September

September's weather story was dominated by two of Oklahoma’s most damaging hazards—severe drought and a devastating hailstorm. Drought had been spreading and intensifying in the state since early summer according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and increased even further during September from 48% at the end of August to 57% by the end of the month. The area considered to be in more intense drought nearly doubled, from 18% to 33% over the same period. The worst-hit areas stretched from southwest Oklahoma to the northeast, reaching into far northeastern parts of the state.

Flash drought continued to advance and intensify across the southwestern half of Oklahoma during September, aided by scorching hot weather and a prolonged dry spell that had stretched to more than 60 days in some areas. While there was some relief during September from the dry and hot conditions—the weather cooled considerably during the month’s second week to go along with heavy rains—summer weather returned soon thereafter for the remainder of the month.

A historic cold snap set the tone for a cool September, which saw one of the earliest intrusions of winter weather in state history. An unusually strong cold front blasted through the state September 8-9, sending temperatures plummeting up to 50 degrees lower than the previous day’s highs. Lowest maximum and minimum temperature records were shattered across the western half of the state. High temperatures on the ninth struggled to a chilly 40 degrees at Boise City and Kenton following lows of 33 degrees.