Ticker for December 1, 2010

                
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December 1, 2010   December 1, 2010   December 1, 2010   December 1, 2010


La Nina?s Influence Continues for Oklahoma

The mild and dry weather Oklahoma experienced through the first two months of
fall continued into November, thanks in large part to La Nina?s influence. The
climate phenomenon, signaled by cooler-than-normal waters in the equatorial
pacific and global disruptions of weather patterns, brings an increased chance
for mild and dry weather throughout the southern one-third of the United States,
included Oklahoma. The effects of La Nina are reflected in the state?s temperature
and rainfall statistics for the three months of climatological fall, September-
November.

According to preliminary data from the Oklahoma Mesonet, Oklahoma?s Weather
Network, the statewide average temperature during November finished 1.5 degrees
above normal to rank as the 47th warmest since records began in 1895. Average
high temperatures across the state were 2.8 degrees above normal while average
lows were a bit tamer at 0.5 degrees above normal. Parts of central and
southern Oklahoma were quite warm at more than 4 degrees above normal. Oklahoma
City was 2.2 degrees above normal for the month with an average temperature of
51.2 degrees. The September-November statewide average temperature finished at
62.1 degrees, 1.5 degrees above normal, to rank as the 35th warmest fall season
on record.

November:



Fall:



The Mesonet?s precipitation gauges recorded an average of 1.91 inches across
the state, 0.91 inches below normal. While that is certainly dry compared to
the last 30 Novembers, it is only the 63rd driest since 1895.  The northwestern
quarter of the state had a good soaking of 2-3 inches during the month, but the
remainder of the state remained significantly dry with 20-60 percent of normal
rainfall. The statewide average rainfall total for fall was 7.64 inches, 2.37
inches below normal to rank as the 51st driest.

November:



Fall:



Despite November?s mild and dry weather, the extremes Oklahoma is well known
for still occurred. High temperatures rose into the 70s and 80s late in the
month with Waurika recording 85 degrees on the 24th ahead of a powerful cold
front. The following morning?s low temperature at Waurika fell to a frigid 27
degrees. Boise City and Goodwell bottomed out at a bone-chilling 8 degrees on
that same day. Miami recorded the most precipitation during the month with 4.31
inches while Boise City had less than a gulp of water at 0.01 inches.

The latest outlooks for December from the National Weather Service?s Climate
Prediction Center continue to indicate an increased chance for warm and dry
conditions across the western two-thirds of the state.




Gary McManus
Associate State Climatologist
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@mesonet.org