The National Weather Service in Oklahoma City has issued an Extreme Cold Watch, cautioning residents about dangerously low temperatures and chilling winds expected to hit the area from Tuesday evening through Thursday morning. The advisory, published early on February 17, predicts "dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below possible," impacting a large swath of central, east central, northern, northwest, southeast, southern, southwest, and western Oklahoma and even parts of northern Texas. National Weather Service Oklahoma City warns of the risk of frostbite and hypothermia if precautions are not taken when going outdoors.
Residents across the affected regions are advised to layer up with hats, face masks, and gloves if venturing outside becomes necessary, as biting cold winds could render exposed skin vulnerable to frostbite in under 30 minutes. National Weather Service Oklahoma City, painting a bleak outlook for the coming days, notes that the "freezing rain and sleet before noon, then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet" on Tuesday will usher in the severe cold snap, with temperatures plunging to around 15 degrees by 4 pm and wind chill values plummeting even lower.
The specifics of the Extreme Cold Watch include concerns such as "new ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible" and "new snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible." During this time, safeguarding against the elements is critical, and the advisory further suggests protecting indoor plumbing by wrapping pipes, draining them, or allowing a drip to prevent freezing damage. With the cold front moving in, Tuesday night is predicted to have a snowfall chance of 40 percent before midnight, followed by a day where the high hovers near a frigid 14 degrees on Wednesday, as stated by the National Weather Service.
As the temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for an extended period, lasting impacts on everyday life become an increasingly likely scenario. To counter these challenges, the National Weather Service stresses the importance of being prepared for extreme conditions. "The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes," cautions the Extreme Cold Watch advisory. For continuous updates on weather conditions, refer to National Weather Service Oklahoma City's forecast, which stands as the most current local source for weather alerts and safety information.
