Oklahoma, 2013

Drought in Oklahoma, August 1 to 31, 2013

August 1 to 31, 2013 · NWS OUN · 33 events in 33 counties and zones

Precipitation over most of Oklahoma was relatively plentiful during the first half of the month over northern and central sections of the state. This was followed by drier conditions to end the month.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 33 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
33

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS OUN wrote it up.

Precipitation over most of Oklahoma was relatively plentiful during the first half of the month over northern and central sections of the state. This was followed by drier conditions to end the month. Ultimately, drought conditions improved slightly over the northern two-thirds of the state, while holding to slightly worsening over the southern tier of counties.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Norman, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 31, 10:47 PM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 31, 10:47 PM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1147 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2013

.DISCUSSION...
THE 06Z AVIATION DISCUSSION FOLLOWS....

&&

.AVIATION...
A LARGE AREA OF TSRA CONTINUES TO CHURN OVER W TX AND THE FAR W OK
PANHANDLE. HIGH CLOUDS WILL STREAM E FROM THIS REGION THROUGH MUCH
OF THE NIGHT. THIS SHOULD REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF
BR/FG...ALTHOUGH KPNC WILL BE MORE ON THE FRINGE...AND MAY SEE A
BRIEF PERIOD OF MVFR VISIBILITY AROUND SUNRISE. MODELS SHOW A
BATCH OF LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE ACROSS S AND CENTRAL OK/N TX EARLY
THURSDAY...WHICH MAY MATERIALIZE AS SC AT ABOUT 2500 FT AGL IN THE
MORNING. A FEW TSRA MAY OCCUR OVER NW OK THURSDAY AFTERNOON...AS
THE ENVIRONMENT WILL CHANGE VERY LITTLE THROUGH THE PERIOD.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 933 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2013/

DISCUSSION...
LIGHT RAIN IS ALL THAT IS LEFT FROM EARLIER THUNDERSTORMS IN
SOUTWHEST KS. THIS WILL MOVE ACROSS PART OF NW OK THROUGH ABOUT
MIDNIGHT OR SO, BUT PRODUCE NOT MUCH RAINFALL. OTHER PARTS OF THE
FORECAST REMAIN UNCHANGED FROM EARLIER.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
OKLAHOMA CITY OK  72  93  75  96 /  10   0  10  10
HOBART OK         73  97  75 102 /  10  10  10  10
WICHITA FALLS TX  76  99  77 102 /  10  10  10   0
GAGE OK           69  94  72  99 /  30  20  20  10
PONCA CITY OK     70  91  74  92 /  10   0  20  30
DURANT OK         76  97  77  97 /  10   0   0  10

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...NONE.
TX...NONE.
&&

09/23/23
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 31, 10:20 PM CST, 1 hour 40 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1120 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2013

OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-011000-
HARPER-WOODS-ALFALFA-GRANT-KAY-ELLIS-WOODWARD-MAJOR-GARFIELD-NOBLE-
ROGER MILLS-DEWEY-CUSTER-BLAINE-KINGFISHER-LOGAN-PAYNE-BECKHAM-
WASHITA-CADDO-CANADIAN-OKLAHOMA-LINCOLN-GRADY-MCCLAIN-CLEVELAND-
POTTAWATOMIE-SEMINOLE-HUGHES-HARMON-GREER-KIOWA-JACKSON-TILLMAN-
COMANCHE-STEPHENS-GARVIN-MURRAY-PONTOTOC-COAL-COTTON-JEFFERSON-
CARTER-JOHNSTON-ATOKA-LOVE-MARSHALL-BRYAN-HARDEMAN-FOARD-WILBARGER-
WICHITA-KNOX-BAYLOR-ARCHER-CLAY-
1120 PM CDT WED JUL 31 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK COVERS NORTHERN...WESTERN...
CENTRAL...AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA...AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...REST OF TONIGHT...

THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK...
THERE IS A LOW CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS FAR NORTHWESTERN
OKLAHOMA THROUGH 3 AM THURSDAY MORNING. NO STRONG OR SEVERE
STORMS ARE EXPECTED.

DISCUSSION...
THERE IS A LOW CHANCE ONE OR TWO STORMS MAY DEVELOP OVER NORTHWESTERN
OKLAHOMA THROUGH 3 AM THURSDAY MORNING. DUE TO WEAK INSTABILITY AND
SHEAR...NO STRONG OR SEVERE STORMS ARE EXPECTED. STRONG CAPPING
WILL PREVENT STORM DEVELOPMENT ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA FOR THE
REST OF TONIGHT.

PROBABILITY TABLE...
VALID THROUGH 700 AM CDT THURSDAY AUG 1.
PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING IN THE
              NWS NORMAN COUNTY WARNING AREA...20 PERCENT.
PROBABILITY OF SEVERE STORMS IF STORMS OCCUR...5 PERCENT.

OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
NONE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK...
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS FAR NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
ON THURSDAY...THEN ACROSS MAINLY NORTHERN OKLAHOMA THURSDAY
NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY. ALTHOUGH A FEW STRONG TO PERHAPS SEVERE
STORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OCCUR THURSDAY THROUGH
TUESDAY...CHANCES FOR WIDESPREAD SEVERE STORMS REMAIN LOW.

OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
HEAT INDICES MAY APPROACH 105 DEGREES IN SOME LOCATIONS DURING
THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
DUE TO HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY. PERSONS SPENDING TIME
OUTDOORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS FROM THE HEAT OVER
THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

THE NEXT SCHEDULED HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK WILL BE ISSUED BY
5 AM THURSDAY.

MBS/EM

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

33 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Alfalfa

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Alfalfa forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.731, -98.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved to D0 (abnormally dry) by the end of the month.

Drought, Atoka

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Atoka forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.374, -96.038 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

No drought was present at the beginning of the month, but persistent dry conditions had allowed D0 (abnormally dry) drought to develop by the end of the month.

Drought, Beckham

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Beckham forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.269, -99.682 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved slightly to D2 (severe) by the end of the month.

Drought, Blaine

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Blaine forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.875, -98.433 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D1 (moderate) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved slightly to D0 (abnormally dry) by the end of the month.

Drought, Bryan

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Bryan forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
33.962, -96.260 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D1 (moderate) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had worsened slightly to D2 (severe) drought by the end of the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Caddo

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Caddo forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.174, -98.375 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D0 (abnormally dry) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Carter

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Carter forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.251, -97.286 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

No drought was present at the beginning of the month, but persistent dry conditions had allowed D0 (abnormally dry) drought to develop by the end of the month.

Drought, Coal

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Coal forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.588, -96.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

No drought was present at the beginning of the month, but persistent dry conditions had allowed D0 (abnormally dry) drought to develop by the end of the month.

Drought, Comanche

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Comanche forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.662, -98.472 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D1 (moderate) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Cotton

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cotton forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.290, -98.372 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Custer

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Custer forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.639, -99.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Dewey

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Dewey forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.988, -99.008 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved slightly to D1 (moderate) by the end of the month.

Drought, Ellis

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Ellis forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.218, -99.755 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved to D1 (moderate) by the end of the month.

Drought, Garvin

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Garvin forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.705, -97.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

No drought was present at the beginning of the month, but persistent dry conditions had allowed D0 (abnormally dry) drought to develop by the end of the month.

Drought, Grant

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Grant forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.796, -97.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved to D0 (abnormally dry) by the end of the month.

Drought, Greer

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Greer forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.936, -99.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought continued with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Harmon

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Harmon forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.744, -99.846 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought continued with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Harper

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Harper forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.789, -99.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved to D1 (moderate) by the end of the month.

Drought, Jackson

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.588, -99.415 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought continued with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Jefferson

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.111, -97.836 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D0 (abnormally dry) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Johnston

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Johnston forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.317, -96.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D0 (abnormally dry) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but persistent dry conditions had allowed D1 (moderate) drought to develop by the end of the month.

Drought, Kay

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Kay forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.818, -97.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D0 (abnormally dry) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Kiowa

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Kiowa forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.916, -98.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Love

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Love forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
33.950, -97.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D0 (abnormally dry) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Major

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Major forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.312, -98.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved slightly to D1 (moderate) by the end of the month.

Drought, Marshall

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Marshall forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.025, -96.769 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D0 (abnormally dry) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but persistent dry conditions had allowed D1 (moderate) drought to develop by the end of the month.

Drought, Murray

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Murray forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.482, -97.068 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

No drought was present at the beginning of the month, but persistent dry conditions had allowed D0 (abnormally dry) drought to develop by the end of the month.

Drought, Roger Mills

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Roger Mills forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.688, -99.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved slightly to D2 (severe) by the end of the month.

Drought, Stephens

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Stephens forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.486, -97.851 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D0 (abnormally dry) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Tillman

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Tillman forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
34.373, -98.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Washita

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Washita forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.290, -98.992 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought continued through the month with persistent dry conditions.

Drought, Woods

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Woods forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.767, -98.865 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D2 (severe) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved to D0 (abnormally dry) by the end of the month.

Drought, Woodward

When
August 1, 12:00 AM CST to August 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Woodward forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.423, -99.265 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

D3 (extreme) drought was present at the beginning of the month, but had improved to D1 (moderate) drought by the end of the month.

What these are

Drought
A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Oklahoma in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, August 2013

Sources

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: 466288, 466289, 466290, 466291, 466292, 466293, 466294, 466295, 466296, 466297, 466298, 466303, 466304, 466305, 466306, 466307, 466308, 466309, 466310, 466314, 466316, 466317, 466319, 466320, 466323, 466324, 466325, 466327, 466328, 466330, 466332, 466333, 466334.