Wintry blast hits state

Ice, snow, sleet move across Oklahoma

Winter weather hit Oklahoma on Tuesday, causing universities and schools to close campuses and creating treacherous conditions along some state roadways. But, in many areas, the event didn't live up to its billing.

Freezing drizzle began to fall in the Oklahoma City metro area by late morning. By early afternoon, the freezing rain transitioned to snow and sleet, causing some icy patches on bridges and overpasses.

Schools across the state and in the Oklahoma City metro area canceled classes and activities Tuesday after forecasters called for a good chance for dangerous conditions.

On Twitter late Monday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Rick Smith said, “schools have it almost as bad as weather people.”

Smith said school officials get criticized for closing too soon or waiting too late to close campuses.

“Lots of factors go into these very tough decisions,” Smith wrote.

Smith said many of the metro school districts rely upon the information given by forecasters and have to make the best possible decision with the information available.

“It's not just what's going on at 7 in the morning, it's what's going to be happening at 3 p.m.,” Smith said, adding that many school districts have bus routes that don't end until 5 p.m. or later.

Oklahoma City Public Schools officials said decisions to close or keep a school open are made on a “case by case basis” after assessing any impact on district operations.

A number of universities also closed campuses due to the winter weather, including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma.

By Tuesday afternoon, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation reported dangerous road conditions on highways across parts of the state.

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety reduced staff working in several counties due to the winter weather, including workers in western and central Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma City, seven injury wrecks were reported from noon to about 7 p.m., said Oklahoma City Fire Department Spokesman Capt. David Macy.

Northwest and western Oklahoma received mainly snow from the storm.

Temperatures for Oklahoma City on Wednesday are forecast to reach the low-40s, with a low Wednesday night about 27 degrees, according to the weather service.

[SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN] A jogger runs at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City during winter weather on Tuesday.

[DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN] Don Miller, with Oakland Oil, throws out ice melt on the sidewalks as snow falls in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

[DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN] An Oklahoma City Streetcar runs south on Robinson as snow falls in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

A man walks through snowfall on Robinson Avenue as snow falls in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday. [DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN]

[DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN] Embark sign with icicles as snow falls in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday.