Oklahoma forecast through Saturday
TODAY…PARTLY CLOUDY WEST. CLOUDY EAST WITH A CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN.
HIGHS FROM NEAR 40 NORTHEAST TO THE UPPER 50S SOUTHWEST.
.TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WEST. CLOUDY EAST WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF
LIGHT RAIN. LOWS FROM THE MID 20S NORTHWEST TO NEAR 40 FAR SOUTHEAST.
.WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WEST. CLEARING EAST. WARMER. HIGHS FROM
THE MID 40S NORTHEAST TO THE MID 60S SOUTHWEST.
.THURSDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS FROM THE LOWER 30S TO MID 40S.
.FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S TO NEAR 50. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S
TO MID 60S.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS FROM THE MID 30S TO MID 40S.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S TO MID 60S.
Hazardous weather outlook
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK COVERS NORTHERN…WESTERN…
CENTRAL…AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA…AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
THUNDERSTORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED.
DISCUSSION…
A COOL AND STABLE AIRMASS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE AND AS A
RESULT…THUNDERSTORMS ARE NOT EXPECTED.
PROBABILITY TABLE…
VALID THROUGH 700 AM CST WEDNESDAY NOV 18.
PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING IN THE
NWS NORMAN COUNTY WARNING AREA…LESS THAN 5 PERCENT.
PROBABILITY OF SEVERE STORMS IF STORMS OCCUR…LESS THAN 5 PERCENT.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT THIS MORNING FOR PARTS OF WESTERN
OKLAHOMA AND ADJACENT AREAS OF NORTH TEXAS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
A WEATHER SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE SOUTHERN PLAINS THURSDAY NIGHT
AND FRIDAY WHEN THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
FREEZING TEMPERATURES WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER MUCH OF OKLAHOMA AND
WESTERN NORTH TEXAS TUESDAY NIGHT. A FREEZE WATCH IS IN EFFECT.
Lows in the high 30s in most of the metro
Lows were in the high 30s throughout much of the metro according to the Oklahoma Mesonet.
Since midnight, the western Oklahoma Panhandle community of Kenton dipped to 18 degrees for the second straight day.
Short-term forecast
REGIONAL WEATHER DISCUSSION…
THROUGH 7 PM…AN AREA OF LIGHT RAIN…WITH SOME SNOW MIXED
IN…WILL MOVE SOUTH OVER NORTHERN AND CENTRAL OKLAHOMA. MOST OF
THIS RAIN AND SNOW MIXTURE WILL OCCUR FROM AROUND MEDFORD AND
ENID…DOWN THROUGH STILLWATER…GUTHRIE…OKLAHOMA CITY…AND
CHANDLER. NO SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED…AS THE SNOW WILL BE
FAIRLY LIGHT AND SHORT-LIVED AT ANY PARTICULAR SPOT.
AS THE EVENING PROGRESSES…THE LIGHT PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO
DECREASE IN COVERAGE AND THE WIND WILL SLOWLY DECREASE. CLOUDY OR
MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST NEAR AND EAST OF A LINE
FROM ALVA…TO WEATHERFORD…TO ARDMORE.
Short-term forecast
.REGIONAL WEATHER DISCUSSION…
THROUGH 6 PM…AN AREA OF LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW WILL MOVE SOUTH OUT OF
KANSAS AND INTO NORTH-CENTRAL OKLAHOMA. MOST OF THIS RAIN AND SNOW
MIXTURE WILL OCCUR FROM AROUND MEDFORD AND NEWKIRK…DOWN THROUGH
PONCA CITY…ENID…AND PERRY. ALTHOUGH SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE
UNLIKELY…WE CANNOT RULE OUT A QUICK DUSTING EAST OF MEDFORD OVER
TOWARD NEWKIRK AND PONCA CITY. ANY DUSTING OF SNOW WOULD BE CONFINED
TO THE GRASS AND WOULD MELT QUICKLY AFTER THE SNOW STOPS.
Looking back to March
The 26 inch snowfalls at Freedom and Woodward have been officially recognized as the new record 24-hour snowfall totals for the state of Oklahoma, breaking the previous record of 23 inches on February 21, 1971 at Buffalo.
Hazardous weather outlook; for much of Eastern Oklahoma
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
MON NOV 16 2009
ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-171100-
ADAIR OK-BENTON AR-CARROLL AR-CHEROKEE OK-CHOCTAW OK-CRAIG OK-
CRAWFORD AR-CREEK OK-DELAWARE OK-FRANKLIN AR-HASKELL OK-LATIMER OK-
LE FLORE OK-MADISON AR-MAYES OK-MCINTOSH OK-MUSKOGEE OK-NOWATA OK-
OKFUSKEE OK-OKMULGEE OK-OSAGE OK-OTTAWA OK-PAWNEE OK-PITTSBURG OK-
PUSHMATAHA OK-ROGERS OK-SEBASTIAN AR-SEQUOYAH OK-TULSA OK-WAGONER OK-
WASHINGTON OK-WASHINGTON AR-
100 PM CST MON NOV 16 2009
…LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW MIX POSSIBLE IN THE NORTH TONIGHT…
THIS OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL ARKANSAS AS WELL AS
MUCH OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA.
.DAY ONE…THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
WINTER WEATHER.
SNOW ACCUMULATION.
RISK…LIMITED.
AREA…NORTH OF HIGHWAY 412.
ONSET…TONIGHT.
DISCUSSION…
A SLOW MOVING UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED ALONG THE
OKLAHOMA AND KANSAS BORDER WILL CONTINUE TO BRING SCATTERED LIGHT
SHOWERS TO MAINLY NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
THROUGH THE AFTERNOON…EVENING…AND OVERNIGHT HOURS TODAY. DUE
TO THE AMOUNT OF COLD AIR ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPPER LOW…RAIN MAY
BEGIN TO MIX WITH LIGHT SNOW TONIGHT ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. THE MOST LIKELY AREAS TO SEE
SNOWFLAKES WILL BE THOSE ALONG AND NORTH OF THE HIGHWAY 412
CORRIDOR. NO SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED.
SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT…
SPOTTER ACTIVATION NOT EXPECTED.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.
TUESDAY…WINTER WEATHER POTENTIAL.
WEDNESDAY…NO HAZARDS.
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY…THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL.
SATURDAY…NO HAZARDS.
SUNDAY…THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL.
EXTENDED DISCUSSION…
WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED UPPER LOW CONTINUING ITS SLOW EASTWARD
MOVEMENT…ITS IMPACT WILL LINGER INTO TUESDAY NIGHT. LIGHT RAIN
AND SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO MID MORNING TUESDAY ACROSS FAR
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS…WITH NO SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED. THE AIR SHOULD WARM ENOUGH BY LATE TUESDAY
MORNING THAT ANY ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION AFTER THAT TIME WILL
FALL AS RAIN ONLY.
THE REGION WILL REMAIN IN AN ACTIVE UPPER LEVEL FLOW
PATTERN…WHICH WILL BRING ADDITIONAL UPPER LOW AND COLD FRONT
COMBINATIONS THROUGH THE AREA EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS THROUGH AT
LEAST THIS WEEKEND. TIMING OF EACH SYSTEM…AND THEREFORE…
PRECIPITATION TIMING…REMAIN SOMEWHAT IN QUESTION. AT THIS TIME
HOWEVER…THURSDAY NIGHT…FRIDAY…AND SUNDAY APPEAR TO BE THE
MOST LIKELY TIME FRAMES FOR INCREASED THUNDERSTORM CHANCES.
Update: short-term forecast
REGIONAL WEATHER DISCUSSION…
LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED INTERMITTENTLY THROUGH LATE AFTERNOON IN
AREAS NORTH OF FAIRVIEW…HENNESSEY AND GUTHRIE. TEMPERATURE WILL BE
RATHER STEADY 39 TO 45 DEGREES. NORTHWEST WIND WILL GUST 25 TO 30
MPH THROUGH THE DAY OVER ALL OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND
ADJACENT PARTS OF NORTH TEXAS.
Freezing temperatures possible in some areas
…FREEZE TEMPERATURES POSSIBLE TONIGHT FOR WESTERN PARTS OF
OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS…
.COLDER AIR FROM KANSAS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE WESTERN
THIRD OF OKLAHOMA AND ADJACENT PARTS OF NORTH TEXAS TONIGHT.
CLEARING SKY LATER TONIGHT WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURE TO FALL BELOW
FREEZING. ON WEDNESDAY MORNING LIGHT WIND AND CLEAR SKY MAY ALLOW
FREEZING TEMPERATURE IN THESE AREAS AND OTHERS INCLUDING THE
WESTERN HALF OF OKLAHOMA.
OKZ004>006-009>011-014>016-021-022-033>037-TXZ083>085-087-088-
170230-
/O.UPG.KOUN.FZ.A.0002.091117T0600Z-091117T1400Z/
/O.NEW.KOUN.FZ.W.0005.091117T0400Z-091117T1400Z/
/O.NEW.KOUN.FZ.A.0003.091118T0400Z-091118T1400Z/
HARPER-WOODS-ALFALFA-ELLIS-WOODWARD-MAJOR-ROGER MILLS-DEWEY-
CUSTER-BECKHAM-WASHITA-HARMON-GREER-KIOWA-JACKSON-TILLMAN-
HARDEMAN-FOARD-WILBARGER-KNOX-BAYLOR-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…BUFFALO…ALVA…CHEROKEE…ARNETT…
WOODWARD…FAIRVIEW…CHEYENNE…TALOGA…WEATHERFORD…CLINTON…
ELK CITY…SAYRE…CORDELL…HOLLIS…MANGUM…HOBART…ALTUS…
FREDERICK…QUANAH…CHILLICOTHE…CROWELL…VERNON…MUNDAY…
KNOX CITY…SEYMOUR
1228 PM CST MON NOV 16 2009
…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 AM CST
TUESDAY…
…FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 AM CST
TUESDAY. A FREEZE WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS FREEZE WATCH
IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE BY TUESDAY MORNING IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR 22
DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA. TEMPERATURE IN THE MIDDLE AND
UPPER 20S WILL BE WIDESPREAD.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR
HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER
SENSITIVE VEGETATION.
A FREEZE WATCH MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE.
THESE CONDITIONS COULD KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.
&&
$$
OKZ017-023-038-044-TXZ086-089-170230-
/O.NEW.KOUN.FZ.W.0005.091117T0400Z-091117T1400Z/
/O.NEW.KOUN.FZ.A.0003.091118T0400Z-091118T1400Z/
BLAINE-CADDO-COMANCHE-COTTON-WICHITA-ARCHER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…WATONGA…ANADARKO…LAWTON…WALTERS…
WICHITA FALLS…ARCHER CITY…HOLLIDAY…LAKESIDE CITY
1228 PM CST MON NOV 16 2009
…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 AM CST
TUESDAY…
…FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 AM CST
TUESDAY. A FREEZE WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS FREEZE WATCH
IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE BY TUESDAY MORNING IS EXPECTED TO RANGE FROM
28 TO 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR
HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER
SENSITIVE VEGETATION.
A FREEZE WATCH MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE.
THESE CONDITIONS COULD KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.
&&
$$
OKZ007-008-012-013-018-019-024-025-027>029-039>041-045-046-050-
TXZ090-170230-
/O.NEW.KOUN.FZ.A.0003.091118T0400Z-091118T1400Z/
GRANT-KAY-GARFIELD-NOBLE-KINGFISHER-LOGAN-CANADIAN-OKLAHOMA-GRADY-
MCCLAIN-CLEVELAND-STEPHENS-GARVIN-MURRAY-JEFFERSON-CARTER-LOVE-
CLAY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…MEDFORD…PONCA CITY…ENID…PERRY…
KINGFISHER…GUTHRIE…YUKON…EL RENO…MUSTANG…
OKLAHOMA CITY…CHICKASHA…PURCELL…NORMAN…MOORE…DUNCAN…
PAULS VALLEY…SULPHUR…WAURIKA…ARDMORE…MARIETTA…HENRIETTA
1228 PM CST MON NOV 16 2009
…FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WATCH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE NEAR 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IS PROBABLE EARLY
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FREEZE WATCH MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE.
THESE CONDITIONS COULD KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.
Preparing for winter weather
WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the National Weather Service (NWS), along with other state and local agencies have teamed together to share information designed to assist the public in taking action now to ensure they are better prepared for the season.
With winter weather comes the need to prepare your home, automobile and family to deal with the colder temperatures, as well as the possibility for snow and ice. “It’s especially timely to review winter weather travel safety plans since more people will be on the roads during the holiday period,” explained OEM Director Albert Ashwood. “Before setting out on a holiday trip we encourage families to make sure they have prepared their vehicle. Packing blankets, emergency food and water, flashlights, a radio and cell phone with extra batteries will help you and your family, should you become stranded because of the weather,” he said.
If you must travel during a snow or ice event, allow extra time to reach your destination, and make sure you have plenty of fuel. Be particularly cautious on bridges and overpasses as they will be the first to freeze.
“ODOT has over 500 trucks available statewide to clear snow and ice” ODOT State Maintenance Engineer Kevin Bloss said. “If you happen to be on the road during snow or ice conditions, we ask motorists to drive cautiously and stay at least 200 feet behind our sand and salt equipment in order to keep everyone safe.”
It’s also important to remember to protect your home. Adding weather stripping and insulation, keeping furnaces clean and ready to use, and being aware of cold temperatures and vulnerable pipes that might freeze mark just some of the actions that can help prevent major and costly winter weather-related damage.
In recent years Oklahoma has been pounded with ice storms. Since 2007, ice storms were responsible for more than 55 deaths and power outages to more than 640,000 homes and businesses across the state. Infrastructure damage to cities, towns and counties alone exceeded $250 million.
“By following some simple tips and monitoring your local weather during times of severe weather, Oklahomans stand their best chance at not becoming a victim,” said Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS Office in Norman.
Information regarding hazardous winter weather, including watches and warnings, is available on the NWS Web site at http://www.weather.gov, on NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio and on local radio and television stations. Sign up now to receive OEM’s weather alerts and receive NWS watches, warnings on your cell phone or other email address at http://www.ok.gov/OEM/.
Below are some additional winter weather preparedness tips. For more information on how to cope with winter weather, contact your local emergency manager.
Be Aware:
Know what winter storm and blizzard watches and warnings mean.
An NWS Winter Storm watch is a message indicating that conditions are favorable to a winter storm.
An NWS warning indicates that a winter storm is occurring or is imminent.
A blizzard warning means sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater and considerable falling or blowing snow are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.
Depend on a reliable weather information source (the Internet, NOAA Weather All Hazards Radio, local television and radio stations) for the latest weather information.
Plan for a Winter Storm:
Develop a Family Disaster Plan for winter storms. Discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together when a winter storm hits.
Understand the hazards of wind chill. A strong wind combined with a temperature of just below freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature of 35 degrees or colder.
Check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly. Make sure they are prepared.
Don’t forget about the pets. Make sure they have good food and water supplies and a place to seek shelter.
Have your car winterized before winter storm season.
Protect Your Property:
Install and check/replace batteries in smoke alarms.
Make sure your home is properly insulated. If necessary insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills.
Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of old newspapers. Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
Know how to shut off water valves.
Consider storing extra heating fuel.
Keep safe emergency-heating equipment, such as a fireplace with wood. Always be cautious in using a portable space heater and never leave the heater on when you are not in the room or when you go to bed.
If you have a generator, take the time now to complete any required maintenance. Before using the generator, make sure you follow instructions from a licensed electrician to include proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
If You Must Go Out During a Winter Storm:
The best way to stay safe in a snowstorm is not to be out in it. Long periods of exposure to severe cold can result in frostbite or hypothermia. It is easy to become disoriented in blowing snow.
Stretch before you do so. If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This will reduce your chances of muscle injury.
Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car or walking in deep snow.
Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks. Slips and falls occur frequently in winter weather, resulting in painful and sometimes disabling injury.
Dress in many layers and wear a hat and mittens or gloves.
Come inside often for warm-up breaks.
If you start to shiver or get very tired, or if your nose, fingers, toes, or ear lobes start to feel numb or turn very pale, come inside right away and seek medical assistance. These are the signs of hypothermia and frostbite and need immediate attention.
Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.
If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and hang a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna and raise the hood (after snow stops falling)
If you must drive in a storm:
Remember, the leading cause of death during winter storms is vehicle crashes. If at all possible, stay home during winter storms. If you know you will need to travel, prepare your vehicle and know how to react if you are stranded on the road.
Check your local weather, as well as the weather along your route and at your destination. Check local media for event closings and cancellations. Remember, conditions can deteriorate quickly in a winter storm.
Check for weather-related road conditions through the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety at www.dps.state.ok.us or by calling toll free, (888) 425-2385 or (405) 425-2385
Make sure you have plenty of fuel; a good rule of thumb is to keep your fuel tank at least half full
Always wear your seat belt
In ice or snow, take it slow; allow ample time to reach your destination
Bring a cell phone with an emergency roadside assistance number (In case of emergency, you can call the Oklahoma Highway Patrol at *55 or 911)
Remember that bridges and ramps will be the first to freeze
Make sure your Winter Storm Disaster Supply Kit includes:
A cell phone with extra battery or two-way radio
Windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal
Several blankets or sleeping bags
Rain gear and extra sets of dry clothing, mittens, socks and a cap
Non-perishable snacks like canned fruit, nuts and other high energy “munchies.” Include non-electric can opener if necessary.
Several bottles of water. Eating snow will lower your body temperature. If necessary, melt it first.
A small sack of sand or kitty litter for generating traction under wheels and a set of tire chains or traction mats.
Jumper cables
A first aid kit
A flashlight with extra batteries
A brightly colored cloth to tie to the antenna if you get stranded.
