November 2016 Climate and Hydrology Summary

November & Autumn 2016

Tulsa: November 2016 was the 6th warmest (56.2°F; since 1905) and the 59th driest (1.88"; since 1888) November on record.

Tulsa: The low temperature of 70°F on 11/02/2016 tied for the warmest low temperature recorded in the month of November. The mean temperature of 78°F on 11/02/2016 set a new record for the warmest mean temperature in the month of November.

Fort Smith: November 2016 was the 4th warmest (57.0°F, tied 1931; since 1882) and the 36th driest (1.59", tied 2009; since 1882) November on record.

Fayetteville: November 2016 was the 6th warmest (51.8°F; since 1949) and the 5th driest (0.83"; since 1949) November on record.

McAlester: The high temperature of 86°F on 11/16/2016 tied for the warmest high temperature recorded in the month of November.

Muskogee: The high temperature of 86°F on 11/16/2016 was the warmest high temperature recorded in the month of November. The previous record was 85°F on 11/02/2016 and in 2012.

Using the radar-derived estimated observed precipitation from the RFCs, rainfall totals for November 2016 ranged a measly 0.20” in eastern Kay and western Osage Counties to around 4” in southeast Le Flore County. This corresponds to 50% or less of the normal November rainfall for the majority of eastern OK and northwest AR. Portions of eastern Kay, eastern Okfuskee, southern Okmulgee, and northwestern McIntosh Counties received less than 5% of the normal November rain. A few areas had 50% to 90% of the normal November rainfall.

November 2016 was another very warm and dry month across eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas.

According to the Drought Monitor from December 1, 2015, there were not drought or abnormally dry conditions present in eastern OK and northwest AR.

According to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, November 2016 was the 22nd driest for northeast Oklahoma, the 15th driest for east central Oklahoma, and the 43rd driest for southeast Oklahoma. Records go back to 1921. For the Cool Growing Season September 1 - November 30, 2016, northeast Oklahoma ranked as the 30th driest, east central Oklahoma was the 10th driest, and southeast Oklahoma was the 11th driest period. For Year-to-Date 2016 (January 1-November 30, 2016), northeast Oklahoma ranked as the 20th driest, east central Oklahoma was the 13th driest, and southeast Oklahoma was the 39th driest Year-to-Date.

Autumn (September-October-November) 2016

Tulsa: Autumn 2016 was the 2nd warmest (67.2°F; since 1905) and the 42nd driest (7.05"; since 1888) Autumn on record.

Fort Smith: Autumn 2016 was the 2nd warmest (68.1°F; since 1882) and the 5th driest (3.78"; since 1882) Autumn on record.

Fayetteville: Autumn 2016 was the 1st (record) warmest (62.2°F, tied 1973; since 1949) and the 11th driest (6.44"; since 1949) Autumn on record.