This is a map provided by the National Weather Service, but I added a stronger outline to show where our Oklahoma border is. Areas in bright red are under a blizzard warning; areas in pink are under a winter storm warning; and areas in purple are under a winter weather advisory.
Yes, right here in Oklahoma, and it lasts through noon Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued this blizzard warning ("warning" is definitely the key word!) for the Oklahoma Panhandle, as well as the northern and west Texas Panhandle. To be more specific, the cities of Boise City, Keyes, Guymon, Perryton, Booker, Higgins, Follett, Hartley, Channing, Dumas, Borger, Vega, Amarillo, Hereford and Canyon.
For those of you in the two Panhandles, prepare for a storm that would make Tulsa's February blush: 6 to 16 inches likely (those are the NWS' words, not mine: "likely!"), with the highest snowfall expected in the Oklahoma Panhandle and northwest Texas Pandhandle.
What makes winter weather worse? Wind. 25 to 35 wind gusts are also anticipated.
What makes winter weather even worse? Rain, which is expected this morning ahead of the snow. Thus, icy and snow packed streets along with strong winds are expected to create zero-visibility and whiteout conditions.
The Tulsa area probably wants to know if there's any chance this snow will head east toward us. Since the winter weather advisories are currently in Kansas counties northeast of this area, I would have to say that we can safely say that the storm is headed that direction. However, if you haven't looked out the window yet this morning, it is indeed raining.
Freezing rain? Fortunately not. Tulsa's forecast temps today range from the low 40s to mid 50s. However, Tuesday night's lows are in the 20s, so if there's any lingering rain tomorrow, you might have some ice by then.
--Althea Peterson
