Tulsa, Oklahoma – Drivers across northeast Oklahoma could encounter wet roads and reduced visibility during the morning commute as showers and isolated thunderstorms move across the region, bringing brief heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds before pushing into northwest Arkansas later today.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, a band of showers and a few thunderstorms began moving into northeast Oklahoma early Thursday and is expected to continue eastward through the morning at 10 to 15 mph. The activity is forecast to spread into northwest Arkansas by this afternoon, affecting communities from Bartlesville and Pawhuska to Fayetteville and Rogers.
While widespread severe weather is not expected, any thunderstorm will be capable of producing brief moderate to heavy rainfall, occasional cloud-to-ground lightning and gusty winds. Motorists should allow extra travel time, slow down on rain-slick roads and use headlights when visibility is reduced.
The highest rain chances this morning extend across portions of Osage, Washington and Nowata counties, with showers passing near Bartlesville before continuing east toward the Arkansas state line. Areas farther south, including Tulsa and Muskogee, could also see passing showers, though coverage is expected to remain scattered.
Residents should keep an eye on changing weather conditions and move indoors immediately if thunder is heard. The morning storms are expected to gradually shift east into Arkansas later today, but additional weather updates may be issued if thunderstorms strengthen or expand across the region.
