Tulsa, OK – Residents across northeastern Oklahoma and parts of northwest Arkansas are in for a stretch of unseasonably warm and dry weather, with temperatures climbing toward record highs just in time for Christmas.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, temperatures will remain mild over the next couple of days before warming significantly beginning Tuesday. Highs across the region—including Tulsa, Muskogee, Bartlesville, McAlester, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville—are forecast to rise into the low to mid-70s, with some locations potentially nearing record-breaking territory by mid to late week, including Christmas Day.
Overnight lows will also trend well above normal, generally staying in the 40s and 50s, reducing the likelihood of frost or freeze concerns. The warming trend will be accompanied by persistent dry conditions, with precipitation chances remaining near zero through at least the end of the week.
While the weather may feel more like early fall than late December, officials note that breezy conditions combined with dry air could lead to elevated fire weather concerns, particularly in grassy and rural areas of northeastern Oklahoma. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and properly dispose of cigarettes and other ignition sources.
Winds are expected to increase at times throughout the week, which could allow fires to spread more rapidly if they start. Fire departments and emergency managers are closely monitoring conditions as the warm, dry pattern persists.
For holiday travelers and those planning outdoor Christmas activities, the forecast offers mostly favorable conditions, though residents should remain mindful of fire safety and changing wind conditions.
