A powerful winter storm developed over parts of the Southern Plains, resulting in one of the most widespread and damaging blizzards to affect Oklahoma in decades. Blizzard conditions affected the vast majority of northern, central, and southwest Oklahoma for at least 5 to 7 hours. A surface low pressure center intensified rapidly over northern Texas, leading to severe, blustery winds during the morning and afternoon hours. Rain began falling during the early morning hours over southwest Oklahoma and progressed northeast. The rain quickly changed to sleet and freezing rain, and then to all snow as temperatures fell into the 20s. By late morning over southwest Oklahoma and the early afternoon over the rest of Oklahoma, winds were sustained around 40 mph, with frequent wind gust of 50 to 60+ mph. Snowfall rates approached two inches per hour at times for some locations, and the visibilities were frequently less than 100 feet. Numerous accidents were reported, especially given the high volume of traffic the day before Christmas. A large 50+ car accident was reported near Midwest City, that resulted in several injuries. Most area roadways were shut down for the day into Christmas morning, which included all interstates in and around the Oklahoma City metro area, and almost of all of Interstate 44. Thousands of people were stranded in their cars for several hours, and many abandoned their vehicles, littering the roads and highways. This made snow removal more difficult, and roads were slow to reopen. The strong winds, combined with the below freezing temperatures, allowed for wind chill temperatures to drop to near zero. This made it even more dangerous for people that were abandoning their vehicles. By sunset, the snowfall had accumulated five to seven inches over much of southwest into central Oklahoma, with a maximum of eight to ten plus inches over central Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City metro area, and over south-central Oklahoma. Total damage from the blizzard have exceeded $18 million across Oklahoma. Unfortunately, nine people lost their lives, either in weather-related traffic accidents, or being struck by cars while assisting stranded motorists.

Blizzard in TILLMAN, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Five to eight inches of snow accumulated across the county, with the city of Frederick estimated seven inches, with over two foot drifts. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities. Also, two abandoned buildings in Frederick collapsed during the event. Monetary damages for the buildings were not available.

Blizzard in KIOWA, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three to five inches of snow accumulated over the county, with isolated totals of six to eight inches. Sedan measured seven inches. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibility.

Blizzard in COMANCHE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Five to seven inches of snow accumulated across the county, with Lawton estimating six to seven inches. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in COTTON, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Six to seven inches of snow accumulated across the county. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

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

Widespread totals of five to nine inches of snow accumulated, with Duncan and Marlow estimating around nine inches, and Loco measuring 5.1 inches. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in GARVIN, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 04:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.10M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Five to eight inches of snow accumulated across the county, including six inches near Pauls Valley and Hennepin, and eight inches in Lindsay. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities. Approximately 1200-1400 miles of roadway were damaged by the storm, with total damages from the blizzard estimated at $2.1 million for the entire county.

Blizzard in POTTAWATOMIE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of nine inches was reported, including in and around Bethel Acres and Tecumseh. Winds also frequently gusted 50 to 60 mph, causing considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in SEMINOLE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:30:00 to 24-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Five to eight inches of snow accumulated, with isolated totals up to ten inches. Konowa measured seven inches. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in PONTOTOC, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 04:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three to seven inches of snow accumulated across the county, with the highest totals over the northwest half of the county. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in LOGAN, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to eight inches of snow accumulated across the county, with the highest totals along the southern half of the county. Marshall measured four inches, while Guthrie estimated six inches, and Crescent measured 5.5 inches. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in KINGFISHER, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Three to five inches of snow accumulated across the county, with the highest totals over the southern half of county. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in BLAINE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Four to five inches of snow accumulated over mainly the southeast half of the county.  Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in CUSTER, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Five to six inches of snow accumulated over mainly the southeast half of the county, including 5.5 inches in Weatherford. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in WASHITA, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Three to five inches of snow accumulated, with the highest totals over the southeast half of the county. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in BECKHAM, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Up to five inches of snow accumulated across the county, with the highest totals over the eastern half of the county. Sayre measured four inches of snow. Frequent wind gusts over 50 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in GREER, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three to five inches of snow fell across the county, including four inches in Mangum.  Frequent wind gusts over 50 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in HARMON, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Up to five inches fell across the county, with the highest totals over the eastern half of the county. Hollis measured five inches of snow. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in JACKSON, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Four to six inches of snow accumulated across the county. Altus estimated five to six inches, while Headrick measured four inches. Frequent wind gusts over 50 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Snowfall accumulated from seven to eleven inches over of much of Oklahoma City, with isolated totals over a foot. Will Rogers World Airport measured a record 13.5 inches. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities. A peak wind gust of 62 mph was measured at Will Rogers World Airport at 1334 CST.

Blizzard in MCCLAIN, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:30:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Up to eight inches of snowfall was reported throughout the county, including 8 inches in Blanchard. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in CANADIAN, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 07:30:00 to 24-DEC-09 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Six to ten inches of snow accumulated throughout the county, including 10 inches measured near I-40 and Mustang Road in Yukon. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

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

Six to nine inches of snow accumulated around the county, including seven inches in Chickasha and eight inches in Rush Springs.  Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

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

Five to seven inches of snow accumulated across the county, including over five inches near Lookeba.  Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Winter Storm in GARFIELD, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 11:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three to five inches of snow fell around the county, with the higher totals across the southern half of the county. Frequent wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in PAYNE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Up to six inches of snow accumulated throughout the county, including 5.8 inches measured in Cushing.  Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in LINCOLN, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 09:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Five to seven inches of snow accumulated across the county, with isolated higher totals of eight to ten inches. Prague measured almost nine inches. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Blizzard in MURRAY, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three to seven inches of snow accumulated across the county, with the highest totals over the western half of the county. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60+ mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in CARTER, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three to seven inches of snow accumulated across the county, with Ardmore estimating five to seven inches. Frequent wind gusts over 50 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in JEFFERSON, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Six to ten inches of snow accumulated across the county, with Grady estimating eight inches and Ringling reporting five inches. Frequent wind gusts over 50 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Blizzard in LOVE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Three to seven inches of snow accumulated over the western half of the county, with locations farther east reporting significantly less. Marietta measured 5.5 inches. Frequent wind gusts over 50 mph created considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reduced visibilities.

Winter Storm in MARSHALL, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Up to five inches of snow accumulated, with Madill reporting almost five inches.

Winter Storm in JOHNSTON, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Up to four inches of snow accumulated, with the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge reporting three to four inches.

Winter Weather in ELLIS, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall accumulations averaged one to two inches over the southeast half of the county. The winds frequently gusted over 40 mph, creating some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in DEWEY, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall accumulations averaged one to two inches over the county. The winds frequently gusted over 40 mph, creating some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in MAJOR, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall accumulations averaged one to two inches over the county. Ames measured 1.5 inches. The winds frequently gusted over 40 mph, creating some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in ALFALFA, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 05:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall accumulations averaged one to two inches over the county. Two inches was measured near Helena, with around an inch near the Great Salt Plains. The winds frequently gusted over 40 mph, creating some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in GRANT, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall totals ranged from one inch near Jefferson, to almost three inches at Lamont, and almost five inches in Granite.

Winter Storm in NOBLE, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 10:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall totals ranged from three to four inches in Perry and Billings, to 5.4 inches measured near Lamont. Frequent wind gusts over 40 mph created some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in KAY, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall totals averaged three to five inches, with Blackwell measuring 3.8 inches, and Ponca City estimating five inches.  Frequent wind gusts over 40 mph created some blowing and drifting snow.

Blizzard in CLEVELAND, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 08:30:00 to 24-DEC-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Five to seven inches of snow accumulation were common across the county. Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, and greatly reducing visibilities.

Winter Weather in WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall accumulations averaged up to two inches over the county. The winds frequently gusted over 40 mph, creating some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in ROGER MILLS, OKLAHOMA
From 24-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 24-DEC-09 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Snowfall accumulations averaged around an inch over the county. The winds frequently gusted over 40 mph, creating some blowing and drifting snow.