According to some weather forecasts, Oklahoma’s Thanksgiving may be accompanied with a fresh snowfall.
Forecasts from OCS/Mesonet Ticker estimate that some portions of Oklahoma may receive up to 4 inches of snow, while others will receive less than half an inch. This forecast applies exclusively from November 19 to November 27.
The National Weather Service in Norman does not have a holiday forecast, but estimates as far out as Saturday, Nov. 23, indicate that Oklahoma will be spared snowfall.
According to weather measurements at OKC Will Rogers International Airport stretching back nearly 80 years, the earliest snowfall on record occurred five days before Halloween 2020, when 0.2 inches fell on Oklahoma City. It was only the second time on record that it snowed in October.
On average, Oklahoma City gets its first snowfall on December 2.
That is, if any snow falls before New Year’s Eve. Since 1948, only 180 inches of snow have fallen in October, November, and December. Compare that to the first half of the year, when Oklahoma City received 478 inches of snow over the last seven decades.
The first best opportunity for snow in Oklahoma City will be Wednesday night, when a cold front brings light precipitation to northern Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Center in Norman. As the weather pattern approaches, a more accurate forecast will become available.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that Oklahoma’s winter will be slightly warmer than previous years. According to the Climate Prediction Center’s winter forecast, much of Oklahoma will experience normal or slightly below-average precipitation levels.