03-27-2009, 12:25 PM
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Published: March 27, 2009
The blizzard has hit the Oklahoma Panhandle, a meteorologist in Amarillo, Texas said today.
The National Weather Service has posted a Blizzard Warning for all of the Oklahoma Panhandle and much of the northwest. Snow accumulations of 10-15 inches are likely with sustained winds of 40 mph, gusting to 50 mph.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is closing down the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 at the Texas state line.
Jane Apple of Kenton in the far western part of the Panhandle said there are 4 to 5 foot drifts with visibility less than 100 yards.
It started snowing there about 6 p.m. Thursday.
"At times we can't see at all. It's pretty bad. It's snowing and blowing. Winds are about 40 mph, " Apple said.
Click here for a full list of school and event closings.
Buffalo
Harper County homes are still without power as scattered outages are being repaired by crews from Northwestern Electric Co., said Conyetta Lehenbauer, the county emergency management director.
But power to Buffalo was restored shortly after 8 a.m.
She said there is about one to two inches of snow on the ground but it is hard to tell because of drifting snow banks due to high winds.
"Homes are still without power in a lot of places in the county. I don't have power at my house," Lehenbauer said.
She said Harper County had a significant amount of sleet and rain before temperatures started dropping and snow falling. this morning.
Panhandle
State Transportation Department crews are not yet encountering lots of accumulated snow in the northwestern parts of the state. Still, they are seeing blizzard-like and whiteout conditions, department spokesman Cole Hackett said.
"Our crews are out in the northwestern part of the state putting sand and salt on the bridges, anticipating what's coming their direction," he said. "We're ready to work around the clock if necessary."
State Transportation Department crews in Cimarron County report blowing and drifting snow and extremely low visibility throughout the county.
These roads are closed:
ââ¬â State Highway 385 from Boise City south to the Oklahoma-Texas border and north to the Oklahoma-Kansas border.
ââ¬â U.S. 56 from Boise City southwest to the Oklahoma-New Mexico border and northeast to the Oklahoma-Kansas border.
ââ¬â State Highway 325 from Boise City west to Oklahoma-New Mexico border.
ââ¬â State Highway 171 from Keyes south to Oklahoma-Texas border.
Rancher Stanley Barby at Beaver said it started snowing about 2 or 3 a.m. but was light at first. "It was just covering the ground at daylight, but now it's heavy." They are without power and running on a generator. But he said he thinks the power problem is because of problems to the east of them.
In Texas County, conditions are worsening, said Harold Tyson, emergency management director.
He said it is hard to tell how much snow has fallen so far because the wind is blowing about 35 mph.
"It's blowing snow horizontal if you can imagine that," Tyson said.
He said with the temperature at 18 degrees forecasters have said the Panhandle could get up to 22 inches "before it is all over."
An emergency shelter has been opened at Guymon United Methodist Church at NW 6 and Quinn Street. With U.S. 64 being closed there are likely going to be stranded motorists, he said. Other roads are also being closed due to snow drifts.
"It's getting worse," Tyson said about 9:30 a.m.
While a blizzard continues to howl outdoors, it was lightning that caused problems this morning near Elmwood in Beaver County, said Keith Shadden, the county emergency management director.
Thunderstorms hit the county too and lightning hit an oil tank battery southeast of Elmwood around 6 a.m. Firefighters had it out about 8 a.m. Shadden said no one has been hurt and there are no serious wrecks due to weather.
Beaver County has had about 2 inches of accumulation and roads are snow-packed and slick.
On the eastern side of Beaver County there have been numerous power outages and crews are working to restore power, Shadden said.
Emergency shelters will be opened if needed, he said, and American Red Cross crews with cots and blankets are on standby if needed, he said.Snow continues in Beaver County, he said.
In Woods County Steve Foster, emergency management director said it is sleeting this morning and ice is forming on the ground and roadways.
Noble, Kay counties
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are advising motorists to drive with caution in northern Oklahoma as parts of Interstate 35 in Noble and Kay counties are slick and hazardous
Road conditions/Closures
U.S. 64 from Guymon west to New Mexico is being shut down, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.
Troopers report visibility of less than 20 feet due to blowing snow. Roads are snow-packed and slick.
All roads leading into and out of Boise City are closed, said Teresa Ramirez, a dispatcher at the Cimarron County Sheriff's Department.
"It looks like a blizzard out there," Ramirez said shortly before 10 a.m.
She said all churches in the city are open for anyone who needs shelter.
She said there are no serious wrecks with injuries but a number of tractor-trailer rigs that are stuck in snowdrifts.
She said about 3 inches of snowfall have accumulated .
Roadways in Cimarron and Texas counties are slick and hazardous. Roadways in Beaver, Harper, Ellis and Woodward are slick in spots and deteriorating steadily. For more information on road closings go to the breaking news blog
Power outages
Two power outages are being reported in Enid and Oklahoma City, according to OG&E.
There are 166 customers without power in west Oklahoma City and 222 customers without power in Enid, the company's Web site states.
Lists of outages OG&E coverage area
The Luther Library is having a semi-power outage. The phones and computers are down, but the library is still open.
Alva
Ted Satterfield, a mass communications instructor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, said ice started falling about 8 a.m. in Alva.
Warnings
A Winter Storm Warning continues for southwest, west-central, central, and north-central Oklahoma. Snow accumulations of 8-12 inches are likely with sustained winds of 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph. Southern areas of the warning may receive 4-6 inches of snow. A winter storm Watch continues for northeast Oklahoma, where snow accumulations of 4-6 inches are expected.
For more information on what warnings and watches have been issued, go to the National Weather Service
Oklahoma City Metro
Traffic was detoured this morning around fallen power lines between NE 36 and NE 50 on N Lincoln Boulevard, a fire department spokeswoman said.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric crews were called to the scene. The cause of the downed lines was not immediately known however there was no wreck reported, police said.
In the Oklahoma City area there is one power outage. OG&E is reporting 88 customers without power in Luther.
Forecasters predict a 90 percent chance of rain in central Oklahoma today, with the rain possibly turning to snow after 5 p.m. and continue into Saturday. Temperature will begin falling to around 39 degrees by 5 p.m. A north, northeast wind between 26 and 29 mph with gusts as high as 37 mph is expected today in central Oklahoma.
Pea-sized hail fell at NW 39 Expressway and Portland Avenue before 7 a.m. as rain that had been predicted by forecasters for today started to fall.
Central Oklahoma forecast
Tonight: Snow. Some thunder is also possible. Areas of blowing snow. Low around 29. Windy, with a north northwest wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow likely and areas of blowing snow before 1 p.m. then a chance of snow after 1 p.m. It will be cloudy with a high near 38 degrees and windy with a north, northwest wind between 21 and 26 mph with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West northwest wind 15 to 18 mph decreasing to between 6 and 9 mph. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph increasing to between 13 and 16 mph. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-panhandle-rep...ead_topten
Published: March 27, 2009
The blizzard has hit the Oklahoma Panhandle, a meteorologist in Amarillo, Texas said today.
The National Weather Service has posted a Blizzard Warning for all of the Oklahoma Panhandle and much of the northwest. Snow accumulations of 10-15 inches are likely with sustained winds of 40 mph, gusting to 50 mph.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is closing down the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 at the Texas state line.
Jane Apple of Kenton in the far western part of the Panhandle said there are 4 to 5 foot drifts with visibility less than 100 yards.
It started snowing there about 6 p.m. Thursday.
"At times we can't see at all. It's pretty bad. It's snowing and blowing. Winds are about 40 mph, " Apple said.
Click here for a full list of school and event closings.
Buffalo
Harper County homes are still without power as scattered outages are being repaired by crews from Northwestern Electric Co., said Conyetta Lehenbauer, the county emergency management director.
But power to Buffalo was restored shortly after 8 a.m.
She said there is about one to two inches of snow on the ground but it is hard to tell because of drifting snow banks due to high winds.
"Homes are still without power in a lot of places in the county. I don't have power at my house," Lehenbauer said.
She said Harper County had a significant amount of sleet and rain before temperatures started dropping and snow falling. this morning.
Panhandle
State Transportation Department crews are not yet encountering lots of accumulated snow in the northwestern parts of the state. Still, they are seeing blizzard-like and whiteout conditions, department spokesman Cole Hackett said.
"Our crews are out in the northwestern part of the state putting sand and salt on the bridges, anticipating what's coming their direction," he said. "We're ready to work around the clock if necessary."
State Transportation Department crews in Cimarron County report blowing and drifting snow and extremely low visibility throughout the county.
These roads are closed:
ââ¬â State Highway 385 from Boise City south to the Oklahoma-Texas border and north to the Oklahoma-Kansas border.
ââ¬â U.S. 56 from Boise City southwest to the Oklahoma-New Mexico border and northeast to the Oklahoma-Kansas border.
ââ¬â State Highway 325 from Boise City west to Oklahoma-New Mexico border.
ââ¬â State Highway 171 from Keyes south to Oklahoma-Texas border.
Rancher Stanley Barby at Beaver said it started snowing about 2 or 3 a.m. but was light at first. "It was just covering the ground at daylight, but now it's heavy." They are without power and running on a generator. But he said he thinks the power problem is because of problems to the east of them.
In Texas County, conditions are worsening, said Harold Tyson, emergency management director.
He said it is hard to tell how much snow has fallen so far because the wind is blowing about 35 mph.
"It's blowing snow horizontal if you can imagine that," Tyson said.
He said with the temperature at 18 degrees forecasters have said the Panhandle could get up to 22 inches "before it is all over."
An emergency shelter has been opened at Guymon United Methodist Church at NW 6 and Quinn Street. With U.S. 64 being closed there are likely going to be stranded motorists, he said. Other roads are also being closed due to snow drifts.
"It's getting worse," Tyson said about 9:30 a.m.
While a blizzard continues to howl outdoors, it was lightning that caused problems this morning near Elmwood in Beaver County, said Keith Shadden, the county emergency management director.
Thunderstorms hit the county too and lightning hit an oil tank battery southeast of Elmwood around 6 a.m. Firefighters had it out about 8 a.m. Shadden said no one has been hurt and there are no serious wrecks due to weather.
Beaver County has had about 2 inches of accumulation and roads are snow-packed and slick.
On the eastern side of Beaver County there have been numerous power outages and crews are working to restore power, Shadden said.
Emergency shelters will be opened if needed, he said, and American Red Cross crews with cots and blankets are on standby if needed, he said.Snow continues in Beaver County, he said.
In Woods County Steve Foster, emergency management director said it is sleeting this morning and ice is forming on the ground and roadways.
Noble, Kay counties
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are advising motorists to drive with caution in northern Oklahoma as parts of Interstate 35 in Noble and Kay counties are slick and hazardous
Road conditions/Closures
U.S. 64 from Guymon west to New Mexico is being shut down, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.
Troopers report visibility of less than 20 feet due to blowing snow. Roads are snow-packed and slick.
All roads leading into and out of Boise City are closed, said Teresa Ramirez, a dispatcher at the Cimarron County Sheriff's Department.
"It looks like a blizzard out there," Ramirez said shortly before 10 a.m.
She said all churches in the city are open for anyone who needs shelter.
She said there are no serious wrecks with injuries but a number of tractor-trailer rigs that are stuck in snowdrifts.
She said about 3 inches of snowfall have accumulated .
Roadways in Cimarron and Texas counties are slick and hazardous. Roadways in Beaver, Harper, Ellis and Woodward are slick in spots and deteriorating steadily. For more information on road closings go to the breaking news blog
Power outages
Two power outages are being reported in Enid and Oklahoma City, according to OG&E.
There are 166 customers without power in west Oklahoma City and 222 customers without power in Enid, the company's Web site states.
Lists of outages OG&E coverage area
The Luther Library is having a semi-power outage. The phones and computers are down, but the library is still open.
Alva
Ted Satterfield, a mass communications instructor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, said ice started falling about 8 a.m. in Alva.
Warnings
A Winter Storm Warning continues for southwest, west-central, central, and north-central Oklahoma. Snow accumulations of 8-12 inches are likely with sustained winds of 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph. Southern areas of the warning may receive 4-6 inches of snow. A winter storm Watch continues for northeast Oklahoma, where snow accumulations of 4-6 inches are expected.
For more information on what warnings and watches have been issued, go to the National Weather Service
Oklahoma City Metro
Traffic was detoured this morning around fallen power lines between NE 36 and NE 50 on N Lincoln Boulevard, a fire department spokeswoman said.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric crews were called to the scene. The cause of the downed lines was not immediately known however there was no wreck reported, police said.
In the Oklahoma City area there is one power outage. OG&E is reporting 88 customers without power in Luther.
Forecasters predict a 90 percent chance of rain in central Oklahoma today, with the rain possibly turning to snow after 5 p.m. and continue into Saturday. Temperature will begin falling to around 39 degrees by 5 p.m. A north, northeast wind between 26 and 29 mph with gusts as high as 37 mph is expected today in central Oklahoma.
Pea-sized hail fell at NW 39 Expressway and Portland Avenue before 7 a.m. as rain that had been predicted by forecasters for today started to fall.
Central Oklahoma forecast
Tonight: Snow. Some thunder is also possible. Areas of blowing snow. Low around 29. Windy, with a north northwest wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow likely and areas of blowing snow before 1 p.m. then a chance of snow after 1 p.m. It will be cloudy with a high near 38 degrees and windy with a north, northwest wind between 21 and 26 mph with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West northwest wind 15 to 18 mph decreasing to between 6 and 9 mph. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph increasing to between 13 and 16 mph. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
http://newsok.com/oklahoma-panhandle-rep...ead_topten