WEATHER

Flood watch in Oklahoma City Tuesday morning, heavy rains, wrecks reported

Staff reports

A flood watch is in effect in southwest and central Oklahoma Tuesday morning, and heavy rain moved across Oklahoma City, causing a number of wrecks during the morning commute.

The Oklahoma City area is under the watch until 1 p.m., the National Weather Service reported. Up to 3 inches of rain is possible Tuesday. A round of heavy rain moved into Oklahoma City about 10 a.m.

Firefighters rescued a man who was trapped in a storm sewer drain in the 1600 block of Linwood Boulevard. The man was not injured, firefighters reported.

There is a 50 percent chance for rain at 11 a.m. Tuesday in downtown Oklahoma City where the Festival of the Arts opens.

Rain could be heavy in Lawton and Oklahoma City before noon.

A number of wrecks were reported in Oklahoma City during heavy rain. A tractor-trailer crashed near N Lincoln on Interstate 44, said fire Capt. David Macy. High water was reported in streets, but firefighters did not make any water rescues Tuesday.

The Oklahoma City forecast follows:

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 62. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly before 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Light north wind.

Wednesday night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy with a low around 54. Light and variable wind.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Light north wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Thursday night: Mostly clear with a low around 54.

Friday: Sunny with a high near 75.

Check NewsOk.com for weather updates.