The Surprising History Of Oklahoma’s December Tornado Activity

Last year was a historic year for tornadoes in Oklahoma. The year capped off with a recording breaking tornadoes in November. And even though Oklahoma didn't have any tornadoes in December during that historic year, it doesn't mean Oklahoma never sees tornadoes in December.

According to the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma has seen 38 tornadoes during the month of December since 1950. December hasn't seen any violent tornadoes, like EF4 or EF5. But there has been 18 strong tornadoes, ranging from EF2 to EF3.

Oklahoma has seen three F3 tornadoes during the month of December.

Oklahoma's strongest and most violent and deadly tornadoes typically occur in the spring. But Oklahoma has seen some strong tornadoes during the month of December, including three F3 tornadoes.

Two of Oklahoma's December F3 tornadoes occurred on the same day during an early December tornado outbreak in 1975. Oklahoma saw four strong tornadoes in eastern Oklahoma on Dec. 5, 1975. On that day, an F3 struck near Okmulgee, Muskogee and Wagoner. And a second F3 hit northeast Tulsa, resulting in 38 injuries. An F2 also struck near Bixby and a second F2 hit Latimer.

Oklahoma's last EF3 tornado in December was the deadliest.

The third EF3 recorded in Oklahoma hit Adair on Dec. 31, 2010, and resulted in four deaths and 10 injuries, making it the deadliest tornado to hit Oklahoma in December since 1950.

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Oklahoma's last December tornado was in 2022.

It's been almost three years since Oklahoma has seen a tornado in December. Oklahoma experienced a two-day tornado outbreak in December 2022. Portions of east central Oklahoma saw a total of eight tornadoes from Dec. 12 to 13.

Two EF2 tornadoes struck during this time in Grady, McClain and Cleveland counties. No deaths or injuries were recorded as a result of this outbreak.