Farewell, Flakes! Oklahoma Kisses Cold Snap Goodbye as a Warmup Arrives

Well, folks, that was quite the snowy Sunday, wasn't it? Our first truly widespread blanket of the white stuff for the season has officially come and gone, leaving behind some beautiful scenery – and perhaps a bit of slush. But fear not, winter-weary friends, because a delightful change is sweeping across Oklahoma. Yes, you heard that right – a warm-up is finally on its way, and it looks like it's here to stay for a while, making us all breathe a collective sigh of relief.

That initial push of winter magic rolled through on Sunday, January 14th, bringing with it the first real taste of a proper snow event for much of the state. It certainly made for a picturesque morning, turning our landscapes into something straight out of a holiday card, even if the timing meant some folks had to brave the elements for their errands or church services.

As is often the case with Oklahoma weather, snowfall amounts were, shall we say, a bit of a mixed bag. While many areas enjoyed a lovely 1 to 3 inches of accumulation, a few spots really lucked out – or maybe didn't, depending on your snow preference! We saw reports of 4 to 5 inches in places like Stillwater and parts of northern Payne County, even stretching into Major County. Meanwhile, here in Oklahoma City, most of us woke up to a respectable 1 to 2 inches, enough for a bit of sledding or a quick snowball fight before the melt began.

Speaking of melting, despite the snow, the roads, thankfully, didn't stay too treacherous for long. Those daytime temperatures hovered just above freezing, creating that perfect slushy mix that, while certainly slick, generally cleared up rather quickly. So, while caution was definitely the name of the game for Sunday drivers, we largely avoided the widespread icy headaches that truly paralyze traffic.

Now, let's talk about the really good news. That stubborn arctic air mass that made us all shiver for the past week? It's finally packing its bags and moving out! You can practically feel the atmosphere taking a deep breath and exhaling warmth. This shift means we're in for a welcome change of pace, weather-wise, trading our heavy coats for something a little lighter, perhaps even just a sweater for a few days.

So, what can we expect? Well, Monday kicks off the turnaround with plenty of sunshine and temperatures climbing into the 30s and 40s. A pleasant start, right? But it gets even better! By Tuesday, expect those highs to reach into the low 50s. And just wait for mid-week: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are all looking absolutely delightful, with temperatures comfortably settling into the mid-to-upper 50s, and some spots might even flirt with the low 60s! Imagine that, after the brutal cold we've endured.

The forecast is looking remarkably clear too; our next real chance for any rain doesn't appear until next weekend, giving us a beautiful, dry stretch to enjoy the rising mercury. It’s certainly a well-deserved break after what felt like an endless procession of frigid days and nights. So go ahead, open those windows, take a stroll, and soak up that glorious Oklahoma sunshine. Winter’s first widespread kiss might be over, but a much-anticipated warmth is just beginning.