A very active weather pattern is setting up for the ArkLaTex this week, and that means the eventual end of summer, and prolonged Fall temperatures finally making an appearance.
A strong cold front is now moving through the central Plains, and will be driven by a powerful upper level low now moving out of the Four Corners region. The ArkLaTex will be in the ‘warm sector’ ahead of the front today, and that will mean another round of upper 80s highs. It will be partly to mostly cloudy at times, with a few scattered showers and storms possible, especially this afternoon and evening when temperatures are at their warmest. Rain will be moving south to north, likely helped by the sea breeze today.
A higher chance for rain will move in with the cold front late Tuesday into early Wednesday. Some locations in northeast Texas and Oklahoma may see 1 to 2+ inches of rainfall, with lighter amounts in northwest Louisiana and southern Arkansas. A marginal risk of a few strong to severe storms exists late Tuesday into early Wednesday morning across east Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
This front will finally bring cooler weather, as highs will drop into the 70s behind the front Thursday through next weekend and possibly beyond. Another round of rainfall late in the weekend may drop highs into the 60s next Sunday.
One other item of interest is now Tropical Storm Michael, which will likely become Hurricane Michael soon. The timing of the cold front will keep the ArkLaTex from any direct impact, as most forecast models are now showing a landfall in the panhandle of Florida. The presence of Michael in the Gulf may help to push sea breeze rain and storms in our direction tomorrow ahead of the cold front.
