Winter Weather Advisory in effect through noon Thursday

(TULSA, Okla.) Light freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and light sleet will be possible across portions of eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas Thursday morning. A glaze of ice accumulation will be possible, especially on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses.

The stubborn shallow Arctic air remained across the region, with periods of freezing likely into the morning hours along with pockets of sleet. Mainly elevated surfaces, bridges and overpasses will be impacted with temperatures running around 30-32F, but regardless this will have a significant impact on the morning commute. The higher icing amounts are expected across northeast OK, with only a light glazing likely in parts of far northwest AR.

Wintry weather will continue Thursday afternoon and into the night across portions of eastern Oklahoma, mainly south and west of Tulsa to Fort Smith line except for Choctaw County. Ice accumulations up to two-tenths of an inch and snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches will be possible in the advisory area. 

Farther south into southeast OK, the NWS has opted to extend the winter weather advisory through the afternoon and into the overnight hours. Periods of rain and sleet will be possible into the afternoon, although forecast soundings show enough cooling going into the evening to support a changeover to sleet and snow. At this time, there appears to be a swath of 1-3 inches of snow generally along and south of I-40 in southeast OK. Far southeast OK may stay warm enough to remain all liquid as does most of west central AR.

Once the upper system exits, there will be an extended period of warmer weather for the weekend and well into next week. Rain chances return by Monday ahead of a weak cold front.