Shallow Arctic Air Continues To Spread Southward

Shallow arctic air continues to spread southward this morning and is located across most of this state, yet part of Pushmataha, Choctaw and McCurtain counties currently remain above freezing. Most of the light freezing mist and drizzle has ended from the west to east early this morning across northern Oklahoma as dry air has moved across the area. Some light precipitation will remain across far southeastern Ok through midmorning where a winter weather advisory is underway through the early morning. Another wave will near the region later tonight into Wednesday and should increase precipitation across southern sections and possibly part of northeastern OK through Wednesday morning to midday. A few snow flurries may also occur Thursday as a weak wave passes from the west to east across the central plains. Colder weather is expected to arrive by the end of the week bringing bitterly cold weather across the state.

Later tonight, moisture will begin moving northeast up and over the colder air resulting in periods of freezing drizzle and rain across far southeastern OK, a possible mix along and north of I-40 and even some light snow across far northern OK and southern Kansas. The higher chances will remain near and south of the metro for the Wednesday morning to midday hours.

A second surge of arctic air, much colder than our current airmass is scheduled to arrive Friday morning and deepen across the state through the weekend and possibly lasting into early next week. Model data has not been consistent with the magnitude of this air, but observations would support extremely cold weather invading our region this weekend. A disturbance is also expected to move across the state this resulting in some snow chances Saturday. The varying model output regarding this potential for Saturday will be disregarded at this point until confidence increases in the exact thermal profile for the atmosphere which will influence any snow ratios. Gusty northeast winds this weekend will create wind chill values from zero to -20 and wind chill advisories or even warnings may be required for part of the state this weekend.

Another weak wave may also approach the area Sunday evening into Monday spreading light snow across part of the state.

Preparations for extremely cold weather should be underway now for the remainder of this week.

Thanks for reading the Tuesday morning weather discussion and blog.

Have a great and safe day!

Alan Crone

KOTV