Residents, Crews Preparing For Wintry Week In Oklahoma

A winter storm is locked in for southern Oklahoma. The OKC metro should see a mix of freezing drizzle, sleet, and snow with the potential for heavier accumulations of snow if models continue to trend farther north.

The next 24 hours will prove very interesting, as parts of the state will receive heavy snow and significant ice, all along within a long, but narrow corridor stretching from southwestern OK into portions of south central and eastern OK. 

I want to emphasize the calling card of this event will be the confinement of the heaviest ice and snow to about a three-county-wide band. The smallest shift north or south will be the difference between minor accumulations and significant accumulations (ice/snow).

The Snow Zone graphic depicts this. One of my concerns is the recent, northern trend the models are showing with respect to the heaviest band of snow. If this continues, snowfall amounts for places like Norman and the OKC metro will be increased.

Significant icing is expected for portions of southeastern OK near Durant and Hugo. Ice accumulations of 0.25" to as much as 0.5" will result in minor tree damage, sporadic power outages and slick and hazardous roads. If the heavier snowfall amounts continue to trend farther north and west, so will the heavier ice amounts. This would put areas from Ardmore, Ada to McAlester at risk for significant ice. 

Traveling across or through southern OK Saturday morning and afternoon will be dangerous, especially I-35 through the Arbuckles. Expect roadways in the areas of heaviest snow and ice to be extremely slick and hazardous. OKC metro roadways will become slick and hazardous during the morning, and remain that way for the duration of the day. 

Stay with News 9, we'll keep you advised.