Oklahoma Could See a Last Minute Cold Spell in March

It feels like spring right now in Oklahoma, but winter could make one last return in March.

The perfect day in Oklahoma would be described by most with temperatures in the 60s, sunny with a light breeze. And that's what Oklahomans will be getting this week until a cold front moves through, taking temperatures back down into the high 40s and overnight lows in the 20s for the weekend.

This weather will have most Oklahomans welcoming spring with open arms. But the extended forecast is hinting at a possible last minute winter blast in March that could carry into April.

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According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, spring will really be in the air in Oklahoma this week due to bouts of severe weather, especially on Thursday, March 7.

Is winter over in Oklahoma?

But, looking back, the Oklahoma Mesonet's ticker from Feb. 19 hinted at a possible cold spell that could ramp up in March and last through April. According to the ticker, Oklahoma could see a bigtime cold front in March after the non-freezing period that Oklahoma experienced at the end of February, which could spell disaster. The ticker refers back to the winter to spring weather events that occurred in Oklahoma in 2009, which, according to the ticker, was "one of the worst freeze-damage episodes."

Various areas in Oklahoma even saw huge amounts of snow at the end of March in 2009.

Below is the statewide average low temps with the black line representing the state's long-term average and the blue line represents the statewide low temps in 2009. Notice how the lows in 2009 were above normal for February and early March, but then drop well below average in late March and early April.

Now, a last minute freeze this year isn't guaranteed, but it's not impossible. So you may want to keep an eye out on the weather as you plan your spring planting!