National Weather ServiceOklahomaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Oklahoma
The National Weather Service issued 32 tornado watches for Oklahoma in 2025 and 28 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 9th most of any state. 2026 through September: 23, in line with the average of 24 for those months in 2008-2025. Pittsburg was covered most often (160 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Oklahoma get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Oklahoma. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 23 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2015 | 38 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2011 | 37 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2008 | 62 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Oklahoma get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Oklahoma?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburg | 160 | 43 | April 28, 2026 |
| Le Flore | 157 | 38 | April 28, 2026 |
| Latimer | 156 | 37 | April 28, 2026 |
| McCurtain | 155 | 29 | April 28, 2026 |
| Sequoyah | 153 | 34 | April 28, 2026 |
| Haskell | 152 | 35 | April 28, 2026 |
| McIntosh | 147 | 35 | April 25, 2026 |
| Pushmataha | 147 | 36 | April 28, 2026 |
| Adair | 143 | 34 | June 25, 2026 |
| Muskogee | 143 | 35 | April 25, 2026 |
| Choctaw | 140 | 31 | April 28, 2026 |
| Carter | 139 | 38 | April 28, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Oklahoma.