The National Weather Service in Tulsa is reporting a strong cold front will begin to push through eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas late tonight, bringing freezing temperatures to areas northwest of I-44 after midnight.
Areas of freezing drizzle may develop north of the front near the Kansas border which could affect the Friday morning commute. The front is expected to stall near the Red R. Friday before moving north as a warm front Saturday. As the main upper level system enters the plains widespread precipitation will develop Friday night into Saturday. During this time it appears freezing rain will be confined to Northeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas through Saturday morning. Ice accumulations up to a quarter of an inch will be possible northwest of Tulsa. Temperatures are expected to support all liquid precipitation Saturday afternoon. Thunderstorms will develop primarily across southeast Oklahoma and into northwest Arkansas late Friday night through the day Saturday. Heavy rainfall is likely…and a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect southeast of a line from Mcalester to Jay.
Also, instability and high wind shear will support some severe storm threat. Deeper c
old air will move into the region as the upper level system moves overhead leading to a transition
from rain to either all snow or a rain and snow mix Saturday night and Sunday along and north of I-44. Snow accumulations near the Kansas border could reach a couple of inches before the system exits the region Sunday.
