A powerhouse of a storm system is about to explode over the central high plains. Most of the ingredients are in place. We have plenty of moisture... we have had light rain and drizzle around for most of the morning. An upper level storm system is dropping through the Rockies. The one ingredient missing is cold air.... but it may not matter.

This storm will develop tonight, and really get cranking tomorrow. As the storm deepens, it will generate it's own cold air. As pressure lowers, so does the temperature.... remember the Ideal Gas Law from high school physics? PV=nrT. This works in the atmosphere, especially in a rapidly deepening storm. Rain today in Colorado will turn to snow tonight. The storm will also produce very strong winds, with gusts over 50 mph on the high plains tonight. Eastern Colorado is under a blizzard watch for tonight and tomorrow with 4-8 inches of snow and 50 mph winds.

Here in Oklahoma we will see some dynamic weather as well. The surface low will move into northwestern Oklahoma tomorrow. Winds behind the cold front will increase through western Oklahoma tomorrow afternoon with gusts past 50 mph. As the storm moves east, thunderstorms will develop east of I-35. There is a chance for severe weather tomorrow with strong winds and hail being the main threat. These storms will quickly move into eastern Oklahoma, and those gusty winds will move into central Oklahoma tomorrow night.

Since this storm is not going to blow in any cold air, we will see a nice warmup as the winds calm down for the weekend.


-Frank