Most Of Oklahoma Hasn’t Seen Rain In 20 Days

After one of the wettest Novembers on record, most of Oklahoma is now going on 20 days of no rain. Although the significant rain events in November drastically eased the drought across the state, the lack of rain is still a concern for a majority of Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Mesonet's Dec. 9 ticker indicated that counties from the Oklahoma panhandle down close to the southeast border have not seen rain in 20 days as of Dec. 8. Areas of Choctaw, Pushmataha, Le Flore and McCurtain counties either saw rain yesterday or within the last four days.

As of Dec. 9, there isn't much rain in the forecast. Southeast Oklahoma has 20 to 30 percent chance of rain on Friday, Dec. 13, but nothing is in the forecast for the areas of Oklahoma that need the moisture.

Drought continues in Oklahoma despite historic November rainfall.

Oklahoma's wet November didn't squash the drought completely. There are still several areas in southwest, southeast, central, northcentral and northeast Oklahoma that are still abnormally dry or experiencing a moderate to severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

No changes in soil moisture has been detected in Oklahoma.

One thing to be thankful for is that it's not unspeakably hot in Oklahoma which has helped the soil retain the moisture it received in November. Plus, since all of Oklahoma has received its first frost of the season, most vegetation has died or gone dormant, therefore they're not absorbing any water.

But still, Oklahoma needs rain, and the NOAA's six to 10 day extended forecast expects most of Oklahoma to see above average precipitation from Dec. 15-19. Hopefully the extended forecast comes true and brings Oklahoma some much needed rainfall.