OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – NOAA’s Winter 2025–2026 outlook, released Thursday, Oct. 16, points to a colder, stormier pattern for Oklahoma through February — with strong chances for snow, ice, and Arctic air into early spring. The Climate Prediction Center’s data shows above-normal precipitation and near- to below-normal temperatures statewide, a typical La Niña setup for the southern Plains.
According to the National Weather Service in Norman, “This winter pattern favors frequent cold fronts and Gulf-fed storm systems that can produce snow or ice, especially from January through mid-February.” Northern and western Oklahoma — including Enid, Woodward, and Guymon — could see multiple accumulating snowfalls, while central and southern zones may deal with more freezing rain and sleet.
Forecasters note that travel disruptions are likely along I-40, I-35, and U.S. 81 during stronger systems. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is preparing for extended plow and sanding operations through late winter. Power outages are also possible when ice builds on trees and lines during slow-moving storms.
The pattern may ease slightly in March, though colder air could linger into early spring. NOAA cautions that rapid temperature swings may create flash-freeze risks when strong Arctic fronts push through the state.
For Oklahoma, Winter 2026 looks colder, wetter, and more unpredictable than recent years — the kind of season that demands readiness for everything from blowing snow to a midweek ice storm.
