Lawton's First Freeze Is Running Late: What Warm November Means for Southwest Oklahoma

Lawton normally sees its first freeze of the season between Oct. 31 and Nov. 12. Last year, morning temperatures dropped into the 30s on Oct. 30. This year, only the Oklahoma panhandle has recorded a freeze, and there’s no strong cold front in the forecast for the first 10 days of November.

KOCO meteorologist Damon Lane points to a warm pattern holding steady, and NOAA’s extended outlook keeps temperatures above average through Nov. 18. The Oklahoma Mesonet gives the state just a 30 percent chance of freezing weather by Nov. 20. The bigger story: 2026 is expected to surpass 2012 as Oklahoma’s hottest year on record.

For folks around Fort Sill and Lawton, the effects are noticeable. Fall allergy season is stretching longer, energy bills are still carrying summer air conditioning, and Friday night football games have felt more like September than November. If you’re wondering when to winterize the pipes or finally pull out the heavy coats, the short answer is: not yet, but keep them within reach. Relief will arrive, just on a slower schedule this year. When do you think Lawton gets its first freeze? Drop your guess in the comments.