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A major winter storm is expected to impact northeast Oklahoma beginning Friday, bringing accumulating snow, possible ice, and dangerously cold temperatures through the weekend. A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for much of the state, including the Tulsa metro, as forecasters monitor a powerful system stretching across the southern Plains.
News On 6 Meteorologist Travis Meyer says this storm could create hazardous travel, power disruptions, and life-threatening cold, especially from Friday evening through Sunday morning.
The governor authorized the deployment of Stranded Motorist Assistance Recovery Teams (SMART), with seven teams operating under the direction of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, consisting of eight Guardsmen each, utilizing Humvees, wreckers, and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles.
These teams are based in Ardmore, Durant, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Vinita, Weatherford, and Woodward and are collaborating with local first responders as well as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) to aid stranded motorists and assist residents in the hardest hit areas.
Stranded motorists can request help by calling 911. Personnel from the Oklahoma National Guard (ONG) and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) will arrive to help.
ODOT crews and OTA crews pretreated efforts earlier this week, and they are both closely watching the weather as it approaches the state and will work around the clock and remain deployed until road conditions are clear.
News On 6 Tracker Von Castor caught video of some snowfall in Ulan around 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
Some light wintry mix will be possible the next few hours and will gradually become more prevalent as the evening progresses. This is the projection for the Tulsa metro region through the evening hours.
This is the outlook for late Friday night at 8 p.m. with a mix of sleet and snow north and mostly sleet and freezing rain south.
By late Friday evening, most of the precipitation should be transitioning to bands of moderate to heavy snow across the northern sections, while some sleet will continue across the southern sections of the state.
Some folks are waiting until the last minute to stock up on their groceries.
Milk, bread, eggs and produce are in high demand, and Oasis Fresh Market employees are working to keep the shelves stocked.
This store is working to keep all of those items in stock.
Owner AJ Johnson says he called the store’s vendors and asked for more food to make sure it didn’t run out.
Shoppers tell us this is the last stop they are making before the snow hits, so they are loading up.
“I’m getting salt rocks, milk, bread, water, everything we’re going to need for a while,” Sara McKenzie said.
“It has been what every grocer desires—jam-packed in a good way,” AJ Johnson with Oasis Fresh Market said.
Bottled water is another item that is in high demand, but right now they have plenty of stock.
Oasis Fresh Market plans to stay open all weekend.
As of 3 p.m. on Friday, MetroLink Tulsa has suspended services for Jan. 24 and 25.
MetroLink says they continue to monitor the weather on Friday to evaluate potential modifications this evening.
Service availability for Monday, Jan. 26 is still being evaluated.
Riders are encouraged to stay informed on the latest service updates by visiting www.MetroLinkOK.org, downloading the GoPass app or calling 918-982-6882.
McAlester Mayor Justin Few has declared a local state of emergency for the entire city due to the threat of severe weather beginning Friday.
The City of McAlester Public Information Officer says the declaration allows the city to activate its emergency operations and resources, coordinate all city departments and emergency resources, and respond quickly to protect public safety while crews continue working to address road conditions, utilities, and other impacts from the storm.
The emergency declaration applies to the entire municipal boundaries of the City of McAlester and will remain in effect through midnight on Jan 30, 2026, unless extended.
City officials urge residents to use caution when traveling.
They ask that for emergencies, people call 911, and for non-emergency issues, call 918-423-1212.
On Friday afternoon, Mayor Monroe Nichols issued an emergency declaration ahead of the winter storm expected to move in later this evening.
The emergency declaration allows the City to activate its Emergency Operations Plan, streamline coordination across departments and partner agencies, and take proactive steps to protect public safety and critical resources.
The City of Tulsa says all mission-critical city personnel are on standby to respond to the storm and cold weather.
This update breaks down when the worst winter weather is expected to move in, including two rounds of snow and sleet and how much accumulation is possible. It also covers dangerously cold wind chills and what that means for travel and safety across eastern Oklahoma.
The City of Sand Springs has declared a Snow and Ice emergency, which allows crews to begin snow and ice removal operations on designated snow routes.
Only streets listed on the city’s snow plow map are required to be treated and plowed, and residential streets are not included. Parking is prohibited on all snow routes during the emergency. On other streets that allow parking on both sides, parking is not allowed on the side with odd-numbered addresses.
City officials say following these rules helps crews clear roads more quickly and keeps traffic moving safely.
Tulsa Animal Services is warning pet owners that this weekend’s cold could be life-threatening for animals. Under city ordinance, dogs must be kept indoors when temperatures drop to 25 degrees or below, and outdoor shelters must be weather-resistant and large enough for pets to move comfortably.
No warnings will be issued during the storm, and violations could result in fines up to $1,200 and/or six months in jail.
Officials say the goal is keeping pets safe, not punishing owners.
Warming shelters are opening across northeast Oklahoma as dangerous cold moves in with the winter storm, offering a place to get out of the elements.
Locations are available in Tulsa, Muskogee, Pryor, Sapulpa, Glenpool, Bristow and Muldrow, with some shelters operating around the clock and others during set daytime or overnight hours.
Several Tulsa shelters can also accommodate pets, and MetroLink Tulsa plans to offer free fares if service is able to operate. Officials urge anyone without reliable heat to use local shelters and check hours before traveling.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma National Guard are deploying crews across the state to respond to crashes and help stranded drivers as winter weather moves in.
OHP says extra troopers are being called in and days off have been canceled to ensure enough manpower during hazardous travel conditions.
National Guard SMART teams, equipped with Humvees and heavy rescue vehicles, will assist in areas patrol cars may not be able to reach.
Officials urge people to avoid travel if possible and to be prepared if driving is necessary.
Plumbers warn that dangerous cold increases the risk of frozen and burst pipes, with major damage often happening when temperatures rise and pipes begin to thaw.
Experts recommend keeping water moving in vulnerable pipes, opening cabinets to allow warm air to circulate, and disconnecting outdoor hoses to reduce the risk of freezing.
Homeowners and renters are also urged to locate their main water shutoff in case a pipe bursts, which can help limit flooding and costly repairs.
Plumbers stress that preparation now can prevent thousands of dollars in damage once the freeze ends.
Conditions are expected to remain mostly quiet through much of the day, with only a slight chance of freezing drizzle developing later in the afternoon as temperatures continue to fall into the teens and wind chills drop into the single digits.
The first significant wave of wintry precipitation is expected to develop during the evening and continue overnight, bringing a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain, especially south of Tulsa.
Forecasters say southeastern Oklahoma could see up to a quarter-inch of ice, while areas north of I-40 could see widespread snowfall of 8 to 12 inches, with locally higher amounts possible.
Bitterly cold air will follow the storm, with wind chills falling below zero into early next week.
A strong Arctic front is currently moving rapidly across the Central Plains.
After midnight, the front will quickly move through parts of southern Kansas and then enter northern Oklahoma early Friday. Here’s the position of the front Friday morning.
If you haven’t made plans yet for the incoming winter system, conditions this evening should remain good from a weather standpoint.
A strong Arctic front is currently moving rapidly across the Central Plains. Temperatures in northern Oklahoma will remain relatively mild through the evening.
After midnight, the front will quickly move through parts of southern Kansas and then enter northern Oklahoma early tomorrow morning.
This is the hour-by-hour forecast for the Tulsa metro this evening. The leading edge of the arctic air will initially be very shallow. This means the boundary will slow-down some as it encounters locations east of Highway 69 and south of I-40 by midday tomorrow. By later Friday evening, the air mass should continue to surge southward across southeastern Oklahoma and enter north Texas early Saturday morning.
The highest-impact part of the storm is expected from Friday night into Saturday, with snow coming in waves and hazardous travel continuing into early next week.
Tulsa and areas north of I-40 are still favored for mostly snow, while southeastern Oklahoma could see a mix of sleet and freezing rain that may increase power outage concerns.
Snow totals near and north of Tulsa could reach 8 to 12 inches, with localized higher amounts possible.
The American Red Cross says it is in a state of readiness as winter weather moves into the Tulsa area, with volunteers and supplies positioned in case shelters are needed.
Officials are urging people to stay home if possible and prepare, in the event of power outages, with batteries, non-perishable food, warm layers, and medications. Drivers who must travel are encouraged to carry emergency kits with extra clothing, food, and water.
The Red Cross also warns against unsafe heating methods that can increase the risk of fires and carbon monoxide exposure.
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for most of Oklahoma until Sunday morning. Stay up to date with the latest forecasts.
After a cold front cleared the area early Wednesday, skies turned mostly sunny with afternoon highs in the lower to mid-50s. Conditions remain calm ahead of the developing winter storm, but colder air will arrive late Thursday night.
Travis said this is one of the largest winter storm watch areas seen in years, stretching from Texas into the Midwest and Deep South.
Meteorologists are tracking a warm layer of air above the surface, especially across southern Oklahoma.
Forecasts will continue to adjust as the storm system moves closer.
While exact totals will change, several inches of snow are possible across eastern Oklahoma by Sunday morning. Some areas could see higher totals if snow bands persist.
Travis forecasts that this will not fall all at once and may come in waves.
In addition to wintry precipitation, very cold air will move in behind the storm.
Residents are urged to prepare for extreme cold, especially if travel becomes restricted.
Officials recommend limiting travel once conditions deteriorate.
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Snow and dangerous cold are expected to impact eastern and southeastern Oklahoma for several days, with slick roads and hazardous travel likely through the weekend and into early next week.
Wind chills could drop to minus 10 to minus 15 by Monday morning, and temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for more than 100 hours, increasing the risk of frozen pipes.
Snow totals of 8 to 12 inches are possible from Okmulgee and Muskogee north, while southeastern Oklahoma may see more sleet and freezing rain with 3 to 6 inches of snow and up to a quarter inch of ice.
Ice and gusty winds could lead to power outages, especially in far southeast Oklahoma. Closures and cancellations are expected as conditions worsen.
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Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Legal Notices, EEO Report, Ad Choices, Public Inspection File Contact, KOTV Public Inspection File, KQCW Public Inspection File, KOTV-AM Public Inspection File, Closed Captioning Assistance, FCC Applications, VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template)
