Tulsa, Oklahoma – An Arctic air mass will surge into eastern Oklahoma overnight, bringing sharply colder temperatures, gusty north winds, and bitter wind chills by Sunday morning.
Temperatures will drop quickly tonight into the teens and lower 20s, while north winds remain gusty overnight, creating wind chill values that fall to near 0° along the Kansas border and around 15° to 20° near the Red River by daybreak Sunday. The coldest wind chills are expected early Sunday morning, especially across northern and northeastern Oklahoma.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, blustery north winds will persist through the night, preventing temperatures from rebounding much on Sunday. Despite sunshine, Sunday afternoon highs will only reach the mid to upper 30s across most of eastern Oklahoma, with lower 40s possible near the Red River. The combination of cold air and wind will make it feel colder than the thermometer suggests for much of the day.
Cities including Bartlesville, Miami, Pryor, Muskogee, McAlester, and Fort Smith will all experience a noticeable temperature drop compared to Saturday. Morning wind chills in the Tulsa metro are expected to range from 5° to 10°, improving slowly during the afternoon as winds ease slightly.
Travel impacts are expected to be limited, but the cold poses risks to pets, pipes, and people spending extended time outdoors. Residents are urged to dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and bring pets indoors. Those traveling Sunday morning should carry an emergency kit, especially in rural areas.
Temperatures will remain below normal into Monday morning before a gradual warming trend begins early next week. Even with the slow improvement, another cold start is expected before highs climb closer to seasonal levels by midweek.
