Oklahoma sees a variety of temperatures throughout the year and you never quite know what to expect. February can be particularly odd, as our state has seen record highs near 100 degrees (Yes, it’s true!). So, it’s hard to imagine just 6 years ago we had record amounts of snowfall in parts of the state in that same month. On February 1, 2011 the state took the brunt of a snowstorm that put it in the spotlight for winter weather. If you lived in the Sooner State during this time, then you’ll remember the treacherous conditions that were almost impossible to navigate. Here’s a look back at the 2011 Oklahoma blizzard that will never be forgotten. It’s perhaps the largest blizzard in Oklahoma, though the state seems to enjoy topping itself come the chilly winter season.

Winter weather started off mild for Oklahoma in 2011…that is until February when a major, record-breaking storm hit all of the state. One of the biggest snowstorms in Oklahoma was well on its way…

Matt Spiel/Flickr

Up to 21 inches of snow fell in parts of northeastern Oklahoma on January 31-February 1, 2011. Wind gusts reached up to 40 mph during this devastating storm and made travel almost impossible.

OklahomaDepartmentofEmergencyManagement/Facebook

Tulsa received 14 inches and broke a record for the most snow in February and the most snow from a single storm. Winter weather in Oklahoma is always intense, but 2011 was a year for the books.

OakleyOriginals/Flickr

Then on February 3rd Tulsa broke another record for the lowest temperature for that date with temps reaching - 6 degrees. Wind chills also reached - 25 degrees, making it dangerous to be outside.

Lynn/Flickr

The snow drifts reached three to five feet in certain areas of the state.

kristin Nador/Flickr

Some people even loaded their truck beds with snow to make the truck heavy enough not to slip on the roads. The biggest snowstorm in Oklahoma was making its mark, and folks were learning to adapt.

OakleyOriginals/Flickr

Schools and businesses shut down for days and kids enjoyed the aftermath of sledding and making snowmen.

OakleyOriginals/Flickr

Here’s a look at the whiteout conditions of the 2011 blizzard in Oklahoma City:

Matt Spiel/Flickr

OklahomaDepartmentofEmergencyManagement/Facebook

OakleyOriginals/Flickr

Lynn/Flickr

kristin Nador/Flickr

 

Our state is known for its crazy weather, including what may have been the largest blizzard in Oklahoma. Speaking of storms, have you seen the footage from the largest tornado in history? It happened right here in Oklahoma and you can see it here.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Largest Blizzard In Oklahoma December 14, 2019 Meghan Kraft When was the biggest blizzard in Oklahoma? The biggest blizzard in Oklahoma occurred from January 31st to February 1st in 2011. It was when up to 21 inches of snow fell on the northeastern side of the state, and wind gusts were found to reach up to 40 miles per hours during the heart of the storm. The city of Tulsa itself broke the record for the most snow in February, with 14 inches blanketing the entire city in a solid layer of ice. It catapulted the state into a late winter and smashed earlier blizzard and snowfall records with its sudden and continued intensity. What is the most snow ever recorded in Oklahoma? The Oklahoma record for the most snowfall in a twenty-four-hour period was set in the city of Spavinaw on February 9th, 2011. Increasingly chilly temperatures and the introduction of wintry weather sent 27 inches down on the town. The entire state also experienced record snowfall that year, and 2011 has come to be known as the 3rd snowiest year in the entire state with the month of February ranking as the #1 snowiest. What is winter weather in Oklahoma typically like? Oklahoma tends to experience incredibly cold winters with quite a bit of wind and snow. This, of course, is a direct correlation from their hot and muggy summers, which means the state experiences weather extremes on both sides of the spectrum. Although weather averages tend to stick between 30°F to 94°F during the year, it will rarely spike or dip above or below 17°F and 102°F. It will snow every winter, with an average snowfall of 7.6".

The OIYS Visitor Center

Largest Blizzard In Oklahoma

December 14, 2019

Meghan Kraft

When was the biggest blizzard in Oklahoma? The biggest blizzard in Oklahoma occurred from January 31st to February 1st in 2011. It was when up to 21 inches of snow fell on the northeastern side of the state, and wind gusts were found to reach up to 40 miles per hours during the heart of the storm. The city of Tulsa itself broke the record for the most snow in February, with 14 inches blanketing the entire city in a solid layer of ice. It catapulted the state into a late winter and smashed earlier blizzard and snowfall records with its sudden and continued intensity. What is the most snow ever recorded in Oklahoma? The Oklahoma record for the most snowfall in a twenty-four-hour period was set in the city of Spavinaw on February 9th, 2011. Increasingly chilly temperatures and the introduction of wintry weather sent 27 inches down on the town. The entire state also experienced record snowfall that year, and 2011 has come to be known as the 3rd snowiest year in the entire state with the month of February ranking as the #1 snowiest. What is winter weather in Oklahoma typically like? Oklahoma tends to experience incredibly cold winters with quite a bit of wind and snow. This, of course, is a direct correlation from their hot and muggy summers, which means the state experiences weather extremes on both sides of the spectrum. Although weather averages tend to stick between 30°F to 94°F during the year, it will rarely spike or dip above or below 17°F and 102°F. It will snow every winter, with an average snowfall of 7.6".

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The biggest blizzard in Oklahoma occurred from January 31st to February 1st in 2011. It was when up to 21 inches of snow fell on the northeastern side of the state, and wind gusts were found to reach up to 40 miles per hours during the heart of the storm. The city of Tulsa itself broke the record for the most snow in February, with 14 inches blanketing the entire city in a solid layer of ice. It catapulted the state into a late winter and smashed earlier blizzard and snowfall records with its sudden and continued intensity.

What is the most snow ever recorded in Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma record for the most snowfall in a twenty-four-hour period was set in the city of Spavinaw on February 9th, 2011. Increasingly chilly temperatures and the introduction of wintry weather sent 27 inches down on the town. The entire state also experienced record snowfall that year, and 2011 has come to be known as the 3rd snowiest year in the entire state with the month of February ranking as the #1 snowiest.

What is winter weather in Oklahoma typically like?

Oklahoma tends to experience incredibly cold winters with quite a bit of wind and snow. This, of course, is a direct correlation from their hot and muggy summers, which means the state experiences weather extremes on both sides of the spectrum. Although weather averages tend to stick between 30°F to 94°F during the year, it will rarely spike or dip above or below 17°F and 102°F. It will snow every winter, with an average snowfall of 7.6".