Blanket of snow broke Oklahoma record for March in 1924
Vibrant, purple irises in the flowerbed at Mary Phillips' home.
Spring has arrived, and temperatures across the state have reached the 80s or higher already.
But the messages we keep hearing is that it's too early to plant; a freeze is likely; and if you have already planted, cover those fragile plants.
On St. Patrick's Day 1924, The Daily Oklahoman reported:
“Snow, snow, more snow,” wailed the cold wave whistle Sunday night. It isn’t over yet, said the weather forecaster. So the weather optimists may again tune in for the broadcast, “fine weather for oats, wheat, and fruit.”
The mercury will drop to 28 or 30 degrees above zero within the twentyfour hours from Sunday midnight to Monday night according to the forecast. The cold wave is expected to extend over the entire state…
Three days later, on March 20, 1924, The Daily Oklahoman announced:
Eleven inches of snow—a new record for one day—fell here Wednesday, according to the weather bureau’s gauge at 7 o’clock. And snow was still falling, with probably more to fall Thursday morning.
The total snowfall for March now stands at 19 inches, which also breaks the month record. The 11-inch snow here in one day Wednesday, lacks a little less than two inches of equaling the month record established in February 1913, when 12.9 inches fell. The average snowfall in Oklahoma for March, according to the weather records for the last thirty-three years is less than one inch.
Every section of the state was “snowed under,” Idabel in extreme southeastern part was the only point heard from that reported no snow, but it rained and sleeted there…
The Oklahoma Climatological Survey lists the last average freeze for Oklahoma County for April 4.
No one told my irises, though, they're in full bloom on the southside of my house.
If you would like to contact Mary Phillips about The Archivist, email her at gapnmary@gmail.com.