A powerful winter storm has brought heavy snowfall, icy roads, and dangerous cold to the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, making travel conditions hazardous throughout the region. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary trips as road crews work to clear highways. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter weather advisories, warning that snow and strong winds will continue to impact the area until noon today.
Snowfall and Travel Conditions
Parts of Beaver County, Oklahoma, and Lipscomb County, Texas have already seen several inches of snow, with up to an additional inch expected through the morning. The affected areas include Booker, Beaver, Forgan, Follett, and Higgins, where roads are becoming increasingly treacherous. Bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads are particularly dangerous, with icy conditions making driving extremely risky.
Road crews from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) are actively ploughing and treating highways, but officials warn that travel remains hazardous in north-central, northeast, central, southwest, south-central, and eastern Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike is reported to be completely snow-covered and slick, making driving especially difficult.
Authorities strongly advise against unnecessary travel, but if you must drive, slow down, increase following distance, and be prepared for sudden icy patches.
Extreme Cold and Health Risks
Along with the snow, a brutal Arctic air mass is pushing temperatures well below freezing. The NWS has issued an extreme cold warning through Thursday, cautioning that wind chills could drop as low as -30°F in some areas.
At these temperatures, frostbite can occur within 30 minutes on exposed skin. Officials are urging people to stay indoors, wear multiple layers if venturing outside, and check on elderly neighbours or those without proper heating.
How to Stay Safe
- Avoid Travel: Roads are extremely dangerous, and conditions can change rapidly.
- Stay Warm: Wear layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors to avoid frostbite.
- Prepare for Power Outages: Heavy snow and ice could impact power lines, so have flashlights, blankets, and extra food on hand.
- Monitor Local Weather Updates: Conditions are shifting, and new warnings may be issued.
What’s Next?
The storm will gradually move out by midday, but lingering cold temperatures and slick roads will remain an issue for the next 24 to 48 hours. Drivers and residents should continue to take precautions until conditions improve.
For the latest updates, check with the National Weather Service or local news outlets. Stay safe and take precautions as this winter storm grips Texas and Oklahoma.