Multiple Crashes In Green Country Due To Slick, Hazardous Road Conditions

Multiple crashes were reported on Highway 169 in Tulsa on Tuesday morning due to hazardous road conditions.

Most of the roads in the Tulsa metro are slick and hazardous. Northbound 169 and I-44 lanes were backed up due to crashes, as well as southbound lanes.

A jackknifed semi-truck on Highway 169 was just one cause of a traffic backup.

A dusting of snow and the near and below temperatures are just enough to cause spin outs. Highways and city streets were experiencing issues.

CLICK HERE for Alan Crone's Tuesday forecast.

EMSA said first responders have been called to 27 motor vehicle crashes as of 8 a.m., and transported three patients to the hospital due to injuries from those crashes in the Tulsa area.

Most of those crashes happened on or around bridges and overpasses on local highways and interstates, EMSA said.

EMSA shared the following tips to help people working and staying outside in the cold to stay warm:

1. When possible, try to work in an area sheltered from the wind.
2. Dress appropriately. Wear at least three layers of clothing: an outer layer to break the wind and allow some ventilation (like gortex or nylon); a middle layer of wool, down, or synthetic pile to absorb sweat and retain insulating properties when wet; and an inner layer of cotton or synthetic weave to allow ventilation and escape of perspiration.
3. Layer clothing to create air pockets that help retain body heat. Layering also makes adapting to changes in weather and level of physical exertion easier.
4. Keep a change of clothing available in case your work clothes get wet. If your clothes get wet, you should try to change into dry clothes as soon as possible.
5. Pay special attention to protecting your feet, hands, head, and face. Your head should be covered (up to 40% of your body heat can be lost when your head is exposed). Fingers and hands lose their dexterity at temperatures below 59°F. Find gloves that will allow you to perform the tasks you need to perform and remember to put dry gloves on if your gloves get wet.
6. Wear boots or shoes that protect against cold and dampness. Footwear needs be insulated and fit comfortably with several layers of socks.
7. Avoid wearing dirty or greasy clothing because they have poor insulating properties and will allow you to get cold faster than clean clothing.

What will the roads be like in Tulsa this afternoon?

By afternoon, temperatures will reach the upper 30s north and a few lower 40 south. A winter weather advisory remains in effect for most of western Arkansas and western Missouri through Tuesday afternoon. Strong northwest winds at 25 to 45 arrive this morning and continues through the middle part of the day. A wind advisory will remain in effect. Wind chill values will drop into the teens and lower 20s early this morning across eastern OK and lower values west of I-35. As the system moves away from our area, we’ll see improving conditions both Wednesday and Thursday before another strong front moves to the area Thursday night. This brings another surge of cold weather on Friday and Saturday. There is also another disturbance expected near our region resulting in a mention for some wintry precip chances Friday.