A strong upper level low pressure system moved from the Southern Rockies across the Southern Plains on the 24th. Widespread precipitation developed as this system approached. Arctic air gradually spread into the region behind a strong cold front changing the rain to sleet over much of northeastern Oklahoma during the morning hours and then to snow during the afternoon. Many locations received between one half and one and a half inches of sleet over the northeastern portion of the state. Periods of heavy snow followed resulting in at least four inches of snow along and north of I-40. Heavier bands of snow between eight and twelve inches fell along a Pawnee to Pawhuska line and along an Okmulgee to Vinita line. Many roads were snow covered and closed across the region, including interstate highways and turnpikes. Numerous automobile accidents occurred during this storm as roads became treacherous. These accidents resulted in three (indirect) fatalities and numerous injuries. The Tulsa International Airport was also closed during the storm with numerous flights into and out of the airport cancelled. Very strong wind with frequent gusts above 35 mph caused very low visibility in blowing snow and near blizzard conditions. Snow drifts of several feet occurred across portions of northeastern Oklahoma.
A major disaster declaration was approved for 29 counties in Oklahoma to help with the $18 million spent in response and recovery efforts as a result of this storm. The declaration included the following counties in eastern Oklahoma: Nowata, Craig, Ottawa, Tulsa, Rogers, Delaware, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Muskogee, and Sequoyah.

Winter Storm in CREEK, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 11:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Four to seven inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in WAGONER, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 13:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Six to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in TULSA, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 12:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to eight inches of sleet and snow fell across the county. An auto accident resulted in 3 (indirect) fatalities during the storm near Sand Springs.

Winter Storm in SEQUOYAH, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four inches of snow fell across the northern and eastern portions of the county.

Winter Storm in NOWATA, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 13:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to six inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in MCINTOSH, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to six inches of snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in PITTSBURG, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four inches of snow fell across the northern portion of the county.

Winter Storm in MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in OKFUSKEE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 11:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to eight inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in PAWNEE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 10:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Six to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in ROGERS, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 13:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Six to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in OTTAWA, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to eight inches of snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 12:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in CHEROKEE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to six inches of snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in CRAIG, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Six to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in MAYES, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Six to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 12:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to six inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in DELAWARE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to six inches of snow fell across the county.

Winter Storm in OSAGE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 10:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Six to twelve inches of sleet and snow fell across the county.