Tulsa is bracing right now. Arctic air has slammed into Green Country, and a fast-moving winter storm is taking shape. Expect a mix of snow, sleet, and pockets of freezing rain later today and through the weekend. Temperatures will plummet, wind chills will sting, and roads will turn slick fast. I am tracking this system street by street, and the message is simple, and urgent. Prepare now.
Arctic blast settles in
Cold, dense air has poured south from the Plains and locked into place over Tulsa. Warm, moist air from the Gulf is riding over that shallow cold layer. That setup is classic for winter trouble here. It supports a messy mix, snow at times, sleet at times, and a glaze of ice where shallow warmth aloft lingers.
The first wave arrives later today. It will intensify tonight and linger in bursts into Sunday. The cold will not budge. Daytime melting will be limited, then refreeze will make conditions worse after sunset. Snow totals will vary across the metro because of the mix, but travel issues are likely everywhere.
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The next 48 hours, what to expect
Snow and ice
Precipitation begins as light snow and sleet, then bands will stack over the city. Freezing rain is possible on the south and east sides of Tulsa where a warm layer hangs on aloft. Any ice on top of snow makes roads deceptive and dangerous. Visibility will drop quickly under heavier bursts, especially near open areas and higher overpasses.
Cold and wind
North winds will drive wind chills to near or below zero at times. Skin can freeze in minutes in those conditions. Layer up, cover exposed skin, and cut outdoor time to the bare minimum. Pets and livestock need shelter and unfrozen water.
Wind chills near or below zero can cause frostbite fast. Limit time outside, and check on neighbors who may be at risk.
Travel and power impacts
Bridges and ramps will ice first. Black ice will form overnight and early morning on untreated roads. Plows and crews will work the main arteries, but side streets and neighborhoods will stay slick longer. Tree limbs could ice up in pockets, which raises the risk for power blips. Keep devices charged and have a flashlight ready.
Why this storm hits hard, the climate context
Tulsa’s winters are warming on average, yet extreme cold still punches through. Here is the paradox. A warmer background climate holds more moisture, so storms can wring out heavier snow or ice when cold air lines up. At the same time, the jet stream can wobble more, which can open the door to sharp Arctic intrusions like this one. That is what we are seeing today, a deep cold dome colliding with rich moisture from the south.
This is also why temperature swings have grown sharper in recent years. A mild stretch can flip to bitter cold in a day, then back again. That whiplash stresses roads, pipes, and the power grid. Preparing homes for both heat and cold is not just smart, it is part of living with a changing climate in Oklahoma.
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Move smart, stay safe, and conserve
Act early. Prepare your home and car before the worst bands arrive. That helps keep you safe and eases pressure on the grid.
- Set thermostats to a steady, modest temperature and close doors to unused rooms.
- Drip indoor faucets on exterior walls to protect pipes, and open cabinet doors.
- Top off fuel, pack an emergency car kit, and slow down well ahead of stops.
- Keep space heaters clear of anything that can burn, and never use grills indoors.
Conserve energy during peak demand, late afternoon and early evening. Run laundry and dishwashers later, dim lights, and lower thermostats a notch if you can do so safely.
If you must drive, plan for extra time and sudden changes in road grip. Give plows and sand trucks room. Watch for refreeze on shaded stretches and on bridges long after precipitation ends. If you slide, steer into it gently, and do not slam the brakes. If you can avoid travel, do it. Your safest trip is the one you postpone.
For road and closure updates, check official road condition maps from ODOT, City of Tulsa alerts, Tulsa Police updates, and utility outage dashboards. Warming center locations will be posted by the city and county emergency managers.
What I am watching next
I am monitoring the exact placement of the heaviest snow bands and any corridor of freezing rain. A small shift will change who sees the worst ice. I am also watching for a second push of cold air late Saturday that could lock in flash freeze conditions. Expect fresh updates as the storm evolves.
The bottom line
This is a high-impact winter storm for Tulsa. Snow, ice, and dangerous cold will arrive in waves through the weekend. Prepare your home, check on vulnerable neighbors, and stay off slick roads when possible. I will keep tracking the changes and bring you the updates you need to move safely through the storm. Stay warm, stay patient, and we will get through this together. ❄️
