Your News On 6 weather experts are monitoring the latest data to keep you safe and informed.

Tulsa and much of northeastern Oklahoma remain locked in a deep freeze, with subzero wind chills making for dangerously cold conditions. Roads are still slick, especially in neighborhoods and rural areas. But hang in there—relief is just days away!

What to Expect: Find School Closings Here

❄️ Extreme Cold Tonight: Tulsa Drops Below Zero

1. Current Temps: Tulsa at 3°F, with some areas near -2°F overnight
2. Wind Chills: Brutal -10°F to -18°F across Green Country
3. Cold Warnings: Still in effect for Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas
4. Road Conditions: Snow-packed neighborhood streets & rural roads remain hazardous
5. Record Lows: Expect record-breaking cold in some areas tonight

🚗 Roads Slowly Improving, But Ice Remains a Threat

Tulsa’s major highways are in better shape thanks to hard-working road crews, but neighborhood streets and rural roads are still dangerous.

📍 What to watch for:

✅ Black Ice: Hidden ice patches under snow

✅ Drifting Snow: Blowing snow creating slick spots

✅ Side Streets: Still treacherous, especially in shaded areas

✅ Bridges & Overpasses: Icy and extra slippery

"Even though the sun is out, roads are still frozen," Knight said. "We’re still below freezing, so be careful!"

📆 When Will Tulsa Finally Thaw Out?

1. Friday: Slightly warmer, but still below freezing at 31°F
2. Saturday: Finally breaking the freeze! Highs in the 40s
3. Sunday: Warmer, with highs in the 50s
4. Monday: Get ready—highs near 70°F!

👉 From Monday onward, Tulsa will stay in the 60s and 70s, marking a 110+ hour stretch below freezing finally coming to an end!

OHP responds to more than 240 crashes statewide during winter storm

Extreme Cold Warnings Underway

Exceptionally cold weather will continue across a large area of the central and Southern Plains for the next few days, including most of Oklahoma.

A surface Arctic Ridge of high pressure will build in through the Central Plains and influence northern Oklahoma this afternoon, tonight, Thursday, and part of Friday before weakening and moving eastward.

Surface pressure gradients will relax over the next few days with a decrease in wind speeds. Regardless, due to the exceptionally cold weather already in place, very low wind chills will continue.

An extreme cold weather warning remains in effect through Thursday midday. 

A weak upper-level wave will produce some flurries or light snow across southeastern Kansas and part of northeastern OK midday with no additional accumulation. We may even see a few peaks of sun occasionally today.

When will the wind speeds relax?

As the surface ridge is closer to southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma early Thursday morning, much lighter wind speeds will be expected. But with lighter winds and mostly clear skies combined with dry air, it will be even colder tomorrow morning compared to this morning. 

Sub-zero temperatures will be likely for the majority of northeastern Oklahoma. The Tulsa metro is expected to start Thursday morning at 3 below, with a daytime high reaching 17. Wind chill values Thursday morning will continue to be in the -10 to -17 range.

When Do We Finally Go Above Freezing?

Not until Saturday midday. As the Arctic Ridge moves eastward on Friday, light south winds returning. Friday morning temperatures will still be in the single digits with daytime highs in the upper 20s.

1. Saturday morning starts in the middle teens, with daytime highs finally reaching above freezing into the lower 40s for the majority of northern and eastern Oklahoma.
2. Sunday morning will start in the mid-20s with highs near 57.

Monday and Tuesday mornings represent morning lows in the 30s, but daytime highs into the upper 60s. Some locations across southeastern Oklahoma will reach the lower 70s early next week.

Any Rain or Snow Next Week?

The next upper-level system quickly moves across portions of the Central and Southern Plains states this weekend. However, the lack of significant low-level moisture should keep any precipitation chances well to the south of our immediate region. The next system that may impact the state arrives by the middle to the end of next week with a chance of showers.

———

Winter Weather Preparation:

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

>>> Oklahoma opens shelters and warming centers amid winter storm

Tulsa shelters and temporary warming locations are open to provide refuge this February. 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. The Station at Youth Services: 311 S. Madison Ave., open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Emergency Shelter open for 12-17-year-olds.
5. 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.

>>> Center Of Hope Expands Services During Freezing Temperatures

Temporary overflow shelters will also be open for the cold weather for the mid-February winter storm.

1. One Hope Tulsa- Rose Bowl (7419 E. 11 St.) – Operating as an overflow shelter for adults
2. Tulsa Dream Center (4122 W. 55 Pl.) – Serving as an overflow shelter for adults; this location is also pet-friendly
3. The Ministry Center: 312 S. 33rd W. Ave., check this page for availability

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

>>> Tulsa Clinic Offers Health Care Services At Warming Shelters

How to protect your pipes from freezing during frigid winter weather in Oklahoma:

Insulate Exposed Pipes

1. Install Pipe Insulation: Use foam pipe insulation to cover exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
2. Cover Outdoor Spigots: Remove hoses and install insulated covers on outdoor faucets to prevent freezing.

Maintain Adequate Heating

1. Keep Thermostat Consistent: Maintain a steady indoor temperature, even when away, to prevent pipes from freezing.
2. Open Cabinet Doors: Allow warm air to circulate around pipes under sinks by keeping cabinet doors open.

Allow Faucets to Drip

1. Drip Both Hot and Cold Faucets: Letting faucets drip can prevent pressure buildup, reducing the chance of pipes freezing and bursting.
2. Increase to a Steady Stream in Extreme Cold: As temperatures drop further, increase the drip to a steady stream to ensure water keeps moving through the pipes.

What to Do If Pipes Freeze

1. Keep Faucets Open: Open faucets to allow water to flow as the frozen area begins to melt.
2. Apply Gentle Heat: Use a hair dryer or space heater to warm the frozen section of the pipe, avoiding open flames.
3. Monitor for Leaks: As pipes thaw, watch for leaks indicating a burst pipe and contact a professional plumber immediately if needed.

>>> Plumbers Talk Dos and Don'ts Of Addressing Frozen Pipes

>>> How To Prepare For Freezing Weather In Oklahoma This Winter

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 Or The Flu 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.

>>> What You Can Do For Your Kids To Prevent The Flu Amid Rise In Cases

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

>>> Districts Are Cautiously Optimistic As Attendance Rate Begin To Rise

>>> 3 Things Doctors Want You To Know About The Flu In Oklahoma

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/show/0dCHRWMFjs4fEPKLqTLjvy

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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2. Meteorologist Stacia Knight
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5. Meteorologist Aaron Reeves
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