No doubt about it:  This winter has been exceptionally. . .brutal.  We recently blogged about the coldest temperature ever recorded in Oklahoma, so now it's time to look at the other side of the equation:  Where was the most snowfall ever recorded in the Sooner State?  It should come as no surprise it occurred here in Northwest Oklahoma!

According to the National Weather Service, the most snowfall occurred in the community of Buffalo in February of 1971.  Thirty-six inches of snow fell on that day!  Those of us who well remember that major event can also recall how Northwest Oklahoma was paralyzed for the better part of a week.  In fact, most schools in the area were closed ALL week, Monday through Friday; there were lots of snow forts made, snowball fights, and sleigh rides!

We don't have to go far back in time to examine other major events.  Who can forget the record-setting blizzard that occurred in this area in late March of 2009, when up to 25 inches of snow fell near Ft. Supply?  And only last year, February of 2013, Woodward and vicinity got slugged with 20 inches.  So by comparison, these recent snows are just dustings!

Other major events?  Laverne makes the list twice, first for 22 inches measured in November of 1992, and 18 inches fell in December of 1997.  Other 20-inch snows included the city of Bartlesville in March of 1970, and 20 inches were recorded way out in Kenton in January of 2001.  So as we all can see, Oklahoma--particularly Northwest Oklahoma--is no stranger to major snowfall events!