(KTEN) – After a crippling ice storm to start the month of February, Texoma thawed out and ended the month on a warm note.

A roller coaster ride of temperatures occurred with a high of 32 degrees to start the month to 85 degrees on February 21.

High temperatures for February 2023
High temperatures for February 2023 KTEN

 

An icy commute for all of Texoma was how we started the second month of the year.

A pickup truck coated with ice by the winter storm.
A pickup truck coated with ice by the winter storm. (KTEN)

 

Ice totals ranged from a glaze to 0.50 inches. The highest totals were just east of Paris, Texas, and north of McAlester, Oklahoma.

Observed ice totals for the early February ice storm
Observed ice totals for the early February ice storm KTEN

 

Fast forward a few weeks and record heat descended on Texoma. Sherman, Texas, observed a high of 82 degrees on February 20. This high broke the old record high of 81 degrees in 1996.

In terms of rainfall, Sherman, Texas was able to rack up over two inches throughout the month.

Daily rain totals for February 2023
Daily rain totals for February 2023 KTEN

 

This helpful rainfall was able to reduce our drought across Texoma. Our eastern zones are now drought-free with abnormally dry conditions being reported in Carter, Jefferson, Stephens, and Garvin counties.

The night of February 26 brought with it a severe weather episode. Severe thunderstorms impacted portions of the Interstate 35 corridor. Tornado warnings were issued in Pontotoc County along with multiple severe thunderstorm warnings across Texoma. The Oklahoma Mesonet station in Fittstown, Oklahoma, recorded a wind gust of 86 mph as the storms moved over the town. This was the highest wind gust recorded by all Oklahoma Mesonet stations on February 26.

An 86 MPH wind gust was recorded by the Oklahoma Mesonet on February 26
An 86 MPH wind gust was recorded by the Oklahoma Mesonet on February 26 KTEN

 

Thousands were left without power due to the strong storms.

A few tornadoes touched down in the Norman/Oklahoma City metro areas as well, causing damage to student housing and other structures.

 

This event also allowed Oklahoma to break a record for the number of tornadoes in the Sooner State during the month of February.

11 tornadoes in February is a new monthly record
11 tornadoes in February is a new monthly record KTEN

 

This is the third consecutive month that Oklahoma has observed a record number of tornadoes.

February 2023 is the third consecutive month of record tornado numbers in Oklahoma
February 2023 is the third consecutive month of record tornado numbers in Oklahoma KTEN

 

The month of February wrapped up with record-tying warmth! Sherman, Texas, observed a high temperature of 82°, which tied the daily record high temperature record set back in 1932.

February 28 tied a record daily high temperature
February 28 tied a record daily high temperature KTEN

 

With severe weather already occurring in February, this is a perfect time to prepare for the months ahead. Make sure your phones are charged ahead of severe weather events. Also, make sure batteries are in your NOAA Weather Radios!