Winter Storm Cora surpasses expectations, brings heavier snow than anticipated to Oklahoma

Winter Storm Cora brought Oklahomans more snow than anticipated Thursday, causing hazardous road conditions and cancellations across the board.

As of Thursday afternoon, Oklahoma City was expected to get 3 to 4 inches of total snow accumulation, an increase from initial estimates. Meanwhile, cities like Ada and McAlester were expected to get between 6 and 8 inches, and portions of Latimer and Le Flore counties could get 8 to 12 inches.

The same storm blanketing Oklahoma communities in white flakes was causing hundreds of flight cancellations in Dallas and dozens of delays and cancellations in OKC. The storm was also leaving ice in parts of North Texas and expected to bring snow and ice to states across the southern U.S.

Winter storm brought heavier snow than expected

By Thursday morning, as a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain fell in southern Oklahoma, it was clear prior predictions underestimated Winter Storm Cora’s impact on Oklahoma.

As of Thursday afternoon, EMSA crews had responded to two cold exposure calls and 24 traffic accidents, more than double the amount of traffic accidents seen during typical weather.

While the precipitation transitioned to just snow as it moved north and east, the storm was “over performing” predicted accumulations by the time it reached the OKC metro area Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

Initially, OKC was expected to get about an inch total of snow based on the National Weather Service’s estimates. Instead, at least 1 to 2 inches had accumulated by noon on Thursday as snow continued to fall.

Snowfall and accumulation was forecasted to continue across much of Oklahoma, at least intermittently, through early Friday morning. The Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory were in effect until noon Friday.

Storm leads to school closures across state, hazardous road conditions

As of Thursday afternoon, many schools, churches and activities had announced closures for Friday. Some schools will hold “virtual learning” days while others are holding traditional snow days.

Even before the storm unleashed snow across the state, many schools had decided to close Thursday in lieu of the expected weather. As conditions worsened, others canceled after students had arrived.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahomans were encouraged to stay home during the storm, as roads were “severely slick and hazardous” in some areas.

Those who aren’t required to drive should stay home, the department said.

The flight tracking app FlightAware reported Thursday afternoon that 25 flights to or from OKC Will Rogers International Airport have been canceled. Another 24 flights were delayed.

In Dallas, over 1,400 flights to or from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport were canceled, and more than 200 were delayed by Thursday afternoon.

Snow to leave Oklahoma Friday, normal temperatures to return next week

Forecast for Friday, weekend

By Friday morning, Oklahoma should see the last of any accumulating snowfall as the system heads east. However, light flurries are possible through midday, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast.

And despite seeing heavier snow than expected, Oklahoma will not see the ice that Texas and other farther-Southern states will receive from the storm.

The snowpack could keep temperatures cooler than expected on Friday, the National Weather Service said, but warmer temperatures on Saturday could melt some of the snow.

By Sunday, temperatures will return to near-normal for mid-January.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Winter storm brought heavy snow, icy conditions to Oklahoma

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