Oklahoma Hottest September on Record Shatters 1931 Mark
Oklahoma Hottest September on Record Shatters 95-Year-Old Temperature Mark
September 2026 officially became the hottest September ever recorded in Oklahoma, with a statewide average temperature of 82.8 degrees, nearly 10 degrees above normal. The extraordinary heat broke a record that had stood since 1931 and extended a historically hot year that has already produced Oklahoma's warmest February and March on record.
The Oklahoma hottest September on record finished 2.7 degrees warmer than the previous record of 80.1 degrees set 95 years ago. Oklahoma Mesonet data also shows at least 216 daily temperature records were set or tied during the month as triple-digit temperatures continued well beyond the traditional end of summer.
Oklahoma Hottest September on Record Averaged 82.8 Degrees
Oklahoma's statewide average temperature of 82.8 degrees was 9.9 degrees above normal, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet September climate summary.
The previous September record was 80.1 degrees in 1931. Oklahoma's statewide climate records date to 1895.
The most extreme heat was recorded in southern Oklahoma.
Talihina and Waurika each recorded 19 days with temperatures reaching at least 100 degrees. Grandfield recorded Oklahoma's highest temperature of the month at 109 degrees on September 12, while Clayton reached a heat index of 116 degrees on September 6.
Even nighttime temperatures remained unusually high.
A preliminary review of 21 long-term weather stations found at least 216 daily temperature records set or tied during September, including 101 record highs and 115 record-warm low temperatures.
Combined with August, Oklahoma recorded at least 356 daily heat records during the two-month period.
Tulsa's temperature fell only to 83 degrees on September 9, setting a new record for the warmest daily minimum ever observed there during September. Records at Tulsa date to 1905.
The September heat also pushed Oklahoma deeper into record territory for 2026 as a whole.
The statewide average temperature from January through September reached 68.7 degrees, 4.9 degrees above normal. That surpassed the previous January-through-September record of 67.1 degrees set in 2012 by 1.6 degrees.
Oklahoma City Records 13 Triple-Digit September Days
Oklahoma City experienced its own historic stretch of late-season heat.
The city recorded 13 days at or above 100 degrees during September, nearly doubling the previous September record of seven triple-digit days set in 2000.
The National Weather Service's September climate report for Oklahoma City shows the city's average high reached 96.5 degrees, which was 12.6 degrees above normal.
Oklahoma City's average low was 71.9 degrees, more than 10 degrees above normal.
The city's highest temperature during the month was 106 degrees, while the lowest was only 65 degrees.
Oklahoma City also broke eight daily high or warm-low temperature records and tied another five during September.
The extreme heat was particularly unusual because of how late it persisted.
September normally represents Oklahoma's transition away from the sustained triple-digit temperatures of July and August. Instead, much of the state continued experiencing midsummer conditions well into the month.
September 2026 was also dramatically different from just one year earlier. In September 2025, the Oklahoma Mesonet did not record a single 100-degree temperature anywhere in the state.
Record Heat Deepens Oklahoma Drought Before Late-Month Rain
The extreme temperatures arrived alongside a worsening drought.
September averaged 2.28 inches of precipitation statewide, 1.04 inches below normal, ranking as Oklahoma's 42nd-driest September since records began in 1895.
The longer-term rainfall deficit was more significant.
From January through September, Oklahoma averaged 22.58 inches of precipitation, nearly six inches below normal and the state's 28th-driest first nine months of a year.
Extreme and exceptional drought expanded during September to their greatest combined coverage in Oklahoma since February 2023.
The combination of dry vegetation, high temperatures and low humidity also increased wildfire concerns and contributed to burn restrictions across Oklahoma during portions of the late summer and early fall.
State officials responded to worsening agricultural conditions by activating additional drought assistance. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry coordinates state programs affecting farmers and ranchers dealing with drought, wildfire and water shortages.
Some relief finally arrived during September's final two days.
Moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Polo moved into the High Plains and interacted with a large upper-level storm system, producing widespread rainfall across portions of Oklahoma.
Additional rain continued into October 1, although precipitation falling after midnight was not included in September's official totals.
The outlook for October offers at least some additional hope.
The Climate Prediction Center favors above-normal rainfall across southern Oklahoma, while the state's monthly drought outlook indicates widespread improvement is possible. Drought, however, is expected to remain across significant portions of Oklahoma through the end of October.
After a summer dominated by extreme temperatures and rapidly expanding drought, September ultimately provided one final record-breaking surge of heat before rainfall returned.
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