textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 527 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

- A significant winter storm will impact the area Friday through Sunday. - There is a high chance (at least 80%) of snowfall accumulations of 6+ inches across at least the northern half of Oklahoma.

- Lower snowfall totals across southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, with significant sleet accumulations.

- Ice accumulations from freezing rain are expected to be less than 0.15 of an inch

- There is a very high (>95%) chance for very cold temperatures across the area Friday into Monday, with wind chills below 0F likely.

NEAR TERM

(Today and tonight) Issued at 1137 AM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

Strong, gusty northeast winds will continue to advect Arctic air southward, as cold high pressure builds into the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. A stable layer will continue to moisten through the afternoon which will slowly improve chances of mainly light precipitation. By early to mid afternoon, a deeper, moist layer may result in convective elements across mainly southwest/south central Oklahoma and western north Texas. Although surface temperatures by afternoon will be below freezing, the depth of the cold air may not be sufficient for sleet, so freezing rain may be the dominant precipitation type.

By late afternoon into the early evening, forecast soundings suggest sufficient moisture within the dendritic growth zone and above for better chances of snow. However, a warm nose across parts of southern/central Oklahoma and northern Texas may result in mainly mainly sleet and perhaps freezing rain across far south central and southeastern Oklahoma.

Overall, the trend with this system is for warmer temperatures aloft (warm nose) to be situated farther south than previous forecast. This is expected to result in better chances of mainly snow in parts of central Oklahoma and a reduced chance of freezing rain (amounts) across southern Oklahoma and western north Texas.

SHORT TERM

(Saturday through Sunday night) Issued at 1137 AM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

Late Friday night into early Saturday morning, isentropic ascent is expected to weaken significantly across much of the area. This is expected to bring a lull in the precipitation for parts of the day Saturday. Even with a "lull", there will likely be some light snow or flurries that occurs or light sleet. The exception may be south central and southeastern Oklahoma during the morning, when isentropic ascent remains strong enough for a continued chance of moderate sleet/low chances of freezing rain.

Saturday night into Sunday, the mid-level flow will become more convergent from West Texas into Oklahoma. This is expected to result in a band of heavier precipitation that extends from western north Texas into parts of central/north central Oklahoma. This area of enhanced precipitation will gradually shift to the south and east, as the mid-level flow becomes more north/northwest Sunday morning/early afternoon.

In general, areas along and north of I-40 have a high chance (over 80%) of receiving at least 6-8 inches of snow and sleet. Far southern Oklahoma and northern Texas have a low to medium chance (20- 40%) of similar amounts, as more sleet is expected. Ice accumulations with freezing rain is expected to be below 0.15 of an inch.

LONG TERM

(Monday through next Thursday) Issued at 1146 PM CST Thu Jan 22 2026

Next week appears mainly dry after Sunday, but cold temperatures will persist for some time. Highs continue mainly in the 30s with lows in the teens through most of the week. There are some hints of precipitation chances returning next weekend.

Day

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 530 PM CST Fri Jan 23 2026

Deteriorting flight conditions are expected this evening as an area of freezing rain, sleet, and snow continues to expand to the north and east.

Snow is expected across northern into central Oklahoma (KWWR, KPNC, KSWO, KOKC, KCSM) with a snow/sleet mix just south of the I-40 corridor (KOUN) and a sleet/freezing rain mix across southern Oklahoma and north Texas (KLAW, KSPS, and KDUA).

Gusty winds will combine with the precipitation to cause brief reductions in visibility (IFR to LIFR). There will also be stratus. A relative lull in the activity is expected tomorrow morning into the afternoon before another round of heavier precipitation arrives toward and just beyond the TAF period.

Winds will remain from the north/northeast with a gradual decrease in gusts through the TAF period.

Mahale

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 6 12 5 14 / 100 90 100 60 Hobart OK 6 11 5 16 / 100 90 100 60 Wichita Falls TX 11 15 9 17 / 100 90 100 50 Gage OK -1 10 0 16 / 90 90 100 30 Ponca City OK 4 12 4 16 / 100 90 100 50 Durant OK 18 22 11 21 / 100 100 100 40

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Winter Storm Warning until noon CST Sunday for OKZ004>048- 050>052.

Extreme Cold Warning from midnight tonight to 9 AM CST Monday for OKZ004>048-050>052.

TX...Winter Storm Warning until noon CST Sunday for TXZ083>090.

Extreme Cold Warning from midnight tonight to 9 AM CST Monday for TXZ083>090.