Winter Weather Update

In case you haven't heard, it's cold and about to get a lot colder!!

We will experience some of the coldest temperatures we've seen in the last 10-15 years beginning Wednesday and continuing into the weekend. The cold temps will combine with nasty north winds to produce dangerously low wind chills.

The front that will usher in the cold air and strong winds will move through the area Wednesday afternoon. Behind the front, there may be enough moisture to cause some very light freezing drizzle and/or light snow. We don't expect this to be a big problem, but as cold as it's been, it would only take a little freezing drizzle to make roads slick and hazardous Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, so keep that in mind. The bitter cold will persist into Saturday before temperatures moderate and allow us to climb above freezing.

Most locations will see a prolonged period - 18-24 hours or more - of wind chill readings at or below zero, with the colder values further north. This obviously is dangerous for people who are outside for any period of time. We do not anticipate issuing any type of advisory for the light winter precipitation, but there could be some travel issues if it develops. We will definitely be issuing a Wind Chill Advisory either this evening or Wednesday morning. As of right now, the forecast wind chill values are not expected to reach -20 degrees, which is the threshold for a wind chill warning, but we will be close across far northern Oklahoma.

Here are some other links that you might find helpful:

CDC Guide on Extreme Cold Safety - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/pdf/cold_guide.pdf
WFO Norman Winter Weather Safety Page - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=safety-winter
WFO Norman Wind Chill Information - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=safety-winter-windchill
NWS Wind Chill Page - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/
Protecting your pipes (Plano TX EM Facebook Page) - http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=235104348525

As always, if you have questions, let me know.

Rick
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Rick Smith
Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office