Weather in Tulsa

Planning a trip or just curious about the weather in Tulsa? Here you will find the freshest information: current conditions, a detailed forecast, and useful charts.

Tulsa, located in the United States, features a climate with four distinct seasons, making the weather here quite varied throughout the year. Prepare for noticeable temperature shifts: from cool winters to hot summers, with pleasant transitional periods in spring and autumn. Overall, the climate can be described as temperate continental.

Summer in Tulsa, especially in July and August, can be quite hot, with average temperatures reaching 28-29°C, and maximums often exceeding 30°C. Winters, conversely, are cool, with average temperatures in January around 4.4°C, while nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Precipitation in the winter and summer months is moderate, without a distinctly defined rainy season.

Spring and autumn offer milder weather. In spring, particularly in May, there is a slight increase in rainfall and the number of rainy days, while the temperature rises comfortably. Autumn brings gradual cooling and reduced precipitation, creating pleasant conditions for walks. Overall, precipitation levels in Tulsa are relatively low throughout the year.

The temperature regime in Tulsa demonstrates distinct seasonality with a palpable range of temperatures throughout the year. The hottest months are traditionally July and August. In July, the average temperature reaches 28.8°C, and maximums often rise to 33.6°C. August is also very warm, with an average temperature of 28.1°C and highs up to 32.9°C. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature is just 4.4°C, and nighttime lows drop on average to -0.5°C, indicating the possibility of frosts.

The summer period in Tulsa, which includes June, July, and August, is characterized by consistently hot weather. In June, the average temperature is 26.7°C, with daytime highs around 31.6°C and nighttime lows around 21.9°C. July and August continue this trend, offering very warm days when the thermometer often exceeds 30-33°C, and warm nights when the minimum temperature rarely falls below 23°C. This is the time for those who enjoy hot weather, though one should be prepared for high temperatures and increased humidity that may accompany the heat.

Winter in Tulsa, covering December, January, and February, brings coolness, but severe frosts are rare. In December, the average temperature holds at 7.5°C (minimum 3.0°C, maximum 12.1°C). January, as noted, is the coldest, while February sees a slight warming: the average temperature rises to 6.2°C (minimum 0.8°C, maximum 11.6°C). Tulsa is characterized by noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations throughout the year: the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum is often around 9-10°C. This means that even in warm seasons, evenings can be significantly cooler than days, and in winter, the difference between daytime warmth and nighttime cold is also quite perceptible.

Precipitation in Tulsa is distributed relatively moderately throughout the year, without a clearly defined prolonged rainy season or drought, although a noticeable peak in humidity is observed in late spring. Overall, the total amount of precipitation for most of the year is low, making the weather fairly predictable in this aspect for planning activities.

The wettest month in Tulsa is May. This period sees the highest amount of rainfall, averaging 6 mm, and the maximum number of days with precipitation — about 15. This means that approximately half the month may be marked by rain. The spring months of March and April, as well as October, are also characterized by moderate rainfall (about 4 mm) and roughly 9-10 rainy days, making these periods wetter compared to winter and most of summer.

The driest periods in terms of total rainfall volume occur during the winter months — January, February, November, and December, when only about 2 mm of precipitation falls in each of these months. At the same time, December stands out with the fewest rainy days – only about 5. Summer months (June, July, August) and September are also quite dry in terms of rainfall volume (3 mm), although the number of days with precipitation can reach 7-9, indicating the likelihood of short showers. In winter, especially in January when the average minimum temperature drops to -0.5°C, precipitation may fall not only as rain but possibly as light snow or sleet, though the total amount remains insignificant.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Tulsa, it is important to consider the distinct change of seasons. In summer (June-August), it can be hot here, with average temperatures reaching 28-29°C and maximums above 30°C. Therefore, be sure to bring light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics, shorts, T-shirts, and sandals. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Although summer is relatively dry in terms of rainfall volume, short showers are possible, so a light waterproof jacket or a compact umbrella might come in handy.

Winter (December-February) in Tulsa is cool, with the average temperature hovering around 4-7°C, and night frosts are not uncommon. You will need a warm jacket, sweaters, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. The principle of layering clothing will be very appropriate here, allowing you to adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with moderate temperatures. In March-April and October-November, it is worth bringing a mid-season jacket, jumpers, and closed shoes. Pay special attention to May: this is the wettest month with the highest number of rainy days, so a reliable umbrella or raincoat will be very useful.

Regardless of the season, comfortable shoes are recommended for walking around Tulsa, as the city offers many interesting places to explore on foot. Given the noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations, where the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum can be substantial, it is always useful to have an extra layer of clothing with you, such as a light sweater or cardigan, even in the warmer months. A power adapter, if you are travelling from another country, will also not be amiss.