Latest from the National Weather Service-

Snow, moderate at times, will continue to spread northward across western north Texas and Oklahoma through the afternoon. Although most of the snow will melt when it hits the ground, it will come down hard enough at many locations to result in a quick 1/2" on grassy and elevated surfaces. Although most accumulations through this evening will average 1" or less, scattered accumulations of up to 2" are still possible from western north Texas through southwest and central Oklahoma.

Latest Winter Weather Information EOC and NWS

Just a quick update on the potential for more snow...

We may see some accumulating snow beginning Tuesday morning across western north Texas and SW Oklahoma, then spreading northeast into Tuesday night.

Model trends with this system have been to take a little further north, which would take the potential for more snow north, as well. Right now, we're not looking for significant accumulations, but given what we've been through in recent days, any mention of snow will get a lot of attention. We think the highest totals will be around two inches, most likely along and north of I-44. We do not plan to issue a winter storm watch, but may issue a winter weather advisory at some point late tonight or early Tuesday.

Keep an eye on our enhanced page - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/enhanced.php - for the latest details.

--
Rick Smith
Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office

Winter Storm Warning Update

From the National Weather Service- please notice that we are toward the south end of the predicted activity. This does not mean that it will not necessarily occur, but MAY be of lesser intensity than in areas to our north.



2009-12-23 20:47:00 UTC

906
WWUS44 KOUN 232047
WSWOUN

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
247 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PONCA CITY...PERRY...GUTHRIE...
STILLWATER...OKLAHOMA CITY...CHANDLER
247 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM
CST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING: NEAR SUNRISE THURSDAY THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY EVENING

* MAIN IMPACT: NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW
AND ACCUMULATION UP TO 5 INCHES IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA AND 8
INCHES IN NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

* OTHER IMPACTS: INCREASINGLY BLUSTERY WINDS...RESULTING IN
BLOWING SNOW AND LOW WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES. THERE IS ALSO A
CHANCE OF FREEZING RAIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Latest from the National Weather Service

Latest from the National Weather Service-

I have attached several graphic products representing the predicted conditions for tonight and into CHRISTmas Eve. Please remember to plan ahead and to check local weather conditions before traveling, including your destination and points in between. If traveling into areas with colder temperatures and the possibility of freezing precipitation, it is wise to take additional clothing, coats or a blanket in case the unexpected should occur. A roadside safety kit including flashlight, gloves, warm hat and footwear, bottled water, high protein snack foods, some type of “traction aiding” material such as sand or cat litter, etc. should be taken with you.

Mild weather will persist today southeast of the interstate 44 corridor... while cooler temperatures will prevail over northwest Oklahoma. Scattered thunderstorms will affect southern and eastern Oklahoma. A few areas of light freezing drizzle may also occur over far northwest Oklahoma...but temperatures will warm a few degrees by mid morning. This afternoon... severe storms will be possible over part of southeast Oklahoma. From late today into Thursday, the colder air will spread southward causing a change to snow. Accumulating snow, with areas of blowing/drifting snow, are most likely to affect parts of northern and central Oklahoma. As the storm begins to shift to the east on Christmas Eve, blustery north winds will bring in the coldest air yet this season.

Looks like we may have a white CHRISTmas!

Winter Weather Potential

A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for central and northern Oklahoma from 9pm tonight (Monday) through 9am Tuesday. Light freezing drizzle may cause limited ice accumulations on exposed objects. While impacts are expected to remain low, the morning commute in Oklahoma City may prove difficult, IF freezing precipitation should occur. Surface temperatures will be at or below freezing tonight and in the early morning hours. Light freezing drizzle/rain is expected in the advisory area.

Conditions will rapidly improve on Tuesday as surface temperatures warm above freezing. Impacts are not expected in southern Oklahoma where temperatures should be above freezing and also farther removed from the upper system.


As usual, winter weather, and particularly adverse winter weather, is more difficult to forecast and determine with as much advance warning and accuracy as Springtime severe weather. All personnel are strongly encouraged to monitor on-going weather conditions, forecasts and observations, and to make tentative plans to allow additional time for the Tuesday morning commute, should it be necessary.



The Oklahoma County Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.