Most of Oklahoma Still Abnormally Dry Despite Recent Rain

Although Oklahoma received a good soaking on Independence Day and the weekend after, most of the state remains abnormally dry with some areas experiencing a moderate or severe drought.

Last week's rain brought a much welcomed cold front that cooled Oklahoma back into the 90s. But this weekend, high temperatures and humidity will return to the Sooner State and not much rain is in the forecast until middle of next week.

Is there a Flash Drought in Oklahoma?

Last month, a flash drought was looking strongly possible in Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Mesonet has confirmed that the state is now in the middle of one. According to Drought.gov, flash drought "is simply the rapid onset or intensification of drought. It is set in motion by lower-than-normal rates of precipitation, accompanied by abnormally high temperatures, winds, and radiation."

Unfortunately, last week's soaker wasn't enough to quench Oklahoma's thirst. Although, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet's July 11 Ticker, the rains have diminished Oklahoma's wildfire danger, but not enough to lower it to zero.

The mesonet's ticker also outlined that although the rains didn't squelch the drought completely, it did help bring some areas out of a worse drought. The areas that are abnormally dry actually indicate that these areas are coming out of a drought. And according to the mesonet's ticker, the state also hasn't seen a drought intensification for the first time in a couple of months.

Rain is in the Oklahoma forecast for next week.

Oklahoma will have another week before it sees more rain. According to the NOAA's extended forecast, Oklahoma will be above normal for the probability of precipitation next week.

Before the rain, the heat and humidity will increase in Oklahoma.

But before the rain brings in another cold front to Oklahoma, the state will see an increase in the heat and the humidity. Most of Oklahoma will see daytime highs back into the low 100s and will stay there under Thursday of next week.