Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma is positioned for a wetter and potentially wintry stretch during the Thanksgiving travel period, as new federal long-range forecasts show above-normal precipitation statewide from November 23 through November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook issued Saturday, Oklahoma sits within a 40–50% probability zone favoring wetter-than-normal conditions. While the strongest early-season cold stays north, marginal temperatures could still allow periods of cold rain or mixed precipitation.
Northern Oklahoma—including Enid, Ponca City, and Bartlesville—sits closest to colder air along the Kansas border. This region has a track record of early-season wet snow events when moisture arrives during the nighttime or early-morning hours.
Central Oklahoma—including Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, and Stillwater—falls squarely within the elevated precipitation zone. Temperatures here should hover near the rain–snow threshold, meaning storm timing will play a major role in precipitation type.
Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma remain in the same wetter pattern, though slightly warmer temperatures may favor rain more consistently unless colder air settles farther south.
Farther southwest toward Lawton and Altus, above-normal precipitation remains likely, but most events should fall as rain.
Thanksgiving week commonly brings some of the state’s heaviest travel volume along I-35, I-44, and I-40. Even light snow or cold rain can slow traffic during peak departure days. Air travel delays are also possible at Will Rogers World Airport or Tulsa International Airport if precipitation arrives during high-traffic travel periods.
Forecasters expect more clarity on timing early next week.
