Some of the coldest air of the season is underway this morning. Afternoon highs will stay below freezing, mostly in northern Oklahoma's mid to upper 20s and lower 30s in southern Oklahoma.

Winds will be mostly light and from the south by midday to afternoon. A dusting of snow accumulated last evening in some but not all locations.

Main roads and highways will be clear. Neighborhood streets, sidewalks, and parking lots will have a shallow layer of snow early this morning which may result in a few slick spots. Most of the snow will sublimate from midday to afternoon.

>>> How To Prepare Your Car For Oklahoma Winter Weather

When Do We Finally Go Above Freezing?

An upper-level axis cleared the area last night, and a surface ridge of high pressure is quickly building across the mid-Missouri Valley into northern Oklahoma. This has resulted in frigid temperatures, with many locations in the single digits this morning along and north of Hwy. 412, and in the lower teens elsewhere.

Winds will be relatively light, but even a light wind will create sub-zero wind chill values early this morning. A cold weather advisory remains for a large portion of the area through 10 a.m.

We anticipate mostly sunny conditions and a return to a south wind this afternoon, with highs still in the upper 20s and lower 30s. The pattern will slowly change, finally bringing temperatures above freezing by mid-morning Wednesday.

Midweek Update

A front will be nearing the area late Wednesday evening, but before it arrives, Wednesday afternoon will feature highs in the mid-40s with south winds at 15 to 20 mph.

The front will pass Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with little impact on temperatures. Thursday morning will continue to be in the 20s, with daytime highs in the mid-40s.

What Happens This Weekend?

Temperatures will climb into the upper 40s and lower 50s on Friday, with sunshine and gusty south winds. Stronger south winds are likely Saturday at 15 to 25 mph.

Morning lows will be in the mid-30s, with daytime highs in the mid-50s. A cold front will move through Saturday night and early Sunday morning, generating a few spotty showers near or southeast of the region.

Temperatures will drop a few degrees, with Sunday morning’s lows in the upper 20s and lower 30s, and daytime highs expected to be in the mid and upper 40s.

A Major Winter Storm Impacts the Southern US

Winter storm warnings are underway across portions of South Texas, southern Louisiana, southern and central Mississippi, part of Georgia, and even portions of the Florida Panhandle region.

Some of these areas will see significant snow. A blizzard warning is underway for portions of southern Louisiana. Major airports in these regions will be impacted by wintry weather today, tonight, and early tomorrow morning.

Southern California Fire Update

The fire danger remains critically high across portions of Southern California again today. Red flag warnings and high wind warnings will continue.

Winds from 30 to 50 mph will be likely, with some mountain locations experiencing winds gusting from 80 to near 90 mph. Exceptionally low humidity values combined with these conditions will support a rapid fire spread rate.

Where are the warming shelters available in Tulsa this year?

The city of Tulsa, local shelters, warming stations, and outreach teams are working to ensure access to safe, warm spaces during the cold temperatures.

>>> City of Tulsa prepares for extreme cold temperatures

>>> Warming Shelters Open Across Tulsa Amid Freezing Temperatures

Tulsa shelters and temporary warming locations are open to provide refuge. Major locations include:

1. John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne — Open 24/7
2. The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave. — Open 24/7
3. Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St. — Open 24/7 (Pets allowed, limited capacity)
4. Youth Services of Tulsa, 311 S. Madison Ave.

Temporary overflow shelters will also be open for the cold weather:

1. The Merchant: 605 S. Peoria Ave., open Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.–Noon; Tuesday-Friday, 9–11 a.m.
2. Denver Avenue Station: 319 S. Denver Ave., open Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 5:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
3. The Station at Youth Services: 311 S. Madison Ave., open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
4. Iron Gate: 501 W. Archer St., open daily, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
5. The Ministry Center: 312 S. 33rd W. Ave., open Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

For a full list of warming station locations and hours, visit Housing Solutions’ Winter Weather Information Page.

>>> Warming Shelters, Safety Tips For Cold Temperatures This Winter In Oklahoma

Bring Pets Inside!

Winter temperatures can pose additional challenges for pets, particularly older animals or those with health conditions. Hartfield recommends:

1. Wellness Checks: Ensure pets are up to date on vaccines and discuss arthritis or other cold-weather health concerns with a veterinarian.
2. Outdoor Time: Monitor the duration of outdoor activities, especially for short-haired breeds or pets with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
3. Paw Care: After walks, inspect and clean paws to remove ice or de-icing chemicals that could harm your pet.

>>> Cold Weather Pet Tips: How To Keep Animals Safe During Winter Months

How Can I Protect Myself From Sickness This Winter?

The Tulsa Health Department is urging residents to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent respiratory illnesses as Oklahoma enters the coldest months of the year.

1. Health experts say the risk of respiratory illnesses is higher during the winter, as colder weather often leads to more indoor gatherings, increasing the likelihood of viruses spreading. 
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Oklahoma is one of 11 states with very high respiratory virus activity, and with flu vaccination rates lower than this time in 2024, more people have reported getting sick.

>>> How to Protect Yourself From Respiratory Illness This Winter

Emergency Info: Outages Across Oklahoma:

Northeast Oklahoma has various power companies and electric cooperatives, many of which have overlapping areas of coverage. Below is a link to various outage maps.

>>> Tulsa HVAC, Plumbing Companies Flooded With Calls During Cold Weather

1. PSO Outage Map
2. OG&E Outage Map
3. VVEC Outage Map
4. Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) Outage Map
5. Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage Map — (Note Several Smaller Co-ops Included)

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2eDAtzesS955BQMI54fR2e

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/oklahoma-news-from-kotv-news-on-6-in-tulsa-oklahoma/id1499556141

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