By Derek Arndt, Assistant State Climatologist
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
NORMAN - It might seem hard for folks in some parts of the state to fathom, but it's been a dry summer for the Panhandle. After getting socked with a colossal snowfall to ring in 2007, precipitation events have been few and far between, even for a region used to dryness.
In fact, as of noon Monday, July 30th, the region is experiencing its 20th-driest June-July of the modern record (since 1921), even while the rest of Oklahoma easily recorded the wettest such period.
Recent rains in the western panhandle have helped somewhat, but for most of the area between Boise City and Buffalo, conditions are still dry. The months of June through August represent the "wet" time of year for the western panhandle. This is also in contrast with the rest of the state, which typically relies on spring rains for the bulk of its rainfall.
Summer 2007 June 1, 2007 through Jul 30, 2007
Climate Division
Total Rainfall
Departure from normal
Percent of normal
Driest since
Wettest since
Rank since 1921
Driest of Record
Wettest of Record
60-day SPI
Most Like (Arndt Score)
Statewide
12.85"
+5.97"
187%
2006 (4.51")
--
1st wettest
2.29" (1954)
11.75" (1950)
+1.99
2004 (7.59)
Panhandle
3.75"
-1.63"
70%
2001 (2.85")
2006 (4.40")
20th driest
1.98" (1952)
11.07" (1950)
-0.77
1922 (8.99)
N. Central
13.08"
+6.18"
190%
2006 (4.42")
--
1st wettest
1.80" (1954)
11.93" (1957)
+1.91
1957 (8.02)
Northeast
14.32"
+6.58"
185%
2006 (5.82")
1948 (15.84")
2nd wettest
2.53" (1954)
15.84" (1948)
+1.74
1927 (7.93)
W. Central
9.05"
+3.08"
152%
2006 (5.18")
1995 (9.30")
10th wettest
1.77" (2001)
11.43" (1962)
+1.21
2004 (9.20)
Central
18.27"
+11.26"
261%
2006 (5.41")
--
1st wettest
1.88" (1954)
13.55" (1945)
+2.56
1945 (5.70)
E. Central
13.15"
+5.48"
171%
2006 (4.95")
2000 (13.43")
8th wettest
1.43" (1936)
16.90" (1945)
+1.47
2004 (8.45)
Southwest
12.48"
+6.28"
201%
2006 (2.99")
--
1st wettest
0.93" (2001)
11.11" (1962)
+1.92
1945 (7.37)
S. Central
14.26"
+7.42"
209%
2006 (2.11")
1945 (15.31")
2nd wettest
2.11" (2006)
15.31" (1945)
+1.90
2004 (8.01)
Southeast
15.11"
+6.92"
184%
2006 (5.31")
1951 (15.79")
3rd wettest
1.51" (1930)
16.60" (1945)
+1.73
2004 (8.05)
Table 1. Precipitation Statistics since June 1, 2007.
Media Contact:
Cerry Leffler
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2900
Norman, OK 73072-7305
405-325-2541
405-325-2550 (fax)
cerry@ou.edu
For Additional Information:
Derek Arndt
Assistant State Climatologist
120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2900
Norman, OK 73072-7305
405-325-2541
405-325-2550 (fax)
darndt@ou.edu
