Air Quality
Oklahoma generally enjoys good air quality outside of occasional wildfire smoke and dust events, with most counties meeting federal ozone standards.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Oklahoma counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
Wildfires
Oklahoma experiences hundreds of wildfires annually, particularly during dry, windy conditions in the western plains.
Drought
Portions of western Oklahoma regularly experience drought conditions, with the panhandle especially vulnerable to prolonged dry spells.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Water Usage
Oklahoma withdraws about 1.6 billion gallons of water daily, with agriculture and public supply as the largest uses.
Emissions
Oklahoma emits about 90 million metric tons of CO2 annually, with per-capita emissions above the national average due to its energy industry.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOOKA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOOKA).
| Indicator | Oklahoma | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 emissions per capita (t) | 22 | 14.7 |
Climate Indicators
Oklahoma has warmed about 1.5°F since 1900, with increasingly severe storms and tornado activity linked to shifting climate patterns.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.