Tulsa's big warm-up: Temperatures soar after last week's deep freeze

Tulsa's big warm-up: Temperatures soar after last week's deep freeze

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

After a week of frigid temperatures and icy roads, Tulsa is thawing out in a big way. A sunny, mild week is ahead, with highs climbing into the 60s and 70s, bringing a much-needed break from the deep freeze.

"Last week was an inside week—this week is going to be an outside week. Make some plans to get outdoors," said meteorologist Megan Gold.


☀️ Today’s Forecast: Sunshine & Melting Snow

  1. High: Upper 50s to low 60s
  2. Low: Mid-30s overnight
  3. Winds: Light southwest at 5-10 mph
  4. Lingering snow? Some icy spots remain, but sunshine will help melt the rest.

📅 Week Ahead: A Taste of Spring

  1. Monday: High near 70° 🌡️
  2. Tuesday: More 70s before a midweek cooldown
  3. Wednesday: A weak front brings a small rain chance, but still above normal
  4. Friday - Saturday: Highs bounce back to the mid-to-upper 60s

💡 What This Means for You:

  1. Enjoy outdoor plans all week—perfect for walking, jogging, or patio dining.
  2. Car wash time? Now’s the perfect window as the melt continues and no rain is expected until midweek.
  3. Light jackets in the morning, short sleeves by afternoon!


🌤️ Weekend Temperatures

  1. Morning temperatures will start in the teens. Daytime highs will finally rise above freezing in the Tulsa metro, with afternoon highs near 44°. Southwest winds will be likely around 7 to 12 mph with mostly sunny conditions.  
  2. Sunday morning lows will begin the upper teens and lower 20s, with afternoon highs into the mid and upper 50s

Weekend forecast

🌧️ Saturday Night and Sunday

A mid-level wave will move across North Texas, providing a low-end chance for some light shower activity across extreme southern Oklahoma. The timing of this system is late Saturday night into early Sunday morning when temperatures will drop into the 20s.

Saturday rain chances

There will be a slight chance for a few showers mixing with freezing rain across extreme southern Oklahoma, with a higher probability of precipitation remaining to the south across parts of Texas.

🌞 A Pattern Change Next Week

Above-normal temperatures will return on Sunday into next week. As the upper airflow becomes more zonal next week, most of the stronger storm systems will remain away from our immediate area.

One front will move across northeastern Oklahoma Monday night into early Tuesday, but the air mass behind this boundary will be Pacific.

Monday highs

Another front will arrive quickly on Wednesday, with a very low-end chance for a few showers across extreme eastern Oklahoma or western Arkansas. No significant cool air is expected next week.  

Highs Sunday reach the mid to upper 50s, with some spots nearing the upper 60s and lower 70s Monday near and west of the Tulsa metro. 

🌞 The Week Ahead: Warm, Sunny & Mostly Dry

  1. Saturday: 46°F – Still cool, but melting continues
  2. Sunday: 59°F – Feeling much better!
  3. Monday: 72°F – A major warm-up!
  4. Tuesday: 73°F – Springlike sunshine ☀️
  5. Wednesday: Cold front moves through – Slightly cooler but still above normal

🌡️ Even with a midweek front, Tulsa will stay warm. No more Arctic blasts in sight!

📢 What You Need to Know This Weekend

🔹 Enjoy the sunshine! Spring-like warmth is here to stay 🌞

🔹 Be careful on roads—some ice is still lingering

🔹 Car wash? Wait until this afternoon or Sunday for the best results 🚗

🔹 Watch for melting messes—Snowmelt could refreeze overnight

🔹 Look ahead: 70s return Monday & stick around all week!

———

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

Follow the News On 6 Meteorologists on Facebook!

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