Drought in Oklahoma, February 1 to 14, 2023

Name: Drought in Oklahoma, February 1 to 14, 2023
Start: 2023-02-01T00:00
End: 2023-02-14T07:00
Location: Oklahoma

February 1 to 14, 2023 · NWS OUN · 46 events in 46 counties and zones

Despite periods of light precipitation throughout the early and middle portions of the month, severe to exceptional drought conditions lingered across similar areas of western, northern, central, and southern Oklahoma.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 46 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: 46

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 Jan 31, 10:47 PM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 31, 10:47 PM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
1047 PM CST Tue Jan 31 2023

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Wednesday)
Issued at 335 PM CST Tue Jan 31 2023

Expecting our final round of winter weather returning Wednesday
morning as the upper level wave will be coming through.  A wintry
mix with freezing rain as dominant after sunrise through the
reminder of the morning across northern Texas into all of southern
Oklahoma. Wintry mixed POPs extend up to I-40 in western through
central Oklahoma by the afternoon on. Forecast soundings showing a
cooling of the warm nose to more sleet being the dominant type of
mix through the afternoon. Vertical ascent will be strongest across
northern Texas through southcentral into southeast Oklahoma where
the highest probabilities will be in place and will likely see the
highest impact of ice. As a result, a Winter Storm Warning for sleet
and freezing rain will remain in effect there as well. Could see ice
glazing from freezing rain over 1/4 inch thick with an additional
1/2 inch of sleet in the warning area.   A Winter Weather Advisory
will be in effect over the lower probability areas, generally
southwest, western and central Oklahoma where the impact should be
lower.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday night through next Monday)
Issued at 335 PM CST Tue Jan 31 2023

Mixed wintry precipitation with sleet being the dominant type will
be ongoing Wednesday evening and overnight across all but far
northern Oklahoma as the upper trough axis moves through on
Thursday. Forecast sounding showing periods of sleet to freezing
rain as the dendritic zone remains saturated with a warm nose
sufficient for partial to full melting down to the subfreezing
surface. The good news is that surface temperatures (dry & wet bulb)
will gradually warm above freezing into the afternoon as the wintry
mix transitions and ends into a "cold" rain.  Rain chances will
gradually end into southeast Oklahoma by the evening as the upper
trough moves off to our east.

A cold front pushing down through Kansas will come through late
Thursday.  Although a colder Thursday night behind the front with
clear night skies, the 1000-850 mb thicknesses suggesting the more
frigid Canadian air should lag up in the Central Plains and
Midwestern Regions.  With a return of south winds on Friday, will
see a warming trend above climatically average that will continue
into the weekend as a weak ridge starts building in from out of our
west.  South winds could be a bit gusty on Saturday with a tight
pressure gradient as we mix into a strong low-level jet developing
Friday night. Our warming trend will peak on Monday as temperatures
soar well into the 60s.  Another trough develops out west pushing
another cold front through on Tuesday returning temperatures back to
seasonably average.  This system may bring a return of rain across
parts of our area that could transition back to a wintry mix on
Tuesday night.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1037 PM CST Tue Jan 31 2023

Cigs will lower through the day tomorrow as we moisten top-down
during the afternoon and evening hours. MVFR cig development
expected latter portion of forecast as precipitation increases in
coverage, mainly after 00Z. Primary precipitation type still
expected to start off as PL and transition to more FZRA with time
(especially at KSPS and KLAW). Winds will stay light and variable
through tomorrow afternoon, with a dominate light south wind
latter portion of forecast.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  18  33  28  45 /   0  20  40  20
Hobart OK         17  34  26  48 /   0  30  50  20
Wichita Falls TX  22  29  27  43 /  10  80  70  40
Gage OK           12  38  23  52 /   0   0  10  10
Ponca City OK     15  36  24  50 /   0   0  10  10
Durant OK         23  33  30  40 /  20  80  90  40

&&

.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM CST Thursday for OKZ014>031-
     033>040-044.

     Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM CST Thursday for OKZ032-041>043-
     045>048-050>052.

TX...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM CST Thursday for TXZ083>085.

     Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM CST Thursday for TXZ090.

     Winter Weather Advisory until midnight CST tonight for
     TXZ086>089.

     Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM CST Thursday for TXZ086>089.

&&

SHORT TERM...68
LONG TERM....68
AVIATION...11

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 31, 5:00 PM CST, 7 hours before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Norman OK
500 PM CST Tue Jan 31 2023

OKZ004>048-050>052-TXZ083>090-012300-
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-
500 PM CST Tue Jan 31 2023

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

.DAY ONE...Through Tonight...

No hazardous weather is expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday...

.Wintry Weather...
A final round of wintry mixed precipitation is expected Wednesday
and Wednesday night. Freezing rain and sleet during the morning,
across southern Oklahoma and western north Texas, is expected to
transition to all freezing rain Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday
night. Significant ice accumulations are possible across south
central and southeast Oklahoma and western north Texas. Power
outages and tree damage due to ice are likely and travel could be
nearly impossible.

Farther north across central and western Oklahoma, sleet will be
possible Wednesday afternoon through the evening hours,
transitioning to light freezing rain overnight Wednesday night.
Light ice accumulations are expected with some impact to travel,
especially untreated roadways.

Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing during the day
Thursday.

Get graphics and more details at weather.gov/norman...and follow
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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

46 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Harper

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Harper forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.789, -99.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Woods

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Woods forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.767, -98.865 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Alfalfa

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Alfalfa forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.731, -98.324 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Grant

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Grant forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.796, -97.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Kay

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Kay forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.818, -97.144 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Ellis

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Ellis forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.218, -99.755 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Woodward

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Woodward forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.423, -99.265 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Major

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Major forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.312, -98.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Garfield

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Garfield forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.379, -97.783 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Noble

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Noble forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.389, -97.230 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Roger Mills

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM 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, Dewey

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Dewey forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.988, -99.008 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Blaine

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Blaine forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.875, -98.433 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Kingfisher

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Kingfisher forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.945, -97.942 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Logan

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Logan forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.919, -97.443 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Payne

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Payne forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 36.077, -96.976 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Beckham

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Beckham forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.269, -99.682 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Custer

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Custer forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.639, -99.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Canadian

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Canadian forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.542, -97.982 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Oklahoma

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Oklahoma forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.552, -97.407 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Lincoln

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.703, -96.881 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Washita

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Washita forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.290, -98.992 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Caddo

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Caddo forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.174, -98.375 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Grady

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Grady forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.017, -97.884 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, McClain

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: McClain forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.009, -97.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Cleveland

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Cleveland forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.203, -97.326 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Pottawatomie

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Pottawatomie forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.207, -96.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Seminole

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Seminole forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.168, -96.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Hughes

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Hughes forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.048, -96.250 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Harmon

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Harmon forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.744, -99.846 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Greer

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Greer forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.936, -99.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Kiowa

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Kiowa forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.916, -98.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Comanche

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Comanche forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.662, -98.472 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Stephens

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Stephens forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.486, -97.851 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Garvin

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Garvin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.705, -97.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Pontotoc

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Pontotoc forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.728, -96.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Coal

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Coal forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.588, -96.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Jackson

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.588, -99.415 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Tillman

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Tillman forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.373, -98.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Cotton

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Cotton forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.290, -98.372 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Jefferson

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.111, -97.836 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Carter

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Carter forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.251, -97.286 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Murray

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Murray forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.482, -97.068 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Johnston

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Johnston forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.317, -96.661 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Love

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Love forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 33.950, -97.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Marshall

When: February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 14, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 34.025, -96.769 (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 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, February 2023

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: 1074441, 1074442, 1074444, 1074445, 1074446, 1074447, 1074448, 1074449, 1074450, 1074451, 1074452, 1074453, 1074454, 1074455, 1074456, 1074457, 1074458, 1074459, 1074460, 1074461, 1074462, 1074463, 1074464, 1074465, 1074466, 1074467, 1074468, 1074469, 1074470, 1074471, 1074472, 1074473, 1074474, 1074475, 1074476, 1074477, 1074478, 1074479, 1074480, 1074481, and more.