Spring Snow Storm Moving Out Of Tulsa Area

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The spring snow storm is moving out of the Tulsa area. The Winter Storm Warning has been allowed to expire for Tulsa, but the warning was extended for eastern Oklahoma until midnight.

"This weekend's spring winter storm is on its last breath (Sunday) evening," said News On 6 meteorologist Nick Bender. "Good riddance!"

Tulsa and the surrounding communities of Owasso, Broken Arrow, Sapulpa and Claremore received 3''- 6''of snow.

Bender said the storm system's surface and upper-level features are "stacked" on top of each other across parts of Arkansas and Missouri. With warm, moist air unable to wrap into the center of the low pressure, the cyclone will continue to weaken as it tracks slowly eastward overnight Sunday.

Bands of light, to occasionally moderate rain and sleet will continue to affect areas along and east of Highway 75 in eastern Oklahoma through midnight – some snow may mix in periodically.

Read the complete weather discussion.

Total snow accumulations for the event range from 5''- 8'' across northern and eastern Oklahoma with a few locally higher amounts at about 10''. Western and northwestern Arkansas had 8''- 15'' of snow in the higher elevations.

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The National Weather Service has adjusted the timing of the Winter Storm Warning and it is now in effect until midnight for the following counties: Cherokee, Adair, Wagoner, Mayes, Delaware, Sequoyah, Pushmataha, Choctaw, Craig, Pittsburg, Ottawa, McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore, Latimer and Haskell.

"Temperatures Monday and Tuesday get back to business as usual for early spring with highs reaching the upper 50s Monday, and around 70 on Tuesday," said Bender.

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Spring Snow Storm Part 1

Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports roads are clearing rapidly across central Oklahoma, however, some currently wet areas will refreeze overnight and could cause problems during Monday's morning drive. Motorists in the eastern and northeastern portions of the state, including the Tulsa metro area, should allow extra travel time in the morning and be aware of these black ice conditions.

The I-44 bridge over the Arkansas River became so slick, ODOT closed it down for a short time Saturday night so crews could spread salt and sand.

The city of Tulsa planned to have close to 50 salt and plow trucks out well into Sunday.

Several multi-car accidents took place Saturday morning in Tulsa, though no serious injuries have been reported.

3/20/2010  Related Story: Collisions Piling Up For Tulsa Metro Area - Caution Urged

Spring Snow Storm Part II

Authorities have attributed at least five deaths in four states to the weather, including Oklahoma.

3/21/2010  Related Story: OHP: Love County Woman Dies Following Accident On Icy Road

ODOT Road Conditions Update Sunday -- 4:30 p.m.

Roads are clearing rapidly across central Oklahoma; however, some currently wet areas will refreeze overnight and could cause problems during Monday's morning drive. Motorists in the eastern and northeastern portions of the state, including the Tulsa metro area, should allow extra travel time in the morning and be aware of these black ice conditions.

In central and north central Oklahoma, conditions are much improved, and traffic has become extremely heavy on interstates. Congestion in construction zones is causing travel delays.

Now that roads in the central portion of the state have been cleared, additional crews have been dispatched to eastern and southeastern counties, where many roads are still snow covered, particularly in Latimer, Pushmataha, Le Flore and McCurtain counties.

Crews will continue to monitor and treat areas of snow and ice throughout the night as necessary.

Motorists are strongly advised to check conditions before heading out, adjust their route as necessary and to allow additional travel time.

During snow and/or ice conditions, motorists are asked to:

• Be aware that conditions are continually changing; drive cautiously and for the conditions on the roadway.
• Check road conditions before getting out on the roads.
• Allow extra space between vehicles, so there is adequate distance for braking in wet and icy conditions.
• Stay at least 200 feet behind road-clearing equipment; crews need room to maneuver and can engage plowing or spreading materials without notice.
• Be aware of "black ice," which looks wet on the roadway, but is actually a thin layer of ice.
• Please be patient, plan trips ahead and allow extra time to reach destinations.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS, call the Department of Public Safety's ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 888-425-2385.

Area State Road Conditions:

• Arkansas 800-245-1672
• Colorado 303-639-1111
• Kansas 866-511-5368
• Missouri 800-222-6400
• Oklahoma 888-425-2385
• OK turnpikes 887-403-7623
• Texas 800-452-9292

State officials declared a state of emergency late Friday in all 77 of Oklahoma's counties.

3/19/2010  Related Story: State Of Emergency Declared In Preparation For Winter Storm

EMSA Update – Saturday 4:15 p.m.

Emergency medical officials responded to a rash of motor vehicle crashes during the late morning and early afternoon hours Saturday, as wintry precipitation began to impact travel. EMSA experienced higher than normal call volume between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. During the 4.5 hour span, EMSA paramedics provided care to 14 people hurt in crashes and four individuals who suffered injuries after falling on wet or snowy surfaces. None of the patients sustained life-threatening injuries.

EMSA call volume leveled off as the afternoon progressed. Paramedics report slick, but improving conditions; motorists should continue to be cautious. Unnecessary travel is discouraged. Those who do drive need to observe slower speeds and increased distances between vehicles. Anyone walking outdoors should wear appropriate footwear and walk slowly; surfaces are quite slick.

EMSA management staff is on-call, and extra personnel will be called in for duty if needed. Additionally, EMSA has a small fleet of four-wheel drive support vehicles that can be used to supplement its normal response. All employees scheduled for duty have been able to commute to work safely (no call-outs due to the weather conditions).

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