Honestly, if you’ve lived in Northeast Oklahoma for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up to a "feels like" temperature that makes you want to hibernate, and by lunchtime, you’re contemplating whether a light jacket was a massive mistake.
Right now, Tulsa is playing that classic January game of tug-of-war between a decent afternoon sun and some seriously biting north winds. Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 50°F. Sounds okay, right? Well, it was a crisp 15°F this morning. That’s a 35-degree swing before you’ve even had dinner.
The 7 day forecast tulsa ok reveals a week that’s basically a rollercoaster of "wear layers or regret it."
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The Immediate Outlook: Sun, Then a Shiver
The National Weather Service out of the Tulsa office (TSA) has been tracking a cold front that’s basically knocking on our door. While today is sunny with a southwest wind around 9 mph, things shift fast tonight.
- Monday (MLK Day): Expect the mercury to struggle. Highs are only hitting about 31°F. With those gusty north winds, it’s going to feel much colder. There's even a tiny chance—about 10%—of some flurries drifting across the IDL or north toward Bartlesville.
- Tuesday: We bounce back slightly to 49°F. It’ll be sunny, but the overnight low of 18°F means your windshield will definitely need a scrape if you’re heading out early.
- Wednesday: This looks like the "warm" peak of the week with a high of 54°F. However, don't get too comfortable. Clouds will be moving in, and we might see some sprinkles late in the evening as the humidity climbs toward 64%.
Why Tulsa Weather is So Unpredictable in January
It’s not just your imagination; the data from the Tulsa International Airport (KTUL) shows we are currently in a pattern where dry air allows for massive "radiational cooling." Basically, without cloud cover at night, all the heat from the day just escapes into space. That’s why we’re seeing those single-digit or low-teen wind chills even when the afternoons aren't half bad.
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By Friday, January 23, we might actually see some real moisture. Forecasters are eyeing a 49% chance of light rain late in the day with a high of 58°F. But in true Oklahoma fashion, a secondary cold front is expected to slam into us by Saturday, potentially dropping highs back into the 45°F range with 18 mph gusts.
Practical Steps for the Week Ahead
- Check your tires: These 30-to-40 degree temperature swings mess with tire pressure. If your "low air" light pops on Monday morning, it’s probably just the cold.
- Drip the faucets: Monday and Tuesday nights are going to be well below freezing (22°F and 18°F respectively). If you're in an older Midtown house with crawlspace plumbing, don't risk it.
- Layering is a science: You need a wind-resistant outer shell for the morning and something breathable for the 50-degree afternoons.
The biggest takeaway for this 7 day forecast tulsa ok is the volatility. We aren't seeing a massive blizzard yet, but the transition from a 58-degree Friday to a 45-degree Saturday with rain shows exactly why "wait five minutes and it'll change" is the unofficial state motto. Keep an eye on the Friday night rain-to-snow transition; while confidence is low for accumulation, the "winter weather next weekend" chatter from the NWS is worth watching.
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Stick to the layers and keep the ice scraper handy—you're going to need both before the week is out.