Oct 10
Oklahoma’s brief autumn has been abruptly replaced by summer-like conditions, bringing unseasonably high temperatures and the concerning return of drought. State Climatologist Gary McManus and Farm Director KC Sheperd discussed the deteriorating weather pattern, which is compounded by the official onset of a La Niña episode. Summer Extends into Mid-October Oklahoma is experiencing temperatures significantly …
Oct 09
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. According to the latest Oklahoma Drought Monitor report, exceptional drought remains at 0 percent, unchanged from the start of the calendar year. No Severe Drought: As of October 7, 2025, no part of Oklahoma is classified in the D2 (Severe), D3 (Extreme), or D4 (Exceptional) categories. Rapid Expansion of Moderate Drought: …
Oct 02
To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. According to the latest Oklahoma Drought Monitor report, exceptional drought remains at 0 percent, unchanged from the start of the calendar year. Extreme drought or worse conditions remain at zero percent, unchanged since the week of October 29, 2024. Severe drought or worse conditions remain at zero percent, unchanged since the week of May …
Oct 01
While Oklahomans enjoyed a deceptive, cool start to autumn, the state now faces an escalating drought threat. State Climatologist Gary McManus warned that the official October outlook favors conditions—above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation—that are prime for drought expansion. “We definitely don’t want to see drought flourish in October, but that’s what the outlooks are saying,” …
May 13
Farm Director KC Sheperd recently spoke with State Climatologist Gary McManus about the recent dramatic weather shifts in Oklahoma, from record-breaking rainfall to the looming summer heat. McManus provided an insightful look at the state’s current conditions and what Oklahomans can expect in the coming months. “Well, it’s certainly been quiet recently, for the last …
Mar 25
Oklahoma is experiencing a severe dry spell, with drought conditions intensifying across much of the state. According to State Climatologist Gary McManus, the situation is becoming increasingly dire, marked by a prolonged lack of significant rainfall. “The last time Medford received at least a quarter-inch of rain (or melted snow/ice) in a single day was …
Mar 06
As conditions evolve, accurate reports on conditions and drought impacts are critical. Whether your area is currently wet, close to normal, or dry, please consider reporting conditions and any drought impacts you see or hear via the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) from the National Drought Mitigation Center. You can use the Condition Monitoring Observer …
Aug 26
As 2024 unfolds, it is rapidly becoming the hottest year on record—and the correlation between rising temperatures and the frequency and severity of severe weather events, including droughts, is well-documented. As temperatures go up, evaporation increases, leading to reduced soil moisture and lower water levels in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. This impacts agriculture, stresses the …
Jul 17
A big rain system with cooler temperatures is currently a welcome sight for folks across Oklahoma. According to State Climatologist Gary McManus, “We’ll have a nice big trough camp out over the eastern half of the country forthe next week, and the Heat Dome of Doom gets pushed to the west, away from the Southern …
