Climate
Tulsa County is located in a transition from the cross-timbers region to the west and south and grasslands to the east and north. Average annual precipitation increases by as much as two inches across the county, with higher totals generally in the eastern portions. On average, the county receives over 42 inches of precipitation each year. April - June is almost always the wettest part of the year, but a secondary peak often occurs during September – Early November. Tulsa records snowfall almost every year, with about three years out of four having at least five inches. Temperatures across the county are relatively uniform, with a mean near 61 degrees. Temperatures range from an average daytime high of 94 degrees in July to an average low of 26 degrees in January. Tulsa County averages a growing season of 220 days, but plants that can withstand short periods of colder temperatures may have as much as six additional weeks. Winds across Tulsa County are predominantly from the south to southeast, averaging nearly 7 miles-per-hour. Relative humidity, on average, ranges from 47% to 92% during the day. Relative humidity is slightly lower from February – April, but jumps dramatically with the spring rains. Winter months tend to be cloudier than summer months. The percentage of possible sunshine ranges from an average of less than 50% in winter to nearly 80% in summer. Thunderstorms occur on about 50 days each year, predominantly in the spring and summer. During the period 1950 - 2003, Tulsa County recorded 68 tornadoes, the most of any county in its region. The most recent significant tornado (F2 intensity or greater) cut a 6-mile path through Catoosa on 24 April 1993, killing seven and injuring 100. Typically, there are about three days each year on which hail exceeding one inch in diameter occurs. As information collection improves, both the number of reported tornadoes and the number of severe hail events have increased.
Excerpted from: Climate of Tulsa County http://climate.mesonet.org/county_climate/Products/County_Climatologies/county_climate_tulsa.pdf
Climate Summary for Tulsahttp://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=065327&refer=
Local Phone Numbers for Quick Weather Updates
Mesonethttp://www.mesonet.org/
The Oklahoma Mesonet is a world-class network of environmental monitoring stations. The network was designed and implemented by scientists at the University of Oklahoma (OU) and at Oklahoma State University (OSU).
National Weather Service Office in Tulsahttp://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/
The National Weather Service is a component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is an Operating Unit of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Their mission is to provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
Phone: 918.838.7838
OK-Firsthttp://okfirst.mesonet.org/
OK-First is an outreach project of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) and Oklahoma Mesonet. It provides training and real-time weather data to public safety officials for use in weather-impacted situations. OK-First training and data are provided at no cost to qualified applicants in Oklahoma. As of Spring 2012, more than 500 trained public safety officials in and around Oklahoma participate in the program. OK-First operates with substantial funding support from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
Oklahoma Climatological Surveyhttp://climate.ok.gov/
The Oklahoma Climatological Survey was established by the State Legislature in 1980 to provide climatological services to the people of Oklahoma. The Survey maintains an extensive array of climatological information, operates the Oklahoma Mesonet, and hosts a wide variety of educational outreach and scientific research projects.
The University of Oklahoma
120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2900
Norman, OK 73072-7305
Phone: 405.325.2541
Fax: 405.325.2550
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma Mesonet Operators
Office Hours: 8AM - 5PM, Monday - FridayP
Phone: 405.325.3231
Email: [email protected]
Tulsa City-County Library resources on weather can be found at http://guides.tulsalibrary.org/content.php?pid=209181&sid=2847905
