Does It Snow in Oklahoma? Snowiest Places and Average Amounts

When people think about where it snows in the United States, people usually point to the northern states like Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Maine. But snow falls all over the country. Some places are less than others, of course. When it comes to the Sooner State, many people don’t think it snows, as it’s known for having more mild weather. So, does it snow in Oklahoma? Yes, it does snow in Oklahoma. But it doesn’t happen very often. Oklahoma as a whole usually averages about 10 inches of snow per year. The snowiest places in the state are located in Oklahoma’s Panhandle, which averages about 20-30 inches of snow every year. Oklahoma City, in contrast, only sees about 6-8 inches on average.

Let’s take a look at where most of the snow in Oklahoma takes place, the average amounts, temperatures, and more.

Average Snow in Oklahoma

It snows in Oklahoma every year. That much is a given. How much is what fluctuates year after year. The average snowfall throughout the state can amount to about 10 inches and decrease as time goes by. The most snow the state got in one day was 13.5 inches, which happened on December 24, 2009.

Furthermore, Oklahoma doesn’t get heavy snow. The big cities may get heavy snows every couple of years and the Panhandle usually will get a few heavy snows every winter. The Panhandle, especially further west, will get an average of 20 to 30 inches of snow every year. 

The table below shows the average snowy days in Oklahoma City during the autumn, winter, and even spring months. The city gets an average of 6.7 inches of snow per year.

How Cold Does It Get in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma can get quite cold during winter. January is by far the coldest month with averages ranging from 29 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is followed by December and then February. When it comes to records, the lowest recorded temperature happened on February 12, 1899, when it reached a shivering -17 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the coldest month overall was in January 1930 when 23 degrees Fahrenheit was the average temperature.

Snowiest Places in Oklahoma

If you are looking for the snowiest places in Oklahoma, look no further than the Panhandle of the state. Especially if you go to the western Panhandle, you will see the snowiest locations. The western Panhandle gets about 20 to 30 inches of snow every year. The northern and western parts of the state get the most snow because they are at a higher elevation than the rest of the state.

Wildlife in Snowy Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a diverse state with many animals making the state home. You will find several animals like the gray fox, bobcats, and eastern gray squirrels. You may spot the prairie ring-necked snake slithering about, too. Interestingly enough, when winter comes, as animals like squirrels and other rodents hibernate somewhere warm, some birds spread their wings during the season. You may be able to catch the majestic bald eagle flying around during winter, as well as the waterfowl.

Conclusion

And there you have it, it does snow in Oklahoma. Snow occurs every winter, especially in the western Panhandle of the state. If you are in Oklahoma City, however, you are unlikely to see much snow, especially the snow that lasts. For the snowiest places, it’s best to go north to the Panhandle.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Дмитрий Ларичев/iStock via Getty Images