Winter Storm — Pushmataha, Oklahoma

2023-01-30 · Pushmataha, Oklahoma

Wider weather episode

Arctic air spread into eastern Oklahoma on the 29th, setting the stage for a wintry weather pattern, as multiple upper level disturbances passed through the Southern Plains from the 30th through the 31st. The first disturbance brought showers and thunderstorms to the region during the morning and afternoon of the 30th. A shallow layer of above freezing temperatures several thousand feet above the ground, combined with very cold sub-freezing temperatures just above the ground, resulted in partial melting and then refreezing of precipitation into sleet. Heavy sleet occurred in the thunderstorms, producing from 0.5 to 1.25 accumulations across portions of eastern Oklahoma. The next system brought a return of sleet to the area during the morning and afternoon of the 31st. Once again, some heavy sleet occurred in the thunderstorms. Light amounts of wintry precipitation, including freezing drizzle, light freezing rain, and sleet, continued through the 31st.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1068300. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.