Oklahoma Remains In a Severe Drought Despite Rainfall

After all of the rain and severe storms Oklahoma received to kick-start November, people would assume that the drought decreased significantly. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Several areas of Oklahoma are still experiencing a severe drought.

From Nov. 1-4, almost every area of Oklahoma received some form of rain. And most of the larger amounts of rain were over six inches. Most areas surpassed the rain totals for October, which was .34 inches for the state the entire month. This year's October was the ninth driest October in the state's history.

Oklahoma is still in a severe drought despite rainfall.

Even though Oklahoma received significant rainfall at the beginning of November, a majority of the state remains in a severe drought. At the end of October, before Oklahoma received its several inches of rain, multiple areas of the state were in the middle of an extreme drought. So the recent rainfall decreased the drought a little bit but it still persists throughout Oklahoma.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of Nov. 5, areas of southern and northern Oklahoma are in the midst of a severe drought, while areas of central Oklahoma are in a moderate drought or are abnormally dry. The only area not in any type of drought are in the panhandle.

More rain is expected for Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is expected to receive more rain starting in the afternoon on Thursday, Nov. 7 and into Friday, Nov. 8. Some areas in western and southwest Oklahoma could see anywhere from three to six inches of rain.

And unlike with Oklahoma's last round of heavy rainfall, severe weather and tornadoes are not expected. Oklahomans may see scattered thunderstorms, but the main hazard is flash flooding thanks to multiple waves of rainfall that could be heavy locally.

Wet pattern is expected to continue in Oklahoma.

The wet pattern is expected to continue in Oklahoma at least for the next eight to 14 days. Oklahoma could see above average precipitation from Nov. 10-16.

Will it rain on Thanksgiving in Oklahoma?

It's still too far out to predict the exact weather in Oklahoma on Thanksgiving. But those planning on traveling will want to remain weather aware. The Farmers' Almanac is expecting Thanksgiving in Oklahoma to be chilly and dry. But as all Oklahomans know, the weather could always change!