Winter Blast Brings Freezing Temperatures And Wind Chills To The Metro

10 A.M. UPDATE: The arctic air is here! Wind chills will be the big story as they hold in the teens and 20s for most of the state. There is some areas of snow falling but will wind down this afternoon and road conditions will improve especially in N & NW OK. Winds will stay up!

Oklahoma City is facing its coldest temperatures of the season as an Arctic front pushes through, bringing freezing rain, gusty winds, and dangerous wind chills.

Here's what residents need to know to stay safe.

Temperature Drop:

1. Oklahoma City started the morning near 30°F, but temperatures are quickly falling into the 20s.
2. Wind chills are already in the teens and are expected to dip into the single digits by this afternoon.

Light Rain Turning to Ice:

1. Light rain and drizzle are being reported across the metro area.
2. As temperatures fall, wet roads and bridges could freeze, creating slick spots, especially on elevated surfaces.

>>>OG&E Shares Winter Readiness And Power Outage Tips

Hazardous ConditionsWind Gusts:

1. Winds are gusting up to 54 mph in parts of the metro, making it feel even colder.
2. Blustery conditions will persist throughout the day, adding to the danger on the roads.

Travel Concerns:

1. Bridges and overpasses in Oklahoma City may become icy this afternoon.
2. Conditions are more severe to the north and west, where ice and snow have already created treacherous roads.

Flash Freeze Potential:

1. Temperatures will drop quickly, freezing any lingering moisture on the roads.

Wind Chill Danger:

1. Wind chills will plummet to the single digits, with subzero wind chills possible overnight.

Tips for OKC Residents

Drive Safely:

1. Use extreme caution on roads, especially bridges and overpasses.
2. Avoid travel if possible, as conditions may worsen this afternoon.

Prepare for the Cold:

1. Wear layers, thick coats, gloves, and hats to protect against the wind chill.
2. Protect Your Pipes: Let faucets drip overnight to prevent freezing, especially along exterior walls.

WINTER WEATHER PREP:

1. 3 Ways To Save Money On Energy Bills During The Winter
2. Q&A With OKC Fire Captain On Ways Homeowners Can Prevent, Prepare For Winter Fires
3. Space Heater Safety Tips For The Winter Season
4. Tips On How To Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder And The Winter Blues

What is the weather like this weekend?

A cold front comes in late Saturday night with rain transitioning into snow Sunday morning and into the afternoon.

The Arctic blast hits Sunday! Temperatures will drop like a rock. Rain changes to freezing rain, then sleet, then all snow in the north and west.

Prepare for the cold Sunday and slick roads north.

For the Oklahoma City metro, we have a chance for light rain that would transition to a mix and could become all light snow as the system ends.

The window for snow in Oklahoma City is very narrow. If we see flakes, the totals look very minimal.

However, any light precipitation with temps dropping could lead to a few slick spots in the metro. Please stay plugged in.

The highest chance for accumulation of snow is to the north. Most will see less than 1 inch of snow, but there could be some higher totals in the far north.

The biggest impact statewide will be the cold. We drop below freezing on Sunday and will remain at or below 32 degrees until at least Wednesday, possibly Thursday. Please take this time to winterize your home and prepare your vehicle.

The upper-level storm moves onto the West Coast today. The forecast will become much more refined and the zone will still shift.

Most of our meteorological instruments are over land, so we get a lot more reliable data as the day rolls along.

2024 Weather Recap:

Weather Blog: Oklahoma's 2024 Severe Weather Season Breaks Records

This year brought Oklahoma a mix of highs and lows in weather trends:

1. Snowfall: Oklahoma City recorded just 3.4 inches of snow this year, well below the average of 7.6 inches. We had small amounts in January, February, and March but nothing major.
2. Rainfall: On the flip side, it was a wetter-than-average year with 37.11 inches of rain—three-quarters of an inch above normal. November stood out as the wettest month of the year, with a historic rainfall total, while August also brought significant amounts.
3. Severe Weather: Oklahoma saw 152 tornadoes in 2024, beating the 149 record set in 2020. Among the most active counties were Roger Mills and Ottawa, with six tornadoes each. While there were no EF-5 tornadoes, two EF-4s caused devastating impacts to several communities. 196 tornado warnings were issued statewide, the highest number in the nation for 2024.
4. 988 severe thunderstorm warnings covered every square inch of Oklahoma at some point during the year.

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