(Mostly) Dodging Our First Winter Bullet

Many, like myself, were glad the foreboding system that was modeled late last week never came to fruition. But that doesn't mean all of us missed out on the snow! Portions of southeastern Oklahoma recorded anywhere from a dusting to a couple inches. The higher snow totals were confined to the higher elevations of southern LeFlore County.  Check out the picture above from Tami near Talihina. The snow wasn't around for too long, but it quickly turned that area into a winter wonderland! It was a good sign that ‘Ole Man Winter has arrived.

You would also know that by stepping outside. After our brief time of mild, wet conditions on Saturday, we've been chilling (literally) in the 30s and lower 40s. You add in the wind chill factor and it felt downright frigid with values down in the 10s and 20s. For the record, the Oklahoma Panhandle had wind chill values below 0 Monday morning. If that's not enough to send you for your heavy coat, I don't know what will!

Snow-lovers here in the rest of Oklahoma may have to wait awhile before our next decent chance of snow returns to the forecast. However, we can't rule out a few flurries or snow showers as the upper-level low (currently parked over New Mexico) punches eastward over the next two days. A zonal flow in the jet stream will quiet down our weather pattern for the remainder of the week. Temperatures remain at or below normal, but no major systems are on the horizon through the weekend.

Far southeastern Oklahoma could use a break from the active weather of late. It's hard to believe I'm saying this, but they've had almost too much rainfall over the past several days. There were some impressive rain totals topping 3" for early December in that neck of the woods.

Winter is settling in. Grab that coat and enjoy the ride. Hopefully we won't be too red in the cheeks after this season wraps up!

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