Arnett sets new snowfall record
Arnett sets new state record for most snow ever in a month of 42.5″ (5.32 liquid) surpassing Buffalo’s record of 39.5″ set in 1971, according to Gary McManus, Oklahoma Climatological Survey.
Road conditions update from ODOT
Road Conditions Update 2-26-13 – 4:30 p.m.
In western and northwestern Oklahoma, crews have made a lot of improvements with snow and ice removal, however some highways still remain closed.
The following highways are currently closed as of this afternoon:
- Alfalfa Co: SH-45 is closed between the Garfield county line and SH-8 in Alfalfa County.
- Garfield Co: SH-132 one mile south of the Grant county line due to downed power lines.
- Grant Co: US-81 between Medford and Pond Creek.
- Noble Co: SH-15 is closed between US-77 and I-35 in Noble County.
- Harper Co: US-183 from US-64 north into Kansas
- Harper Co: SH-149 closed within Harper County
- Harper Co: SH-46 closed within Harper County
- Harper Co: US-64 closed between US-283 and the Beaver county line.
- Ellis Co: All highways closed.
- Beaver Co: All highways closed.
- Woodward Co: All highways closed.
Crews in northwest Oklahoma are reporting slick and hazardous roadways and are treating roads and plowing. Travel is discouraged in this area. Although crews made progress throughout the day, blowing snow and refreezing could impede clearing efforts.
In western Oklahoma, highways are mostly clear, but there are still slick spots. Crews are sanding and salting areas and clearing roadways as needed. Even though there are sections of dry roadways in the area, please use extreme caution as there are still slick spots in the area.
Thirty counties received heavy snow, some up to 20 inches. Approximately 500 - 600 ODOT Personnel have been working 24/7 to clear the roads. Crews have been shifted from unaffected parts of the state to help out in the harder hit areas.
There are 550 trucks available statewide, including 60 in the Oklahoma City metro area and more than 40 in the Tulsa metro area. Sand and salt sheds are stocked and crews remain ready to respond to conditions.
Hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AMARILLO TX 321 PM CST TUE FEB 26 2013 OKZ001>003-TXZ001>020-271200- CIMARRON-TEXAS-BEAVER-DALLAM-SHERMAN-HANSFORD-OCHILTREE-LIPSCOMB- HARTLEY-MOORE-HUTCHINSON-ROBERTS-HEMPHILL-OLDHAM-POTTER-CARSON- GRAY-WHEELER-DEAF SMITH-RANDALL-ARMSTRONG-DONLEY-COLLINGSWORTH- 321 PM CST TUE FEB 26 2013 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA PANHANDLES. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. DUE TO THE BLIZZARD...MANY ROADS ACROSS THE AREA REMAIN SNOW PACKED AND IMPASSABLE. IN ADDITION...MELTED SNOW DURING THE DAY TODAY WILL REFREEZE THIS EVENING AFTER SUNSET LEADING TO ICY CONDITIONS. LIGHT SNOW IS POSSIBLE IN THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE PANHANDLES THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. FLURRIES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE SOUTHERN TEXAS PANHANDLE. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS...IF ANY...SHOULD REMAIN BELOW ONE INCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW FRIDAY MORNING ACROSS THE OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS PANHANDLES. AT THIS TIME...SNOW AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN NEAR OR BELOW ONE INCH. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.
Area forecast discussion from the National Weather Service
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK 1133 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2013 .AVIATION... WITH THE WINTER STORM SYSTEM FINALLY DEPARTING...VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THE TAF PERIOD. NORTHEAST WINDS OF 10 TO 15 MPH WILL SLOWLY DECREASE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...BECOMING NORTHERLY OVERNIGHT. SOME PATCHY FOG CANNOT BE RULED OUT WHERE SNOWPACK IS PRESENT...BUT FORECAST WINDS LOOK TO REMAIN STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT WIDESPREAD FOG. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 506 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2013/ AVIATION... 12Z TAFS... FLURRIES/-SN WILL AFFECT KPNC THIS MORNING. MVFR/IFR CEILINGS WILL IMPROVE AND CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY CLEAR TODAY FROM WEST TO EAST. ADDITIONAL CLOUDS /MOSTLY MID AND HIGH LEVEL/ WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA TONIGHT. A FEW SNOW FLURRIES MAY BE POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN OK OVERNIGHT BUT CHANCES TOO LOW FOR MENTION IN TAF AT THIS TIME. PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 347 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2013/ DISCUSSION... SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY END THIS MORNING AS THE UPPER LOW SLOWLY EXITS THE REGION. SNOW WILL LINGER THE LONGEST IN NORTH CENTRAL OK THIS MORNING. HOWEVER... SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT OF THE FA BY LATE MORNING. WILL LEAVE THE WINTER HEADLINES AS IS WITH EVERYTHING EXPIRING AT 6 AM. SOME SNOW WILL STILL BE POSSIBLE AFTER THIS BUT THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BE EAST OF THE AREA. MODELS SHOW A SHORTWAVE MOVING ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT. THE MAIN IMPACT WITH THIS SYSTEM WILL BE SOME CLOUDS BUT A FEW SNOW FLURRIES WILL NOT BE OUT OF THE QUESTION ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN OKLAHOMA. MODELS SHOW ANOTHER WAVE MOVING ACROSS THE REGION FRIDAY BUT THE PASSAGE OF THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE DRY. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN COLD/COOL... ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN OKLAHOMA... THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK WITH THESE SYSTEMS MAINTAINING NORTHERLY SFC WINDS AND SNOW COVER AFFECTING TEMPS. SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL FINALLY RETURN TO THE AREA THIS WEEKEND WITH SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES. MODELS SHOW A COLD FRONT MOVING ACROSS THE REGION EARLY NEXT WEEK AS AN UPPER LOW MOVES ACROSS THE CENTRAL/SOUTHERN PLAINS. MODELS DIFFER ON THE PATH OF THIS UPPER LOW WITH THE ECMWF FARTHER SOUTH THAN THE GFS. SOME LIGHT PRECIPITATION MIGHT BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS SYSTEM BUT WILL KEEP FORECAST DRY FOR NOW. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... OKLAHOMA CITY OK 24 42 26 45 / 10 0 0 0 HOBART OK 21 43 24 43 / 0 0 0 0 WICHITA FALLS TX 28 50 27 50 / 0 0 0 0 GAGE OK 17 34 18 36 / 10 0 0 0 PONCA CITY OK 19 36 19 37 / 10 10 0 0 DURANT OK 30 51 29 51 / 0 0 0 0 && .OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...NONE. TX...NONE.
Road conditions update from ODOT
Road Conditions Update 2-26-13 – 11 a.m.
There are many highway closures in northwestern Oklahoma and big improvements are expected to be made throughout the day. Crews are out in Cimarron, Texas, Woods, Alfalfa and Major counties, and they are reporting slick and hazardous roadways and are treating roads and plowing as needed.
The following highways are now closed as of this morning:
- Garfield/Alfalfa Counties: SH-45 is closed between the Garfield county line and SH-8 in Alfalfa County.
- Alfalfa Co: US-64 is closed in Alfalfa Co.
- Alfalfa Co: SH-11 is closed in Alfalfa Co.
- Noble Co: SH-15 is closed between US-77 and I-35 in Noble County.
- Harper Co: Northbound US-283 is closed between US-64 in Harper County and Englewood, Kansas.
- Texas Co: US-412 east of Guymon in Texas County.
- Beaver Co: All highways closed.
- Harper Co: All highways closed.
- Ellis Co: All highways closed.
- Woodward Co: All highways closed.
In western Oklahoma, roadways are slick and hazardous. Crews are sanding and salting areas and clearing roadways as needed. Crews expect to make vast improvements throughout the day. Travel there is also strongly discouraged at this time.
Although the storm has subsided, travel is still strongly discouraged in areas that were hardest hit.
Roadways are mostly clear in north central Oklahoma. Garfield and Canadian counties still have crews out clearing roadways.
I-40 is closed from the Texas/Oklahoma state line west to Albuquerque, N.M. due to blowing snow and large drifts.
There may be some slick spots remaining in Craig and Osage counties, but roads are mostly wet and drying in northeast Oklahoma.
Thirty counties received heavy snow, some up to 20 inches. Approximately 500 - 600 ODOT Personnel have been working 24/7 to clear the roads. Crews have been shifted from unaffected parts of the state to help out in the harder hit areas. With some sunshine and temperatures above freezing, much progress is expected to be made throughout the day, but drivers should be cautious about refreezing in the overnight hours.
There are 550 trucks available statewide, including 60 in the Oklahoma City metro area and more than 40 in the Tulsa metro area. Sand and salt sheds are stocked and crews are ready to respond to conditions.
Area forecast discussion from the National Weather Service
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK 506 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2013 .AVIATION... 12Z TAFS... FLURRIES/-SN WILL AFFECT KPNC THIS MORNING. MVFR/IFR CEILINGS WILL IMPROVE AND CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY CLEAR TODAY FROM WEST TO EAST. ADDITIONAL CLOUDS /MOSTLY MID AND HIGH LEVEL/ WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA TONIGHT. A FEW SNOW FLURRIES MAY BE POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN OK OVERNIGHT BUT CHANCES TOO LOW FOR MENTION IN TAF AT THIS TIME. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 347 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2013/ DISCUSSION... SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY END THIS MORNING AS THE UPPER LOW SLOWLY EXITS THE REGION. SNOW WILL LINGER THE LONGEST IN NORTH CENTRAL OK THIS MORNING. HOWEVER... SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT OF THE FA BY LATE MORNING. WILL LEAVE THE WINTER HEADLINES AS IS WITH EVERYTHING EXPIRING AT 6 AM. SOME SNOW WILL STILL BE POSSIBLE AFTER THIS BUT THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BE EAST OF THE AREA. MODELS SHOW A SHORTWAVE MOVING ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT. THE MAIN IMPACT WITH THIS SYSTEM WILL BE SOME CLOUDS BUT A FEW SNOW FLURRIES WILL NOT BE OUT OF THE QUESTION ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN OKLAHOMA. MODELS SHOW ANOTHER WAVE MOVING ACROSS THE REGION FRIDAY BUT THE PASSAGE OF THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE DRY. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN COLD/COOL... ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN OKLAHOMA... THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK WITH THESE SYSTEMS MAINTAINING NORTHERLY SFC WINDS AND SNOW COVER AFFECTING TEMPS. SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL FINALLY RETURN TO THE AREA THIS WEEKEND WITH SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES. MODELS SHOW A COLD FRONT MOVING ACROSS THE REGION EARLY NEXT WEEK AS AN UPPER LOW MOVES ACROSS THE CENTRAL/SOUTHERN PLAINS. MODELS DIFFER ON THE PATH OF THIS UPPER LOW WITH THE ECMWF FARTHER SOUTH THAN THE GFS. SOME LIGHT PRECIPITATION MIGHT BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS SYSTEM BUT WILL KEEP FORECAST DRY FOR NOW. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... OKLAHOMA CITY OK 40 24 42 26 / 10 10 0 0 HOBART OK 38 21 43 24 / 0 0 0 0 WICHITA FALLS TX 49 28 50 27 / 0 0 0 0 GAGE OK 31 17 34 18 / 0 10 0 0 PONCA CITY OK 33 19 36 19 / 20 10 10 0 DURANT OK 49 30 51 29 / 10 0 0 0 && .OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...NONE. TX...NONE. &&
Weather situation update from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
WINTER STORM IMPACTING STATE
Due to the latest winter storm to impact Oklahoma, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated. Agencies and organizations represented at the State EOC include the Oklahoma Military Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Salvation Army, American Red Cross and other disaster relief agencies.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
At the request of Governor Mary Fallin, Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb today declared a State of Emergency for 56 Oklahoma counties due to the winter storm, excessive snow, and severe weather affecting many areas of the state. The Executive Order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness. It is also a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports, due to blizzard conditions, all highways in the northwestern Oklahoma counties of Cimarron, Beaver, Texas, Harper, Ellis, and Woodward are closed until further notice. The whiteout conditions have been periodically halting road clearing efforts. Crews are out in Woods, Alfalfa and Major counties, reporting slick and hazardous roadways while treating roads and plowing as needed.
In western Oklahoma, there are reports of slick and hazardous roadways, and whiteout conditions are reported in Blaine and Beckham counties. Crews are sanding and salting areas and clearing roadways as needed. Drivers in these areas are encouraged to check weather conditions before heading out and to allow extra time getting to a destination should travel be necessary.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is urging motorists to avoid travel in all impacted areas. OHP has responded to 32 non-injury collisions and 5 injury collisions due to the weather.
For information regarding Oklahoma road conditions, call (405) 425-2385 or go to www.dps.state.ok.us.
MASS CARE
The Salvation Army reports they are prepared to assist with any necessary mass care operations. Additionally, all Salvation Army centers are ready to accommodate the increased number of clients expected to seek shelter.
The American Red Cross has prepositioned supplies throughout the state in order to open shelters in the event there are mass power outages and/or stranded travelers. Transportation to such facilities may present some challenges due to expected road conditions. The American Red Cross is encouraging the public to shelter in place if possible.
An American Red Cross Shelter is open at Church of Christ, 424 Avenue E in Beaver.
POWER OUTAGES
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports approximately 11,800 power outages related to the storm.
PSO reports 12,276 customers without power. The largest service disruptions are in the Elk City area (5,580 outages) and the Weatherford, Thomas area (4,045 outages).
OG&E reports 4,459 without service statewide, including 485 in Canton, 1,184 in Enid, and 646 in Seiling.
HEALTH SERVICES
Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 130 cots were requested by Presbyterian Hospital and Saint Anthony’s Hospital for staff that will be staying overnight.
LOCAL REPORTS
Numerous schools and businesses were closed today and many will remain closed tomorrow due to the snow and dangerous road conditions.
City of Woodward/Woodward County Office of Emergency Management reports that numerous rescues are being attempted at this time. Snow totals range from 12 to 15 inches with drifts exceeding 6 foot in areas. Blizzard conditions persist throughout the area.
Thomas Emergency Management reports the City of Thomas is without power after receiving up to 12 inches of snow. Snow continues to fall in this area.
Garfield County/Enid Emergency Management reports they have received approximately 2.5 inches of snow but they are anticipating more snow throughout the evening. The winds are the major factor for Garfield County at this time. The low pressure system that is causing all of this is over southeast Oklahoma right now and slowly starting to lift northeastward slowly.
DIAL 211
For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. Please only call 911 for emergencies.
Update: Roads that have closed due to inclement weather
SH 11 between US 281 and Byron (North of Alva)
US 64 from Alva West to the Woods County, Harper County line
US 412 From Orienta West to the Major County, Woodward County Line
SH 51A At the Blaine County, Major County line to Watonga
SH 45 From Alfalfa County, Garfield County line west to US 281
Winter storm, road updates
From Mike Honigsberg, of Enid/Garfield County Emergency Management:
We are still in a Blizzard Warning until 6 am Tuesday morning. As it stands right now we have received approximately 2.5 inches of snow. After conferring with other meteorologists for our area, thinking is we could still manage to receive up to 8 inches of snowfall before it ends tomorrow.
Keep in mind all the variables out there for this we may see more or less. Either way, the winds are the major factor for Garfield County at this time. The low pressure system that is causing all of this is over SE Oklahoma right now and slowly starting to lift northeastward. It will be slow to move out so chances for the totals stated above are pretty good.
Lows tonight will be in the 20’s with north winds 25-35 mph. Wind chills will be in the teens so be extremely careful out there.
There are sporadic power outages around the county due to the strong winds. Power will be glitchy off and on during the night until winds can relax some.
All roads are becoming extremely slick. IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE OUT TONIGHT, STAY AT HOME!! We have received reports on highway 132 north that it is impassable at this time from Carrier to the north. Keowee East from Kremlin to Buffalo going towards Hunter is extremely slick and hazardous.
Area forecast discussion from the National Weather Service
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
523 PM CST MON FEB 25 2013
.AVIATION...
IFR TO MVFR CONDITIONS AND BREEZY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO
PERSIST THIS EVENING AS THE WINTER STORM CONTINUES TO AFFECT
OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS. REDUCED VISIBILITIES IN BLOWING SNOW
AND/OR FOG. AT LEAST PARTIAL CLEARING IS EXPECTED TOWARD MORNING
IN MANY AREAS WITH THE EXIT OF THE STORM SYSTEM.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 406 PM CST MON FEB 25 2013/
DISCUSSION...
FOCUSED MAINLY ON TONIGHT AND EARLY TOMORROW...ALTHOUGH A FEW
ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO LATER PERIODS OF THE FORECAST.
THE SURFACE CENTER OF THE LARGE WINTER STORM WAS NEAR DAVIS LATE
THIS AFTERNOON...WHILE THE UPPER-LEVEL CENTER WAS ALMOST IN THE
SAME LOCATION. THIS HAS LED TO A SLOW EASTWARD PROGRESS
TODAY...AND THE STORM IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE ITS RELATIVELY SLOW
MOVEMENT OVERNIGHT...WHILE TURNING MORE TOWARD THE NORTHEAST.
AREAS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL LIKELY SEE
GRADUALLY IMPROVING CONDITIONS...ALTHOUGH WINDS WILL CONTINUE THE
BLOWING SNOW AND LOW VISIBILITIES WELL INTO THE NIGHT. FARTHER
EAST...BANDS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO SET UP AND
DISSIPATE AS THE OVERALL SNOW AREA SHIFTS SLOWLY EAST. IT APPEARS
THAT HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL BE MAINLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST 1/3 OR SO
OF OKLAHOMA...ROUGHLY NORTHWEST OF ALTUS...OKLAHOMA CITY...AND
CUSHING. HOWEVER...THE STRONG NORTH WINDS WILL BLOW EVEN SMALL
AMOUNTS ENOUGH TO CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES
OVERNIGHT...EXACERBATED BY DARKNESS.
SNOW WILL TAPER OFF TOMORROW MORNING FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST.
LINGERING EFFECTS ON TEMPERATURE WILL BE VERY NOTICEABLE FOR A FEW
DAYS...THEN GRADUALLY DECREASE AS THE SNOW FIELD MELTS.
THE WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES WERE LEFT AS THEY WERE...EXCEPT
SEMINOLE COUNTY WAS MOVED TO THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY LEVEL
RATHER THAN WINTER STORM WARNING.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
OKLAHOMA CITY OK 31 37 22 42 / 90 10 10 10
HOBART OK 26 38 21 43 / 60 10 0 0
WICHITA FALLS TX 31 49 26 50 / 60 10 10 10
GAGE OK 16 31 17 34 / 80 10 10 0
PONCA CITY OK 32 35 19 36 / 100 20 10 10
DURANT OK 35 49 30 51 / 40 10 10 10
&&
.OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY FOR OKZ019-020-
024>030-037-038.
BLIZZARD WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY FOR OKZ004>018-021>023-
033>036.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY FOR OKZ031-032-
039>042-044>046.
TX...WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY FOR TXZ084-085.
BLIZZARD WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY FOR TXZ083.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY FOR TXZ086>090.
