LIVE UPDATES: Freezing temperatures and icy roads impacting Oklahoma
Your News On 6 weather experts are monitoring the latest data to keep you safe and informed.
Noon: OHP, TFD, and EMSA are on the scene of a crash on westbound I-44 on the Arkansas River bridge. Several cars appear to be involved, but traffic is moving slowly.
11:30 a.m. Turkey Mountain announced on its Facebook that Elwood Ave. is closed due to a sheet of ice on the road.
11:18 a.m. ODOT says crews are continuing to plow and treat highways and bridges as the winter storm moves through the state. They remind drivers should continue to use caution on all elevated surfaces as many continue to develop slick spots and areas of refreezing.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, troopers have responded to the following number of incidents statewide between midnight and 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
- 173 non-injury crashes
- 21 injury crashes
- 45 motorist assists
OHP reports that there have been no fatality crashes.
Wednesday Morning Commute (4 a.m. - 9 a.m.)
8:40 a.m. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority reported east and westbound lanes of I-44 are narrowed 9 miles east of Miami due to a semi-crash near mile marker 322. OTA's post on X urges drivers to be careful in that area.
8:20 a.m. Tim McCorkell with the City of Tulsa joined News On 6 with an update on Wednesday's road conditions and what crews are focusing on.
Tulsa Road Conditions: UPDATE: How Tulsa crews are working to treat roads as winter weather moves through
8:15 a.m. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority posted on X that its crews are plowing and treating slick spots. OTA reminded drivers to slow down, be especially careful on ramps, and give snow plows plenty of space.
7:20 a.m.: ODOT's TJ Gerlach told News On 6 that bridges are slick and road crews are working to keep drivers safe. Gerlach advised checking conditions before getting out.
Latest update: Tulsa road conditions: ODOT urges caution on roads as crews work to clear snow and ice
- 🚗 Hazardous roads are likely, especially north of Tulsa due to freezing rain, sleet, and snow.
- 🌨️ Wintry precipitation accumulations:
- ❄️ North of Tulsa (Stillwater, Pawhuska, Bartlesville, Coffeyville, KS): 1-2 inches of sleet/snow mix possible.
- ❄️ Southeast Kansas: 2-4 inches of snow likely.
- 🌧️ South of Tulsa: Cold rain with some sleet, but no major accumulation.
- ⚡ Thundersleet possible – brief, intense bursts of sleet with lightning.
- 💨 Strong north winds increasing wind chills into the teens by late morning.
Wednesday Afternoon & Evening
- 🌬️ Bitter wind chills: 10-15°F by evening.
- ❄️ Lingering snow/sleet flurries are possible in northern Oklahoma.
- 🌡️ Temperatures falling into the mid-20s northwest of Tulsa, upper 20s near Tulsa, and lower 30s south.
Thursday Morning
- 🥶 Frigid wind chills: 5 above to 5 below zero possible.
- 🌡️ Cold but dry: Highs in the upper 20s (north) to lower 30s (south).
- 💨 Lighter south winds return in the afternoon.
Winter Weather Impacting Part of Oklahoma Today
A winter weather or travel advisory is in effect for parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas this morning until early this afternoon.
The advisory has been expanded southward to include some counties south and east of the Tulsa metro. Locations in the advisory area, mostly along and northwest of the I-44 corridor, will experience a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow.
Although significant accumulation is not expected, the mix of wintry precipitation could lead to slick and hazardous roadways. South of the immediate winter weather advisory, cold rain is expected this morning with temperatures above freezing.
By this afternoon, an arctic ridge of high pressure building into the region will bring gusty north winds and falling temperatures.
Areas near and northwest of the Tulsa metro will be at or slightly below freezing this morning and will drop into the mid-20s by this afternoon.
Locations across southern Oklahoma will reach the upper 30s near 40 by midday and will also drop into the upper 20s and lower 30s late this afternoon and evening.
Freezing Rain, Sleet, Snow, or Wintry Mix?
There is still some uncertainty this morning regarding the exact transition zone of wintry precipitation types. A change of even one to two degrees up or down along the I-44 corridor could alter the types of precipitation.
The Tulsa metro area is expected to hover near 30 degrees for the next several hours. Locations northwest of the metro, from Stillwater to Pawnee to Pawhuska to Bartlesville to Independence and Coffeyville, KS, are expected to stay in the upper 20s this morning.
These areas in the northwestern sections of the advisory are more likely to experience sleet and snow. We include the Tulsa metro area in the possibility of some freezing rain and sleet accumulations that could cause slick and hazardous roadways this morning.
Some light snow is possible in the metro. Please use caution while traveling in the advisory locations.
What’s the impact on Travel?
Precipitation types such as freezing rain and sleet can cause travel issues quickly, even with low amounts. Accumulations of one to two inches of a wintry mix will be possible for areas generally north of the Tulsa metro into southern Kansas.
The Tulsa metro area will be on the southern edge of this zone, with potential accumulations near 1 inch.
There will be a chance of a few convective bursts of sleet that could quickly add higher local amounts over 1 inch along the I-44 corridor, including the Tulsa metro area. Please remain aware of this uncertainty.
More Snow is likely North of our Area
The thermal profile in the atmosphere supports mostly snow along the Oklahoma-Kansas state line, where winter storm warnings are in effect for a large portion of Kansas into Missouri and Illinois.
Travel into these areas will be very hazardous and is discouraged. Air travel today, including connecting flights to Saint Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago, will also experience delays due to heavy snow.
When will this wintry mix move out of the Metro?
This is a fast-moving system. Most of the measurable precipitation will exit the area from the west to east this morning. Some drizzle or flurries may continue into the early afternoon.
Does the Cold Stick Around?
Thursday morning temperatures will start in the lower to mid-teens, with wind chill values from 5 above to 5 below.
A cold weather advisory is a possibility for parts of northern Oklahoma tomorrow morning. Thursday afternoon highs will remain in the upper 20s in the northern sections and the lower 30s across the southern areas.
Gusty north winds tomorrow morning will shift to come from the south at lower speeds by the afternoon. A weak disturbance may bring some light snow across part of the area on Thursday. This probability remains near 20% for most of the area.
Friday Weather Forecast
Friday represents a warming trend after morning lows in the 20s.
Daytime highs will reach the mid to upper 40s with gusty south winds at 15 to 25 mph. This will occur ahead of a developing storm system that will impact part of the weekend.
Weekend Weather Outlook
A strong cold front will move across the area Saturday, bringing a chance for showers and thunderstorms near and east of Highway 69. This includes the Tulsa metro area. Much colder air will filter in behind the departing system and may change some precipitation to snow.
Another strong winter system is possible by the middle of next week with additional snowfall for part of the area.
———
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
>>> Warming Shelters Open Across Tulsa Amid Freezing Temperatures
Tulsa shelters and temporary warming locations are open to provide refuge. Major locations include:
- John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne — Open 24/7
- The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave. — Open 24/7
- Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St. — Open 24/7 (Pets allowed, limited capacity)
>>> Center Of Hope Expands Services During Freezing Temperatures
Temporary overflow shelters will also be open for the cold weather:
- The Merchant: 605 S. Peoria Ave., open Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.–Noon; Tuesday-Friday, 9–11 a.m.
- 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.
- The Station at Youth Services: 311 S. Madison Ave., open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Iron Gate: 501 W. Archer St., open daily, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
- 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
>>> Tulsa Clinic Offers Health Care Services At Warming Shelters
Bring Pets Inside!
Winter temperatures can pose additional challenges for pets, particularly older animals or those with health conditions. Hartfield recommends:
- Wellness Checks: Ensure pets are up to date on vaccines and discuss arthritis or other cold-weather health concerns with a veterinarian.
- Outdoor Time: Monitor the duration of outdoor activities, especially for short-haired breeds or pets with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- PSO Outage Map
- OG&E Outage Map
- VVEC Outage Map
- Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) Outage Map
- 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:
Follow the News On 6 Meteorologists on Facebook!
- Meteorologist Travis Meyer
- Meteorologist Stacia Knight
- Meteorologist Alan Crone
- Meteorologist Stephen Nehrenz
- Meteorologist Aaron Reeves
- Meteorologist Megan Gold