http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/snow-sleet-to-continue-through-friday-in-tulsa-area/article_2f443664-5db9-11e3-9105-0019bb30f31a.htmlFallin declares state of emergency; Snow, sleet to continue through Friday in Tulsa area 12/5/13
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin today declared a State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties due to the winter storm impacting the state.
"The weather is bad and getting worse," said Fallin in a news release. "Emergency personnel are coordinating with state and local officials to ensure we are prepared and ready for whatever comes our way."
The declaration allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness. It is also a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.
Under the Executive Order, the state of emergency lasts for 30 days.
In addition, Oklahoma’s Emergency Price Stabilization Act is now in effect.
Attorney General Scott Pruitt said Oklahoma’s price gouging statute prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of most goods and services when a state of emergency has been declared.
Tulsa forecast calls for snow, sleet, single-digit lows
Tulsa's winter weather is mostly expected tonight, with high chances of sleet and snow during the day today, then flurries and freezing drizzle possible Friday.
The National Weather Service forecasts occasional snow and sleet this afternoon. North wind gusts up to 20 mph and highs in the mid-20s are also forecast. Daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than 1 inch is expected.
Overnight in Tulsa, a 100 percent chance of occasional snow and sleet is expected to turn into all snow after 1 a.m. Temperatures are forecast for the upper teens, with north wind gusts up to 20 mph. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2-4 inches is expected.
A 100 percent chance is also forecast for Friday in Tulsa, with occasional snow before 4 p.m., then a slight chance of flurries and drizzle. Highs in the mid-20s with will chill values between 7 and 12 degrees are forecast. Little to no snow accumulation, but 1-3 inches of snow is expected.
A slight chance of flurries and freezing drizzle is forecast before 7 p.m. Friday night, with overnight lows around 7 degrees and wind chill values between minus-6 and 4 degrees.
Snow chances diminish to 30-40 percent Saturday night through Sunday night, with overnight low temperatures in the teens forecast for Tulsa.
The lowest temperatures of the coming days are forecast for Monday night, which has a low of around 6 degrees. The next time Tulsa temperatures may rise above freezing is Wednesday, with a highs in the low 30s forecast.
Winter storm warning for Tulsa County, surrounding areas
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Tulsa County and surrounding areas, in effect 11 a.m. today through 6 p.m. Friday.
Other counties under this warning are Creek, Nowata, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Rogers and Washington.
A mix of wintry precipitation is expected to reach areas near and northwest of Interstate 44 very late this morning, more likely this afternoon. Sleet and snow are likely this afternoon, with 0.5 to 2 inches of accumulation expected. A second round of heavier precipitation, primarily snow, is expected late tonight into Friday, the weather service forecasts.
From 11 a.m. today to 6 p.m. Friday, 3-6 inches of snow and sleet accumulation is expected in these areas.
Another winter storm warning is now in effect through 6 p.m. Friday for Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee and Wagoner counties.
Through 6 p.m. Friday, 4-7 inches of snow and sleet accumulation is expected, with less than 0.25 of an inch of ice accumulation in these areas, the weather service forecasts.
Ice storm warning in southeast Oklahoma
The weather service also declared an ice storm warning until 6 p.m. Friday for Haskell, Latimer and Pittsburg counties.
Before a transition tonight over to sleet, these areas are expected to received 0.25 to 0.5 of an inch of freezing rain today.
Lesser freezing rain amounts are expected in northwest Pittsburg and northwest Haskell counties.
An ice storm warning is also in effect for Choctaw, LeFlore, Pushmataha and Sequoyah counties. Freezing rain is expected to develop this morning and continue this afternoon into tonight.
Many of these areas are expected to receive 0.25 to 0.75 of an inch of freezing rain. 1 inch or more of freezing rain is expected from Choctaw across southeast Pushmataha into southeast LeFlore.
Bedlam football forecast calls for low temperatures, but not snow
The National Weather Service expects freezing temperatures Saturday morning in Stillwater, but no snow until after the game.
Overnight single-digit low temperatures with wind chill values as low as minus-2 degrees should make Stillwater feel extremely cold.
Highs during the day are only forecast to reach the low-20s. East to northeast 7 mph winds may make temperatures feel even colder.
Snow chances -- 50 percent -- do not start until Saturday night in Stillwater, which also has slight freezing rain chances on Sunday.