2011- Record Temperatures in Oklahoma

This will definitely be a summer to remember. A lot of days were over 100F and many mornings in the upper 80's. But let us look at the year altogether. This really has nothing to do with government, just found it interesting to research.

In total, February 2011 has 3 of the record warmest low temperature days in Oklahoma City on the 17th, 19th and 20th.

This year’s heat has set 14 record highs and tied 6 more for a total of 20 record highs. This is the most record highs for any one year! 1936 only has 11 record highs and tied for 1 more for a total of 12. Interestingly, 1911 and 2011 together have the most record highs with 32 combined. Yes, 1911 also hold 11 record highs and tied for 1 more (with this year) for a total of 12. Is this that “100 year heat wave”? Even 1980 with its record number of days over 100 did not set as many record high temps. July 2011 is the hottest month on record in Oklahoma with an average 89.1F. Oklahoma's statewide average temperature was the warmest monthly statewide average temperature on record for any state during any month. Yes, we’re number 1!

Remember that on February 10 of this year that Bartlesville's temperature dropped to -28 degrees on Thursday, setting a new, all-time record low for Oklahoma. Not more than a couple hours after that report, the Oklahoma Mesonet reported that Nowata hit a low of -31.

Record cold temperatures were reached during the February cold snap. In Oklahoma City the temperature dropped from 5 degrees above zero at 6 a.m. to 5 degrees below zero at 7 a.m. This was the first time the temperature fell below since 1996, 15 years ago.

On February 1, the official snowfall observation at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City was 12.1 inches. Most of the snow fell on the February 1st with when 11.8 inches was recorded, with the other 0.3 inches falling during the late hours of January 31st. The 11.8-inch total broke the calendar day record, which was previously 5.5 inches set in 1913. The total also broke the all-time February daily snowfall record, which was previously 6.5 inches set in 1987.

Fresh on the heels of the record-setting blizzard that occurred from January 31-February 1, 2011, another significant winter storm affected the southern Plains On February 8-9 2011. Snowfall totals reached a foot over parts of northern Oklahoma, with widespread totals of 4 to 8 inches over the northern 2/3 of Oklahoma.

The storm added to the already impressive seasonal snowfall totals across Oklahoma and western north Texas. Oklahoma City has already surpassed the previous snowfall record for February, and was 8th on the list for snowiest seasons. What makes this even more impressive is that over a 10-day period, two snow storms had deposited over 18 inches of snow at Will Rogers World Airport.

This has been an interesting year climatologically speaking.