Winter storm brings white Christmas to state but goes easy on Oklahoma City

Southwestern portions of the state spent Christmas under a blizzard warning, but Oklahoma City was let off the hook when a winter storm warning was canceled hours early by the weather service.

A blizzard warning was canceled about sundown Tuesday for Beckham, Caddo, Carter, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, Love, Murray, Stephens and Tillman counties The weather service estimated 4 to 6 inches of snow to fall in those areas, with a swath from Hobart to Ardmore estimated to receive more than that.

Light snow, blowing snow and freezing rain still were being reported in and around Lawton and Ardmore on Tuesday afternoon, Williams said.

The winter storm warning was canceled midafternoon, Williams said, but a wind chill advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday for western Oklahoma, including Cleveland, Logan and Oklahoma counties.

Temperatures statewide are predicted to stay in the lower 20s and upper 30s Wednesday. The forecast high temperature in Oklahoma City is 31 degrees, with temperatures falling into the teens overnight.

Travel routes

Ice and snow didn't leave travel routes unscathed, and crews in Oklahoma City worked through Christmas to keep the roads and runways clear.

Oklahoma City streets manager Mike Love Sr. said 32 trucks began salting roads continuously at 2:30 a.m. and will continue to do so until road conditions are not hazardous.

“Our crews are working 12-hour shifts for a 24-hour operation, and we'll keep doing it until the white stuff is gone,” Love said.

“I would say put another log on the fire, enjoy your families and leave us plenty of room to do our job,” Love said.

A handful of other scheduled flights were canceled at Will Rogers World Airport, but crews applied chemicals to Oklahoma City runways overnight to keep the airport open, spokeswoman Karen Carney said.

But travelers must also consider conditions at airports in other states and should check ahead before heading to the airport, she said.

Fatal accident