Climates of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Broken Arrow is located in northeastern Oklahoma and has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. The city experiences noticeable seasonal temperature variation, with average temperatures ranging from 33°F in January to around 80°F in July.

Precipitation is relatively abundant and evenly distributed throughout the year, although late spring tends to be the wettest period. Severe thunderstorms are common during the spring and can produce tornadoes, large hail, and damaging straight-line winds. The area has a moderately high risk of both flooding and drought.

Geographic Influences

Broken Arrow’s climate is influenced largely by its inland location relatively far from major bodies of water as well as its position on the southern end of the Great Plains in the central United States. Its distance from the moderating effects of oceans combined with strong sunshine results in hot summers and higher temperature variability compared to coastal regions.

The city’s proximity to the moist air of the Gulf of Mexico makes the atmosphere prone to severe thunderstorms, particularly during spring when unstable warm and humid air interacts with drier westerly winds and jet stream energy aloft. Topographical boundaries like the Ozark Mountains and Ouachita Mountains also impact regional weather patterns.

Temperatures

Summers in Broken Arrow are long, hot, and humid while winters are short and mild but prone to abrupt cold snaps.

Summer

During summer in Broken Arrow from June through August, high temperatures routinely exceed 90°F and can surpass 100°F. The summer months all average highs in the low to mid-90s Fahrenheit with average lows around 70°F.

The highest temperature ever officially recorded in Broken Arrow is 115°F on August 12, 1936, although summer heat indices frequently make it feel even hotter due to high humidity. Nighttime lows offer little relief, with overnight temperatures staying above 80°F on some occasions.

Fall

Fall in Broken Arrow spans September through November and brings gradual cooling along with less humid conditions. High temperatures in the fall months average near 80°F dropping to the low 50s overnight.

Short-lived cold fronts start to push through the region more frequently, although sustained stretches of cooler than average weather are uncommon. The last 90°F highs are typically observed in early September, but temperatures in the 80s can linger into November during warmer years.

Winter

Broken Arrow winters, encompassing December through February, are relatively mild but subject to occasional Arctic cold fronts that can bring sub-freezing conditions all the way from the North Pole through the Central United States.

Average afternoon highs during mid-winter are in the upper 40s and lower 50s Fahrenheit while average overnight lows fall to around freezing at 33°F. However, strong cold fronts can result in dramatic temperature drops as frigid air pushes southward through the Great Plains. Sub-zero wind chills are not unusual.

The historical coldest temperature on record for Broken Arrow is -10°F registered in February 2011 during a severe cold wave affecting Oklahoma. High temperatures remained below freezing for several consecutive days during this extreme cold snap.

Spring

Springtime from March through May in Broken Arrow brings warming temperatures along with increasing chances for severe thunderstorms. High temperatures average from the upper 50s in March to near 80°F by May. Overnight lows moderate from the 30s to upper 50s over the course of spring.

As temperatures start to warm, cold fronts moving south from the Rockies collide with moisture streaming north from the Gulf of Mexico. This volatile mix fuels intense thunderstorms, including supercell storms that spawn tornadoes along with large hail, flooding downpurs, and destructive winds. Spring tends to be the most active severe weather season in the Broken Arrow region.

Precipitation

Broken Arrow experiences fairly steady year-round precipitation typical of a humid subtropical climate, although spring and early summer tend to be the wettest period while precipitation dips somewhat during winter and fall.

Rainfall

Total average annual precipitation accumulation is around 40 inches. Monthly rainfall averages range from over 5 inches during the spring wet period to less than 2 inches during the late fall and winter drier months.

Rainfall mainly occurs as thunderstorms, which can result in intense downpours and localized flash flooding issues. Lighter stratiform rainfall occasionally develops with warm fronts and low pressure systems as well. Frozen precipitation during winter also contributes to precipitation totals but plays a relatively minor cumulative role compared to rainfall.

Severe Thunderstorms

As an inland location far from the moderating effects of oceans, Broken Arrow lies right in the heart of Tornado Alley and is prone to frequent severe thunderstorms during the spring months as temperature contrasts create unstable atmospheric conditions.

Supercell thunderstorms spinning up tornadoes along with large damaging hail, flooding rain, and destructive straight-line winds are all major severe weather risks from March through June each year. Tornado activity typically peaks during May.

Winter Precipitation

Aside from thunderstorms, wintry precipitation occurs intermittently during the colder months but rarely persists for extended periods or contributes major snow and ice accumulation totals. Broken Arrow averages just 5 inches of snow per winter season.

Snow or freezing rain and ice caused by winter weather systems can still periodically impact travel and infrastructure across the region. Northerly winds and cold air damming conditions provide the highest chances for wintry precipitation.

Climate Variability & Extremes

Oklahoma’s climate is prone to high variability in seasonal weather patterns, temperature extremes, and precipitation extremes.

Heat Waves

Heat waves characterized by days or weeks of excessively hot temperatures over 100°F are common during Broken Arrow summers. Heat indices can reach dangerous levels exceeding 115°F.

Cold Waves

Frigid Arctic air masses occasionally surge southward across the Great Plains during winter leading to prolonged stretches of below average temperatures that can threaten vulnerable populations. Wind chills as low as -20°F have been recorded.

Drought

Multi-year droughts periodically impact Oklahoma agricultural and water resources. Dry conditions exacerbate wildfire risks and groundwater depletion concerns across the state. Recent droughts occurred in 1998-2002, 2010-2015, and 2018-2021.

Floods

Generally evenly distributed rainfall combined with intense thunderstorm downpours make both flash flooding and river flooding risks for Broken Arrow and eastern Oklahoma. Notable floods took place along the Arkansas River watershed in 1986, 1990, 1993, and 2019.

Severe Thunderstorms

As part of Tornado Alley, Broken Arrow lies within an especially active zone for supercell thunderstorms capable of producing violent tornadoes as well as very large hail over 4 inches and destructive straight-line winds that can exceed 80 mph.

Climate Change

Climate change projections suggest Oklahoma will see hotter summer temperatures, a longer growing season, slightly increased annual precipitation, and an elevated risk of extremes like heat waves, droughts, and flooding over the coming decades as greenhouse gas concentrations rise. Adaptation strategies will become increasingly necessary.

Seasonal Variation Summary

Broken Arrow experiences noticeable variation across the seasons:

• Summer is hot and humid with average highs in the mid-90s F and lows around 70 F. Heat indices frequently exceed 100 F.
• Fall brings gradual cooling with high temperatures dropping from near 80 F into the 60s by late November. Overnight lows fall from 60 to below 40 F.
• Winter features highs averaging from the upper 40s to mid-50s F and lows around freezing. Brief Arctic cold snaps can send wind chills below 0 F.
• Spring sees a steady warming trend, with increasing severe thunderstorm risks. Highs rise from the 50s and exceed 80 F by late May. Lows range from freezing to near 60 F.

Tables and Additional Data

Average Monthly Temperature and Precipitation

Month	Average High	Average Low	Avg Precipitation
January	49°F	33°F	1.8 inches
February	54°F	35°F	2.1 inches
March	62°F	41°F	3.7 inches
April	71°F	51°F	4.9 inches
May	79°F	60°F	6.3 inches
June	88°F	68°F	4.6 inches
July	93°F	71°F	3.2 inches
August	93°F	70°F	3.0 inches
September	85°F	63°F	3.8 inches
October	73°F	50°F	3.9 inches
November	61°F	40°F	3.6 inches
December	51°F	34°F	2.7 inches

Climate Data Averages and Extremes

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma	Amount
Annual Precipitation Average	40 inches
Annual Snowfall Average	5 inches
Record High Temperature	115°F
Record Low Temperature	-10°F
Wettest Year (1939)	64 inches
Driest Year (1910)	17 inches
Highest Average Summer High	Over 95°F
Lowest Average Winter Low	Below 30°F

Additional Local Climate Influences

Broken Arrow’s immediate climate is also affected by smaller-scale geographic factors and land features including:

Bodies of Water

• Arkansas River – Defines part of the city’s southern boundary and contributes moisture. River flooding has caused damage.
• Lakes and Ponds – Several small lakes and ponds are scattered across the landscape. These help marginally moderate temperatures.

Topography

• Hills and Valleys – Variations in local topography lead to slight differences in rainfall, temperatures, and other microclimate conditions across the city.

Urbanization

• Urban Heat Island – Increased development has raised temperatures slightly in the city core compared to outlying rural areas due to changes in the landscape and material properties.

So in summary, Broken Arrow’s overall humid subtropical climate is influenced primarily by its inland mid-latitude location experiencing all four seasons in the Great Plains while also seeing subtler effects from factors like nearby bodies of water, changes in terrain, and increasing urbanization locally.