Brace for the Siberian Surge—arctic cold hits this weekend

Get ready, Oklahoma! Arctic Siberian air is on the way, bringing a brutal stretch of bitter cold that will have us feeling the effects for days.

This isn’t just your typical winter chill—this is Siberian cold, the kind of air that makes pipes burst, wind chills dangerous, and roads tricky with some light snow in the mix.

When Does It Arrive?

The first wave of cold air surges on Friday when north winds arrive around 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. into Saturday, sending temperatures plummeting. But that’s just the beginning. The second and even colder blast arrives Sunday, locking us into a deep freeze through at least Wednesday afternoon. That’s nearly 96 hours below freezing, a rare event for Oklahoma!

How Cold Are We Talking?

Saturday’s high barely reaches 33°F before the bottom completely drops out. By Sunday, temperatures struggle to climb out of the low 20s, with morning lows dipping into the single digits. And here’s the real kicker: wind chills will make it feel even colder—dangerously cold. By Monday morning, we’re looking at pipe-bursting temperatures, with some areas flirting with zero degrees.

For perspective, if you’re reading this from Minnesota, Iowa, or Ohio, this might sound like just another winter day. But for Oklahoma? This is a serious cold snap.

Will There Be Snow?

Yes, but it is not a significant winter storm. We expect flurries for Saturday as the moisture is looking less for any widespread snow. This will be a dry, powdery snow—think powdered sugar, not the good, wet snowman-building kind. Snow totals look light, about an inch in the Metro and possibly 1-3 inches farther west into the Panhandle.

While this won’t be a blizzard, travel issues are still likely due to blowing snow and icy patches, especially early next week.

Monday’s snow is still looking iffy, from nothing to a couple of inches of snow.

How to Prepare

1. Bundle up! With wind chills near zero, frostbite can happen quickly.
2. Protect your pipes. Let faucets drip and wrap exposed pipes before Monday morning.
3. Check on pets & neighbors. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.
4. Be ready for slick roads. Even a light dusting of snow can cause travel headaches.

Looking Ahead

This Siberian surge isn’t just hitting Oklahoma—it’s plunging deep into the U.S., bringing rare freezes as far south as Florida. So yes, we’re all in this together.

Enjoy the 50s and 60s while you can because come Friday evening, it’s all downhill from there. Stay warm, stay safe, and stay tuned for updates as the Arctic air settles in!