The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for much of southwestern and central Oklahoma through 6 a.m. Saturday.
Norman Forecast Office meteorologist Doug Spehager says temperatures will linger right around freezing across much of the area today, and figuring out just where that freeze line will be has made predicting this winter storm tricky.
“The current forecast is for ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half-an-inch on power lines, trees and bridges,” Spehager says. “There’s still some uncertainty on where the most significant ice accumulation will occur, and also on ice accumulation amounts, especially in the Oklahoma City metro area.”
Meteorologists discourage unnecessary travel, and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has crews deployed statewide to treat roadways with salt and sand.
“The best way to prevent getting into a winter accident is not driving into adverse conditions,” Spehager says. “Unfortunately, some of us may have to travel, and if you’re one of these people, prepare now by making sure you have an emergency kit in your car, and always drive carefully, and use your best judgment.”
Precipitation is slowly moving north into Central Oklahoma. For the Oklahoma City Metro, freezing rain will become more widespread late Friday morning and afternoon. There's a chance for more rain and snow Saturday, with temperatures in the upper 30s.
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