After highs near 80°F to start the week, a cold front is set to push through, bringing a slight dip in temperatures and a few showers.

Tracking A Cold Front Across Oklahoma

A cold front will move across northern Oklahoma by midday on Wednesday, bringing gusty northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph.

There is a slight chance of a few sprinkles or a spotty shower, but the probability of measurable precipitation remains below 10% for most of the area.

Daytime highs will still be above seasonal averages but cooler than Tuesday. Morning lows in the 40s and 50s will be followed by daytime highs in the mid to upper 60s.

As the front clears the area tonight, most of the cloud cover will move out by early tomorrow morning.

What’s Next?

From Thursday through Saturday, expect pleasant and mostly tranquil weather.

Thursday morning temperatures will start in the mid-30s, with daytime highs in the upper 60s and mostly sunny conditions.

Friday will begin with a low of 40 and highs in the mid-70s, accompanied by gusty southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph.

Saturday morning will start at 42, with a weak boundary bringing northwest winds of 7 to 12 mph.

Daytime highs on Saturday will reach the mid-60s, with sunshine expected for most of the day.

Will We See Storms This Weekend?

By the weekend, an upper-level wave currently over the western U.S. will move near or over Oklahoma.

There is some inconsistency in the exact path of this system, but there is a chance for showers and storms from late Sunday afternoon into early Monday morning.

A few strong storms cannot be ruled out.

Ahead of this system on Sunday, expect increasing clouds, morning lows in the lower 40s, and daytime highs in the mid-60s, with gusty southeast winds of 15 to 25 mph.

Any Severe Threats next Week?

As this trough approaches, a stronger upper-level system and southwest flow will quickly organize, bringing gusty south winds on Monday, with morning lows near 50 and highs in the upper 60s.

Late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, this strong system will move across the southern plains, bringing a chance for thunderstorms along and east of Highway 69/75, including the threat of a few strong to severe storms, mostly across far eastern Oklahoma.

As the trough moves east of the state, severe weather threats will increase to the east of Oklahoma. Tuesday’s temperatures are expected to start in the lower 50s and finish in the lower 70s.

How Will Fire Danger Be Affected This Week?

Fire spread rates will increase today as a front brings gusty northwest winds.

Low humidity will elevate rates slightly on Thursday, but gusty southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph on Friday, combined with dry air and drying vegetation, will further increase fire spread.

Please stay aware of these conditions through the end of the week.

🌧️ Cold Front Moves In: What to Expect

1. Wednesday:
2. A cold front arrives in the morning
3. Winds shift to the north, gusting up to 25 mph
4. Scattered light showers possible, mainly in the afternoon
5. Highs dip into the low 60s but remain above normal
6. Thursday:
7. Morning lows in the 30s 🥶
8. Sunny skies return with highs in the mid-60s 🌤️
9. Breezy northwest winds

📅 Weekend Outlook: Warm Before Storms Return

1. Friday: Back in the 70s with a southwest breeze
2. Saturday: Beautiful start to March—great for outdoor plans!
3. Sunday Night: A stronger storm system could bring heavier rain & a few thunderstorms ⛈️

———

Winter Weather Preparation:

Where are the warming shelters available in Tulsa this year?

The city of Tulsa, local shelters, warming stations, and outreach teams are working to ensure access to safe, warm spaces during the cold temperatures.

>>> City of Tulsa prepares for extreme cold temperatures

>>> Oklahoma opens shelters and warming centers amid winter storm

Tulsa shelters and temporary warming locations are open to provide refuge this February. Major locations include:

1. John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne — Open 24/7
2. The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave. — Open 24/7
3. Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St. — Open 24/7 (Pets allowed, limited capacity)
4. The Station at Youth Services: 311 S. Madison Ave., open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. - Emergency Shelter open for 12-17-year-olds.
5. Denver Avenue Station: 319 S. Denver Ave., open Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 5:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.

>>> Center Of Hope Expands Services During Freezing Temperatures

Temporary overflow shelters will also be open for the cold weather for the mid-February winter storm.

1. One Hope Tulsa- Rose Bowl (7419 E. 11 St.) – Operating as an overflow shelter for adults
2. Tulsa Dream Center (4122 W. 55 Pl.) – Serving as an overflow shelter for adults; this location is also pet-friendly
3. The Ministry Center: 312 S. 33rd W. Ave., check this page for availability

For a full list of warming station locations and hours, visit Housing Solutions’ Winter Weather Information Page.

>>> Warming Shelters, Safety Tips For Cold Temperatures This Winter In Oklahoma

>>> Tulsa Clinic Offers Health Care Services At Warming Shelters

How to protect your pipes from freezing during frigid winter weather in Oklahoma:

Insulate Exposed Pipes

1. Install Pipe Insulation: Use foam pipe insulation to cover exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
2. Cover Outdoor Spigots: Remove hoses and install insulated covers on outdoor faucets to prevent freezing.

Maintain Adequate Heating

1. Keep Thermostat Consistent: Maintain a steady indoor temperature, even when away, to prevent pipes from freezing.
2. Open Cabinet Doors: Allow warm air to circulate around pipes under sinks by keeping cabinet doors open.

Allow Faucets to Drip

1. Drip Both Hot and Cold Faucets: Letting faucets drip can prevent pressure buildup, reducing the chance of pipes freezing and bursting.
2. Increase to a Steady Stream in Extreme Cold: As temperatures drop further, increase the drip to a steady stream to ensure water keeps moving through the pipes.

What to Do If Pipes Freeze

1. Keep Faucets Open: Open faucets to allow water to flow as the frozen area begins to melt.
2. Apply Gentle Heat: Use a hair dryer or space heater to warm the frozen section of the pipe, avoiding open flames.
3. Monitor for Leaks: As pipes thaw, watch for leaks indicating a burst pipe and contact a professional plumber immediately if needed.

>>> Plumbers Talk Dos and Don'ts Of Addressing Frozen Pipes

>>> How To Prepare For Freezing Weather In Oklahoma This Winter

Bring Pets Inside!

Winter temperatures can pose additional challenges for pets, particularly older animals or those with health conditions. Hartfield recommends:

1. Wellness Checks: Ensure pets are up to date on vaccines and discuss arthritis or other cold-weather health concerns with a veterinarian.
2. Outdoor Time: Monitor the duration of outdoor activities, especially for short-haired breeds or pets with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
3. Paw Care: After walks, inspect and clean paws to remove ice or de-icing chemicals that could harm your pet.

>>> Cold Weather Pet Tips: How To Keep Animals Safe During Winter Months

How Can I Protect Myself From Sickness Or The Flu This Winter?

The Tulsa Health Department is urging residents to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent respiratory illnesses as Oklahoma enters the coldest months of the year.

>>> What You Can Do For Your Kids To Prevent The Flu Amid Rise In Cases

1. Health experts say the risk of respiratory illnesses is higher during the winter, as colder weather often leads to more indoor gatherings, increasing the likelihood of viruses spreading. 
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Oklahoma is one of 11 states with very high respiratory virus activity, and with flu vaccination rates lower than this time in 2024, more people have reported getting sick.

>>> How to Protect Yourself From Respiratory Illness This Winter

>>> Districts Are Cautiously Optimistic As Attendance Rate Begin To Rise

>>> 3 Things Doctors Want You To Know About The Flu In Oklahoma

Emergency Info: Outages Across Oklahoma:

Northeast Oklahoma has various power companies and electric cooperatives, many of which have overlapping areas of coverage. Below is a link to various outage maps.

>>> Tulsa HVAC, Plumbing Companies Flooded With Calls During Cold Weather

1. PSO Outage Map
2. OG&E Outage Map
3. VVEC Outage Map
4. Indian Electric Cooperative (IEC) Outage Map
5. Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage Map — (Note Several Smaller Co-ops Included)

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/62N9VtzUCWcYNwJDHCBn6P

The Alan Crone morning weather podcast link from Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/oklahoma-news-from-kotv-news-on-6-in-tulsa-oklahoma/id1499556141

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