WINTER WEATHER: Highway Conditions Alert 1-1-21 as of 11 a.m.

This afternoon, snow and sleet continue to fall across sections of Oklahoma, and driving conditions remain slick and hazardous in western, central and northeastern portions of the state. Travel remains discouraged at this time.

While counties in the Panhandle report clear driving conditions, other counties In western and south-western Oklahoma are snow-packed and slick. Slushy and snow-covered highways are reported in central Oklahoma and also in northeastern Oklahoma mainly along the Oklahoma/Kansas state line. Oklahoma Department of Transportation crews continue to salt, sand and plow highways in these areas, and drivers should give these operators plenty of space to safely work.

In southeast Oklahoma, highways are mainly wet. However, a layer of ice on trees along SH-1 (Talimena Scenic Byway) is causing some limbs to fall. Drivers should be alert to possible debris on the roadway in this corridor, and to crews working to clear it.

If drivers determine their travel plans are necessary during snow and ice conditions, they should allow additional travel time, increase following distances and slow down significantly. Stay at least 200 feet back from road clearing operations.

Download the free Drive Oklahoma smart phone app or visit www.okroads.org for a map of statewide current closures and snow plow cameras and www.oktraffic.org to view traffic conditions in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas before traveling.

NOTE: This office will provide a new update at 4 p.m. Friday.

REMEMBER during snowy and icy conditions, motorists are asked to:

• Stay about 200 feet behind road clearing equipment; crews need room to maneuver and can engage plowing or spreading materials without notice.
• Allow extra space between vehicles to provide adequate distance for braking.
• Be aware of “black ice,” which looks wet on the roadway but is a thin layer of ice.
• Be patient, plan trips ahead and allow extra time in reaching destinations.

To check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS in Oklahoma, call

ODOT’s ROAD CONDITIONS HOTLINE at 844-4OK-HWYS (844-465-4997)
or go to www.okroads.org or follow ODOT on Twitter @OKDOT

For turnpike information, call the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 877-403-7623 or go to www.pikepass.com.