Latest news with #OklahomaMesonet
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Oklahoma is drought free after nearly 6 years, but will it last? Weather experts weigh in
For the first time in nearly six years, the state of Oklahoma is drought-free. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported zero areas of drought across the state for the first time since July 2019. Over the past seven months, widespread and heavy rains have replenished soil moisture and restored water levels in local lakes, state climatologist Gary McManus said on the June 5 Oklahoma Mesonet ticker. First, November 2024 was the wettest November on state record. Then, in April 2025, Oklahoma experienced a statewide average rainfall of 8.74 inches, surpassing the previous April record of 8.32 inches set in 1942. Phil Ware, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norman, said rainfall was above normal in May, as well, and so far in June. "We just had kind of repeated rounds of showers and storms over the Southern Plains," Ware said. "So that basically meant that we had several low pressure systems that moved across the plains, and we had a lot of moisture that was brought up from the Gulf of Mexico. And that provided the fuel for, in general, a lot of rain in April ... So the three consecutive months of above normal rainfalls is what put a big dent in the drought." via Imgflip The most recent drought episode really began in August of 2021, McManus said. During the two years before that, there were small areas of drought throughout the state. It was a year later, August 2022, when the city of Oklahoma City drew water from Canton Lake to replenish its drinking water source at Lake Hefner — the first time since 2013, which devastated the lake and the surrounding community, which relied on the tourism income the lake brought. Not only did Oklahoma communities struggle with drinking water, but the agricultural industry was impacted heavily, McManus said. Crops were lost or not able to thrive to begin with, bringing down financial losses on Oklahoma farmers. "When you look back at the impacts, it was really probably a multi-billion-dollar disaster for the state of Oklahoma," McManus said. "When you're looking at agriculture alone, you're well over a billion dollars through (the second half of 2021 through 2024)." There are other impacts, too, McManus said. Tourism took a hit, as well as homeowners who dealt with damage to foundations from contracting soils. And, he added, Oklahomans "can't forget the fire seasons that we had during that time frame, too." Conditions are favorable to hold the drought at bay, at least for the next few weeks, McManus said. But especially in an Oklahoma summer, what's called a "flash drought" can happen very quickly. McManus added that during the summer, while we may tire of the heat, too much rainfall can be a bad thing. "If we continue to get too much rainfall, you're putting Oklahoma's winter wheat crop in jeopardy," McManus said. "This time of year, you really want to rainfall to start slacking off and the heat to come back and cure that wheat crop." Summer outlooks suggest potential challenges ahead. The Climate Prediction Center predicts that Oklahoma may experience above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation throughout June, July and August. But that's not "set in stone," Ware clarified. "These seasonal outlooks, they're kind of an educated guess," Ware said. "It's based on the data that we have, but there's definitely all these examples of times where it kind of goes the opposite direction of what you'd expect." This Oklahoma Mesonet map displays drought severity levels across Oklahoma, and here's where Oklahoma stands for each level: D0 (Abnormally Dry): 9.83% D1 (Moderate Drought): Zero D2 (Severe Drought): Zero D3 (Extreme Drought): Zero D4 (Exceptional Drought): Zero These classifications are based on various data, including precipitation, soil moisture, streamflow, and vegetation health. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma is finally drought free after almost 6 years: Will it last?
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is spring? What is the difference between astronomical and meteorological spring?
The frigid weather is finally behind us in Oklahoma, at least for the time being, with a series of warm days ahead. In Oklahoma City, high temperatures are forecasted to be in the 60s and 70s this week, a stark departure from last week's subzero wind chills which kept ice and snow on the ground for days. But is this really the start of spring? When does spring begin? Here's what you need to know. Well, it depends on who you ask. Meteorological spring occurs during the months of March, April and May each year. So, for meteorologists predicting the weather, spring will start on March 1, 2025. But for those marking the change of the seasons by the celestial bodies in the sky, astronomical spring begins a little later. On March 20, 2025, when the sun is directly over the equator, also known as the vernal equinox, astronomical spring begins. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, experts had difficulty comparing statistics year-to-year because traditional seasons vary in length from 89 to 93 days. Meteorological seasons were created to make the seasons more uniform, consisting of the same three months each year. False spring is a period of unseasonably warm weather, which can trick us into thinking winter is over, according to a Homes and Gardens article. This can be frustrating for us, but can also cause problems for gardeners. The warm temperatures can plants and flowers to start blooming weeks before they normally do, but the fresh leaves and blossoms can be damaged when temperatures plummet once more. Right now, Oklahoma may be in its second "false spring" of the season, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet. HA! Ain't nobody falling for false spring #2! We see you, Mother Nature. But we'll enjoy it while we can! #okwx #okmesonet Posted by Oklahoma Mesonet on Monday, February 24, 2025 This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: When is the first day of spring? Is Oklahoma in a 'false spring?'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tired of the cold? Warm, spring weather in Oklahoma's forecast after brutal cold snap.
If you're anxiously waiting for Oklahoma's mid-February to move out, you'll have to wait a few days. The sub-freezing temperatures that blanketed the state are expected to fall into the sub-zero category for some residents on Wednesday, but the outlook improves as we head into the weekend. By Monday afternoon, it will feel like a nice spring day. Here's what to expect from Oklahoma's long-range forecast. More: With extreme cold headed to Oklahoma, here are 8 items not to leave in your car in winter Any ice or snow that fell on Tuesday has a good chance of sticking around through Wednesday. This would extend travel hazards. The National Weather Service in Norman predicts that on Wednesday night, temperatures could reach -5 degrees in some parts of the state. The wind chill also will be dangerously low as it falls to about -15 degrees. An extreme cold warning is in effect until Thursday because of the freezing air, which can easily cause hypothermia and frostbite. The wave of cold air that swept down from the Arctic will finally begin pushing off to the east on Thursday and Friday, allowing temperatures on Sunday to rise into the 60s. Overnight low temps will still be very cold, so keep that in mind if you have plans after dark. There is no chance of any precipitation and the sun could help ease the pain of Oklahoma's chilly wind. Winter doesn't officially end until March, but the weather next week gives us a peek at what to expect. By Monday afternoon, central Oklahoma will be at or near a high of 70 degrees. It will be only the third time this year that it's been so warm, according to data collected by the Oklahoma Mesonet. The long-range forecast provided by the National Weather Service says to expect clear skies, except for a chance of rain in southeastern Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma weather outlook: Warm, spring temperatures return next week
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Record Warmth Awakens Spring's First Leaves, And Unleashes The Pollen
Has this warmup across the South made you wish for an early spring? Or you are dreading the thought of spring and the boxes of tissues you will go through from seasonal allergies. Despite what the groundhog says or not, spring doesn't officially arrive until March, however, the warm conditions convince the leaves and blooms otherwise. Depending on where you live in the country, spring doesn't follow a special date on the calendar to make the switch. (For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.) The National Phenology Network (NPN) tracks the arrival of an early spring, the first leaves that pop out (AKA 'leaf out') and the first blooms. And while it's far too early for the first signs of spring to show across much of the country, for the South it's a different story. Spring ran two to three weeks late across the Gulf Coast. Much of this is most likely due to the extreme cold and snow that impacted this region during January. However, now the tables have turned as temperatures have been on the rise. This week, areas across the Deep South have experienced record warmth. New Orleans set a record at 82 degrees on Thursday. Lubbock, Texas not only tied their February record Monday by hitting 91 degrees, but it was also nine days earlier than their previous record earliest high in the 90s in any year (Feb. 12, 2017). The city also hit daily record highs on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Oklahoma set a state record high for any previous Feb. 3, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet project. The recent spring-like temperatures have woken up the leaves across the south, and even caused some of the leaves to pop early for areas in north Texas, southern Arkansas, northern Mississippi and Alabama. Even areas in the southern metro of Atlanta are starting to see those first leaves pop a few weeks early. Also, some areas across California are experiencing those first leaves. According to the NPN, these areas typically see an early spring every one to four years, so it's not uncommon for the leaves to start popping early, however, you'll have to wait a while longer for the bluebonnets to bloom. If you are looking for those first blooms, it's not quite time. The only areas seeing blooms right now are in south Florida, but let's be honest, flowers are always in bloom there! Do you have your box of tissues ready? Pollen season is also starting to rear its ugly head across the South. While the highest pollen counts are still contained in central Florida and right along the Gulf Coast, as the warmer temperatures stick around, the pollen will be increasing in the coming weeks. (MORE: Check Here To See Highest Pollen Counts) In Melbourne, Florida, pollen is already starting to show up on people's cars. The National Weather Service office in Melbourne posted this photo on X (formerly Twitter) showing the yellow pollen and crediting the live oaks as the leading pollen producer this spring season. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) shows the warmth continuing across the South, with the warmer temperatures creeping into portions of the mid-Atlantic in the coming weeks. Cold weather seems to hang onto the northern tier of the country for the time being as well as New England. (MORE: Start Planning Your Garden Now) Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
False Spring? A February 'Heat Wave' Is Smashing Records For The Third Year In A Row
A Southern "heat wave" will smash dozens of daily, and even a few monthly records from Colorado and Texas into the Deep South into this weekend. It's just the latest round of record warmth we've seen over the past few years in the U.S. Notable records, so far: Monday, all-time February record highs were tied or set in at least six cities in Colorado, New Mexico and western Texas. Among them, Grand Junction, Colorado, soared to 71 degrees, topping their previous record set 121 years ago in 1904 (and three weeks later in February). Lubbock, Texas, not only tied their February record Monday (91 degrees), but it was also nine days earlier than their previous record earliest high in the 90s in any year (Feb. 12, 2017). Typical for the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo tied their February record high Monday (89 degrees), then plunged to 21 degrees behind a cold front just 17 hours later. Finally, Oklahoma set a state record high for any previous Feb. 3, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet project. More to come this week: This pattern of spring-like warmth will continue over much of the South into this weekend. In these areas, daytime highs in the 70s and 80s can be expected with lows generally in the 50s and 60s. In places such as Dallas-Ft. Worth, this warmth is considered average in April, rather than early February. Dozens more daily warm records will likely fall by the wayside, particularly from Texas to the Carolinas. Some additional monthly records could also be threatened during this February heat wave. (MORE MAPS: 10-Day U.S. Forecast Highs/Lows) Reality check ahead: This being February, the heat wave couldn't last much longer. More sustained colder air will plunge southward through the Plains Saturday, leaving much of Texas to the Tennessee Valley colder by Sunday into Monday. This colder air could hang in place over most of the South much of next week, with the exception of areas near the northern Gulf Coast and Florida, according to NOAA's latest long-range outlook shown below. Big February heat waves last two years: This makes the third consecutive year we've seen February heat waves smash monthly records in parts of the country. Last year, an end of February heat wave sent temperatures soaring to 90 degrees in southeast Missouri and the low 70s in Lower Michigan. In all, 56 cities tied or set new record highs for any winter day from December through February in this heat wave. And in late February 2023, Atlanta (81 degrees), Nashville (85 degrees) and Raleigh (85 degrees) each set their all-time winter month highs. What a difference: This is an incredible contrast from last month, as the map below of January temperature anomalies shows. According to Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2, it was America's coldest January since at least 2014. NOAA's January U.S. climate report to be released Monday will provide additional perspective on how cold January was here in the Lower 48 states. January featured four major winter storms in under three weeks, beginning with Winter Storm Blair and punctuated by the historic Gulf Coast Winter Storm Enzo. Following Enzo, New Iberia (2 degrees), Lafayette (4 degrees), Baton Rouge (19 degrees) and New Orleans' Lakefront Airport (26 degrees) each set all-time record lows. Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
