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Oklahoma Weather Timeline | Oklahoma Climatological Survey

Oklahoma Weather Timeline


1900–1909

  • 1900 September 9–10: Heavy rains from the remnants of the Galveston Hurricane caused floods in eastern Indian Territory.
  • 1905 February 13: An extreme cold snap impacted the state with Vinita –27°F, the coldest temperature recorded in the 20th century. White Eagle reported minimum of –25°F.
  • 1905 May 10: A tornado in Snyder killed 97.
  • 1906 July: Coolest July of the 20th century with statewide-averaged temperature of 76.4°F.
  • 1906 August: Wettest August of the 20th century with statewide-averaged precipitation of 6.54 inches.
  • 1906 September 16: Sudden flooding along the Cimarron River south of Dover washed out the railroad bridge, causing a spectacular train wreck.
  • 1907 March: Warmest March of the 20th century with statewide-averaged temperature of 59.6°F.
  • 1907 May: Coolest May of the 20th century with statewide-averaged temperature of 62.3°F.
  • 1908 June: Wettest June of the 20th century with statewide-averaged precipitation of 8.73 inches. Widespread flooding was reported.
  • 1909 November: Wettest November of the 20th century with statewide-averaged precipitation of 5.72 inches. Despite the wet November, 1909 represents the onset of the 1909–1918 drought, the driest 10-year period with statewide averaged precipitation 29.34 inches per year.

1910–1919

  • 1910 October: Driest October of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.14 inches, since tied.
  • 1910: Driest year of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 18.95 inches.
  • 1910: Ending of the driest consecutive years of the 20th century (1909–1910), with statewide averaged annual precipitation of 23.02 inches.
  • 1911 November 11–12: The "Blue Norther" lowered temperatures by as much as 69 degrees in 18 hours, and as much as 50 to 65 degrees in 2 to 3 hours. Both Oklahoma City’s record high and low temperatures for November 11 of 83°F and 17°F, respectively, are from November 11, as is the record low of 14° for November 12.
  • 1911–1912: Heavy snow in December, January, and March gave Beaver a state record for seasonal snowfall of 87.3 inches.
  • 1914 March: Violent sandstorms impacted western Oklahoma on March 18 and 24.
  • 1914 May 1-5: Rains in New Mexico led to floods on the Canadian River, causing flow along the entire Oklahoma length to go from nil to overflow overnight. Flooding was also reported along the North Canadian and the Cimarron.
  • 1914 December 24–25: A severe snowstorm affected central and southern Oklahoma.
  • 1914: The end of the driest 6 consecutive years of the 20th century (1909–1914), with statewide-averaged precipitation of 27.12 inches.
  • 1915 March: Coolest March of the 20th century with a statewide-averaged temperature of 39.2°F.
  • 1915 June 3-18: Flooding on the North Canadian River inundated low-lying districts of southern and eastern Oklahoma City.
  • 1915 September 14–15: 9.55 inches of rain fell in central Osage County,  leading to significant flooding in Pawhuska.
  • 1915 August: Coolest August of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 73.9°F.
  • 1916 January: Fort Gibson recorded 13.08 inches of precipitation. Neosho, Verdigris, and Arkansas rivers all saw flooding. Widespread sleet and snow occurred late in the month.
  • 1916 June: Heavy rains in northwestern Oklahoma on the 4th and 5th led to extensive flooding on the North Canadian River, especially beginning on the 13th in Oklahoma City, where 6 to 10 feet of water covered Wheeler Park behind the levee.
  • 1917 January 4: The F3 Vireton tornado killed 16 students in the Choctaw Boarding School 13 miles northeast of McAlester.
  • 1917 June 1: The F4 Coalgate tornado killed 14 people.
  • 1917: End of driest eight consecutive years of century (1910–1917), with statewide-averaged precipitation of 29.09 inches per year.
  • 1918 September: End of nearly continuous 10-year drought that began in 1909.
  • 1918 December: 30 inches of snow fell at Hurley, near Boise City. A severe snow and sleet storm swept the state late in the month.
  • 1918: End of driest 10 consecutive years of century (1909–1918), with statewide-averaged precipitation of 29.34 inches per year.
  • 1919 November 27–29: Sleet/freezing rain fell across the state with ice accumulations greater than 1 inch in many localities.

1920–1929

  • 1920 May 2: An F4 tornado destroyed the town of Peggs, killing 71.
  • 1920 May 17: 10 inches of rain fell in 12 hours at Hugo.
  • 1920 October 21–30: Extensive flooding along the North Canadian River – levees were breached in Oklahoma City, flooding low-lying industrial and residential sections.
  • 1921 February 18–19: 8 to 18 inches of snow fell over most of the state.
  • 1921 April 4–5: Heavy rain and flash flooding impacted Clinton, where several hundred cattle drowned.
  • 1922 March 13: An F2 tornado at Gowan in Latimer County killed 10 people.
  • 1922 November 4: An F4 tornado near Shamrock and Drumright killed 11 people.
  • 1923 January: Warmest January of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged temperature of 47.5°F.
  • 1923 June 11–13: Severe flooding along Arkansas and Chikaskia rivers, especially in Ponca City, Blackwell, and Tulsa.
  • 1923 October 13–16: Severe flooding along the North Canadian River. A breach of Lake Overholser Dam forced the evacuation of 15,000 residents in Oklahoma City. This flood led to a radical redistribution of housing patterns in the city, as higher income families moved northward, away from the river.
  • 1924 March: Heavy snow fell over most of the state for much of the month. Alva recorded 37 inches, Beaver 33 inches, Woodward 28.5 inches, Geary 25 inches, Mutual 24.2 inches, Norman 24 inches, Hooker 22 inches, Weatherford 21.5 inches, Eufaula, Hammon, and Waukomis 21 inches each,  and Oklahoma City 20.3 inches.
  • 1925 October: Coolest October of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged temperature of 55.3°F.
  • 1925 July: The corn crop failed in summer drought.
  • 1926 March 30: 16 inches of snow fell at Boise City.
  • 1927 April 6–7: Heavy rains added to already high stream flow producing the greatest flooding along the Arkansas River (below the mouth of the Neosho River) since 1833. The flood extended through mid-April, inundating 165,000 acres with losses totaling $4 million in 1927 dollars.
  • 1927 April 18: An F4 tornado in rural Choctaw County near Fort Towson killed 10 people.
  • 1929 November: Coolest November of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged temperature of 42.6°F.

1930–1939

  • 1930 January 18: Watts reported an overnight low temperature of -27°F, tying the lowest temperature of the 20th century.
  • 1930 January: Coolest January of the 20th century, with a statewide averaged temperature of 24.9°F.
  • 1930 November 19: An F4 tornado hits Bethany, killing 23.
  • 1931 September: Warmest September of the 20th century, with a statewide averaged temperature of 80.6°F.
  • 1932 June 3: Flood on the North Canadian River, with severe flooding in Oklahoma City leaving 5 dead and 3,200 homeless.
  • 1932–1938: General droughty conditions combine with inappropriate farming practices and a depressed economy to create the "Dust Bowl" throughout the High Plains including northwestern Oklahoma.
  • 1933 June: Driest June on record, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.46 inches.
  • 1933 December: Tie for coolest December on record, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 46.5°F.
  • 1934 April 3-4: Flooding impacted Hammon in eastern Roger Mills County. 14 inches of rain fell in 6 hours near Cheyenne.
  • 1935 February: Coldest February of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged temperature of 44.9°F.
  • 1935 February–April: Unusually severe dust storms impacted the state. The most widespread dust storm on April 10–11 covered almost the entire state and was the heaviest known in central and eastern portions, reducing visibility to 1-1/2 blocks as far east as Cleveland in Pawnee County. The "Black Sunday" dust storm that struck in northwestern Oklahoma on April 14 was the worst ever seen in that region. Visibility was reduced to zero from Kenton to Arnett, beginning shortly after 4 PM. According to the observer at Kenton, the storm struck at 4:20 PM "turning afternoon brightness immediately into midnight darkness, and absolute zero visibility. It was totally dark and impossible to see without searchlight for at least 15 minutes. In the course of one hour, faint visibility was returning just enough to get around in the open. The storm came from the north and northeast and traveled at a very great speed." (Quote from Climatological Data, April 1935, which cited Mr. Ralph H. Guy.) "Panhandle stations reported moderate to heavy dust 20 days during [April] and light dust on other days." Oklahoma City noted dust on 18 days in April. Out of the month of April, only the 3rd, 19th, and 29th were without dust.
  • 1936 July–August: Alva (July 18), Altus (July 19 and August 12), and Poteau (August 12) each report daily maximum temperatures of 120°F, the highest ever recorded in Oklahoma.
  • 1936 August: Warmest and driest August of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 87.9°F and statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.22 inches.
  • 1938: Wettest February of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 4.66 inches.

1940–1949

  • 1941 October: Wettest month of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 11.32 inches.
  • 1942 April 27: An F4 tornado struck Pryor, killing 52.
  • 1942: Wettest April of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 8.50 inches.
  • 1942 June 12: An F4 tornado in Oklahoma City killed 35.
  • 1942 May 2: Tornadoes in Okfuskee County killed 16.
  • 1943 May 18–22: Record flooding on the Arkansas River near Muskogee.
  • 1945 April 12: An F5 tornado killed 69 in Antlers, and an F4 tornado killed 13 in Muskogee.
  • 1945 April 13–14: 14.6 inches of rain fell at Seminole, causing the Wewoka Dam to fail.
  • 1945 September: Wettest September of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 7.86 inches.
  • 1947 February: Tied for driest February of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.20 inches.
  • 1947 April 9: An F5 tornado killed 116 in Woodward.
  • 1947–1963: University of Oklahoma football fans enjoy "Bud Wilkinson" weather as there is no rain in Norman on a home football Saturday during the entire period. Oklahoma State University fans consider this to be a product of the long-term drought that plagued agriculture throughout the period.
  • 1948 March 20 and 25: Tornadoes struck Tinker Air Force Base just five days apart. The first tornado caused $10 million in damage, but a successful forecast of the second tornado — the first successful scientific forecast of a tornado — by Air Force meteorologists Fawbush and Miller prevented significant further damage to aircraft.
  • 1948 March 25: An F4 tornado struck Lenna, killing 10.
  • 1948 June 23–24: As much as 20 inches of rain in west central Oklahoma led to major flash flooding near Hydro and in Kingfisher. Flooding on Route 66 near Hydro killed 11.
  • 1949 January: Wettest January of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 5.23 inches.

1950–1959

  • 1950 May 11–12: Flood of record on the Illinois River near Tahlequah. The new Fort Gibson reservoir filled one year ahead of predictions.
  • 1950–1956: Driest 7–year period of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged annual precipitation of 28.51 inches.
  • 1950 July: Wettest July of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 9.26 inches.
  • 1952–1956: Driest 5-year period of the 20th century with statewide-averaged annual precipitation of 25.81 inches.
  • 1952 October: Tied for driest October of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.14 inches.
  • 1953 June: Warmest June of the 20th century, with statewide averaged temperature of 85.1°F.
  • 1954–1956: Driest 3-year period of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged annual precipitation of 24.50 inches.
  • 1954 February: Warmest February of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 51.8°F.
  • 1954 July: Warmest July of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 88.6°F.
  • 1954: Warmest year of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged annual temperature of 63.7°F.
  • 1955 May 25: An F5 tornado hit Blackwell, killing 20.
  • 1956 July: 7 tornadoes impact the state, the most on record for July.
  • 1956 September: Driest September of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.27 inches.
  • 1956: Regnier set the record for the driest year for any station in the state, with annual precipitation of 6.53 inches.
  • 1957 April: 40 tornadoes impact the state, the most on record for April.
  • 1957 May 16–21: Heavy rains throughout the state, causing major flooding on the Cimarron, Arkansas, and Canadian rivers and $20 million in losses to agriculture alone. The Lake Texoma emergency spillway opened for the first time. The floods marked the end of a persistent drought that began in 1952.
  • 1957 May: Wettest May of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 10.68 inches.
  • 1957: Kiamichi Tower set the record for the wettest year for any station in the state, with annual precipitation of 84.47 inches.
  • 1957: Wettest year of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 48.21 inches.
  • 1957: 107 tornadoes impact the state, second greatest number in any year since 1950.
  • 1958 November: 12 tornadoes impact the state, the most on record for November.
  • 1959 October 2–5: Severe flooding on the Cimarron and Arkansas rivers.

1960–1969

  • 1960 May 5: An F4 tornado killed 16 at Wilburton and Keota.
  • 1961 May 5: An F4 tornado killed 16 at Howe and Reichert.
  • 1960–1961: 179 tornadoes impact the state, the second-most for any two consecutive years.
  • 1962 May: Warmest May of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 74.5°F.
  • 1963 October: Warmest October of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 70.7°F.
  • 1965 December: Tied for warmest December of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 46.5°F.

1970–1979

  • 1971 February 21–22: A blizzard in northwest Oklahoma dumped 36 inches of snow at Buffalo, setting the state record for storm-total snowfall.
  • 1971 March: Driest March of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.38 inches.
  • 1973 March: Wettest March of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 7.46 inches.
  • 1973 May 24: A tornado at Union City is the first intercepted and photographed by a "chase team" deployed for that purpose.
  • 1973 October 11: 15.68 inches of rain fell at Enid in 13 hours, of which 12 inches fell in just three hours, setting the state record daily and 24-hour rainfall and causing flash flooding that led to 9 deaths.
  • 1974 September: Coolest September of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 65.4°F.
  • 1974 June 8: An F4 tornado killed 14 in Drumright.
  • 1977 August 27–28: 12 inches of rain fell near Cache, of which 7.7 inches fell in 6 hours.
  • 1978: Dr. Amos Eddy was designated Oklahoma State Climatologist, the first non-federal employee to hold that position.

1980–1989

  • 1980: The Oklahoma Climatological Survey was established at the University of Oklahoma.
  • 1980 Summer: During a summer heat wave, the daily maximum temperature at Oklahoma City exceeded 100 degrees 50 times.
  • 1980 July: Driest July of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.41 inches.
  • 1981 October 10–17: Remnants of Hurricane Norma produced as much as 18 inches of rain in 36 hours in south central Oklahoma.
  • 1982: 101 tornadoes impacted the state, the third-highest in one year since 1950.
  • 1983 October 17–23: Remnants of Hurricane Tico produce up to 10–15 inches of rain and extensive flooding from Rush Springs to Shawnee. Damages were estimated at $84 million, including $77 million to agriculture.
  • 1983: 92 tornadoes impacted the state, the fifth-highest annual total since 1950.
  • 1982–1983: 193 tornadoes impacted the state, the second greatest number of tornadoes in any two consecutive years since 1950.
  • 1983 April: Coolest April of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 54.0°F.
  • 1983 December: Coolest December of the 20th century, with a statewide averaged temperature of 26.5°F. The temperature at Oklahoma City did not warm above freezing from December 17–31.
  • 1984 May 26–27: More than 12 inches of rain fell overnight caused the Tulsa Memorial Day flood, leaving 14 dead, 5,500 homes damaged or destroyed, and over 7,000 vehicles destroyed. In reaction to this disaster, Tulsa launched a massive flood prevention and warning system that remains among the most effective public safety programs in the nation.
  • 1984 December: Wettest December of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 4.98 inches.
  • 1986 January: Driest January of the 20th century, with statewide averaged precipitation of 0.04 inches.
  • 1986 September 30–October 4: Remnants of Hurricane Paine produced rains of around 10 inches in western and central Oklahoma, and as much as 20 inches in north central Oklahoma, causing major flooding on the Arkansas River and its tributaries. Flooding was reported in 52 counties and damages estimated at $350 million, half of which was to agriculture.
  • 1987 May 29–30: An intense thunderstorm produced 5 to 11 inches of rain, causing flash flooding in Chickasha, Lindsey, and Pauls Valley.
  • 1987–1988 Winter: A series of winter storms impacted the state. On December 13–15, 8 to 14 inches of snow fell over the northwest half of the state, drifting up to 4 feet. On December 25–27, an intense ice storm along 40-mile-wide stretch roughly from Duncan to Miami left 75,000 homes without power, one-third of those for as long as a week. Ice accumulations of one to two inches on power lines and trees led to $10 million in damages. Flooding occurred on rivers just southeast of the ice storm. On January 5–7, heavy snow impacted the state with 10 inches over much of the state and some areas receiving 16 to 18 inches. Rooftop drifts of two to three feet caused extensive damage.
  • 1988: 17 tornadoes impacted the state, the fewest in one year since 1950.
  • 1988 May: Driest May of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 1.30 inches.
  • 1989 April: Driest April of the 20th century, with statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.58 inches.
  • 1988–1989: 37 tornadoes impact the state, the fewest in any two consecutive years since 1950.
  • 1989 March 3: A cold outbreak impacted the state, with temperatures falling over 50 degrees in a few hours and severe thunderstorms forming over the cold air.

1990–1999

  • 1990 May 1–4: Major flooding on the Red, Canadian, and Arkansas rivers.
  • 1991 March: 17 tornadoes impacted the state, the most in March between 1950 and 1999.
  • 1991 April 26: A severe thunderstorm outbreak affected the state, notably the first during which the National Weather Service made operational use of the WSR-88D Doppler radar, commonly known as NEXRAD.
  • 1992 September: 16 tornadoes impacted the state, the most in September between 1950 and 1999.
  • 1994 March 1: The Oklahoma Mesonet — the first statewide network of its kind — was commissioned.
  • 1994 August 17: A severe thunderstorm produced large hail over a north/south path extending from Manchester, near the Kansas border, to Minco in central Oklahoma. The Mesonet site at Lahoma recorded a peak wind of 113 miles per hour before the anemometer was broken.
  • 1995 June: 28 tornadoes impacted the state, the most in June between 1950 and 1999.
  • 1995 August–1996 May: Extreme drought led to a disastrous fire season and very small wheat harvest.
  • 1996 February: Driest February of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged precipitation of 0.20 inches (tied).
  • 1998: A severe summer drought began at the end of a "perfect" wheat growing season.
  • 1998 October 4: 27 tornadoes impacted the state, setting the national record for most tornadoes in any state on a single day in October, as well as for the entire month of October.
  • 1999 May 3: A high-end tornado outbreak in central Oklahoma produced 75 tornadoes in 21 hours. A F5 tornado struck Moore, Midwest City, Del City, and south Oklahoma City, leading to the issuance of the first tornado emergency by the National Weather Service. The outbreak left 40 dead and over 700 injured, along with over $1 billion in damages.
  • 1999 May: 91 tornadoes impacted the state, the most in one month between 1950 and 1999.
  • 1999 November: Warmest November of the 20th century, with a statewide-averaged temperature of 56.2°F.
  • 1999: 137 tornadoes impacted the state, the most in a single year between 1950 and 1999.
  • 1998–1999: 220 tornadoes impacted Oklahoma, the most in any two consecutive years.

2000–2009

  • 2000 August: Driest August on record, with statewide averaged precipitation of 0.14 inches.
  • 2000 August–September: A mini-drought impacted the state. Statewide averaged precipitation of 1.16 inches over the two months was 5.5 inches below normal. August’s statewide averaged precipitation of 0.16 inches broke the previous record for that month, set in 1936.
  • 2000 November–December: The coldest such period on record with statewide averaged temperature of 37.0°F.
  • 2000 December: Major snow and ice storms on December 11–13 and December 25–27 struck statewide, especially powerful in southeast quarter. Power was lost to at least 120,000 homes and businesses, including 90% of the residents of McIntosh, Latimer, and Pittsburg counties. Extended power outages also led to disruptions of local water supplies in several areas. At least 27 fatalities were attributable to the extreme weather conditions, which extended well into January 2001. Total property damage in the state was approximately $170 million. The Christmas Day Ice Storm of 2000 may have been the worst since statehood. 67 counties were eligible for federal disaster relief.
  • 2001 May 27: Parts of central Oklahoma experienced severe winds in excess of 70 and 80 mph as powerful thunderstorms pushed through the state. Approximately 160,000 residents lost electrical service for as much as a week. Damage estimates reached at least $500,000 for Oklahoma City, with many public buildings and homes damaged or destroyed. Damage estimates statewide were in the tens of millions of dollars.
  • 2001–2002: Most of the northwestern two-thirds of Oklahoma suffered from protracted drought from late spring 2001 through early summer 2002. Damage was worst in the state’s western half, especially in the Panhandle, where the 14-month precipitation between June 2001 and July 2002 of 15.5 inches was exceeded (in a negative sense) only by the Dust Bowl years of 1936–37. The wheat harvest of spring 2002 was severely damaged. Agricultural damages among all crops and livestock easily surpassed $500 million, with a final number closer to $1 billion. Agricultural disaster was declared in 30 counties.
  • 2002 January 28–30: Much of northwestern Oklahoma was buried under more than an inch of ice, with some locations receiving more than four inches. More than a quarter-million homes and businesses were left without power; some 2,300 for more than three weeks. Damages exceeded $100 million. Soil temperatures above freezing helped prevent many of the transportation problems of the December 2000 ice storm. In all, 45 counties were included in a federal disaster declaration.
  • 2002 December 3: A 50-mile-wide belt of freezing rain brought down many power lines from near Erick to near Pawhuska. The storm’s main area of damage was strikingly co-located with the primary damage belt from the catastrophic ice storm of January 2002. 14 counties were included in a federal disaster declaration.
  • 2003 May 8–9: An outbreak of 33 tornadoes razed many parts of the state, with the most severe tornado damage being observed in central Oklahoma. Incredibly, the Oklahoma City metro area was hit by damaging tornadoes on back-to-back days. On May 8, a tornado that developed in Moore intensified to F4 strength as it raked southeastern portions of Oklahoma City, heavily damaging the General Motors plant near Midwest City. Another tornado struck Bethany and parts of the northwest metro area on the following day. President Bush declared nine Oklahoma counties disaster areas. The Oklahoma events were embedded within a week that saw several outbreaks nationwide, setting the record for most tornadoes observed in the U.S. in one week (393).
  • 2004 March 4: A 292-day period without a tornado in Oklahoma comes to an end with a small tornado near Muldrow. Beginning on 2003 May 17, this period was the longest such span since detailed tornado recordkeeping began in 1950, breaking the previous record of 248 days, set between 1990 and 1991.
  • 2004 November: Wettest November on record with statewide averaged precipitation of 6.12 inches.
  • 2005–2006: Severe short-term drought from summer through late spring exacerbates winter fire season to produce catastrophic outbreaks of wildfire, particularly during the winter and early spring months. Several hundred thousand acres burn in a span of months.
  • 2006 January: Warmest January on record with statewide averaged temperature of 46.4°F, breaking the previous record set in 1923.
  • 2006 April: Warmest April on record with statewide averaged temperature of 65.5°F, breaking the previous record set in 1981.
  • 2006 Spring: Warmest spring on record with statewide averaged temperature of 62.87°F, breaking the previous record set in 1963.
  • 2006 December 19–20: The first of two successive ice storms struck the central and eastern Oklahoma Panhandle. More than an inch of ice accumulated on trees and power lines.
  • 2006 December 29–30: A major blizzard struck the western Oklahoma panhandle. Unofficial reports of up to 40 inches far exceeded the official observation of 18 inches, with snow drifts up to 20 feet reported. Twenty families had to be dug out of their homes in Cimarron County. A significant ice storm attacked parts of the central and eastern Oklahoma Panhandle. Southeast Oklahoma experienced significant flooding associated with the large-scale disturbance.
  • 2007 January 12–14: A catastrophic winter storm dropped frozen precipitation for nearly 72 consecutive hours over much of the state. 2–4 inches of sleet fell in the northwestern half while 2–3 inches of freezing rain blanketed areas south of Tulsa and east of Oklahoma. McAlester and Muskogee were particularly hard-hit; local ice accumulations approached 4 inches. The heavy coating of ice left 125,000 without power at the storm’s peak, and contributed to a preliminary total of 32 mostly traffic-related fatalities in Oklahoma.
  • 2007 March: Warmest March on record with statewide averaged temperature of 58.3°F, breaking the record set in 1907.
  • 2007 June: Wettest June on record, with statewide averaged precipitation of 9.84 inches statewide precipitation.
  • 2007 August 19: The remnants of Tropical Storm Erin, which made landfall three days earlier on the Texas Gulf Coast, unexpectedly intensified during the overnight hours of August 19th. Tropical storm-strength winds were observed for several hours in west-central Oklahoma. In fact, the storm was stronger over Oklahoma than at any time during its entire life cycle (including its marine period). Extensive wind damage occurred west of Oklahoma City, and severe flooding ravaged much of Oklahoma. More than nine inches of rain was observed in areas near Watonga, Fort Cobb and Okmulgee. Seven flooding-related deaths were reported statewide.
  • 2007 Summer: Wettest summer on record, with statewide averaged rainfall of 18.02 inches.
  • 2007 December 8–10: A major ice storm impacted the state’s populated centers, bringing devastating consequences to the cities of Tulsa and Oklahoma City as well as their suburbs. Nearly 700,000 customers are left without power. The University of Oklahoma is forced to postpone its fall finals and graduation ceremonies.
  • 2008 January 7–8: An unseasonably warm and moist air mass initiated thunderstorm growth ahead of the dry line in eastern Oklahoma. These unusual January severe storms produced three confirmed EF0 tornadoes as well as reports of straight-line winds, large hail and flash flooding.
  • 2008 March: The statewide average precipitation for the month of March was 4.81 inches which made March 2008 the sixth wettest March on record.  This was helped by monthly rainfall totals of more than 14 inches for southeastern Oklahoma locations such as Cloudy, Mt. Herman, and Talihina.
  • 2008 May: The state of Oklahoma saw 42 confirmed tornadoes during the month of May, seven of which were considered significant. Most notable was the EF4 that tore through Craig and Ottawa counties before continuing on its 76-mile damage path to Missouri. This tornado caused 6 fatalities and 150 injuries in Oklahoma alone.
  • 2009 March 27–28:A strong, late-season winter storm handed northwest Oklahoma nearly two feet of record-setting snowfall.  Freedom reported 24.0 inches while Laverne in Harper County reported an astonishing 29.0 inches of snow. 
  • 2009 May 1: A flash flooding event occurred in northeast Oklahoma where over 7 inches of rain fell in a single day, which is more than the average monthly total of 5.02 inches.  Out of Pryor's 7 inches of recorded rainfall for the day, 5 inches fell in just an hour, which led to more than 25 water rescues. 
  • 2009 July 10: The highest-ever Mesonet daily average temperature of 98.99°F was recorded at the Buffalo Mesonet site.
  • 2009 December 24: Unusual blizzard and near-blizzard conditions took hold of the state of Oklahoma on Christmas Eve as a winter storm tracked from southwest to northeast across the state. This storm was so rare that it was only the second blizzard warning ever issued by the NWS in Tulsa.  Snowfall totals for this storm exceeded 10 inches locally in Oklahoma City and Wichita Falls, and 6 inches in Tulsa County with statewide maximum wind gusts nearing 60 mph. This timely snowfall event allowed both Tulsa and Oklahoma City to record their first official white Christmases since 2002.
  • 2009 December: Oklahoma City experienced its snowiest December on record with 14.0 inches of snow, breaking the previous record of 9.0 inches set in 1915.
  • 2009–2010 Winter: With 23.5 inches of snow, Oklahoma City placed fifth on its list of total seasonal snowfall records.

2010–2019

  • 2009–2010 Winter: With 23.5” of snow, Oklahoma City placed 5th on its list of total seasonal snowfall records.
  • 2010 January 28–29: A strong winter storm brought significant ice and snow totals to much of the state along with significant power outages. Southwest and central Oklahoma were the hardest hit areas with radial ice accumulations up to 1.5 inches. The Eastern half of the state did not receive as much ice, but snowfall totals were in excess of 5 inches for much of Northeastern Oklahoma.
  • 2010 March 20–21:  Another late season winter storm brought heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures to the state as the start of spring was just around the corner. Totals in extreme Northeastern Oklahoma neared 10 inches during an already active winter season. 
  • 2010 May 10: A devastating, 56-tornado outbreak ravaged central and eastern Oklahoma, causing 3 fatalities and 117 injuries. Of the 56 confirmed tornadoes, 13 of these were considered significant, two of which were rated an EF4. 
  • 2010 June 14: A historic rainfall event in Oklahoma City broke the all-time record for most precipitation in a single day. 7.62 inches of rain was recorded at the Will Rogers Airport, breaking the previous record of 7.53 inches set in 1970.   
  • 2010 September 8–10:  The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine brought large amounts of rainfall to the state of Oklahoma as well as a small, late-season tornado outbreak. 3 tornadoes were confirmed in southern Oklahoma as a result of this storm. In eastern Oklahoma, local rainfall totals exceeded 10 inches in less than 2 days. 
  • 2011 January 31–February 1: A record-breaking blizzard made its way across Oklahoma, dumping 12.1 inches of snow in Oklahoma City and 14.0 inches of snow in Tulsa. The NWS Tulsa set new all-time records for a 24-hour snowfall event, calendar snowfall for any day, and maximum snowfall depth, among many others. 
  • 2011 February 8–9: A second winter storm brought another round of heavy snowfall and record-breaking cold temperatures to the state of Oklahoma. A new Oklahoma all-time record 24-hour snowfall was set in Spavinaw with 27 inches as well as an Oklahoma all-time record minimum temperature of -31°F set in Nowata. 
  • 2011 April 14: A statewide severe weather outbreak produced 33 confirmed tornadoes, including an EF3 tornado in Osage county. Along with the numerous tornadoes, there were several reports of softball size hail and damaging straight line winds.
  • 2011 May 23: The record for the state’s largest hailstone was broken on this day by a 6-inch-diameter hailstone produced by a supercell thunderstorm near Gotebo, Oklahoma.
  • 2011 May 24: A line of tornadic supercell thunderstorms developed over western Oklahoma and tracked northeast, leaving a trail of devastation in its path. During this severe weather event, 12 confirmed tornadoes were documented, 9 of these considered significant, including two EF3, two EF4 and one EF5. During a close encounter with the EF5 tornado, the El Reno Mesonet station observed a record-breaking 151 mph wind gust, with 1-minute averaged speeds of 115 mph.  
  • 2011 Summer: The state of Oklahoma experienced its hottest summer (June–August) on record, with a statewide average temperature of 86.9°F. This easily broke the previous record of 85.2°F set in 1934. The state also had its 3rd driest summer on record with an average rainfall total of just 4.15 inches for June–August.
  • 2011 September 13: Triple-digit heat finally ended and Oklahoma City finished its warm season with a record 63 days of temperatures at or above 100°F. 
  • 2011 November 7: Oklahoma recorded its first November EF4 tornado near Tipton.
  • 2012 March: The warmest March on record occurred with a statewide average temperature of 59.4°, 9.2 degrees above normal.  This was also the warmest season-to-date (January–March) with an average statewide temperature of 48.6°F, 5.9 degrees above normal.
  • 2012 October 8: The earliest first freeze in Oklahoma City was recorded with a low of 31°F. October was the only month in 2012 with below average temperatures.
  • 2012: The state of Oklahoma recorded its warmest year on record with an average temperature of 63.0°F, breaking the previous record of 62.8°F set in 1954. The year ended with a very serious drought situation affecting the entire state of Oklahoma. The final drought monitor reported 37% of the state covered by Exceptional (D4) drought, which is up from 34% at the same time in 2011, and Extreme (D3) drought was affecting 95% of the state. The drought caused more than $400 million in damage to agriculture in 2012, which brought the two-year agricultural damage estimate to more than $2 billion. 
  • 2013 February 24–26: An upper-level storm system dove southeast through the Great Basin into New Mexico, then intensified quickly as it lifted northeast through West Texas and the Red River Valley. Along the leading edge of the cold front, some severe storms were produced in southwest Oklahoma. Behind the front, extremely cold air allowed the liquid precipitation to change over to snow and sleet. The areas that felt the greatest impact of this winter storm were west and northwest Oklahoma.  Official snow reports in northwest Oklahoma ranged from 10 to 25 inches in localized areas, snow drifts of up to 8 feet, and wind gusts exceeding 40mph. This storm caused widespread power outages and structural damage that included collapsed roofs and awnings.
  • 2013 May 2: Unusually cold temperatures made their way to Oklahoma from the Pacific Northwest in early May. The cold temperatures behind the front allowed for liquid precipitation to transition to sleet and snow. May 2 is the latest observed snow in Tulsa since records began in 1900, as well as the only time snow has fallen in Tulsa in the month of May. The previous record for latest snow occurrence in Tulsa was April 18, 1953.
  • 2013 May 19: 8 confirmed tornadoes occurred during the afternoon of May 19, 2013.  Most notable was the long track EF4 tornado that traveled from the eastern sections of Norman, north of Lake Thunderbird and continued on to Shawnee.  This violent tornado caused extensive damage in the Shawnee area, leveling many homes, leaving only the concrete slabs they were built on. 
  • 2013 May 20: The Newcastle-Moore-South OKC area suffered yet another direct hit from an EF5 tornado. This tornado was first observed at 1:56pm which became the first of 15 confirmed tornadoes for the day. The damage done by the EF5 tornado was catastrophic; 212 were injured and 24 lost their lives, including 7 children. Briarwood Elementary School and Plaza Towers Elementary School were destroyed by this massive storm along with countless homes and business such as the Moore Medical Center. 
  • 2013 May 31–June 1: Just 11 days after the May 20 tornado outbreak, another high-end tornado outbreak on May 31 was coupled with heavy rain that resulted in significant flash flooding. Of the 19 confirmed tornadoes, the most notable was the EF3 that tore through El Reno, claiming the lives of several motorists, including 3 veteran storm chasers. This tornado would go on record as one of the most powerful tornadoes sampled by mobile radar, as well as the widest tornado on record. Later in the evening and into the overnight hours, a line of training supercells produced heavy rainfall and runoff that resulted in historic flash flooding. The Oklahoma City Mesonet stations recorded over 7 inches of total rainfall for this severe weather event.
  • 2013 July 23–24: The Tulsa area experienced a derecho-type storm that produced wind gusts up to 80 mph. The Tulsa International Airport recorded a 76 mph wind gust along the leading edge of the storm, the highest wind speed ever recorded at this site. Widespread tree damage and downed power lines were a byproduct of this severe storm, leaving nearly 100,000 without power.  Rain totals of 3 to 5 inches caused localized flash flooding in eastern Oklahoma. 
  • 2013 July 25–26: Another moist, unstable airmass brought heavy rains that resulted in flash flooding, this time for central Oklahoma. The Will Rogers Airport recorded an amazing 1.09 inches of rainfall in just 7 minutes, with a rain rate of 9.34 inches per hour. The Walters Mesonet station also recorded large hourly amounts as 3.36 inches was recorded at the site in a single hour.
  • 2013: Oklahoma City saw its second-wettest year on record with an annual precipitation total of 52.78 inches.  The wettest year on record is still 2007, with 56.97 inches.
  • 2017 February 11: An unseasonably warm day saw the Mangum Mesonet site reach 99°F, tied for the warmest winter temperature ever recorded in Oklahoma.
  • 2017 January–February: Combined, the warmest first two months of any year in recorded Oklahoma history, with an average temperature of 45.1°F, 5.3 degrees above normal.
  • 2017 March: Nearly 780,000 acres of land caught fire throughout the month across the U.S., totalling upwards of $16 million in damages. These fires claimed the lives of two Oklahomans.
  • 2017 April 29–30: A rare spring blizzard impacted the panhandle, with localized reports of nearly 15 inches of snow in Cimarron County. On the other side of the freezing line, much of eastern Oklahoma experienced heavy flooding and rainfall totals of over 4 inches, helping propel the month into the third-wettest in statewide history and the wettest in northeastern Oklahoma history.
  • 2017 May 18: An outbreak of 30 tornadoes hit Oklahoma, with two EF2 tornadoes being reported in eastern Oklahoma which were the strongest of the outbreak, in addition to a fatality.
  • 2017 August: August 2017 was the second-wettest in recorded state history.
  • 2018 February: Finishing as the second-wettest February in Oklahoma's history, the month saw four Mesonet sites in southeast Oklahoma break the rainfall record for February. The Broken Bow site's total of 17.65 inches shattered the previous record of 13.21 inches set in Tuskahoma back in 1945.
  • 2018 May: Warmest May in Oklahoma state history, with an average temperature of 74.6°F. The warm month was a stark contrast to April, which finished as the second coldest April in state history.
  • 2018 September 22: An excessive rainstorm fueled by a decaying tropical depression hit Oklahoma. The Fittstown Mesonet site recorded 14.48 inches in 24 hours, the largest amount in the history of the Mesonet, and an inch shy of the statewide record.
  • 2018 October 15: An early season cold snap brought lows below freezing, with several parts of the state breaking or tying record lows, especially in southwestern Oklahoma.
  • 2018: No tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma from January 1st through May 1st, for the first time in recorded history.
  • 2019 May 20: A high-risk severe weather day produced 25 tornadoes, and widespread rainfall toals of 7 inches over northern Oklahoma, leading to historic river crests and flooding.
  • 2019 May: Fourth-wettest calendar month in Oklahoma history. A total of 105 tornadoes were reported, breaking the state record for most tornadoes ever recorded in a single month. Only two of the tornadoes were ranked EF3 — the strongest of the season. Widespread flooding also triggered a state of emergency for all 77 counties. The Arkansas River in Tulsa reached its highest point since 1986.
  • 2019 October 24–25: An early-season cold snap brought snow to the Oklahoma Panhandle and parts of western Oklahoma. A heavy band of snow dropped 13 inches in Arnett, which holds the record for most daily snowfall in October in Oklahoma.
  • 2019: A total of 147 tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, the most in state recorded history.

2020–2029

  • 2020 February 6: A frigid winter day saw the Tipton Mesonet site in far southwestern Oklahoma record a temperature of 1.2°F — the coldest of the year, and the first time in Mesonet history a site in the panhandle didn't hold that distinction.
  • 2020 October 26–28: A strong cold front hit the state along with what was arguably the most significant October winter weather event in Oklahoma’s recorded history. Nearly 400,000 residents were without power after a crippling ice storm affected much of the state, damaging thousands of trees and power lines. Ice accumulations between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches occurred across central Oklahoma, while the panhandle received a general swath of 2–5 inches of snow. Record low maximum temperatures occurred for several Mesonet sites across the event as well. Damages totaled more than $26 million.
  • 2021 February 15: The coldest day in Oklahoma's history, with an average statewide temperature of -0.4°F, the first time a day was averaged below zero, and by 1:55 AM February 16, all reporting Mesonet sites were below zero.
  • 2021 February 7–20: A historic cold snap saw multiple rounds of wintry precipitation and record low temperatures. 96 of the 120 Mesonet sites recorded their lowest temperature ever, and the state was below freezing for over 200 hours, with the Lahoma Mesonet site recording 334 consecutive hours below freezing. The outbreak caused millions of dollars in agricultural losses as well as 750 weather-related injuries.
  • 2021 February 14–17: In the midst of a generational arctic blast, two winter storms dropped widespread totals of 5–15 inches of snow across the state (topping out at 17 inches in Roosevelt), with snow drifts towering several feet due to wind gusts of over 40 mph, with statewide temperatures near or below zero.
  • 2020–2021 Winter: Oklahoma City recorded 21.7 inches of snow, making it one of the snowiest winters in recent history.
  • 2022 July 19: An extremely hot day for the entire state of Oklahoma occurred as all Mesonet sites topped 100°F for only the third time since its inception in 1994. The Mangum site tied the record for highest recorded temperature at a Mesonet site when it reached 115°F. This day occurred in the midst of a very warm and dry summer that saw rapid drought intensification occur by the end of the month.