Tulsa, Oklahoma – A prolonged stretch of cold weather will continue across eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas this week, with multiple hazards expected, including freezing fog, reduced visibility, and dangerously low wind chills.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, patchy to areas of freezing fog may impact portions of eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas tonight into Wednesday morning. The fog could reduce visibility and create slick spots on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads, particularly during the early-morning commute.
Temperatures will remain cold through midweek, with overnight lows dropping into the teens and single digits in some locations. Daytime highs Wednesday and Thursday are expected to recover into the 30s and lower 40s, but the brief moderation will not last.
Forecasters warn that a reinforcing cold front late in the week will usher in another surge of arctic air. Very cold wind chills are expected Friday night into Saturday morning, with minimum wind chill values potentially dropping below zero across parts of eastern Oklahoma. The coldest conditions are likely along major travel corridors including Interstate 44, Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 75, U.S. Highway 69, and U.S. Highway 60.
While precipitation chances remain low, the combination of cold temperatures, lingering moisture, and gusty winds could prolong hazardous conditions for motorists and outdoor activities. The National Weather Service urges residents to use caution when traveling overnight or early in the morning and to be alert for rapidly changing road conditions.
Residents are encouraged to dress in layers, limit time outdoors during periods of extreme cold, and check on vulnerable individuals. Pets should be brought indoors, and exposed pipes should be protected from freezing.
The National Weather Service advises continuing to monitor forecasts as the late-week cold front approaches and conditions become clearer.
