Oklahoma Weather Records Fall in 2024

It seems every year is a momentous one for weather in Oklahoma, and 2024 was no exception, with two all-time records either tied or broken during the year. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed at least 152 tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma, surpassing the previous record of 149 set in 2019. This year’s total was bolstered by record-breaking monthly totals of 56 in April and 33 in November. Most of the tornadoes were of the weaker EF0 and EF1 variety, accounting for 34 and 71 events, respectively. Among the stronger intensities, there were eight EF2, seven EF3, and two EF4 tornadoes. At least eight fatalities were reported due to these twisters. All tornado data is considered preliminary until finalized by NWS personnel.

On a less violent but equally notable front, Oklahoma’s statewide average temperature for 2024 was 63.2 degrees, tying 2012 as the warmest calendar year on record—2.8 degrees above normal. These records date back to 1895. The year began on a chilly note, with January finishing 4.3 degrees below normal. However, the cold start was quickly erased by the fifth-warmest February on record, which was 7.5 degrees above normal. July was the only other month to finish below normal, and that was by just 0.5 degrees. The record-tying temperature was cemented by December, which ranked as the fifth-warmest on record with a statewide average of 44.7 degrees, 4.6 degrees above normal.

The Oklahoma Mesonet’s 120 sites recorded December temperatures of at least 70 degrees on 126 occasions, with the highest reading of 76 degrees observed at several locations across multiple days. The month’s lowest reading was 13 degrees at Eva on Dec. 31. For the year, the highest temperature was 113.3 degrees at Freedom on Aug. 24, while the lowest was minus 14.7 degrees at Vinita on Jan. 16. On that same day, Vinita recorded a wind chill of minus 26.8 degrees. The year’s highest heat index was 123.4 degrees, recorded at Okmulgee on Aug. 18.

The statewide average precipitation total for December was 1.45 inches, 0.66 inches below normal, ranking as the 65th-driest December on record. The Panhandle received an average of just 0.03 inches, 0.74 inches below normal, ranking as the seventh-driest December on record for that region. Meanwhile, southeast Oklahoma averaged 6.3 inches of rain, a surplus of 2.4 inches, making it the 13th-wettest December for that area. Individual site totals ranged from 8.6 inches at Broken Bow to no measurable precipitation at Boise City and Kenton. Sixty-three Mesonet sites recorded an inch or less of precipitation during the month. Only a trace of snow was reported, confined to the area around Kenton in the far western Panhandle.

For the year, Oklahoma’s average rainfall total was 35.99 inches, 0.37 inches below normal, ranking as the 50th-wettest on record. The highest rainfall total for 2024 was 58.78 inches at Idabel, while the lowest was 18.87 inches at Eva.

Drought conditions in Oklahoma were significantly reduced during December, shrinking from 18% coverage at the start of the month to just 6% by its end. Drought coverage had peaked earlier in the year, reaching 92% on Nov. 5. According to the January outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center, there are increased odds of below-normal precipitation across all but far northern Oklahoma and above-normal temperatures for the western half of the state. Drought conditions are expected to remain steady through January, with no further development anticipated.