A November for the Record Books

November 2024 will enter Oklahoma’s vast and storied weather lore as one of the most extreme months in state history, shattering records for both the highest statewide average rainfall and the most tornadoes ever recorded in November. This unprecedented combination of rain and storms has left an indelible mark on the state’s already dynamic weather narrative. The month also saw another extreme, drought—which had been rapidly intensifying since mid-summer—nearly eradicated by the historic rainfall.

At least 31 tornadoes were confirmed during the month, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service, nearly tripling the previous November record of 12 set in 1958. That brought the 2024 tornado count to 145 through November, just four shy of the record 149 set through all of 2019. The tornadic activity came in two waves, the first striking from Nov. 2-4 and causing the most damage. Three tornadoes were rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, while another was rated EF2. Preliminary reports from emergency management officials indicated at least 384 structures were damaged or destroyed, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported nearly 50 injuries. Substantial damage occurred in southeast Oklahoma City, Moore, Choctaw, Comanche, Harrah, Fairland, and near Tenkiller. An EF1 tornado struck near the Oklahoma Mesonet site at Talala, which measured a wind gust of 94 mph as the twister passed nearby. The month’s second wave of tornadoes hit southwestern Oklahoma early on Nov. 18. Though far less violent and damaging, the overnight twisters added at least nine more to the month’s total.

While the November rains were as extreme as the month’s tornadoes—adding flooding to the month’s woes—they helped significantly alleviate Oklahoma’s ongoing drought. The statewide average rainfall totaled 7.84 inches, according to preliminary data from the Oklahoma Mesonet—5.52 inches above normal—obliterating the previous record of 6.05 inches set in November 2015. It also became the 16th-wettest calendar month on record, dating back to 1895. May 2015 still holds the top spot with 14.44 inches. Numerous individual locations across the state also saw their all-time November rainfall records fall. These accomplishments were made even more remarkable by the fact that the rainfall occurred almost exclusively during the first 18 days of the month.

The heaviest rains fell from southwestern to northeastern Oklahoma, with totals ranging from 8 to 11 inches and surpluses of 7 to 10 inches. All areas of the state saw a surplus, though parts of southeastern Oklahoma barely exceeded normal with totals closer to 4 inches. Pauls Valley recorded the highest Mesonet total at 11.9 inches, while even Kenton’s low of 4.03 inches was 3.5 inches above normal. Some volunteer observing sites in northeastern Oklahoma reported more than 13 inches, including 13.8 inches near Broken Arrow.

The precipitation wasn’t all rain. The far western Panhandle received more than 20 inches of snow over a five-day span from Nov. 5-9, including 26 inches reported by a volunteer observer south of Kenton. Climatological fall—September through November—ended as the 37th-wettest on record, with a statewide average of 10.2 inches, 1.2 inches above normal. The first 11 months of the year were also wetter than average, with a surplus of 0.52 inches, making it the 44th-wettest January-through-November period on record, with 34.77 inches.

November was also unusually warm, finishing with a statewide average temperature of 52.9 degrees, 3.5 degrees above normal, ranking as the 11th-warmest since records began in 1895. Cold weather was scarce, with some areas not experiencing their first freeze until the day after Thanksgiving. Durant recorded only three hours below freezing, according to Mesonet readings. Temperatures ranged from 86 degrees at Talihina on Nov. 4 to 18 degrees at Kenton on the month’s final day.

Autumn was exceptionally warm, with a statewide average temperature of 65.3 degrees—4.1 degrees above normal—ranking as the third-warmest fall (September through November) on record. The first 11 months of the year ranked as the second-warmest on record, with a statewide average of 64.8 degrees, 2.6 degrees above normal.

Drought’s coverage dropped from 84% of the state in late October to just 18% by the end of November, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor—the lowest levels seen in Oklahoma since early June. More severe drought levels fell from 42% to 2% during the month.

The December outlook from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) indicates increased odds of above-normal temperatures across the western three-fourths of the state, particularly in far western Oklahoma and the Panhandle. Precipitation outlooks show equal chances of above-, below-, or near-normal totals. CPC’s December drought outlook calls for further improvement in drought conditions where it still exists.