Tulsa, OK – Light rain showers are moving across eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas early Friday, but the brief moisture will be limited and followed by increasing fire weather concerns early next week, according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa.
Forecasters report that showers will continue spreading east through the morning hours before ending from west to east by late morning or early afternoon. Rainfall totals are expected to remain below one-quarter inch, with many locations receiving only light, spotty amounts. Wet roads may affect the Friday morning commute, but no flooding concerns are anticipated.
Despite the rainfall, the National Weather Service says the moisture will do little to ease ongoing dry conditions. A warmer and drier pattern is expected to return over the weekend, setting the stage for elevated grassland fire danger by Monday, especially across much of eastern Oklahoma and far northwest Arkansas.
On Monday afternoon, temperatures are forecast to rise into the mid-60s to mid-70s, with relative humidity dropping to 30–45 percent. South winds of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching 20 to 25 mph, will further increase the risk for rapid fire spread. Grassland fire spread rates could reach up to 120 feet per minute, particularly in open and dry areas.
The National Weather Service urges residents to take fire safety precautions, including properly disposing of cigarettes, avoiding idling vehicles on dry grass, and exercising caution with welding or outdoor equipment. Any outdoor fires should be fully extinguished.
Looking beyond 24 hours, warm and dry conditions are expected to persist into early next week, with temperatures potentially running above normal. Rain chances may return later next week, but until then, fire weather conditions are likely to worsen.
Motorists, outdoor workers, and rural landowners should remain alert to rapidly changing conditions, especially Monday afternoon when fire danger is expected to peak.
