Weather & Climate in May, OK

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

May enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 323 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 25.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 2,040 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	56.9°F
	5% above US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,040 ft (622 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	176/sq mi
Coordinates	36.6167°N, 99.7486°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Harper County County
Nearest Airport	Liberal Mid-America Regional (LBL) 73 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.2"

34% below US avg

Snowfall 12.4"

Wettest Month (May) 3.35"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	45.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	77.5 / 100
Community Resilience	5.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

1,544 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.

Feb 13, 2016	18 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M5.1	94 km	8 km
Jan 7, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.7	92 km	4 km
Jul 20, 2015	7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma	M4.4	135 km	4 km
Jan 7, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	92 km	7 km
Jul 9, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	90 km	7 km
Jan 7, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	91 km	7 km
Apr 14, 2021	34 km NNE of Skellytown, Texas	M4.3	141 km	8 km
Jul 8, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, OK	M4.2	91 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.2	92 km	7 km
Feb 5, 2015	8 km NE of Cherokee, Oklahoma	M4.2	132 km	4 km
May 13, 2017	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.2	92 km	5 km
Jan 18, 2016	Oklahoma	M4.1	126 km	8 km
Sep 15, 1995	7 km NNW of Alva, Oklahoma	M4.1	98 km	5 km
May 25, 2021	3 km WNW of Shattuck, Oklahoma	M4.1	40 km	8 km
Jan 6, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.0	92 km	9 km
Feb 13, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.0	91 km	5 km
May 23, 2015	6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas	M4.0	115 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M3.9	90 km	8 km
Jan 7, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M3.9	90 km	9 km
Mar 2, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M3.9	91 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

562 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 24 fatalities, 249 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 4, 2007	EF5	87 km	28.8 mi	11
Jun 4, 1955	EF4	99 km	72.2 mi	0
Jun 15, 2023	EF3	99 km	6.3 mi	3
May 23, 2019	EF3	37 km	15.7 mi	0
May 17, 2019	EF3	89 km	29.6 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	56 km	34.0 mi	6
May 23, 2008	EF3	18 km	5.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	67 km	11.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	80 km	20.9 mi	0
Apr 17, 2002	EF3	83 km	8.0 mi	0
May 26, 1991	EF3	43 km	12.5 mi	0
May 15, 1991	EF3	21 km	11.5 mi	0
Mar 22, 1987	EF3	69 km	30.0 mi	0
Oct 31, 1984	EF3	80 km	20.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1978	EF3	67 km	14.4 mi	0
Sep 25, 1973	EF3	61 km	58.0 mi	0
Sep 25, 1973	EF3	61 km	5.7 mi	0
Jul 15, 1963	EF3	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1958	EF3	35 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 2, 1956	EF3	97 km	20.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OKS - STARBUCK (657,299 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	OKS - STARBUCK	657,299	53 km
2016	ANDERSON CREEK FIRE	374,523	98 km
2017	PERRYTON	290,211	89 km
2018	RHEA	277,949	96 km
1996	UNNAMED	88,943	83 km
2024	CATESBY FIRE	83,975	28 km
2017	OKS - 283	68,558	8 km
2016	350 COMPLEX	58,055	43 km
2018	34 COMPLEX	57,533	36 km
2017	OKS - SELMAN	44,767	37 km
2022	WASHITA RIVER FIRE	35,421	87 km
2009	CHESTER	34,432	88 km
2014	HIGGINS	28,466	74 km
2024	SLAPOUT FIRE	23,810	28 km
1996	UNNAMED	23,123	72 km
2011	LIPSCOMB COUNTY COMPLEX	23,028	71 km
2020	412 FIRE	22,069	74 km
2022	BEAVER RIVER FIRE	20,512	92 km
2015	BOILING SPRINGS FIRE	20,264	45 km
2022	217	18,293	58 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	39°F (4°C)	0.9 in
March	47°F (8°C)	1.6 in
April	57°F (14°C)	1.8 in
May	66°F (19°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
June	76°F (24°C)	2.9 in
July	81°F (27°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	2.8 in
September	71°F (22°C)	2.1 in
October	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
November	45°F (7°C)	1.3 in
December	36°F (2°C)	0.8 in

May has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 34°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.6").

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