Warm Weather Today, Arctic Hammer to Arrive This Weekend
Miami News-Digest
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Warm Weather Today, Arctic Hammer to Arrive This Weekend
Date: January 17, 2025
Today, much of eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas will experience well-above-average temperatures, with gusty southerly winds pushing daytime highs into the mid-50s to low-60s. These warmer conditions, driven by the southerly airflow, are expected to make it feel more like spring for much of the day. While rain chances remain low, there could be isolated showers this afternoon and evening, particularly in northwest Arkansas. Any rainfall accumulation is expected to be minimal, with only a few hundredths of an inch at most.
However, this brief warm spell won’t last. The "Arctic Hammer" is set to move through the region tonight, bringing a sharp and prolonged drop in temperatures. The term "Arctic Hammer" refers to an intense and prolonged surge of cold air that often brings freezing temperatures and significant impacts to a region. It’s called this because of the force and durability of the cold air, striking suddenly and delivering sustained, bone-chilling conditions—similar to a hammer hitting the area repeatedly.
The front will first reach northeast Oklahoma by evening, before spreading across the rest of the area by midnight. Winds will shift to the north, bringing much cooler air that will dominate through the weekend.
By Saturday morning, temperatures will dip into the mid-20s to mid-30s, with the coldest readings in the northern areas. Daytime highs will struggle to reach freezing in many locations, only climbing into the upper 30s to low 40s. This cold air will persist through early next week.
Some scattered snow showers are possible Saturday, particularly north of I-40, though any accumulation is expected to be light. Confidence remains low regarding significant snowfall, but a few flurries could briefly fall in some areas. Later in the week, low chances for additional snow develop across southeast Oklahoma on Monday night into Tuesday morning, though confidence in this remains limited.
This Arctic Hammer will keep conditions chilly through early next week, with temperatures staying below freezing for much of the time. By Wednesday, a shift in weather patterns will begin, bringing a slight warming trend as high pressure moves southeast, allowing temperatures to rise into the mid-40s.
Stay prepared for rapidly changing weather, and be sure to check in regularly for updates on this developing situation.
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