Drought in Oklahoma, January 1 to 31, 2022

Name: Drought in Oklahoma, January 1 to 31, 2022
Start: 2022-01-01T00:00
End: 2022-01-31T23:59
Location: Oklahoma

January 1 to 31, 2022 · NWS OUN · 48 events in 47 counties and zones

Drought continued to worsen through the month of January as meaningful precipitation continued to evade the Oklahoma and north Texas area. Nearly the entire county warning area was in at least severe drought by month's end, with 65% of the area in extreme drought.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 48 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: 48

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.

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 Dec 31, 5:50 PM CST, 6 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 31, 5:50 PM CST, 6 hours 10 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
550 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 205 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

Main concern continues to be wrt the storm system to impact Oklahoma
and north Texas tonight and Saturday with a chance for some much
needed rain and opportunity for wintry precip.

Some weak waa will result in a few showers this afternoon mainly in
areas along and southeast of I-44. This is in advance of approaching
upper wave that is currently near the Baja. Warm advection will
transition east of the area this evening and will likely see a lull
in the rain with this transition.

However as upper wave approaches expect to see rain become
widespread across the area as we go through the overnight period. At
the same time south of a warm front located across southeast
Oklahoma, increasing low level moisture will result in sufficient
instability to go along with strong wind fields to support some
strong to severe convection, with strong wind gusts and some large
hail the primary hazards. Although a low end tornado risk will exist
as well for a time.

Meanwhile farther north, a strong cold front will be entering
northwest Oklahoma. This front and associated arctic airmass has
been consistently moving more quickly south than models indicate and
today is no different. This front will move south across the area
overnight and into the day on Saturday. As the cold air deepens, we
expect to see a transition of potential precip type, including
freezing rain, sleet and snow. However, amounts appear to be light
late tonight into the day Saturday as the main forcing with the
ejecting wave will be translating east of the area quickly Saturday
morning with the main upper still well west of the area. With the
strength of the CAA may see some icing, especially on elevated
surfaces and will go ahead and issue a Winter Weather Advisory for
northern Oklahoma for late tonight into Saturday morning.

Expect to see another lull in the precip through a good part of the
day Saturday, especially by afternoon. Most areas will see morning
highs with temperatures falling significantly during the day. Areas
along and north of I-40 will likely drop into the teens by sunset.

Main upper trough will move across the area Saturday evening. As
this occurs may see a band of snow develop and move across parts of
western into central sections of the state. Exactly where this may
occur and how much snow is associated with this band is still in
question, but latest NAM and to a lesser degree the GFS would
suggest enough accumulation for an advisory. Will need to watch this
closely.

Another impact will be the strong north winds and associated wind
chills. Wind chills below zero may occur as soon as midday Saturday
across the north with single digits and teens elsewhere. May need a
wind chill advisory for parts of the area as we go through Saturday
night into early Sunday with wind chills of -5 to -10 along and
north of I-40.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday night through next Thursday)
Issued at 205 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

Cold day on Sunday with a quick transition back to warmer temps
expected into early next week (highs in the 50s and 60s by Tuesday).
Another cold front is expected Tuesday night with cooler/colder
temps through much of the remainder of the work week. However, this
front looks to come through dry.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 544 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

Conditions will gradually go toward IFR by early Saturday over
central and northern Oklahoma and into southern Oklahoma and
northern Texas when cold front brings very gusty north winds. Some
FZRA SN and PL are likely for a brief time in northern Oklahoma.
By Saturday afternoon, light snow will occur in northern Oklahoma

&&

.UPPER AIR...
Issued at 315 AM CST Thu Dec 30 2021

No upper air flight is planned at this time.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  47  49  10  31 /  90  70  30   0
Hobart OK         46  49  10  38 /  80  40  40   0
Wichita Falls TX  54  60  15  39 /  90  30  20   0
Gage OK           19  21   4  40 /  80  60  20   0
Ponca City OK     31  32   6  28 /  90  90  20   0
Durant OK         59  66  15  36 /  90  70  10   0

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Winter Weather Advisory from 6 AM to noon CST Saturday for
     OKZ007-008-012-013.

     Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST
     Saturday for OKZ004>006-009>011.

TX...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...30
LONG TERM....30
AVIATION...09

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 31, 11:00 PM CST, 1 hour before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Norman OK
1100 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-011115-
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-
1100 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northern...
western...central...and southern Oklahoma...and western north
Texas.

.DAY ONE...Overnight...

.Thunderstorms...
There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms late this evening
and overnight across parts of southeast Oklahoma with a marginal
risk farther north across much of the remainder of southeast into
south central Oklahoma and portions of western north Texas. The
most likely time for severe weather will be through 4 am Saturday.
The primary hazards with these thunderstorms will be wind gusts
of 60 mph and hail to the size of quarters.

.Winter weather...
Rain will change to freezing rain and sleet across northern
Oklahoma late tonight into early Saturday morning. Amounts will
generally be light, but some slick spots are still expected. A
Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for late tonight for portions
of northern and western Oklahoma.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday...

.Winter weather...
Precipitation will change to freezing rain and sleet and then to
light snow on Saturday as cold air continues to spread south
across Oklahoma and north Texas. Amounts will generally be light,
but slick spots may still develop on roadways, especially where
freezing rain falls. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect
through noon for portions of northern and western Oklahoma.

.Cold temperatures...
The coldest temperatures of the season so far are expected on
Sunday. Wind chill values Sunday morning will be near zero south
and near ten below in the north.

Get graphics and more details at weather.gov/norman...and follow
our weather forecast office on Twitter and Facebook.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 31, 9:38 PM CST, 2 hours 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
938 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

OKZ052-010415-
Bryan OK-
938 PM CST Fri Dec 31 2021

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Bryan
County through 1015 PM CST...

At 938 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Bennington, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Bennington and Wade.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3387 9579 3384 9585 3389 9593 3386 9595
      3385 9598 3387 9600 3384 9601 3384 9602
      3385 9602 3386 9603 3384 9605 3395 9612
      3404 9597 3394 9594 3391 9587 3387 9584
TIME...MOT...LOC 0338Z 240DEG 49KT 3390 9598

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

WR

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

48 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Alfalfa

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Atoka

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Beckham

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Blaine

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Blaine

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Bryan

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Caddo

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Canadian

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Canadian forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.542, -97.982 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Carter

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Cleveland

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Cleveland forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.203, -97.326 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Coal

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Comanche

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Cotton

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Custer

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Dewey

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Ellis

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Garfield

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Garfield forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.379, -97.783 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Garvin

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Grady

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Grady forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.017, -97.884 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Grant

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Greer

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Harmon

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Harper

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Jackson

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Jefferson

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Johnston

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Kay

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Kingfisher

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Kingfisher forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.945, -97.942 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Kiowa

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Lincoln

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.703, -96.881 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Logan

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Logan forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.919, -97.443 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Love

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Major

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Marshall

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, McClain

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: McClain forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.009, -97.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Murray

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Noble

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Noble forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.389, -97.230 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Oklahoma

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Oklahoma forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.552, -97.407 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Payne

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Payne forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.077, -96.976 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Pontotoc

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pontotoc forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.728, -96.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Pottawatomie

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pottawatomie forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.207, -96.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Roger Mills

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Seminole

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Seminole forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.168, -96.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Stephens

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Tillman

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Washita

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Woods

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

Drought, Woodward

When: January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 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)

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

Every storm in Oklahoma in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, January 2022

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: 1001530, 1001531, 1001532, 1001533, 1001534, 1001535, 1001536, 1001537, 1001538, 1001539, 1001540, 1001541, 1001542, 1001543, 1001544, 1001545, 1001546, 1001547, 1001548, 1001549, 1001550, 1001551, 1001552, 1001554, 1001555, 1001556, 1001557, 1001558, 1001559, 1001560, 1001561, 1001562, 1001563, 1001564, 1001565, 1001566, 1001567, 1001568, 1001569, 1001570, and more.