When does Oklahoma get snow? Here are the 2024 forecasts for the first showers this winter

On By Littum

If the cold front and dropping temperatures overnight have you thinking about winter weather, you’re not alone.

But don’t lace up your snow boots just yet.

While the far western Oklahoma Panhandle has already seen enough snow this month for more close trails at Black Mesa State Parkmost of Oklahoma is still waiting for its first dusting. Higher than normal temperatures have kept the usual cool fall weather at bay for most of the season so far.

The climate phenomenon known as La Niña, which is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, is causing warmer and drier conditions in Oklahoma.

Snow falls earlier this year at the Martin Park Nature Center in Oklahoma City.Snow falls earlier this year at the Martin Park Nature Center in Oklahoma City.

Snow falls earlier this year at the Martin Park Nature Center in Oklahoma City.

When is Oklahoma City’s first snow?

According to weather observations at OKC Will Rogers International Airport going back nearly 80 years, the earliest snow on record was five days before Halloween 2020, when a sprinkle of snow totaling 0.2 inches fell on Oklahoma City. It was only the second time it had snowed in October.

However, on average, Oklahoma City’s first snowfall falls on December 2nd.

More: How cold will it be? NOAA’s 2024-25 winter forecast map shows what to expect in Oklahoma

That is if it even snows before New Year’s Eve. Since 1948, only 180 inches of snow have fallen in October, November or December. Compare that to the first half of the year, when 478 inches of snow fell on Oklahoma City over the past seven decades.

The first best chance for snow in Oklahoma City will be Wednesday night when a cold front brings one chance of light snow in northern Oklahomaaccording to the National Weather Center in Norman. A more certain weather forecast will be available as the weather pattern approaches.

The Skydance Bridge is pictured during a snowstorm on February 8, 2023 in Oklahoma City.The Skydance Bridge is pictured during a snowstorm on February 8, 2023 in Oklahoma City.

The Skydance Bridge is pictured during a snowstorm on February 8, 2023 in Oklahoma City.

A blue jay forages on the ground in a backyard Jan. 9 in Edmond after a light snow overnight.A blue jay forages on the ground in a backyard Jan. 9 in Edmond after a light snow overnight.

A blue jay forages on the ground in a backyard Jan. 9 in Edmond after a light snow overnight.

Oklahoma City records for snowfall

The chance of snowfall in Oklahoma’s temperate climate decreases drastically after February, but the most recent season’s snowfall in Oklahoma City occurred on June 16, 1955. On that day, one-tenth of an inch of snow was observed.

According to historical records, it has snowed in April only five times in the past 76 years. Each event saw less than an inch of snow. The most recent snowfall occurred on April 13 and 14 in the year 2020.

The largest one-day snowfall on record in Oklahoma City occurred on Christmas Eve in 2009. The monitoring station at the airport measured over a foot of snow in just one day:

  1. December 24, 2009 – 13.5 inches.

  2. February 1, 2011 ― 11.8 inches.

  3. March 10, 1948 – 8.4 inches.

  4. January 18, 1987 – 8.3 inches.

  5. December 14, 1987 – 8.3 inches.

Oklahoma City’s most recent snow happened on March 27.

A man walks along NW 164 as an Oklahoma City Public Works truck plowing snow approaches Feb. 17, 2021, in northwest Oklahoma City after a winter storm dropped another layer of snow in Oklahoma City.A man walks along NW 164 as an Oklahoma City Public Works truck plowing snow approaches Feb. 17, 2021, in northwest Oklahoma City after a winter storm dropped another layer of snow in Oklahoma City.

A man walks along NW 164 as an Oklahoma City Public Works truck plowing snow approaches Feb. 17, 2021, in northwest Oklahoma City after a winter storm dropped another layer of snow in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma winter 2024-25 predictions

Meteorological winter begins December 1.

Oklahoma will see a slightly warmer winter than years past, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports. Normal or slightly below normal precipitation levels are expected across much of Oklahoma, according to its Climate Prediction Center winter view.

Map showing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's precipitation forecast for winter 2024-25.Map showing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's precipitation forecast for winter 2024-25.

Map showing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s precipitation forecast for winter 2024-25.

This article originally appeared on The Oklahoman: When will it snow in Oklahoma? 2024 winter outlook for showers