Warmer temps before rain returns Wednesday

Southwest winds at 7 to 12 mph and abundant sunshine will support temperatures reaching the upper 50s and lower 60s this afternoon. 

Showers slowly return Wednesday and increase Wednesday night into Thursday. 

Wednesday morning will start with lows in the mid and upper 30s, with daytime highs staying in the lower to mid-50s as the storm system nears the area.

What’s the Timeline?

Late Wednesday night and early Thursday, the main upper-level system will draw closer to Oklahoma, providing stronger winds aloft across the state. Low-level moisture will move ahead of the system, supporting precipitation.

Rain will develop tomorrow morning across the southern sections and slowly expand northward. By later Wednesday afternoon and evening, rain is likely for most locations and will continue into Thursday morning. 

Will There Be Severe Weather?

Severe weather is not anticipated, but a few rumbles of thunder will be possible. Any strong or severe storms will be located along or south of the Red River Valley in Texas with this system.

How Much Rainfall Is Expected?

Amounts across northern Oklahoma will range from one to two inches, areas along the I-40 corridor between two to three inches, and far southeast Oklahoma could see from three to four inches of rain.

What About Snow?

Snow is not expected with this system. There will be a very low-end chance for a few snowflakes or showers Friday directly beneath the upper level, cold core low as it moves across far northeastern OK and southern Kansas. 

Will this system impact our Weekend weather?

As the system exits the area, pleasant weather is likely this weekend.

Saturday’s highs will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s, and Sunday will see highs in the lower to mid-60s.

The Weekend looks great! Another front will slide across the area Monday morning with a few clouds and a minor cooldown. 

Highs will stay in the upper 40s and lower 50s on Monday afternoon. 

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Where are the warming shelters available in Tulsa this year?

The city of Tulsa, local shelters, warming stations, and outreach teams are working to ensure access to safe, warm spaces during the cold temperatures.

>>> City of Tulsa prepares for extreme cold temperatures

>>> Warming Shelters Open Across Tulsa Amid Freezing Temperatures

Tulsa shelters and temporary warming locations are open to provide refuge. Major locations include:

1. John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne — Open 24/7
2. The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave. — Open 24/7
3. Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St. — Open 24/7 (Pets allowed, limited capacity)
4. Youth Services of Tulsa, 311 S. Madison Ave.

Temporary overflow shelters will also be open for the cold weather:

1. The Merchant: 605 S. Peoria Ave., open Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.–Noon; Tuesday-Friday, 9–11 a.m.
2. Denver Avenue Station: 319 S. Denver Ave., open Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 5:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
3. The Station at Youth Services: 311 S. Madison Ave., open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
4. Iron Gate: 501 W. Archer St., open daily, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
5. The Ministry Center: 312 S. 33rd W. Ave., open Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

For a full list of warming station locations and hours, visit Housing Solutions’ Winter Weather Information Page.

>>> Warming Shelters, Safety Tips For Cold Temperatures This Winter In Oklahoma

Bring Pets Inside!

Winter temperatures can pose additional challenges for pets, particularly older animals or those with health conditions. Hartfield recommends:

1. Wellness Checks: Ensure pets are up to date on vaccines and discuss arthritis or other cold-weather health concerns with a veterinarian.
2. Outdoor Time: Monitor the duration of outdoor activities, especially for short-haired breeds or pets with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
3. Paw Care: After walks, inspect and clean paws to remove ice or de-icing chemicals that could harm your pet.

>>> Cold Weather Pet Tips: How To Keep Animals Safe During Winter Months

How Can I Protect Myself From Sickness This Winter?

The Tulsa Health Department is urging residents to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent respiratory illnesses as Oklahoma enters the coldest months of the year.

1. Health experts say the risk of respiratory illnesses is higher during the winter, as colder weather often leads to more indoor gatherings, increasing the likelihood of viruses spreading. 
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Oklahoma is one of 11 states with very high respiratory virus activity, and with flu vaccination rates lower than this time in 2024, more people have reported getting sick.

>>> How to Protect Yourself From Respiratory Illness This Winter

Emergency Info: Outages Across Oklahoma:

Northeast Oklahoma has various power companies and electric cooperatives, many of which have overlapping areas of coverage. Below is a link to various outage maps.

>>> Tulsa HVAC, Plumbing Companies Flooded With Calls During Cold Weather

1. PSO Outage Map
2. OG&E Outage Map
3. VVEC Outage Map
4. Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) Outage Map
5. Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage Map — (Note Several Smaller Co-ops Included)

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mH4sdZN0VL23Szs9Yx4IL

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/oklahoma-news-from-kotv-news-on-6-in-tulsa-oklahoma/id1499556141

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