Tulsa storm season checklist

When severe weather usually peaks around Tulsa, and what to check before it does.

When the season peaks

In NOAA Storm Prediction Center climatology for the Tulsa (INX) radar area (within 124 nautical miles), 1980-2006, the primary severe season runs from about March 9 to July 28, and the daily peak in reports falls around April 25 (SPC severe weather climatology for the Tulsa (INX) radar area, 1980-2006).
May has the most severe reports in that data, about 234 a year on average, followed by April (175), June (159) and March (93). Tornado reports peak in May (about 17) and April (about 9) (same source).
Reports cluster in the early evening; the busiest hour is around 7 p.m. local daylight time (00 UTC) (same source).
Tulsa County recorded 101 tornadoes from 1950 to 2025, Rogers 81, Creek 76 and Wagoner 64 (NWS Norman, Oklahoma tornadoes by county, 1950-2025).

Open the shelter, check the door, latch and seal, and clear out water or debris.
Stock water, a flashlight, a NOAA Weather Radio with fresh batteries, shoes and a first aid kit in or near the shelter.
Register the shelter with your city or county, or update it if you bought the house (registration by city).
If you plan to buy a shelter, start in winter: Glenpool says permit review can take up to 10 business days (Glenpool storm shelter permit packet), and installers book up after spring storms.

Charge phones, put shoes and a helmet by the shelter, and know where pets are.
Outdoor sirens are meant for people outside; Claremore's sound only for tornado warnings (Claremore Emergency Management). Use more than one way to get warnings.

Photograph damage before cleanup, stay away from downed lines, and check on neighbors who registered as needing help.

The state SoonerSafe rebate is not open for 2026 (status).

Last checked Oct 23, 2026.