Temperatures across Oklahoma soared into the triple digits Monday as the state endured its hottest weather stretch of the year. Forecasters said relief was in site for the next week.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for Wagoner, Tulsa, Rogers, Sequoyah and Muskogee counties in eastern Oklahoma, which was to remain in effect until Thursday night. Much of the rest of eastern Oklahoma remained under a heat advisory until Tuesday night.
Forecasters said a strong upper level ridge of high pressure was in place over the region and high temperatures would reach into the high 90s or 100s across Oklahoma during the coming days.
"There will be a degree or two in variation, but no significant changes" in temperature, said Vivek Mahale, a weather service meteorologist based in Norman.
On Sunday, Grandfield in southwestern Oklahoma reached 107 degrees while Frederick and Hobart reached 106 and Stillwater had a 105-degree reading. It reached 104 in Tulsa and in Gage.
On Monday, the daytime temperature topped out at 109 degrees in Freedom in northwestern Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet. Other high temperatures included 108 degrees in Alva and Buffalo, 107 degrees in Butler, Cherokee, Gage, Hobart and Kingfisher and 106 degrees in Clinton, Enid, Fairview, Frederick, Grandfield, Stillwater and Talihina.
Oklahoma City hadn't had a triple-digit heat day until Saturday, when it hit 100 in the state's largest city. It was 102 degrees on Sunday and 103 on Monday.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
