"Kim (The Shawnee News-Star)"

The tornado frenzy that plagued Oklahoma in April and May completely subsided in June. After 102 tornadoes during the previous two months, including a record 55 in April, there were no tornado reports in June. However, the month didn’t lack dangerous weather, with twisters being replaced by historic rainfall, extreme heat and drought, and severe thunderstorms that left tens of thousands without power. On the night of June 25, storms plowed their way south through the state from the Kansas border in north-central Oklahoma into central Oklahoma, with winds up to 90 mph. These storms brought down power poles and trees, flipped vehicles, and tore off roofs. Some estimates place the number of Oklahomans left without power at nearly 100,000. The power outages created a dangerous situation in the following days, with extreme heat continuing across the state. The Oklahoma Mesonet site at Centrahoma recorded a heat index of 118 degrees on June 26, as did the Tulsa International Airport on June 29. Heat index values of at least 115 degrees were recorded 40 times by Mesonet sites during June, and at least 110 degrees another 235 times. The 118 degrees at Centrahoma is the sixth-highest heat index recorded by an Oklahoma Mesonet site during June in the network’s 30-year history. Grandfield holds the top June spot with 120 degrees on June 19, 2023.

Heat and lack of moisture causes some interesting plant-animal interactions. The fresh cooked beets were cooling on a plate on the counter. The kittens came into the kitchen. Next thing I heard was a thud as one beet hit the floor. I saw two kittens in rapid pursuit. By the time I got to the beet, it had been batted across the kitchen floor, leaving a long red trail. The kittens were licking the beet. Well, the cats live in air-conditioning and get plenty of food and water, but just saying…

Barbecues are part and parcel of July Fourth celebrations. Such get-togethers might be even more notable in 2024, when Independence Day falls on a Thursday. That means many people will likely be taking off on Friday, July 5, which adds another day to celebrate with friends and family around the grill this year.