textproduct: Norman

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1249 AM CST Thu Jan 22 2026

- A significant winter storm is expected to impact the entire area beginning Friday morning through Sunday morning. - There is a medium to high chance (60-80%) of snowfall accumulations of more than 6 inches across at least the northern half of Oklahoma.

- Lower snowfall totals across southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, with better chances of sleet and freezing rain.

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

NEAR TERM

(Through Thursday) Issued at 1249 AM CST Thu Jan 22 2026

A broad mid-level trough continues to dominate the the Great Lakes and vicinity. Increasing clouds this morning will stick around through the day, keeping temperatures similar to yesterday afternoon. A strong cold front will begin to make its way through the Plains Thursday afternoon, which will bring in much cooler air starting Thursday evening.

Bunker

SHORT TERM

(Thursday night through Saturday night) Issued at 1249 AM CST Thu Jan 22 2026

A significant winter storm is expected to impact the entire area starting Friday morning through Sunday.

Aforementioned cold front will move through the area Friday morning, which will start a stretch of extreme colder through the weekend. Temperatures will decrease through the day, and most locations will be below freezing by the middle of the afternoon. Precipitation will begin as early as Friday morning across the west, and will spread eastward through the day. Precipitation intensity and coverage is expected to increase Friday evening/overnight with better jet dynamics, and modest warm air advection within a deep, moist, stable layer. A more pronounced warm nose across southern Oklahoma and northern Texas is expected to keep most of the precipitation in the form of sleet and freezing rain. This warm nose may continue to shift towards the north into central Oklahoma through Friday evening/overnight, as the mass response from stronger warm air advection overspreads the southern Plains ahead of a shortwave trough. This could potentially have major affects on snow vs sleet amounts along the I-40 corridor during Friday into Saturday morning.

Eventually, the column should cool and wintry mix will transition to snow across the area. There is a signal for a lull in precipitation during Saturday afternoon, so this is a trend that we will continue to monitor. The main system moves across the area Saturday night into Sunday, so snowfall is expected during this timeframe.

Throughout this event, locations north of I-40 may see over 8 inches of snowfall, with locally higher amounts of 10-12+ inches possible. In central Oklahoma, 6-8 inches of snow are possible, with up to 1 inch of sleet possible. Further south across the remainder of the area, 1-3 inches of sleet are possible initially, then up to 4 inches of snow expected. These amounts are possible to change as new data comes in. Regardless of specific amounts, this winter storm is expected to be significant.

Extremely cold wind chills as low as -20F are expected Saturday and Sunday mornings, with little recovery during the afternoon. Everyone should stay indoors during this event unless they absolutely need to leave. Should that be the case, people are strongly encouraged to exercise caution driving, and wear several layers of clothing to prevent exposed skin to the cold.

Bunker

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 1249 AM CST Thu Jan 22 2026

Snowfall is expected to exit the area by Sunday morning into the afternoon. The extremely cold temperatures and wind chills are expected to stick around through at least Monday morning. Although next week appears to be dry for now, colder temperatures are expected to stick around -- with highs in the 30s and lows in the teens through mid week.

Bunker

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1120 PM CST Wed Jan 21 2026

Light and variable will become east/southeasterly.

VFR conditions are generally expected at most terminals with MVFR stratus expanding northward by late tomorrow morning into the afternoon across western north Texas into southern Oklahoma (KSPS, KDUA, and KLAW).

Mahale

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Oklahoma City OK 52 27 28 7 / 0 0 40 100 Hobart OK 51 26 28 7 / 0 10 60 100 Wichita Falls TX 55 34 37 13 / 0 10 80 100 Gage OK 51 16 20 1 / 0 10 40 100 Ponca City OK 51 19 21 5 / 0 0 20 90 Durant OK 56 36 38 19 / 0 10 60 100

OUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OK...Winter Storm Warning from 6 AM Friday to noon CST Sunday for OKZ004>048-050>052.

Extreme Cold Watch from late Friday night through Monday morning for OKZ004>048-050>052.

TX...Winter Storm Warning from 6 AM Friday to noon CST Sunday for TXZ083>090.

Extreme Cold Watch from late Friday night through Monday morning for TXZ083>090.