July 2014 Was Unusually Cool And Wet In Oklahoma

July was unusually cool and wet in Oklahoma, but it wasn't cool and wet enough to set a new record, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet.

The statewide temperature for Oklahoma last month was 77.3 degrees, which was 4.3 degrees below normal. The coolest July on record happened in 1906 and 1950, when the average temperature was 76.4 degrees. July 2014 ranks as the fifth coolest.

Last month was also unusually wet, with the average statewide precipitation coming in at 4.68, which was 1.94 inches above normal.

"The Mesonet site at Slapout recorded an October-like high of 62 degrees on July 17, the 12th coolest high temperature ever recorded in Oklahoma during July. Vinita reached a low temperature of 49 degrees on July 3, which is the normal low on October 19 for that part of the state," said Gary McManus, State Climatologist with the Oklahoma Mesonet.

July 2014 was also the fifth coolest for Tulsa, according to the News On 6 meteorology team.

"Overall it was unusual and enjoyable, but not record-breaking," said News On 6 Meteorologist Stacia Knight. Knight said Tulsa did set new records for individual days. The high temperature in Tulsa on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 was only 78 and it was only 76 on Thursday, July 31, 2014. Those are new records for both days.

Oklahoma's historic tornado drought continued in July. So far the National Weather Service reports only 13 tornadoes in all of Oklahoma for 2014. According to McManus, the average for January through July is 48 tornadoes, dating back to 1950 when such records began being kept. "Only 1988 saw fewer tornadoes through July with 10," he said.

The tornado total might change as the National Weather Service continues investigating individual storms.

Knight says August is showing potential for more rain than usual with temperatures returning to normal. She says so far there's indication of higher than normal temperatures coming back to Tulsa any time soon.