Eight temperature records set or tied in Oklahoma, officials say

OKLAHOMA CITY — Saturday saw the return of record-breaking heat in Oklahoma.

Four records were broken Saturday and four others were tied, the National Weather service said Sunday.

Ralston topped its previous record of 107 degrees in 1974 by one degree. Tuskahoma reached 110, Watonga clocked in at 109 and Altus saw 107.

The records that were tied were 110 degrees in Seminole, 109 at Hobart, 106 at Fort Gibson and 103 at the Tenkiller Ferry Dam.

In the coming week, Oklahomans can expect highs in the upper 90s to near 105 degrees through Thursday, the weather service said. There is only a slight chance for isolated rain showers, which is unwelcome news for a state gripped by drought. The Panhandle, northwestern Oklahoma and far southeastern Oklahoma are in an extreme drought. Severe drought was reported from southwestern across northern and into east-central sections.

Thirty-one of the state's 77 counties have also declared burn bans.

The Oklahoma Forestry Service said conditions are also ripe for wildfires, especially in the western half, where temperatures are expected to be 100 degrees or more and sustained winds will be 5 to 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph.

The Forestry Service also issued an advisory to firefighters that any fires will burn intensely and could spread rapidly because of the dry conditions and winds.