Weatherford, Oklahoma, colder than Juneau, Alaska?
For the next three days, that is a reality. In fact, Weatherford will experience temperatures at least 20 degrees colder than those of our northernmost state’s capital. Get your last-minute preparations in place today, because as they say in the hit HBO Series “Game of Thrones:” “Winter is Coming.”
Overnight tonight, temperatures will begin to fall and will continue to fall all day Tuesday and Wednesday. When you wake up Tuesday, temperatures will be below 20 degrees, with a wind chill already around 0. By 5 p.m., temperatures will be around 10 degrees, with a wind chill at -10.
Wednesday brings the coldest temperatures of the season. In the morning, temperatures will be around 0, with a wind chill of 20 degrees…below zero.
Thursday projects to be not as cold as Wednesday, reaching a balmy 19 degrees. Following the cold snap, we’ll see a major warm-up into next week, hooray!
Enough with the numbers…we all know what you’re asking. What about the snow?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but as of writing (midday Monday), projections for snow in Western Oklahoma are saddening. You can expect to see snow fall off and on throughout the day on Tuesday, however, there won’t be any major accumulations. It’d be a “February miracle” to see any more than 2 inches. Forecasts can always change, so do take this with a grain of salt.
The chance for sleet or a wintery mix is still very much in play on Tuesday, so assume that road conditions will be less than ideal throughout the day. If you must drive, take it slow, especially over bridges and overpasses.
Remember to protect the three P’s during cold weather: Pipes (drip faucets and open cabinets to circulate the warm air), Pets (do not leave animals outside for long periods), People (dress in layers and cover exposed areas if you must be outside for periods).
As always, keep up to date with forecasts, and use trusted sources to get your information. Instead of trusting YikYak weather truthers, or Facebook forecasters, find your information via the National Weather Service, or even local news stations.
If the campus closes throughout this week, The Southwestern will update via Instagram and Facebook. If the campus loses power (for everyone’s sake we hope this doesn’t happen), the Memorial Student Center will stay open as a warming station, throughout the day and night. University services will operate as follows:
– Wellness Center: CLOSED
– Al Harris Library: CLOSED
– SWOSU Bookstore: OPEN 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
– Duke’s Diner: OPEN 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. & 4:30-6:30 p.m.
– University Grill: OPEN 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Stay warm Bulldogs! Stay with The Southwestern for further updates.
