THIS could be the calm before the storm for ice-weary Oklahomans.
Many took advantage of clear weather Thursday to clean up from the ice storm earlier in the week ahead of several inches of snow predicted to fall by noon Saturday.
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Wet snowfall could add more weight to damaged power lines and delay efforts to restore electricity to more than 300,000 homes and businesses left in the cold and dark by the previous storm.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather watch for 43 counties in western, central and northern areas of the state, lasting from this morning to Saturday morning.
Counties bordering Kansas could see snowfall of 6 inches, while areas to the south could see 5 inches, forecasters said. Some periods of light freezing drizzle are possible over southwestern and central Oklahoma today before the precipitation changes over to snow.
The number of fatalities from the ice storm has risen to 23, according to the state medical examiner's office: 13 died in motor vehicle accidents including one who died when a utility pole fell on his vehicle in Tulsa, eight died in house fires, and two died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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If you're driving in drizzle or fog, please turn on your lights so others can see you and please leave sufficient room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. My job involves driving, and the number of drivers who behave as though it's bright, warm, unslippery weather is amazing.
We may disagree on some issues, and we may argue, but I sincerely hope everyone stays safe during this. There are shelters, use them if needed. Stay off the roads as much as you can, but if you have to drive, give yourself plenty of time and take it easy and watch out for the other guy. Be careful out there!
Ronnie Whiteman with Michael Johnson Horticultural Solutions Inc., tosses a limb into a brush chipper Thursday as he and others work to clear debris from trees damaged by the ice storm in Nichols Hills. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.