Lt. Gov. declares state of emergency in Tulsa County, 55 other counties
BY Staff Reports
Monday, February 25, 2013
2/25/13 at 1:35 PM
From the Tulsa World weather blog: World Staff Writer Jerry Wofford gives storm updates
Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb issued a state of emergency for Tulsa County and other counties in anticipation of a winter storm.
Other counties under the declaration are: Adair, Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cherokee, Cimarron, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Creek, Custer, Delaware, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Major, Mayes, McClain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Noble, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Rogers, Seminole, Texas, Tillman, Wagoner, Washington, Washita, Woods and Woodward.
Winter weather advisory
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory 6 p.m. tonight until noon Tuesday for Tulsa County, as well as Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Ottawa, Rogers, Okmulgee, Okmulgee and Wagoner counties.
According to the weather service, rain is expected to spread to these areas this morning and transition to snow tonight. Up to 3 inches of snow accumulation is expected just south of the Interstate 44 corridor, with less farther south near Interstate 40.
Winter storm warning
The weather service issued a winter storm warning, in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday for Craig, Creek, and Nowata counties.
Rain is expected in these areas this morning, with a transition to snow by late afternoon or early evening, according to the weather service.
Gusty winds up to 40 mph, as well as up to 4 inches of snow accumulation is expected, causing signifcant blowing and drifting of snow. Travel is expected to be hazardous and difficult.
Higher amounts - near 6 inches - will be possible across western Pawnee County and northern Nowata and Washington counties, the weather service forecasts.
Blizzard warning
The weather service also issued a blizzard warning 3 p.m. p.m. today through 6 a.m. Tuesday for Osage, Pawnee and Washington counties.
After morning rain, snow accumulation of 4-8 inches is expected from this afternoon through 6 a.m. Tuesday over north and west Osage County, with totals near 12 inches near the Kansas border, according to the weather service.
Western Pawnee and northern Washington counties are expected to receive 4-6 inches, while southern Washington and eastern Pawnee counties are expected to receive 2-4 inches.
Wind gusts as high as 50 mph is expected to cause low visibility of 0.25 of a mile or less in northwest Osage, northern Washington and eastern Pawnee counties tonight.
Rain arrives in Tulsa, more forecast throughout day
Tulsa has already recorded 0.80 of an inch of rain as of 12 p.m., with more forecast throughout the day, according to the weather service.
A 100 percent chance of precipitation is forecast during the day, with showers and a thunderstorm possible. Wind gusts up to 30 mph and new rainfall amounts between 0.75 to 1 inch is possible.
Tonight, a 100 percent chance of rain and snow is forecast, with new snow accumulation between 3-5 inches possible.
A 20 percent chance of snow is also forecast for Tulsa before noon Tuesday.
Tulsa has recorded 3.3 inches of snow so far this month, including 3.2 inches just on Feb. 20. Liquid precipitation before today for February so far is 1.83 inches, which is 0.3 of an inch above normal for this time of the month.
Tulsa high temperature are forecast for the 40s each day through Sunday, when highs are expected to rise to the 50s. Overnight lows are forecast for the 30s tonight, then the 20s each night for the rest of the week, according to the weather service.
Tulsa's highest temperature so far this month was 70 degrees on Feb. 17. The lowest was 16 degrees on Feb. 1.
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Associated Images:
Map courtesy of the National Weather Service
This map provided by the National Weather Service shows area blizzard warnings (red), winter storm warnings (pink) and winter weather advisories (purple).
A blizzard warning (red) is in effect for most of Oklahoma. Map courtesy of the National Weather Service
Rainfall predictions for Monday and Monday night. Map courtesy of the National Weather Service
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