Ice Storm — Beaver, Oklahoma

2017-01-14 to 2017-01-15 · Beaver, Oklahoma

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level low pressure system moved due east near the US/Mexico border and was centered over northern Mexico near the New Mexico state line by the morning of the 15th. With the jet streak around the base of the upper level low to the south and a northern stream jet with its western extent over Nebraska, a large region of vertical ascent with upper level divergence was also present. The strong mid level winds helped to steer the south-southeasterly 850-700 hPa flow. As a result, throughout the 14th and early on the 15th, upper air soundings showed a pronounced warm nose of around 5C between 800-850 mb. With below freezing temperatures right at the surface, this was ideal for a pronounced freezing rain event with several batches of precipitation working through the region, even some precipitation bands had convection associated with them. Extensive damage was reported, especially in Beaver County where 40 million dollars worth of damage was reported with 1 injury and 1 fatality reported during the reconstruction of electrical lines.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 673097. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.