Extreme Cold Warning Issued For Oklahoma

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for most of Oklahoma as an arctic blast is set to move through Oklahoma during the early house of Tuesday, Feb, 18. The arctic blast will bring dangerous cold temperatures to Oklahoma along with winter precipitation.

The National Weather Service issued the Extreme Cold Warning on Monday, Feb. 17 and will go into effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday and is set to end at noon Thursday, Feb. 20. The Extreme Cold warning has been issued due to dangerously cold wind chills, which are expected to be as low as negative 15 to negative 25 degrees.

The Extreme Cold Warning has been issued for portions of central, east central, northern, northwest, southeast, southern, southwest and western Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is expected to receive dangerous cold temperatures this week.

The arctic blast will push through Oklahoma late Monday into early Tuesday morning. The frigid air and breezy winds will produce dangerous wind chills.

Oklahoma is expected to remain very cold through Friday of this week.

If outside, Oklahomans should dress in layers and limit their time.

The Extreme Cold Warning from the National Weather Service also urged residents to take precautions and be prepared for the arctic blast. Residents should not spend prolonged time in the cold and if outside, should wear layers of warm clothes including hats and gloves. The dangerously low wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero can cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Residents are also encouraged to check on elderly family, friends and neighbors during this time. And they should ensure that heaters, especially portable heaters, are being used properly. Resident should also take precautions to prevent their water pipes from freezing, like wrapping the pipes or allowing them to drip.

Oklahoma will also receive snow and ice with the arctic blast.

Along with the dangerously cold temperatures, Oklahoma is also expected to receive a bout of winter weather, including snow and ice.

According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, the precipitation amounts won't be as bad but Oklahoma hasn't seen this amount of extended frigid temperatures since February 2021. But the forecast can always change, so everyone in Oklahoma is encouraged to remain weather aware!