Another round of freezing rain could add another layer of ice across Oklahoma on Thursday. It will be the third wave of freezing rain in as many days.
Updated February 22, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.
Freezing rain and sleet are possible. The precipitation will begin in Texas and move north toward the Oklahoma City metro area. Isolated thunderstorms are possible.
By afternoon, precipitation should convert to a mix of freezing rain and rain.
An area of freezing rain is developing well to the southwest of Wichita Falls, but will move quickly northeast. Areas between Henrietta, Wichita Falls, and Vernon will see freezing rain before 8 AM. Next, it is expected to move across southwestern and into central Oklahoma.
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) February 22, 2018
Previous post from Wednesday, January 21, 2018
Freezing drizzle is expected to develop tonight along the I-35 corridor, including Oklahoma City. National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Barnes says temperatures will stay below freezing tonight and travel will remain dangerous.
“Overnight, road conditions will continue to deteriorate. There are some crews out there on the interstates, but any of the side roads, any of the bridges, anything that’s untreated is going to be extremely slippery,” Barnes said.
The freezing drizzle could extend at least into Thursday morning. Then, more freezing rain could move into central Oklahoma.
“We can still expect freezing rain, lifting out of North Texas and into the metro area during the afternoon hours, probably about midday,” Barnes said.
Another one-tenth of an inch of ice accumulation is possible Thursday. Barnes says temperatures could peak slightly about freezing on Thursday. However, there won’t be much sunlight, so little melting will occur.
TRAVEL ALERT: Due to ongoing winter weather, NPD is not working non-injury vehicle collisions until further notice. If you are involved in a minor crash and your vehicle is operable, please safely move off the roadway and exchange information with the other driver involved. #okwx pic.twitter.com/3tb9vzWheg
— Norman Police (@normanokpd) February 21, 2018
Wednesday’s storm glazed much of Oklahoma in ice and sleet. Up to a half-inch of sleet fell in southwest Oklahoma City, and two-fifths of an inch of freezing rain coated parts of Garvin County, where branches were broken. Slick roads snarled traffic and caused accidents across the state, including a semi-truck accident in Garvin County.
The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City recorded 35 total flight cancellations on Wednesday and numerous delays. Six flight have already been canceled for Thursday morning.
Oklahoma City and Norman’s public school districts have already canceled classes for Thursday, and the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus will be closed. For a complete list of closures, visit the closings and delays page of our severe weather partners KOCO.
From earlier on Wednesday, February 21
A winter storm that is covering northern Texas and southwest Oklahoma with sleet is expected to arrive in the Oklahoma City metro between noon and 2:00 p.m. today.
National Weather Service meteorologist Toddy Lindley says the storm could glaze surfaces with a thin layer of ice.
Updated at 11:39 a.m. with new timing map and flight cancellations
“As far as ice accumulation goes this afternoon, I would expect about a tenth to just under two-tenths of an inch so, a pretty decent glazing, coating of ice on a lot of elevated surfaces certainly could create hazardous driving conditions,” Lindley said.
Lindley says the worst of the storm will most likely be south of the Oklahoma City metro area. He says western-north Texas and south-central Oklahoma will probably receive more significant freezing rain.
“Further to the north, it looks like we could see some sleet mix in with the freezing rain and that would have a tendency to reduce the overall ice accumulation on surfaces,” Lindley said.
After the winter weather moves out of Oklahoma City this evening, another round could follow it.
“We could see a secondary round of freezing rain or a light wintry mix begin again tomorrow during the mid-morning hours, lasting through midday and moving out again during the afternoon hours,” Lindley said.
Lindley says the metro could receive under a quarter-inch of ice accumulation tomorrow. He says temperatures tomorrow should spike into the mid-to-upper 30s.
Flights have been canceled at Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport due to inclement weather. Southwest Airlines has canceled four arrivals and four departures, and American Airlines has cancelled one flight.
Airport spokesperson Karen Carney says travelers should also keep track of flights to Dallas.
“We have quite a few flights both at Dallas Love Field and Dallas-Fort Worth Airport that could be impacted. We actually had more impact yesterday from thunderstorms that they had at those two airports,” Carney said.
Carney recommends travelers check their flight status before heading the airport.
Original post from Tuesday, February 20, 2018
As residents of central Oklahoma crack ice off cars and gutters, they can expect another round of wintry weather on Wednesday.
Freezing rain should end across the metro through Tuesday evening, though freezing rain will still be possible in parts of southern Oklahoma as temperatures there cool.
The National Weather Service forecasts freezing rain across northern Texas and southern Oklahoma by early Wednesday morning. The precipitation is forecasted to move to the north, reaching the Oklahoma City metro by Wednesday afternoon and evening. Some of the precipitation may fall as sleet, particularly in northern Oklahoma. Forecasters expect less precipitation on Wednesday than on Tuesday, and lighter winds will offer less stress on trees and power lines.
Slick roads and walkways are possible, as well as ice accumulations on elevated objects.
Meteorologist Jonathan Kurtz says the National Weather Service will continue a large winter weather advisory through Wednesday.
“We think ice accumulations on the whole will stay below a quarter of an inch for the majority of locations. That’s not to say it’s not going to happen somewhere. But really travel will be the biggest concern as we move through the day,” Kurtz said.
Tuesday’s freezing rain caused traffic accidents, cancellations and power outages. Oklahoma City and Norman Public Schools have already canceled classes for Wednesday, as well as the University of Oklahoma, among others.
For a complete list of closings, check the closings page of our severe weather partners, KOCO.
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