Snow fell across much of Oklahoma early today as a cold front plodded across the state, with some portions of northern Oklahoma receiving more than 4 inches of snow.
The Altus area was expecting 1-2 inches of snow, but soon after the white stuff began falling around 9 a.m., the sun came out and melted most signs away.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for more than two dozen counties across roughly the northern half of the state as the storm system moved east.
“It looks like north-central is getting the most snowfall,” said Daryl Williams, a forecaster at the weather service in Norman. “The band coming through the Oklahoma City metro area doesn't have a lot of accumulation so far, but it's got some pretty good intensity.”
The snowfall resulted from a low-pressure system centered in the southwest corner of Oklahoma that was combining with cold air from the front that pushed into the state early today.
As the cold front continues to push its way into Oklahoma, winds were expected to increase and temperatures expected to drop across the state. Sustained winds of between 20 and 30 mph were expected late this afternoon, which could cause some visibility problems for motorists.
in parts of northern Oklahoma that received heavy snowfall.
Temperatures are not expected to drop enough to cause icing or freezing rain, Williams said.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported interstates and highways in northern Oklahoma were most affected by Thursday's storm, but all remained open and there were few reports of weather-related accidents.
“We've had a few wrecks along I-40, but it's been pretty quiet,” said OHP trooper Betsy Randolph. “Other than our usual fender benders, it hasn't been that bad this morning.”
Officials at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City and Tulsa International reported there were no weather-related delays or cancellations.
“Right now things look really good; we just took a look at the runway and it's not slippery at all,” said Will Rogers spokeswoman Jennifer James McCollum.
Winds are expected to switch back to the south and southwest after midnight, and sunny skies and daytime highs in the 50s are expected on Friday.
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