The local weather of southwestern Oklahoma, the place the refuge resides, is characterised by distinct differences due to the season. Summers are usually sizzling and dry, with temperatures typically exceeding 100F. Winters are typically delicate, with occasional intervals of freezing temperatures and snowfall. Rainfall is comparatively average, averaging round 30 inches yearly, however may be extremely variable, resulting in intervals of drought. This dynamic climate sample considerably influences the natural world throughout the protected space.
Understanding the native local weather is essential for each guests and conservation efforts. The timing of rainfall dictates the supply of water sources and the expansion cycles of vegetation, straight impacting the wildlife populations that depend upon them. Historic climate knowledge informs administration methods for sustaining the refuge’s delicate ecosystem, notably during times of utmost climate occasions like wildfires, that are a pure a part of this panorama. The data additionally aids guests in planning their journeys and getting ready for potential weather-related challenges.