Tulsa, OK – Gusty winds and thick gray skies will roll into Green Country by Friday afternoon, signaling a stormy weekend ahead for Oklahoma travelers wrapping up the holiday. Early Saturday could bring bouts of heavy rain, strong gusts up to 35 mph, and isolated thunderstorms before a colder, drier air mass settles in.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, widespread showers will develop late Friday and continue through Saturday morning. A few stronger cells may bring brief downpours and thunder, particularly east of Tulsa along I-44 and into northwest Arkansas. Rainfall totals could approach 1 to 2 inches in some areas, with isolated higher amounts possible.
Winds will shift sharply behind the front, blowing from the northwest at 25 to 35 mph through Saturday afternoon. Temperatures will fall from the mid-50s Friday to the low 40s Saturday, before dropping into the mid-20s by Sunday morning. That chill marks the start of a broader December cold snap expected to expand across much of the central U.S. next week.
Meteorologists caution that travel delays are possible Saturday morning, particularly on I-44 and Highway 75, where crosswinds and standing water could affect visibility. After the storms, skies will clear Sunday with crisp, dry air and highs struggling to reach the upper 40s.
Residents should secure outdoor items, check travel routes, and prepare for colder air early next week, as models hint at another potential system bringing wintry weather chances into early December.
Five-Day Outlook (Tulsa, OK)
Friday: Increasing clouds, high 55°F.
Saturday: Rain and storms early, windy, high 53°F.
Sunday: Partly sunny, breezy, high 45°F.
Monday: Cold morning, high 43°F.
Tuesday: Sunny, high 51°F.
