Oklahoma’s 2020 Weather Extremes
Looking back on 2020, I could point to just about any metric to set it aside as different from any other year, but the weather sure was different. Most notable was a relatively warm winter start, a very long spring, a short summer, long cool fall, and an early winters end. Honestly, that October ice storm was crazy. Temps aren't all that was weird about 2020, tornado season was generally on the lighter side of average. 2019 saw nearly 150 twisters throughout the state, 2020 saw just 37. Here are some more statistics for the year in weather.
- 1
Highest Wind Speed
Thanks to a crazy storm on the first day of summer, Boise City (way out in the panhandle) recorded the highest wind speed in the state this past year at 98.2MPH. Being so flat out there, we're all surprised the town wasn't swept off its foundations.
- 2
Greatest 24 Hour Temp Change
Temperature swings are nothing strange anywhere in Oklahoma. That's the weather joke in nearly every US state... Don't like the weather? Wait five minutes... blah blah blah... But in Hooker, the weather swung from 94.5 to 32.5 in just one day back in early October. Not as impressive as the 100 degree change on record, but notable nonetheless.
- 3
The Historic Ice Storm
Seeing an early freeze in October isn't something that "never" happens in Oklahoma, but it's a pretty rare event. In the days leading up to Halloween, the state experienced a record ice storm that covered nearly 70% of the state for three days. Countless trees took record damage, parts of OKC went powerless for nearly a month, and most municipalities are still cleaning up the mess two months later.
- 4
Highest Temperature
It's no secret that SWOK is the home of Oklahoma's heat, but the one-stoplight town of Hollis recorded the hottest temp on record this year. 113 degrees midway through July.
Side note, the best burger in Oklahoma can be found in Hollis at the old Dairy Queen just across from the United Grocery store there on main street. Unbelievable burgers.
- 5
Highest Heat Index
We all know the heat index is pure voodoo... If it "feels like" a certain temp, it should be that temp right? But that's not how it works. If you were hanging out in Stillwater on July 11th this year, you know what 121.2 degrees feels like.
- 6
Lowest Temperature
Ironically, we're back to SWOK for the lowest temperature recorded in the state this past year. Faxon down South of Lawton earned top honors recording a solid temp of just 1.2 degrees back in February.
- 7
Highest One Hour Rainfall
This one takes us to a new location in SWOK. Ketchum Ranch... It's a weather station and apparently an airport East of Duncan just over halfway to Velma-Alma. On May 15th, they recorded 3.81 inches of rain over a single hour.
- 8
Highest 24 Hour Rainfall
While we think of Spring as the "wet" season in Oklahoma, September delivered the precipitation to SWOK. On September 1st, 8.26 inches of rain fell in Bryars.