Climate change in Oklahoma

Climate change is affecting locations like Oklahoma in a variety of ways. In fall, these impacts include increased cooling demand, greater health risks from humid heat, and more frequent and intense storms.

Explore these pages to learn how people in Oklahoma are at risk in a warming world.

Since 1970, average annual temperatures in Oklahoma have gotten 2.6°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Warming puts people and ecosystems at risk from more frequent and intense extreme weather.
Overall, the contiguous U.S. is about 2.8°F warmer today than in 1970, based on average temperatures.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

Since 1970, Oklahoma's annual precipitation has increased by 2.4 inches.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle and bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
For every 1°F of warming, the air can hold 4% more moisture, increasing the chances of heavier downpours that contribute to flash flooding hazards.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

Oklahoma's climate threats in include:

Since 1970, average fall temperatures in Oklahoma have gotten 3.1°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Fall warming means that risky heat, fire weather, and allergies linger later into the year.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

The amount of rainfall during the heaviest rain events each year in the Southern Great Plains has increased by 21% since 1958.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle, bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
This chart shows how the amount of rainfall during the top 1% heaviest rain events each year in the Southern Great Plains increased between 1958 to 2021.
Data source: Fifth National Climate Assessment

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Oklahoma in fall

Higher cooling demand for schools

Hotter summers and longer warm seasons make cooling schools a growing challenge.

Key concepts:

Hotter summers and longer warm seasons make cooling schools a growing challenge.
Cooling is essential for student and staff health and safety.
Since 1970, cooling demand during back-to-school season rose in 95% of U.S. locations analyzed.
Rising demand means schools face costly upgrades to keep classrooms safe and comfortable.

Learn more

More dangerous heat

Climate change is driving hotter, longer, and more frequent extreme heat.

Key concepts:

Climate change is driving hotter, longer, and more frequent extreme heat — the deadliest U.S. weather hazard.
Heat combined with humidity multiplies health risks.
Rising humidity slows sweat evaporation, straining the body’s cooling system and causing dangerous heat stress.

Learn more

Changes in severe storms

Certain conditions favorable to thunderstorms and tornadoes are occurring more often

Key concepts:

Severe storms make up half of U.S. billion-dollar disasters since 1980.
Climate change is shifting storm conditions into new seasons and regions.

Learn more

Impacts to food prices

Extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains.

Key concepts:

Food and climate change are closely linked. Food systems account for about one-quarter of all heat-trapping pollution.
Meanwhile, extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains — all of which can drive food prices higher.
The availability, quality, and affordability of food reflect a complex set of climatic and socioeconomic factors. Emerging research is providing insight into the role of climate change.

Learn more

More graphics about Oklahoma and climate change

Browse climate-related graphics for all seasons localized for Oklahoma, available for download and use consistent with our Terms of use.

Filter by keywords

Show per page:

Discover more nearby

See all supported locations

Climate change in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's climate threats in fall include:

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Oklahoma in fall

Discover more nearby

Other Climate Central Resources

Oklahoma's climate threats in include: