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Weather & Climate in Cottonwood, OK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cottonwood enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 310 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 45.6 inches. The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 588 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.1°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 588 ft (179 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 171/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5547°N, 96.2032°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Coal County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ada Regional (ADT) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 9.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
790 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Feb 3, 2024 | 8 km NW of Prague, Oklahoma | M5.1 | 120 km | 3 km |
| Sep 6, 1997 | 6 km N of Tupelo, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2013 | Oklahoma | M4.4 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Jan 18, 1995 | 4 km SSE of Erin Springs, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2013 | 3 km WSW of Wellston, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Apr 3, 2012 | 8 km SSW of Pittsburg, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2010 | 8 km SE of Sparks, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Aug 17, 2016 | 2 km SW of Wellston, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Jul 15, 2014 | 3 km N of Harrah, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 139 km | 7 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 5 km SSE of Erin Springs, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jan 15, 2010 | 3 km ENE of Jones, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 148 km | 8 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 9 km WNW of Prague, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2014 | 8 km SSE of Sparks, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 121 km | 3 km |
| Apr 16, 2012 | 8 km NW of Prague, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 120 km | 4 km |
| Aug 24, 2021 | 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 100 km | 6 km |
| Apr 16, 2013 | 5 km WSW of Wellston, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 149 km | 2 km |
| Mar 22, 2010 | 8 km SE of Sparks, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 122 km | 8 km |
| May 31, 2014 | 1 km ESE of Choctaw, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 141 km | 7 km |
| Jan 15, 2010 | 3 km ESE of Jones, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 146 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
620 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 53 fatalities, 594 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF5 | 75 km | 53.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1992 | EF4 | 32 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1981 | EF4 | 96 km | 33.6 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1981 | EF4 | 99 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1966 | EF4 | 40 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 90 km | 62.4 mi | 16 |
| May 4, 1960 | EF4 | 75 km | 30.8 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1960 | EF4 | 70 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1959 | EF4 | 35 km | 6.2 mi | 7 |
| Apr 2, 1957 | EF4 | 73 km | 7.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 2, 1957 | EF4 | 74 km | 5.2 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 1950 | EF4 | 61 km | 4.5 mi | 5 |
| Apr 27, 2024 | EF3 | 73 km | 9.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2024 | EF3 | 54 km | 27.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 30, 2019 | EF3 | 65 km | 27.6 mi | 2 |
| May 9, 2016 | EF3 | 44 km | 9.1 mi | 1 |
| May 9, 2016 | EF3 | 86 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2016 | EF3 | 68 km | 13.8 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2015 | EF3 | 64 km | 18.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 14, 2011 | EF3 | 30 km | 17.0 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ARBUCKLE (29,823 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | ARBUCKLE | 29,823 | 89 km |
| 2021 | WINDMILL | 28,410 | 98 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 27,091 | 65 km |
| 2011 | HOG TRAP | 22,895 | 63 km |
| 2009 | BURNT TRUST | 22,578 | 72 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 17,973 | 37 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 16,700 | 64 km |
| 2005 | CABINESS | 14,646 | 53 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 14,138 | 93 km |
| 2009 | 40 ACRE TURNAROUND | 13,985 | 67 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 12,163 | 30 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 11,348 | 56 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 10,935 | 27 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 10,444 | 75 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 9,943 | 91 km |
| 2005 | WEWOKA CREEK | 9,921 | 67 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 9,481 | 65 km |
| 2011 | TI VALLEY | 9,205 | 65 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 9,165 | 79 km |
| 2007 | EASY TO HANDLE | 9,120 | 47 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 2.6 in | |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 2.2 in |
Cottonwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 39°F in January to 82°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (1.8").