Photos: Schools close, accidents mount as winter storm slams south-central US
The first month of 2019 kicked off with a winter storm across the south-central United States, unleashing disruptive snow and ice across the region.
Snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches were common across west-central Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle from late Wednesday to Thursday night. Sleet and freezing rain also left a glaze of ice in parts of central Oklahoma.
At least four fatalities were reported due to accidents on roadways in Oklahoma, the Associated Press reported. In addition, a police officer was injured in a collision on Interstate 44 near Tulsa.
The wintry weather caused widespread travel disruptions across the region, contributing to accidents on major highways during the Wednesday evening commute and through much of Thursday.
Winter storms delivers ice, snow to south-central US
AP Photo/Garret Fischer
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Polar air clashed with a storm emerging out of the southwestern U.S., resulting in snow and ice across the southern Plains, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bob Smerbeck.
Even though the winter storm will depart the south-central US on Friday, power outages and travel disruptions may persist into the weekend as crews work to clear roads and repair downed power lines.
Download the free AccuWeather app to see what conditions are forecast for your area.
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Slush still causing slide offs in Southwestern Oklahoma #okwx #snow @accuweather @breakingweather pic.twitter.com/NFhxY9rfTp
— Jonathan Petramala (@jpetramala) January 3, 2019
Our Firefighters continue to respond on accidents across the Metro. Please remember to reduce your speed and move over one lane (if safe to do so) when approaching an accident scene. Give us plenty of room to work! #HelpUsHelpYou pic.twitter.com/D7G7Q429aV
— Oklahoma City Fire (@OKCFD) January 3, 2019
Our street crews will be working around the clock to clear snow routes until conditions improve. Find our interactive snow route map and other winter weather tips at https://t.co/HHHcYagIiN. #okwx pic.twitter.com/ghwpgu05bR
— City of OKC (@cityofokc) January 3, 2019
Reminder to slow down! Lt. Colby Overstreet @OHPLTColby was almost hit by a vehicle driving too fast on an icy bridge after he'd stopped to assist with a crash last night in Tulsa. #slowdown pic.twitter.com/1iQWTkFJh8
— OHP-DPS Public Information (@OHPDPS) January 3, 2019
