Examining the Frequency of Daily Extreme Events During Oklahoma’s Climate Record

A cursory study by the Oklahoma Climatological Survey analyzed the number of temperature extremes (highest maximum, lowest maximum, highest minimum, lowest minimum) that occurred in Oklahoma during each of the 20th Century's decades. The data were extracted from 41 long-term stations distributed throughout Oklahoma.

The data reveal that the century's last four decades produced fewer daily temperature extremes than those that preceded them. In particular, the numbers of extreme warm events (both maximum and minimum temperatures) were quite low compared to the preceding decades.

The results of the study were slightly affected when changing the method used to determine extreme events (e.g., do dates which have ties share an extreme event, or is the event awarded to the first or last occurrence?). The impact of the selection method was small, but significant enough to warrant mention.

This presentation will document the methodology and results from the study. Seasonal signals, and rainfall extremes, will be included in the study.