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

1. 🥶 Coldest Morning of the Season – Temps have dropped below zero in northern Oklahoma, with dangerous wind chills.
2. 🌬️ North Winds 10-15 mph – Wind chills can cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes.
3. 🌞 Mostly Sunny, Frigid Afternoon – Highs only in the upper teens to lower 20s.
4. 📉 Potential Record Lows – Many locations may set new daily record-low temperatures.
5. 🌡️ Slow Warm-Up Begins Friday – Lows in the single digits, but highs reaching the upper 20s to low 30s.
6. 🔜 Above-Freezing Temps by Saturday – Most areas climb above 32°F by midday.

🚗 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

📆 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!

Coldest Air of the Season This Morning

Extreme cold warnings continue for northern Oklahoma this morning, as temperatures have dropped below zero near and north of the Tulsa metro. An Arctic surface ridge of high pressure, building through southern Kansas, will bring lighter wind speeds today.

Mostly sunny conditions with a few clouds will lead to daytime highs in the upper teens and lower 20s.

Cold weather is expected to continue from Friday through Saturday before temperatures warm up in the latter half of the weekend. A major pattern change is likely to occur, bringing above-normal temperatures next week.

1. Bitterly cold temps will be underway for the morning hours. Frostbite is a possibility for exposed skin within 30 minutes.
2. North winds will remain at 10 to 15 mph this morning, before diminishing later in the afternoon and evening.
3. Daily record-low temperatures are likely to be set for many locations this morning. As the Arctic ridge moves eastward tomorrow, south winds will gradually develop.
4. After Friday morning lows in the single digits, daytime highs will approach the upper 20s, with a few areas reaching the lower 30s.

When do we go above Freezing?

Most of the area goes above freezing by midday Saturday. Areas across southeastern OK will go above freezing Friday afternoon.

After Saturday morning lows in the upper teens and lower 20s, daytime highs on Saturday will reach the lower to mid-40s.

An upper-level wave will move across the area Saturday night into Sunday.

While the lower atmosphere is expected to remain dry, extreme southern Oklahoma and North Texas may experience some light precipitation with this wave. However, this system should remain south of the immediate northeastern Oklahoma region.

How Much of a warm-up do we see next week?

We should be anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees above normal for most of next week as the upper air pattern brings changes to the state. 

Morning lows will remain in the 30s, but daytime highs on Monday and Tuesday are expected to reach the mid to upper 60s.

Some areas near and west of Tulsa may even approach 70° Monday afternoon.

Any cold fronts next week?

One cold front passes the area Monday night into Tuesday with no major impact. 

The second front arrives Wednesday night into Thursday. This one will be fueled by a weak mid-level wave moving across the Central Plains on Tuesday night and Wednesday. While there is a slight chance for a few showers or rumbles of thunder, the probability will be higher along or east of Highway 69.

The likelihood of precipitation in the Tulsa metro will remain low. The air mass behind this departing system will be Pacific in nature, so no major cooldown is expected.

Is there a cold snap expected later this month?

Longer-range pattern recognition and data continue to support the possibility of another cold snap approaching by late February into early March. Stay tuned!

———

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/episode/5VjfTxZkcidi56MpioyeHL

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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