Oklahoma lies in a rather unique location between two major climate regions. It is influenced both by the dry desert landscape of Texas to the west and by the moist areas to the southeast. This gives the state both a humid subtropical climate and a typical continental climate. Your location in Oklahoma greatly determines the kind of weather you can expect.
The average temperatures throughout the year are consistent in all parts of the state. The big difference is that the western panhandle is much drier than the eastern region. Summers tend to be rather hot, with daytime highs averaging above 90°F from June to August. This is also the season of intense thunderstorms. Because Oklahoma lies right in the heart of Tornado Alley, it gets around 54 tornadoes every year – one of the world’s highest rates. The peak season for twisters is spring and early summer, so be very conscious of the weather when visiting during these months.
By October the weather has cooled off nicely in Oklahoma, with highs in the 70s (°F) and lots of color on the trees in the eastern part of the state. Winters are mild in Oklahoma, averaging a reasonable 50°F from December to February. November and March see the daytime highs creep into the low 60s (°F) most days.
Best Time to Visit Oklahoma
There is really no bad time to visit Oklahoma. Spring brings the chance of a dangerous tornado, but the weather is still mild. Summers may be a bit hot, but this is the best time to enjoy Oklahoma’s festivals and its outdoor recreation in the eastern mountains. Even winter is nice, with reliably dry skies and tolerably cool days in the 50s (°F). Most people would argue that October and early November is the nicest time of year, especially in the east when the hardwood forests of the mountains burst into bright colors. There’s really no high or low season in Oklahoma, and hotel rates are reasonable all year round. The state does get busy in fall, so make your hotel bookings early for trips in October.