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Weather & Climate in Tahlequah, OK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tahlequah 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 301 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 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 814 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.9°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 814 ft (248 m) |
| Area | 12.8 sq mi (33.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,293/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9105°N, 94.9777°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Cherokee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Muskogee-Davis Regional (MKO) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 76.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
109 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Aug 24, 2021 | 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 96 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 94 km | 6 km |
| Jul 24, 2013 | 4 km NNW of Cromwell, Oklahoma | M3.5 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Aug 18, 2014 | 4 km NW of Cromwell, Oklahoma | M3.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2021 | 3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.4 | 95 km | 7 km |
| Jul 22, 2021 | 2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 94 km | 8 km |
| May 16, 2019 | 3 km W of Horntown, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 97 km | 6 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 98 km | 6 km |
| May 27, 2007 | 9 km SW of Hanna, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 2011 | 7 km SW of Boley, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 150 km | 1 km |
| Aug 12, 2019 | 1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2022 | 10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 99 km | 13 km |
| Mar 14, 2022 | 12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Jun 1, 2014 | 8 km SSW of Boley, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2014 | 4 km WNW of Lamar, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Jan 7, 2018 | 7 km SW of Indianola, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2017 | 6 km SW of Shamrock, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 150 km | 6 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 92 km | 9 km |
| Dec 12, 2012 | 4 km NW of Cromwell, Oklahoma | M3.0 | 150 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
819 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 58 fatalities, 1,102 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF5 | 83 km | 11.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 24, 1993 | EF4 | 81 km | 5.5 mi | 7 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 90 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 51 km | 3.6 mi | 5 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 71 km | 5.4 mi | 5 |
| Jan 22, 1957 | EF4 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 96 km | 41.8 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2024 | EF3 | 83 km | 23.9 mi | 2 |
| May 25, 2024 | EF3 | 54 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 78 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2011 | EF3 | 64 km | 17.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 38 km | 21.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 46 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 24 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 73 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 25 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 54 km | 38.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 76 km | 10.1 mi | 2 |
| Apr 24, 1993 | EF3 | 80 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1992 | EF3 | 94 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 18,089 | 27 km |
| 2016 | WEST CAVANAL FIRE | 13,100 | 96 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 12,086 | 32 km |
| 2017 | MIDDLE RIDGE | 8,501 | 49 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 7,415 | 93 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 6,657 | 50 km |
| 2017 | HILLTOP | 6,523 | 26 km |
| 2005 | TEXANNA ROAD | 6,139 | 66 km |
| 2010 | SPUD ROCK CENTRAL | 6,117 | 94 km |
| 2009 | TELAMAY HOLLOW | 5,686 | 19 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,537 | 97 km |
| 2017 | PERSIMMON RIDGE | 5,333 | 30 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL HOLLOW | 5,166 | 21 km |
| 2011 | GRUBER | 4,831 | 27 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,818 | 100 km |
| 2017 | BEAVER MOUNTAIN | 4,754 | 89 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 4,546 | 30 km |
| 2005 | FLAT ROCK | 4,472 | 36 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 4,292 | 58 km |
| 2021 | ALEXANDER MOUNTAIN BLOCKS 1 2 5 | 4,214 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 5.2 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 3.0 in |
Tahlequah has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 39°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (2.1").