June 2010 climate and hydrology summary

June 2010

Tulsa: June 2010 was 11th warmest (81.9°F, since 1905) and the 20th wettest (7.07", since 1888) June on record.

Tulsa: June 2010 ranked 3rd for warmest monthly average minimum temperature and ranked as 20th for warmest monthly average maximum temperature (since records began in 1905).

Tulsa: A daily rainall record was set twice this month: 2.30" on 6/03/2010 (previous record was 2.29" in 1926) and 3.03" on 6/14/2010 (previous record was 2.58" in 1961)

Fort Smith: June 2010 was the 4th warmest (83.6°F) and 32nd wettest (5.36") June since records began in 1882. Even though this was the 4th warmest June on record, no record high temperatures were set, and there was only one record warm minimum temperature set.

Fort Smith: June 2010 ranked 2nd for warmest monthly average minimum temperature and ranked as 8th for warmest monthly average maximum temperature (since records began in 1882).

Numerous record warm minimum temperatures were set at Tulsa, Fort Smith, McAlester, and Fayetteville this month. A record high mean temperature was also set at Tulsa and a record high temperature was set at Fayetteville (which broke the record set on the same day last year).

Fort Smith had 3 days in June 2010 with temperatures >=100°F, making this the 11th greatest number of days with temperatures >=100°F on record for June.

This month, moderate flooding occurred along Bird Creek near Sperry and along the Deep Fork River near Beggs. Minor flooding also occurred along Bird Creek near Owasso-Mingo and near Avant; the Neosho River near Commerce; the Caney River from Ramona to Collinsville; and Polecat Creek near Sapulpa.

According to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS), southeast OK ranked as the 10th driest warm growing season (March 1 - June 30) since records began in 1921.

Rainfall totals for June 2010 ranged from less than 2” to over 10” across eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. Most locations west of Highway 75 and northwest of Interstate 44 received over 150% of the normal June precipitation, while locations across far southeast Oklahoma and portions of Madison and Carroll Counties in northwest Arkansas only received around 25% of the normal June rainfall.

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) outlook for July 2010 (issued June 30, 2010) indicates equal chances for above, near, and below normal temperature and precipitation. According to CPC, this outlook is based primarily on shorter-term computer models and composites from previous years in which an El Niño winter transitioned to ENSO-neutral or to La Niña conditions. For the 3-month period Jul-Aug-Sep 2010, CPC is forecasting equal chances for above, near, and below normal temperatures and precipitation (outlook issued June 17, 2010).

Sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific have decreased and are now indicating ENSO-neutral conditions are present. According to CPC, La Niña conditions could develop by late summer. Therefore, a La Niña Watch is in effect, meaning that conditions are favorable for a transition to La Niña conditions during June - August 2010.

According to the Drought Monitor on June 29, 2010, abnormally dry conditions existed across Choctaw, Pushmataha, and southern Le Flore Counties in southeast Oklahoma. No drought conditions existed elsewhere across eastern OK or northwest AR.