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Weather & Climate in Sterling, OK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterling enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 1,225 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 61.1°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,225 ft (373 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 890/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.7494°N, 98.1725°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Comanche County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lawton-Fort Sill Regional (LAW) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,696 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jul 27, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Crescent, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Dec 7, 2013 | 8 km SW of Arcadia, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 119 km | 8 km |
| Apr 16, 2013 | Oklahoma | M4.4 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Aug 19, 2014 | 12 km SSW of Guthrie, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2014 | 7 km NNE of Lake Aluma, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2024 | 6 km W of Arcadia, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 124 km | 7 km |
| Jan 1, 2016 | 6 km ENE of Edmond, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Apr 16, 2013 | 3 km WSW of Wellston, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Mar 29, 2016 | 4 km NNE of Crescent, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 1995 | 4 km SSE of Erin Springs, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2017 | 6 km ENE of Edmond, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2016 | 1 km E of Luther, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 136 km | 6 km |
| Jan 13, 2024 | 6 km ENE of Edmond, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 124 km | 7 km |
| Jun 18, 2014 | 7 km NE of Lake Aluma, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Jul 28, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Crescent, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2014 | 12 km SE of Cedar Valley, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 130 km | 7 km |
| Jun 20, 2015 | 9 km NW of Arcadia, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 131 km | 3 km |
| Apr 8, 2015 | 6 km S of Guthrie, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2016 | 2 km SW of Wellston, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Jul 12, 2014 | 7 km WNW of Meridian, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 146 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
975 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 125 fatalities, 2,066 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 20, 2013 | EF5 | 77 km | 13.9 mi | 24 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF5 | 78 km | 63.1 mi | 9 |
| May 3, 1999 | EF5 | 52 km | 37.0 mi | 36 |
| Apr 3, 1964 | EF5 | 99 km | 4.7 mi | 7 |
| May 9, 2016 | EF4 | 78 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 2013 | EF4 | 97 km | 23.0 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 35 km | 33.3 mi | 1 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 43 km | 23.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2010 | EF4 | 86 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 2010 | EF4 | 83 km | 22.3 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF4 | 87 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1981 | EF4 | 66 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1978 | EF4 | 100 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1976 | EF4 | 35 km | 32.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1973 | EF4 | 75 km | 13.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 19, 1972 | EF4 | 70 km | 28.2 mi | 5 |
| May 26, 1962 | EF4 | 71 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 14, 1957 | EF4 | 87 km | 67.5 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 1957 | EF4 | 61 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| Nov 3, 2024 | EF3 | 54 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOCO-HEALDTON (56,584 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | LOCO-HEALDTON | 56,584 | 83 km |
| 2011 | FERGUSON | 41,429 | 48 km |
| 2021 | WINDMILL | 28,410 | 92 km |
| 2012 | TOWNLEY ROAD | 24,139 | 58 km |
| 2009 | RATCLIFF CITY-TATUMS | 23,099 | 71 km |
| 1996 | WESTSIDE | 16,723 | 56 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 15,416 | 86 km |
| 2006 | RATLIFF CITY | 12,435 | 75 km |
| 2024 | RUSH | 12,239 | 42 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,392 | 31 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 9,943 | 99 km |
| 2022 | 62 FIRE | 9,804 | 65 km |
| 1993 | CRATER CREEK | 8,963 | 37 km |
| 2000 | CRATERLK-L | 8,876 | 39 km |
| 1994 | MT SCOTT | 8,005 | 36 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 7,962 | 29 km |
| 2006 | BIA EMPIRE | 7,544 | 37 km |
| 2015 | CRATER CREEK | 7,378 | 39 km |
| 2012 | NOBLE | 7,037 | 98 km |
| 2006 | BIALOCO | 6,843 | 67 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 1.4 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (1.1").