A historical look at some Oklahoma wintry weather (between Dec. 19 and Dec. 31), National Weather Service, Norman

                                         Daily Historical Weather for December 19

Near blizzard conditions occurred across northern Oklahoma on December 19 and 20th, 1973. Snow depths up to six inches were whipped by 30 to 50 MPH winds, causing numerous road closures. Many traffic accidents resulted, and several motorists became stranded in the drifts.

                                           Daily Historical Weather for December 20

On this day in 1997, an ice storm occurred over a large portion of western Oklahoma. Freezing rain began falling during the evening and lasted into the next day. Numerous large tree limbs snapped, littering the streets of many towns. Many main and secondary power lines were downed, cutting power to thousands of western Oklahomans. Blaine and Woodward counties were hit particularly hard, especially Canton and Mooreland, as power outages lasted several days.

                                           Daily Historical Weather for December 21

On this date in 1916, the low temperature at Kenton Oklahoma was minus 17 degrees. This was the coldest temperature for Oklahoma that year.

                                           Daily Historical Weather for December 23

The major arctic outbreak of late December 1989 caused record low temperatures to be set in both Oklahoma City and Wichita Falls. On the 23rd, both cities experienced the coldest temperatures ever observed in December. In Oklahoma City, the temperature plummeted to minus 8 degrees, and Wichita Falls fared only slightly better, at minus 7 degrees.

                                           Daily Historical Weather for December 24

The Christmas Eve Blizzard of 2009 was a memorable event for most Oklahomans. A Blizzard Warning was issued for the storm system, which is a rare occurrence for our state. This storm set snowfall records in Oklahoma City and Wichita Falls for having the most snow ever recorded in a single day. Most locations received anywhere from 1 to 7 inches, with 8 to 14 inches reported in Oklahoma City and Wichita Falls. The event began with rain that quickly changed over to sleet and then snow with widespread blizzard conditions. Visibilities were less than 100 feet for several hours and winds built snow drifts at least three-feet deep. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded as travel became nearly impossible. Most major highways and interstates were shut down, and the National Guard was sent in to rescue stranded travelers from their vehicles. Tragically, there were nine fatalities with hundreds of injuries.

                                           Daily Historical Weather for December 25

In 1983, the temperature fell to minus 1 degree in Oklahoma City, and 5 degrees in Wichita Falls, making it the coldest Christmas on record for both cities.

One of the costliest winter storms on record occurred on Christmas Day in 1987. For the next two days, ice accumulations of up to two inches, from near Duncan, to Norman, to Tulsa, left many areas without power for a week or more.

                                          Daily Historical Weather for December 26

On this date in 1997, heavy snow, which began late Christmas night, ended during the morning hours across south-central Oklahoma and western north Texas, blanketing the area with 2 to 4 inches of snow. The snow melted rapidly by late morning, as afternoon temperatures rose into the 40s.

                                         Daily Historical Weather for December 27

An ice storm moved across southeast Oklahoma on the morning of December 27, 1990. Ice and sleet accumulations covered roadways and other exposed surfaces all across the area. Several accidents occurred, injuring at least four people.

                                        Daily Historical Weather for December 28

On this date in 1915, the low temperature at Hooker, Oklahoma was minus 15 degrees. This was the coldest temperature for Oklahoma that year.

                                        Daily Historical Weather for December 30

Beginning on the 29th and continuing through the 30th in the year 1898, a very strong cold front blasted through Oklahoma and north Texas. The temperature at Oklahoma city fell from 68 degrees at 5:50 PM on the 29th, to a very chilly 17 degrees at 10:00 AM on the 30th. The temperature dropped 51 degrees in only 16 hours. The temperature continued to drop to 8 degrees on the 31st at 9:00 AM.1915, the low temperature at Hooker, Oklahoma was minus 15 degrees. This was the coldest temperature for Oklahoma that year.

                                       Daily Historical Weather for December 31

A strong arctic cold front moved across Oklahoma on the morning of December 29th, 1990. As the front moved through, it caused a 50 degree temperature drop in some places during the day. At the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman, the temperature dropped from 57 degrees to 27 degrees in 30 minutes. The cold air also left an accumulation of ice and sleet between one and two inches deep, which blanketed the southwest through northeast parts of the state, causing several hundred traffic accidents, in which six people were killed and six others injured. Air travel was also severely restricted, as about 2,000 travelers were temporarily stranded at Will Rogers World Airport when a major airline cancelled all flights.

Source: National Weather Service, Norman Forecast Office

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