WINTER WEATHER: Highway Conditions Alert 12-15-20 as of 11 a.m.
Mike Seals - December 15, 2020 11:23 am
Oklahoma Department of Transportation crews are urging motorists to pay attention to the weather forecasts throughout the day as conditions are changing rapidly. Snow is already impacting the Panhandle and moving into the western and central portions of the state, including the Oklahoma City metro area.
Currently, the Panhandle is seeing blowing snow and crews are clearing snow pack and reporting slick and hazardous highways and bridges in Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward and Ellis counties. The western and southwestern areas of the state are seeing freezing fog and light snow with slick highways being reported specifically in Dewey and Blaine counties.
Crews are sanding and salting bridges, highways and interstates across the Oklahoma City metro area, including I-40 in Shawnee. Farther south and east they continue to monitor conditions.
Those who must travel today should stay on top of the forecast and plan extra time to reach their destination. Drivers should stay at least 200 feet behind sand and salt trucks for safety.
View www.okroads.org for a map of current closures and snowplow cameras and www.oktraffic.org to see cameras in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros before traveling.
NOTE: This office will provide an update at 4 p.m.
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.
