In a month that is normally the wettest, May 2012 has proven to be anything close to the norm.
In fact, you could go as far to say that this entire year as been abnormal when it comes to weather. A very mild winter has been followed by a spring that is going to go down as the warmest on record. And its not even going to be close.
To date, 2012 is the warmest year on record not only for Tulsa but for the entire state. According to data from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, January to May 2012 the average temperature during that time for the entire state is nearly 56 degrees. The record for this time period is 55 degrees set back in 2006.
A closer look back at home shows Tulsa is completely rewriting the record books. It all started with the warmest March on record in Tulsa, and then followed up with the 10th warmest April.
Right now May looks like it will be at least the third warmest on record and likely top 2. Only May 1962 will have been warmer than May 2012.
What does this all mean? Though there are still 4 days to go in the month a quick comparison to date shows this spring to the warmest on record it's not even close.
Spring 2012 in Tulsa will likely break the all-time warmest monthly average by more than 2 degrees. Oh and that record, 64.9 degrees, was set back in the awful dust bowl year of 1936.
To make matters worse mother nature turned the spigot off in May. We are bone dry!
Here in Tulsa we have picked-up a meager .15" of rain all month. More than 5-inches below what is considered normal.
The least amount of rain in May for Tulsa is .80" set way back in 1897.
There is some good news coming this week. Starting Monday there are several storm systems set to move across the region. With each one a chance of seeing not only much needed rain, but also some cooler temperatures.
The break looks to be short-lived however as things look like they will be heating back up late this weekend into next week as the temperature outlook for days 8-14 shows.
As for moisture beyond this week, the precipitation outlook for days 8-14 looks dry.
The best outcome this week is for some much need rain to help green things back up, to replenish soil moisture and to cool down the soils.
There is still time to reverse this hot and dry trend though that amount of time is dwindling as we will soon be venturing into the hottest and driest months of the year.
