Freezing Rain Covers Northeast Oklahoma In Ice

A huge storm system is covering northeastern Oklahoma with freezing rain which is coating trees, power lines and cars in a layer of thick ice.

News On 6 meteorologist Alan Crone says the system stretches from Texas into Missouri. He says the air is relatively warm above the surface of the Earth, so the precipitation is falling as rain. Since the surface temperature is below 32 degrees, so the rain is freezing after it falls.

Crone says if the air above aloft was colder, Oklahoma would be getting heavy snow right now.

He says the freezing rain should let up in the early afternoon, but the precipitation will begin again and turn into snow Saturday night and into Sunday morning. He expects a dusting to possibly one inch of snow to fall along the I-44 corridor, with heavier amounts to the northwest.

Check the latest watches and warnings here.

Many News On 6 viewers report broken limbs caused by the ice. Some of them say the limbs have caused damage to their property, including homes and vehicles.

Public Service Company of Oklahoma reports small power outages across northeastern Oklahoma.

12/21/2013 Related Story: Freezing Rain Brings Power Outages In Northeastern Oklahoma

Stan Whiteford says most of the outages PSO is dealing with have been caused by icy limbs falling and knocking down power lines. 

The utility has called in extra crews to deal with the problems.

Tulsa International Airport says as of early Saturday ten departing flights had been canceled and two had been delayed. No incoming flights had been affected.

As always, you should check with the airline to make sure your flight is on time.

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