Storms could occur in Oklahoma after weeks without rain

After more than a month of almost no precipitation across most of Oklahoma, forecasters are eyeing a storm system that is expected to bring heavy rain to some areas Wednesday evening.

Widespread showers and thunderstorms are forecast to develop before a cold front rolls into the region, with a slight risk of severe weather along a swath from northern Texas to southern Iowa.

Large hail and damaging wind gusts of 60-70 mph are the primary threats, according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, but “a limited tornado threat could also develop in eastern Oklahoma.”

The Storm Prediction Center expects “some tornadoes” in the elevated risk area, which covers most of eastern Kansas but also includes some counties along the Oklahoma border.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to reach the Tulsa area after dark and is expected to end by 1 a.m. Thursday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the long dry spell in October had led to fire bans being imposed in 41 counties across the state. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, most of the state has had more than 30 consecutive days with less than a tenth of an inch of rain. A report from Oklahoma Forestry Services said that while Wednesday's storms could provide relief in some areas, “fire danger remains a major concern until the rains arrive.”

Early Tuesday evening, some residents of rural Pawhuska were ordered by authorities to evacuate as crews battled a wildfire in Osage County. Crews in Payne County also worked to contain a grass fire east of Cushing, where additional residents were evacuated Tuesday.

Tuesday's Oklahoma Forestry Services report also said western Oklahoma is facing near-critical fire weather due to the storm system.

“It may sound cliché, but Oklahoma will be Oklahoma in terms of weather on Wednesday, and rather than expecting the unexpected, it will be wise to prepare for the potential,” the report said.

Another round of storms late Friday is expected to bring more widespread rainfall into the weekend, with a risk of thunderstorms extending into Monday.