Drought in Oklahoma, June 1 to 23, 2026

Name: Drought in Oklahoma, June 1 to 23, 2026
Start: 2026-06-01T00:00
End: 2026-06-23T05:59
Location: Oklahoma

June 1 to 23, 2026 · NWS OUN · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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: 2

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.

Most locations saw a dry start and middle of the month before more numerous convective systems impacted parts of the area toward the end of the month. This was especially true across far north-central Oklahoma and near the Red River, with central Oklahoma seeing near- to below-normal monthly rainfall totals. As a result, severe (or worse) drought persisted during the month, with some general category improvement towards the last days of the month.

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 May 31, 11:25 PM CST, 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Updated at 1218 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026
A few storms may be possible late Sunday afternoon/evening, particularly in north central Oklahoma.
Hot temperatures expected Sunday & Monday.
Rain/storm chances return Monday & persist through the remainder of the week.

Area forecast discussion, May 31, 11:25 PM CST, 35 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Norman OK
1225 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1218 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

- A few storms may be possible late Sunday afternoon/evening,
  particularly in north central Oklahoma.

- Hot temperatures expected Sunday & Monday.

- Rain/storm chances return Monday & persist through the remainder
  of the week.

&&

.NEAR TERM...
(Rest of today and tonight)
Issued at 103 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

Summer has arrived on the Southern Plains today with 500 mb heights
soaring into the upper 580s. In conjunction with south-southwest
surface winds and a reasonably dry airmass behind the dryline, a
stout low-level thermal ridge is already taking shape. This will
allow temperatures to approach 100 degrees from western north Texas
toward northwest Oklahoma, with slightly lower temperatures but
greater humidity to the east. All told, wet-bulb globe temperature
risks will range from "Moderate" to "High" this afternoon.
This will be the primary weather concern for outdoor interests.

It is worth noting that at least a conditional risk for storm
development exists late in the afternoon into the evening. The
likeliest location for storms to develop would be in north central
Oklahoma at the fringe of the punch of drier air moving in from the
low-level thermal ridge. Coincidentally, there is a boundary noted
from Payne County eastward on satellite from last night's storms in
Kansas. The environment north of the boundary will destabilize this
afternoon and a storm or two is possible before moving off into WFO
TSA/ICT's areas. However, rising heights will likely act to curtail
storm coverage, with sunset abolishing whatever convection does
develop.

Heat stress will continue tonight as lows fail to drop below 72
across most of the area, particularly as winds abate some.

Meister

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Monday through Tuesday night)
Issued at 103 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

Heat is the name of the game again tomorrow with temperatures
expected to soar into the 97-101 range west of I-35 again. Unlike
today, there won't be a low-level thermal ridge responsible for the
near-record heat. Instead, we'll see compressional warming beneath a
near-590 ridge directly overhead, with surface winds only being a
light southerly in response to weak lee troughing. With that
considered, heat risk will actually be higher tomorrow with lighter
winds, consistent sunshine, and the ever-present humidity. Heat
headlines may become necessary for some of our southeastern counties
(though it is rather borderline).

A complex of storms is likely across southern Kansas (and perhaps
far northern Oklahoma) tomorrow night as the low-level jet really
kicks across the high terrain. Given the shape of the ridge, the
subsequent MCS may be of the variety that begins to dive southward
after daybreak on Tuesday, perhaps bringing outflow and storm
chances to our eastern counties - and also introducing uncertainty
into temperature forecasts for Tuesday.

Meister

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday through Saturday)
Issued at 134 AM CDT Sun May 31 2026

Models show the upper ridge shifting eastward towards the middle
part of the week with potential shortwaves/disturbances moving
across the central/southern Plains through the end of the week.
Shower and thunderstorm chances will continue through the rest of
the week into the weekend. Temperatures will moderate a bit
Wednesday and continue through the rest of the work week with highs
back in the 80s.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1218 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

Mainly dry conditions and south or southeast winds are expected to
prevail through the overnight period into at least early afternoon
across the area. One exception is the area of storms
east/southeast of KWWR which has been persistent but nearly
stationary the last couple hours. This activity is expected to
remain clear of the TAF sites and will likely dissipate over the
next hour or two. Additional storms are likely to develop across
northern and central OK Monday afternoon into Monday evening, with
PROB30's added to KWWR/KOKC/KOUN/KSWO/KPNC from 21-03z tomorrow.
Storms may persist later into the evening, especially across
north-central OK, but uncertainty is greater after 3z tomorrow.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Oklahoma City OK  98  71  93  70 /  10  20  10  20
Hobart OK        100  70  95  68 /   0  10  10  30
Wichita Falls TX  98  71  96  69 /   0   0  10  20
Gage OK           99  69  92  66 /  10  20  30  50
Ponca City OK     94  70  88  69 /  10  30  10   0
Durant OK         95  74  94  71 /   0   0  10  10

&&

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

NEAR TERM...04
SHORT TERM...04
LONG TERM....25
AVIATION...08

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 31, 9:03 PM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1003 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

OKZ011-017-010330-
Major OK-Blaine OK-
1003 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Blaine
and south central Major Counties through 1030 PM CDT...

At 1003 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Longdale, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Fairview, Longdale, Canton Lake, and Homestead.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3605 9835 3610 9864 3616 9864 3617 9867
      3622 9867 3629 9835
TIME...MOT...LOC 0303Z 265DEG 7KT 3616 9857

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MDU

Special weather statement, May 31, 9:05 PM CST, 2 hours 55 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1005 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

OKZ033-010330-
Harmon OK-
1005 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Harmon
County through 1030 PM CDT...

At 1005 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles north of Dodson, moving northeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Vinson and Madge.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3503 10000 3503 9989 3494 9989 3494 9984
      3482 9984 3482 10000
TIME...MOT...LOC 0305Z 240DEG 9KT 3490 10005

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MDU

Special weather statement, May 31, 9:17 PM CST, 2 hours 43 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1017 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

OKZ015-010345-
Dewey OK-
1017 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Dewey County
through 1045 PM CDT...

At 1017 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles southwest of Taloga, moving east at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 40 mph and penny 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...
Taloga.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor NOAA Weather
Radio, local radio stations or available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3595 9912 3605 9909 3605 9882 3585 9889
TIME...MOT...LOC 0317Z 285DEG 5KT 3598 9905

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

MDU

Special weather statement, May 31, 9:55 PM CST, 2 hours 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1055 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

OKZ033-036-TXZ083-010430-
Harmon OK-Jackson OK-Hardeman TX-
1055 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Jackson,
southern Harmon and northwestern Hardeman Counties through 1130 PM
CDT...

At 1055 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles southwest of Hollis to 7 miles
southwest of Gould. Movement was south at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

These storms will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern
Jackson, southern Harmon and northwestern Hardeman Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3466 10000 3466 9974 3434 9973 3434 10000
TIME...MOT...LOC 0355Z 016DEG 5KT 3458 9998 3458 9984

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MDU

Special weather statement, May 31, 11:29 PM CST, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
1229 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

OKZ010-011-015-010600-
Major OK-Woodward OK-Dewey OK-
1229 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Dewey,
southwestern Major and southeastern Woodward Counties through 100 AM
CDT...

At 1228 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Cestos to 7 miles northwest of Oakwood.
Movement was east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Taloga, Seiling, Chester, Orion, Cestos, northwestern Canton Lake,
and Hucmac.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3617 9862 3616 9864 3599 9864 3599 9899
      3617 9913 3630 9895 3630 9862
TIME...MOT...LOC 0528Z 254DEG 13KT 3616 9906 3603 9878

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MDU

Special weather statement, Jun 1, 12:00 AM CST, 0 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Norman OK
100 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

OKZ010-011-015-010630-
Major OK-Woodward OK-Dewey OK-
100 AM CDT Mon Jun 1 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Dewey,
southwestern Major and southeastern Woodward Counties through 130 AM
CDT...

At 100 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Seiling, moving east at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Seiling and Chester.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3610 9906 3621 9907 3624 9885 3611 9884
TIME...MOT...LOC 0600Z 260DEG 9KT 3617 9899

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MDU

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Alfalfa

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 23, 5:59 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, Cleveland

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 23, 5:59 AM CST
Where: Cleveland forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 35.203, -97.326 (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 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Oklahoma, June 2026

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: 1355788, 1355789.