Weather & Climate in Carter, OK

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Carter enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 326 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 29.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. 60% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,828 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	60.1°F
	11% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,828 ft (557 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density	364/sq mi
Coordinates	35.2169°N, 99.5036°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Beckham County County
Nearest Airport	Elk City Regional Business (ELK) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.5"

22% below US avg

Snowfall 8.6"

Wettest Month (May) 4.49"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median	48.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	59.8%
Unhealthy Days	14

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	57.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	88.1 / 100
Community Resilience	20.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

284 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

May 25, 2021	3 km WNW of Shattuck, Oklahoma	M4.1	125 km	8 km
Jul 25, 2019	13 km W of Kingfisher, Oklahoma	M3.9	147 km	6 km
Apr 28, 1998	9 km NE of Medicine Park, Oklahoma	M3.9	110 km	5 km
Sep 21, 2015	4 km W of Fairview, Oklahoma	M3.8	146 km	6 km
Feb 8, 2002	8 km SW of Elgin, Oklahoma	M3.8	118 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2015	9 km ENE of Quinlan, Oklahoma	M3.7	149 km	11 km
Sep 13, 2016	3 km SE of Fairview, Oklahoma	M3.7	149 km	6 km
Jul 27, 2019	14 km WSW of Kingfisher, Oklahoma	M3.5	145 km	7 km
Apr 13, 2015	5 km N of Quinlan, Oklahoma	M3.5	149 km	9 km
Aug 9, 2021	4 km N of Wheeler, Texas	M3.5	76 km	7 km
Aug 27, 2017	15 km WSW of Watonga, Oklahoma	M3.5	106 km	8 km
Aug 7, 2019	14 km WSW of Kingfisher, Oklahoma	M3.5	145 km	7 km
Aug 9, 2019	15 km NW of Okarche, Oklahoma	M3.4	142 km	7 km
Sep 15, 2015	10 km ENE of Quinlan, Oklahoma	M3.4	150 km	6 km
Feb 26, 2016	10 km E of Seiling, Oklahoma	M3.4	120 km	7 km
Mar 11, 2010	14 km S of Calumet, Oklahoma	M3.4	129 km	6 km
Mar 15, 2017	9 km SE of Hitchcock, Oklahoma	M3.4	134 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2016	5 km N of Quinlan, Oklahoma	M3.4	149 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2018	7 km NW of Okeene, Oklahoma	M3.4	146 km	6 km
Jan 28, 2009	0 km ENE of Amber, Oklahoma	M3.4	149 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

671 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 215 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 8, 1995	EF4	72 km	15.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1995	EF4	100 km	29.0 mi	0
Apr 17, 1976	EF4	97 km	32.9 mi	0
Jun 10, 1967	EF4	44 km	8.7 mi	4
May 25, 1962	EF4	28 km	7.2 mi	0
May 25, 1955	EF4	70 km	45.1 mi	2
May 16, 2015	EF3	93 km	40.4 mi	0
May 24, 2011	EF3	98 km	8.6 mi	0
May 5, 2007	EF3	38 km	7.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 2007	EF3	96 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 9, 2001	EF3	59 km	13.0 mi	0
Oct 9, 2001	EF3	26 km	11.5 mi	0
Oct 9, 2001	EF3	46 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1997	EF3	87 km	9.0 mi	0
May 15, 1991	EF3	70 km	15.0 mi	0
May 11, 1982	EF3	61 km	10.0 mi	2
May 11, 1982	EF3	69 km	4.0 mi	0
May 11, 1982	EF3	37 km	7.0 mi	0
May 22, 1981	EF3	52 km	10.3 mi	0
May 20, 1977	EF3	90 km	1.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RHEA (277,949 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	RHEA	277,949	98 km
2017	LEFORS EAST	68,701	94 km
2009	PUTNAM	42,995	97 km
2011	FERGUSON	41,429	89 km
2022	WASHITA RIVER FIRE	35,421	81 km
2014	HIGGINS	28,466	98 km
2012	TOWNLEY ROAD	24,139	81 km
2006	SWEETWATER DOBSON	23,045	52 km
2018	MILLIRON	20,437	57 km
2009	MAGIC CITY	18,922	79 km
1996	WESTSIDE	16,723	81 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,290	85 km
2016	I40	14,780	77 km
2001	OREAR COMPLEX FIRE	14,749	96 km
2024	RUSH	12,239	95 km
2018	CARBON	12,143	51 km
2022	62 FIRE	9,804	79 km
2018	SHAW	8,581	75 km
2022	BRITT	8,275	57 km
2014	CAMARGO	7,494	90 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	0.7 in	Coldest, Driest
February	42°F (5°C)	1.0 in
March	50°F (10°C)	1.9 in
April	59°F (15°C)	2.1 in
May	68°F (20°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
June	77°F (25°C)	3.7 in
July	82°F (28°C)	1.9 in	Warmest
August	81°F (27°C)	2.6 in
September	73°F (23°C)	3.2 in
October	61°F (16°C)	2.3 in
November	48°F (9°C)	1.4 in
December	39°F (4°C)	0.9 in

Carter has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 38°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.7").

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