TULSA, Okla. — The 2 News weather team is tracking bitter cold and in some cases record low temperatures across Green Country.
Broken Arrow, Sand Spings and other disticts already announced closures for Wednesday. Track any school closures here
The 2 News Severe Weather team is tracking conditions and updating the forecast as needed—> track the latest winter weather forecasts here.
Watch: Latest forecast from 2 News meteorologists
Jan. 16
9:45 a.m.
City of Tulsa street crews worked overnight applying brine to the roads and are applying salt to any slick spots. They said main arterial roads are in good shape and passable at this time.
City Operations Updates:
- Trash & Recycling - The prolonged cold is impacting our hauler’s operations. This week, haulers will concentrate on picking up trash. If your trash is missed, please leave it at the curb and it will be picked up when it is safe to do so.
- If your recycling is missed, please hold onto it until next week. If your recycling is missed this week, you will be allowed to place extra recycling outside of your cart next week. Extra recyclables must be placed into a recyclable item such as a cardboard box. The haulers will pick the extra up during their regular collections next week. If extra recycling is placed into a non-recyclable container (laundry basket, bagged, etc.), it will not be picked up.
- If you have backyard service, please ensure the gates are accessible, or place your carts outside the fence or on the curb.
- Inspection Services - Due to the weather, the City will only be making emergency inspections today. For critical utility repairs, call (918) 596-9656, or Bob Kolibas at (918) 261-9123.
Waterline Breaks
As of 9:30 a.m., the City has recorded 11 water main breaks.
If you see a waterline break on a City street or in a right-of-way, call (918) 596-9488. Before calling, the best way to check to see whether the break has already been reported is through the City's waterline break dashboard, which can be found online at www.cityoftulsa.org/breakboard [cityoftulsa.org].
Warming Stations
- John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne Ave.: open 24-7
- The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave.: open 24-7
- Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St.: open 24-7
Many organizations have setup temporary shelters in addition
8:15 a.m.
Tuesday started with record low temperatures in Green Country.
EMSA officials responded to 6 cold weather calls on Monday and 33 since the cold weather moved in on Friday.
They urge people to take precautions if spending time outside.
Jan 15:
12:00 p.m.
Sunshine is helping crews as they continue to work on clearing highways, ODOT said.
Travel delays are still expected in rural and far eastern parts of the state.
Tulsa's roads have continued to improve since this morning.
Eastbound I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike has reopened between Afton and the Missouri state line after multiple stalled commercial motor vehicles have been cleared from travel lanes.
7:30 a.m.
Most highways have at least one lane clear this morning. On and off-ramps are likely slick.
7 a.m.
ODOT is reporting slick and hazardous road conditions remain on Monday morning.
"Counties still reporting slick spots but improving conditions are Osage, Washington, Creek, Nowata, Tulsa, Rogers, Mayes, Ottawa, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. I-40 is mostly clear with slick spots reported on interstate ramps in the Shawnee area," ODOT said.
EMSA said it responded to 14 cold exposure calls on Sunday. This morning, they've responded to three.
Overnight, the Tulsa Dream Center said they hit capacity at their warming station.
For a list of warming stations, click here.
Jan. 14
10 p.m.
2 News crews brave the winter weather and check road conditions for motorists across Green Country.
Winter weather hitting hard in Green Country
As winter weather blew through northeast Oklahoma, 2 News reporters and meteorologist traveled throughout Green Country to give the latest on how the weather impacted the community, roads and much more.
Stay safe on the roads
If you're headed out into the winter weather, here's a map of all the Oklahoma highway conditions provided by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
Winter Weather Gallery
Check out some of the snow that's been falling across Green Country here.
Power Outages
PSO
- Inola: 1,490, power has been restored
- Catoosa: 14, power has been restored
- Chouteau: Fewer than 5, power has been restored
- Stigler: 35, (Estimated restoration, 5:00 p.m.)
- Broken Arrow: 2, power has been restored
- Nowata: Fewer than 5, power has been restored
- Vinita: Fewer than 5, (Estimated restoration, 7:30 p.m.)
- Tulsa: 55 (Estimated restoration, 8:30 p.m.)
- Owasso: Fewer than 5, power has been restored
- Bartlesville: 14, power has been restored
- McAlester: Fewer than 5 (Estimated restoration: 5:30 p.m.)
- Grove: 8, power has been restored
- Turley: Fewer than 5, power has been restored
- Fair Oaks: 16, power has been restored
9:00 p.m.
I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike is now open northeast of SH-10 in Miami after a multi-vehicle crash and multiple secondary crashes shut down the road for an extended period. Westbound I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike is now open at Afton after a separate crash and stalled vehicles blocked traffic.
8:30 p.m.
The eastbound Turner Turnpike near mile marker 202 is back open and tolls have resumed.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority crews say slick and hazardous conditions are expected to impact highways and turnpikes across the state overnight. They encourage motorist to be aware of "black ice", be patient while driving, allow extra space for braking and stay at least 200 feet behind road clearing crews.
8:00 p.m.
Jenks Public Schools has no school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but will have distance learning on Tuesday.
7:00 p.m.
The Commissioner of Public Safety, authorized by Governor Kevin Stitt, announced due to winter weather, state agencies will temporarily reduce non-essential services beginning at Midnight on Monday, Jan. 15 and ending at 11:59 Tuesday, Jan. 16 for Craig, Creek, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Okmulgee, Ottawa, Rogers, Tulsa and Washington counties.
6:15 p.m.
The westbound Turner Turnpike is back open at mile marker 166. Oklahoma Highway Patrol says traffic is slowly moving through the area due to several semis stalled in the roadway.
4:30 p.m.
EMSA medics in Tulsa have responded to a total of 26 cold exposure calls and 14 people have been taken to the hospital over the past three days because of extremely cold conditions.
Berryhill Public Schools and Amara Learning Academy are both closed Monday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tuesday for true snow days.
4:15 p.m.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says crews are working to clear and treat highways in Tulsa, rogers, Craig, Mayes, Ottawa and Delaware counties.
The I-44/Turner Turnpike remains closed northeast of Miami due to a significant multi-vehicle crash. All westbound traffic is being diverted at the Missouri/Oklahoma state line and eastbound traffic is being diverted to Afton.
The westbound I-44 Turnpike is narrowed to one lane at Chandler is narrowed to one lane due to a multi-vehicle crash. The eastbound lanes are narrowed to one lane near mile-marker 202 as crews work to clean up another crash.
ODOT recommends drivers stay around 200 feet behind cleaning equipment, allow extra space between vehicles for adequate braking space and allow extra time to reach their destinations while driving.
3:30 p.m.
The University of Tulsa canceled in-person classes on Tuesday, Jan. 16, the Student Union and Pat Case Dining Center are open. The McFarlin Library, Collins Fitness Center, Mail Services and the bookstore will remain open.
Sapulpa Public Schools is closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday and will remain closed Tuesday for a traditional snow day.
3:15 p.m.
Jenks Police Department is warning those out driving in the snow to be careful. Officers have received multiple calls about vehicles stalling on roads and are encouraging drivers to stay off the roadways until the snow has stopped.
3:05 p.m.
Bixby Public Schools and Sapulpa Public Schools are closed Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tuesday, Jan. 16 for a snow day.
3:00 p.m.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol is urging drivers to avoid the Will Rogers Turnpike due to several crashes and poor road conditions they are working.
2:00 p.m.
Broken Arrow Public Schools are closed on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and is a true snow day, which means there is no online work. Monday is a holiday and school is not in session.
1:50 p.m.
I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike is closed northeast of Miami due to a multi-vehicle crash and travelers should expect delays of several hours in this area of the turnpike. Traffic is being diverted by Missouri State Troopers at this time.
1:47 p.m.
The eastbound lanes on the Turner Turnpike near Bristow are shut down due to a multi-semi/vehicle crash, according to OHP.
1:15 p.m.
Snow crews are clearing the main runway and taxiways at Tulsa International Airport. TIA advises travelers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport, drive slowly, and give themselves extra time to travel.
12:50 p.m.
All Tulsa libraries are closed today due to winter weather.
Tulsa Dream Center is offering to pick people up and take them to their west campus warming center.
12:45 p.m.
Owasso is now using snow plows and police say there are a lot of vehicles sliding through intersections, so please slow down and be safe.
12:30 p.m.
All Muskogee Public Schools are closed on Tuesday, Jan. 16 due to winter weather and severe cold temperatures. The school is also closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
12:15 p.m.
All Union Public Schools are closed on Tuesday, Jan. 16 due to winter weather and severe cold temperatures. The school is also closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
12:00 p.m.
EMSA medics in Tulsa have responded to a total of 22 cold exposure calls and 12 people have been taken to the hospital over the past three days because of extremely cold conditions.
11:30 a.m.
The Tulsa Day Center, in partnership with the City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma, housed 52 people and three dogs last night.
The Tulsa Day Center itself held 100 people and five dogs, including a man who arrived last night before it was too late.
If you see someone in the cold who needs help, please reach out to Tulsa House Solutions for an assistance request.
Weather Schedule Changes
- Meals on Wheels: Claremore Meals on Wheels and South Grand Lake Meals on Wheels will not be delivering on Jan. 15 due to weather conditions.
- Stillwater's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. events scheduled for Jan. 14 has been canceled due to unsafe travel conditions and cold temperatures.
Jan. 13
2:30 p.m.
The Gathering Place is closed on Sunday, Jan. 14 and Monday, Jan. 15 because of winter weather. Closures include Williams Lodge, ONEOK Boathouse, all play structures, sports courts, the BMX pump track and parking lots.
1:30 p.m.
Since midnight, EMSA in the Tulsa area has responded to seven cold exposure calls and four people are in local hospitals because of their symptoms.
EMSA advises anyone spending time outside to familiarize themselves with symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia occurs when a person's body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hypothermia Warning Signs
- Slurred speech
- Shallow breathing
- Weak pulse
- Lack of coordination
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
Frostbite Warning Signs
- Cold skin and prickling feeling
- Numbness
- Skin that looks different than normal
- Hard or waxy looking skin
- Muscle stiffness
EMSA advises anyone planning to be outside in the next two days to wear a heavy coat, a hat, gloves, multiple layers of clothing and warm boots with traction.
Frostbite can occur as quickly as 15 minutes when exposed to freezing temperatures.
Jan. 12
Watch: Latest forecast from 2 News meteorologists
9 a.m.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond said his office will monitor natural gas supply and marketing activity during the freezing temperatures. He said he wants to make sure Oklahomans aren't exploited the way they were in Feb. 2021.
“I am committed to protecting ratepayers from price manipulation to ensure fair costs that reflect market conditions,” Drummond said. “I understand the natural volatility of energy prices during inclement weather. My office will be closely monitoring the situation, and any suspicious activity will be investigated promptly. I will not permit unscrupulous actors to exploit Oklahoma on my watch.”
Drummond is asking public utilities to notify his office if natural gas marketers fail to meet their obligations as specified by the contract. He said his office is still investigating the winter storm of 2021.
8 a.m.
After thunderstorms on Thursday night, gusty winds and dry air squashed any chance for snow early Friday morning.
The cold temperatures led to a few school closings including OSU Stillwater and Tulsa. Many rural schools moved to distance learning for the day.
Roads remain clear, and crews continue to prepare for the next potential storm, which will start around noon on Sunday.
Jan. 11
Tulsa Transit announced service changes for the weekend.
On Jan. 14, the fixed route buses and Micro Transit won't provide service.
On Jan. 15 and Jan. 16, fixed bus routes will operate on snow routes and Micro Transit won't provide service.
Denver Avenue Station will be closed on Jan. 14 and an attendant will not be available on Jan. 15 and 16.
Here are the snow routes:
- 110 - Will not service Westview clinic or Osage Casino. From E 36th St N the bus will not turn on North Hartford Ave.
- 140 & 150 - No Service to 137th East Ave. From the East Gate Subhub the buses will turn right on 145th E Ave, right on 31st st, right on 129th E Ave to route.
- 300 - No service to 137th East Ave the bus will make a left on 129th E. Ave, right on 21st to the East Gate Subhub. From the Subhub right on 145th E Ave, right on 31st to route.
- All other routes: Snow route procedures stay the same.
Click here for updates from Tulsa Transit.
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