What do you remember about the weather in the month of November in Oklahoma?
State Climatologist Gary McManus reported this week that November 2024 will enter Oklahoma’s vast and storied weather lore as one of the most extreme months in state history, shattering records for both the highest statewide average rainfall and the most tornadoes ever recorded in November.
“This unprecedented combination of rain and storms has left an indelible mark on the state’s already dynamic weather narrative. The month also saw another extreme, drought—which had been rapidly intensifying since mid-summer—nearly eradicated by the historic rainfall.
At least 31 tornadoes were confirmed during the month, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service, nearly tripling the previous November record of 12 set in 1958. That brought the 2024 tornado count to 145 through November, just four shy of the record 149 set through all of 2019. The tornadic activity came in two waves, the first striking from Nov. 2-4 and causing the most damage.”
Three tornadoes were rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, while another was rated EF2. Preliminary reports from emergency management officials indicated at least 384 structures were damaged or destroyed, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported nearly 50 injuries.
Substantial damage occurred in southeast Oklahoma City, Moore, Choctaw, Comanche, Harrah, Fairland, and near Tenkiller. An EF1 tornado struck near the Oklahoma Mesonet site at Talala, which measured a wind gust of 94 mph as the twister passed nearby. The month’s second wave of tornadoes hit southwestern Oklahoma early on Nov. 18. Though far less violent and damaging, the overnight twisters added at least nine more to the month’s total.
Source: Oklahoma Mesonet report