Summary of events of May 2, 1997:A strong cold front moved into northern Oklahoma during the afternoon and early evening of May 2nd. The Oklahoma Mesonet recorded sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range lasting for more than 6 hours in many locations, particularly in northwest Oklahoma.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS OUN wrote it up.
Summary of events of May 2, 1997:A strong cold front moved into northern Oklahoma during the afternoon and early evening of May 2nd. The Oklahoma Mesonet recorded sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range lasting for more than 6 hours in many locations, particularly in northwest Oklahoma. In Woods County, one wind gust was measured at 58 mph at May Ranch.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
measured at the Oklahoma Mesonet site located at May Ranch (16 miles NNE of Freedom)
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oklahoma in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, May 1997
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5619323.