Oklahoma City hit 103 degrees Aug. 16, under a National Weather Service heat advisory that kept feels-like temperatures above 105 across central Oklahoma through the afternoon and evening.
The advisory, which covered much of the state through 7 p.m. Sunday, came as the metro area logged its 15th day at or above 100 degrees in 2026, a pace the NWS office in Norman called "above normal."
By early evening, the heat gave way to a new hazard. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 5:40 p.m. Sunday for northern Caddo and Grady counties and far southern Canadian County, warning of potentially damaging downburst winds near the metro's southwest edge. KFOR's Aaron reported additional isolated storms were possible through 9 p.m. across a broader swath of central Oklahoma:
@kfor: "5:40PM Sun - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is out for northern Caddo and Grady counties, and far southern Canadian county for potentially damaging downburst winds. Areas circled in blue have potential for a few additional isolated storms through 9PM"
KOCO 5 meteorologist Mikayla Smith had advised residents earlier Sunday to "wear sunglasses during the afternoon and keep an umbrella handy as isolated storms may develop." The forecast put the chance of precipitation at 40 percent for central Oklahoma, with showers starting around 6 p.m.
Overnight lows Sunday dropped into the 70s, offering a brief window of relief.
Monday reprieve, then more triple digits
Aug. 17 brings a relative break. Highs are forecast around 98 degrees in Oklahoma City, according to OKC Fox, with scattered storm chances continuing and a marginal risk of severe weather from Clinton to McAlester. Southern Oklahoma will still see triple-digit heat.
The reprieve is short-lived.
Triple-digit temperatures are forecast to return to Oklahoma City starting Aug. 18, with highs of 104 to 105 degrees expected Tuesday and Wednesday. A possible weak front Aug. 20, could bring another brief cooldown.
EMSA responds to surge in heat calls
The Emergency Medical Services Authority has issued its fifth Medical Heat Alert of 2026 for the Oklahoma City metro, according to KOCO 5. As of Aug. 13, EMSA paramedics had responded to 40 heat-related illness calls in the Oklahoma City service area since Aug. 1, transporting 27 patients to hospitals. EMSA triggers a Medical Heat Alert when paramedics respond to five or more heat-related calls within 24 hours.
The City of Oklahoma City has cooling stations open for residents needing relief. Locations are listed at okc.gov.
Residents experiencing heat-related medical emergencies should call 911.
