OKLAHOMA — Forecasters are warning that a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain could develop Monday afternoon and evening across parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri as colder air moves into the Southern Plains.
While not expected to be a major winter storm, even light accumulations of ice or snow could lead to slippery roads, travel delays, and localized hazards from late Monday through early Tuesday.
Cold Air Brings Multiple Precipitation Types
Meteorologists say temperatures will begin to fall behind an advancing cold front, allowing several types of precipitation to form. Snow is likely in the northwestern parts of the system, including southern Kansas and far northern Oklahoma, while sleet and freezing rain are possible farther south and east — particularly across central and eastern Oklahoma into western Arkansas.
A narrow corridor of freezing rain may stretch from Fort Smith to Little Rock, where a thin glaze of ice could make roads hazardous overnight. Farther southeast, rain will dominate in regions such as Dallas, Tyler, and Shreveport, where surface temperatures will remain above freezing.
Expected Snow and Ice Accumulations
Forecast guidance suggests light but measurable amounts of snow and ice:
- Kansas: 1–3 inches of snow, especially in southern and eastern parts of the state.
- Northern Oklahoma: 1 inch or less of snow, with light sleet possible.
- Eastern and Southeastern Oklahoma: Trace to 0.1 inch of ice glaze possible.
- Western and Northern Arkansas: Light freezing rain and sleet, transitioning to snow overnight.
- Southwest Missouri: Light snow and icy mix possible through early Tuesday morning.
While widespread power outages are not expected, even a light glaze of ice can create dangerous travel conditions on untreated roads, bridges, and overpasses.
Timing and Impact
The wintry mix will likely begin Monday afternoon and persist through the overnight hours into Tuesday morning, gradually tapering off by midday Tuesday as temperatures slightly rebound…