OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Vehicles skidded off snow-packed roadways in northwest Oklahoma early Tuesday as the state got its first real taste of winter weather.
Meanwhile, in northeastern Oklahoma a possible small tornado was reported and several homes and businesses were damaged in Tulsa and Wagoner counties. No injuries were reported.
There were no reports of serious injuries as a result of moderate to heavy blowing snow in Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper and Ellis counties early Tuesday morning, but state troopers worked about a half dozen crashes. Also, about 15 cars skidded off the road by 10 a.m., said Capt. Darrell Jordan with Troop I in northwest Oklahoma.
“In some areas, the snow is packing and it's getting a little slick," Jordan said. "The snow is starting to cover the roads a little bit, and visibility is an issue."
Travel along highways in Woodward County was limited to about 40 mph as snow continued to fall early Tuesday, said Woodward police officer Matt Lehenbauer.
Temperatures were in the 20s in northwest Oklahoma, and in the 30s across central portions of the state.
"All of the roads are fairly hazardous," Lehenbauer said. "Visibility is down to a quarter of a mile, so it's pretty rough conditions traveling right now."
Snow began falling about 4:30 a.m. across northwest Oklahoma as a mass of cold Arctic air pushed into Oklahoma and combined with moisture from an upper midlevel system, said Daryl Williams, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Norman.
The National Weather Service advised that some freezing drizzle could fall over southwest and Central Oklahoma in the afternoon.
"Our main concern will be the development of an icy glaze on area bridges and overpasses," the weather service said. "Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities."
However, most of the winter weather will be concentrated in the northwest quadrant of the state along a line extending from Ponca City to Elk City, Williams 1/2aid.
"There may be one to two inches of accumulation in the northwest ... with an outside chance for little flurries and light snow in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and as far south as Hobart," Williams said. "The farther south you get, the chance for accumulation drops off."
In the northeastern corner of the state, weather service meteorologist Max Blood in Tulsa said warm air ahead of the cold front created strong storms just before daybreak and a possible twister.
“We are suspicious there was a small tornado here on the east side of Tulsa," Blood said.
NWS investigators were examining the damage Tuesday to determine if it was a tornado.
Strong winds brought down power lines in the region, leaving about 1,000 Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers without power, including Liberty Elementary School in Broken Arrow which canceled classes for the day.
PSO officials estimated all power would be restored by Tuesday night.
The chance for snow will last through Tuesday night as both systems mowe out of the state. Chilly temperatures are expected early Wednesday, dipping into the teens in northwest Oklahoma and the 20s in the Oklahoma City metro before temperatures gradually begin to climb later in the week.
Another cold front is expected to move into Oklahoma by Sunday.
To prepare for winter weather, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol recommends making sure vehicles are in good working order and that motorists prepare a "go-kit" that includes a blanket and winter clothes, including gloves, said Lt. George Brown. Motorists should increase following distance, reduce speed and pay particular attention to bridges and overpasses, where slick spots can develop quickly in cold weather.
Local news
UPDATED: Snow falling in parts of Oklahoma
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