Roads treacherous as freezing rain hits Oklahoma City. Live updates on icy road conditions
Editor's note: Most home delivery of The Oklahoman will be delayed due to ice.
Oklahomans are facing slick roads on Monday morning commutes after freezing rain began falling Sunday night, the National Weather Service in Norman reports. Roads should thaw through the morning as temperatures rise, but drivers are advised to travel cautiously.
Check here for live weather updates and to check road conditions, power outages and school closings in real time.
Rain in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, the chance of precipitation is 80% Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. A tenth to a quarter of an inch of precipitation is possible.
Rain is also expected before 7 p.m. on Monday night, then a slight chance of drizzle between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- Alexia Aston
How much ice did Oklahoma City get?
Much of Oklahoma City received 0.25-0.5 inches of ice from Sunday night into Monday, NWS Norman reported. Other areas in the metro received 0.1-0.25 inches.
At the Will Rogers Airport, 0.32 inches of ice were reported.
This map includes ice totals reported to our office as of 12 PM on Monday. We want to thank those who have provided us reports on ice accumulation across the area!#okwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/ASe9BcVmlI
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) January 22, 2024
- Alexia Aston
How many people have been injured by the ice?
As of 12:30 p.m., Emergency Medical Services Authority medics in Oklahoma City have responded to 36 flips and falls since midnight. Most of those were from icy outdoor surfaces, EMSA reported, and 25 of those patients have been transported to local hospitals.
The number of slips and falls is more than double what EMSA would expect to see on a Monday in January.
- Alexia Aston
When will temperatures get above freezing in Oklahoma?
Temperatures are already rising, and are above freezing in northwest Oklahoma. The National Weather Service in Norman expects its entire service area to rise above freezing over the next few hours.
Once temps are above freezing, freezing rain will transition to rain and drizzle.
- Jana Hayes
Temperatures across northwest Oklahoma and western north Texas are above freezing.
Elsewhere, temperatures will slowly rise this morning with everyone expected to rise above freezing the next 2-3 hours.
Here's an animation of our forecast hourly temperatures: #okwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/M7mE9jeisJ— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) January 22, 2024
Oklahoma City trash and recycling services postponed
The city of Oklahoma City postponed Monday's trash and recycling services to Wednesday due to hazardous road conditions. Customers who have regular Monday trash services are advised to set their carts out by 6 a.m. on Wednesday.
Monday's bulky waste operations are also delayed, and customers are asked to set out their bulky waste piles until crews can collect them. Customers should set fallen tree limbs with regular bulky waste.
Service should run as normal for those with regular Tuesday, Thursday or Friday waste collection.
- Alexia Aston
Will Rogers airport: flights delayed, canceled
Flights in and out of Will Rogers World Airport were delayed and canceled due to icy conditions Monday morning. Almost all outgoing flights from Will Rogers World Airport from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. were canceled, news outlets report.
Most flights into Will Rogers last night were diverted.
See the latest delays and cancellations:https://flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today/KOKC
Roads in Oklahoma City remain hazardous
There's still freezing precipitation falling and increasing across the OKC metro south and east. It will remain slick and hazardous for several hours. Please do not attempt to drive unless you absolutely must. #okwx pic.twitter.com/co6r4fSGRB
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) January 22, 2024
Winter storm warning, winter weather advisory both remain in effect
Both a winter storm warning and a winter weather advisory remain in effect until noon today for much of Oklahoma as freezing rain and significant ice accumulations continue.
According to the National Weather Service, a Winter Storm Warning indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch.
A Winter Weather Advisory is issued for one or more of the following: Snow of 3 to 5 inches in 12 hours, sleet accumulation up to 1/4 inch, freezing rain in combination with sleet and/or snow, or blowing snow.
NEW - The Winter Storm Warning has been expanded to include the following counties: McClain, Cleveland, and Pottawatomie from now until Noon on Monday.
Avoid travel if at all possible until conditions improve (late morning to early afternoon).#okwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/vzmnIgh6Cx— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) January 22, 2024
Weather outlook for Oklahoma City area
According to the NWS, a glaze of ice is possible, with 0.1 to 0.25 inches of ice accretion across parts of north-central, central, southern, and southeastern Oklahoma and western north Texas, NWS reports.
A winter weather advisory is in place until noon today. Conditions are expected to improve by mid-day as temperatures warm above freezing.
Rain is forecast to continue this week, but temperatures are expected to stay above freezing and could even reach 56 degrees on Thursday.
Road conditions OKC
Check Oklahoma road conditions thanks to ODOT's interactive map.
School closings today
Keep up with school, church and event closings using the link below.
How long will sleet, freezing rain fall in OKC metro?
Roads and elevated surfaces will continue to be slick into the morning until temperatures get above freezing. Additional rounds of freezing rain are possible into the morning.
Live Oklahoma power outages map
See live updates on how winter weather is impacting OGE power.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Live updates: Oklahoma road conditions, school closings
