 degree days to ten for 2008.  The hottest highs occurred on August 3 and 4, when temperatures topped out at 106 degrees at Will Rogers World Airport.

Monday's high of 106 degrees surpassed the long-standing record high for August 4 of 105 degrees from 1918.  Oklahoma City tied the August 3 record high of 105 degrees on Sunday. 

The Heat Advisory that has been in effect for days expires Tuesday at 7 p.m. 

Stay with News9 and News9.com, we'll keep you advised.