Tulsa, Oklahoma – Strong winds shifting direction by mid-afternoon Sunday could rapidly spread any fires across eastern Oklahoma, creating immediate for drivers, homeowners, and first responders.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, a cold front will move through the region between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, flipping winds from south-southwest at 15 to 25 mph to north winds at 20 to 25 mph. Gusts are expected to spike between 30 and 45 mph behind the front, while very low humidity keeps fuels critically dry. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through the evening.
The wind shift begins near Bartlesville and Tulsa around 2 p.m., reaching Muskogee closer to 4 p.m. and pushing into McAlester and southeast Oklahoma by 6 p.m. Rapid changes in wind direction can cause fires to change course without warning, especially along open corridors like U.S. 75, I-44, and rural highways where grassland dominates.
Emergency managers urge residents to avoid any outdoor burning, secure trailer chains, and delay activities that could create sparks. Power outages are possible where gusts exceed 40 mph, particularly in exposed areas.
Conditions remain volatile through the evening hours, and additional advisories may be issued if winds exceed current projections.
