Second to the OU/Texas game, Halloween is the most celebrated holiday in October in Oklahoma.
But instead of getting freaked out by being chased by a minimum wage part-time meth dealer dressed as Jason at Frontier City’s Fright Fest, this year Oklahomans are being freaked out by the weather.
According to Marla’s husband at KFOR, the state has experienced more tornados this month than during “tornado season” this last spring and the twisters have been increasing every Fall over the last 20 years. I know it’s been about 17 years since I sat through David Payne’s Weather School program in my 5th grade gymnasium, but this seems wrong.
Tornados are only supposed to occur between April and June in Oklahoma. Otherwise, they are just sparkling mesocyclones.
Tornados are the only severe weather that has increased in October. Last year, the state was struck with a catastrophic ice storm that led to a months-long debris clean up and likely a decade-long statewide debt to OG&E. Oklahomans are used to October weather being a string of 97-degree windy days juxtaposed between a few 45-degree rainy weekends and a single nice Wednesday afternoon. October means tornado sirens should only be heard on Saturdays at noon, not Tuesdays at 5:00 AM. If only there was an explanation for this change of climate.
Pshhhhsshhh, global warming has already been explained away, you millennial crybaby. Go back to tweeting about vegan options at Bucky’s.
Seriously, there’s probably a reason why we are having such wild weather the past few years. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, global warming has led to a change in weather patterns across the world and, according to National Geographic, more extreme weather. Though global warming is not necessarily leading to an increase in tornadic activity, it appears to be leading to a change in severe weather and tornadic patterns. Also, recent research has found that the impact of the oil and gas industry on global warming is worse than previously thought.
The oil and gas industry in Oklahoma contributed to around $57 billion to Oklahoma's GDP in 2019 and 3.3% of the state's jobs, including jobs held by my family. So it's true; the oil and gas industry has contributed to the Oklahoma economy and our leaders have bent over backwards fighting regulations and giving tax breaks to the companies to make sure they stick around. Even though the oil and gas industry has provided for the Oklahoma economy, we must ask ourselves: at what cost to Oklahomans?
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Hayley has too much to do today. Follow her procrastination attempts on twitter @squirrellygeek and become a contributing member of TLO here.
