Aftermath of Oklahoma Blizzard

March 07, 2013

Blizzard3

Photographer: Sid Sperry; Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives and Cimarron Electric Cooperative
Summary Author: Gary McManus; Sid Sperry

Two big blizzards roared through Oklahoma in February. The aftermath of the second storm (from February 24-26) that dumped as much as 3 ft (1 m) of snow in a few locales is shown above. With this storm thunder was often reported and strong winds of over 50 mph (80 km/hr) whipped the snow into drifts as high as 10 ft (3 m). The northwest part of Oklahoma was particularly hard hit. More than 36,000 electrical customers were left without power thanks to ice-coated power lines and trees --- accumulations of ice up to 3 in (7.5 cm) thick were reported. Nearly all highways across northwestern Oklahoma were shut down by drifting snow. In some cases, accumulation totals were possibly record-breaking. The preliminary February snowfall total of 42.5 in (108 cm) for the small town of Arnett would break the state's all-time snowfall record for any month if it verifies. That mark currently stands at 39.5 in (100 cm) from Buffalo, set in February 1971. On a more positive note, the heavy snow did provide significant drought relief to much of the state.

Photo details: Camera Maker: Apple; Camera Model: iPad; Focal Length: 4.3mm (35mm equivalent: 35mm); Aperture: f/2.4; Exposure Time: 0.0002 s (1/6061); ISO equiv: 64; Software: 6.1.