Winter storm to start back up at dawn in Oklahoma City

"We do have some sleet and snow still occurring in Ponca City, Enid and northeast Oklahoma. We also have some flurries and sleet in the Hobart and Altus area, and it's dry in between," forecaster Christine Riley said tonight.

The southwestern part of the state is the hardest hit area, with an inch to an inch and a half of ice that's fallen, coating power lines and downing tree branches, she said.

"Any precipitation we have down in the southeast is all rain right now," Riley said.

Starting about 6 a.m. and continuing into the afternoon, forecasters expect snow — with some sleet mixed in — to fall in central and southern Oklahoma.

"We are thinking we will accumulate some snow, especially around the city, of about 2 inches," Riley said.

Some light precipitation is expected into Friday evening, but accumulation will cease during the day, she said.

Many schools across Oklahoma and state government offices were closed today and most flights were canceled at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and Tulsa International Airport.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management opened the Emergency Operations Center at the Capitol to coordinate the state's response to the storm. Industrial-size generators and bottled water have been moved to staging sites in Oklahoma City and McAlester to be distributed where needed.