Winter Storm Cora surpasses expectations, brings heavier snow than anticipated to Oklahoma

Oklahoma City: Winter Storm Cora really surprised everyone with how much snow it dumped on us. On Thursday, we got way more snow than anyone thought, making roads super slick and causing a ton of cancellations.

By Thursday afternoon, they were saying we’d get about 3 to 4 inches in Oklahoma City, but it was looking like we might even see more. Other places, like Ada and McAlester, were bracing for 6 to 8 inches, and some areas could get up to a foot!

This storm didn’t just hit Oklahoma; it was also messing with flights in Dallas. Hundreds of flights were canceled, and many were delayed. Plus, it was icing up parts of North Texas too.

As the snow started falling, it became clear that the forecasts were way off. By Thursday morning, we were already seeing a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, and it was clear that Winter Storm Cora was packing a punch.

Emergency crews were busy responding to calls, with traffic accidents more than doubling compared to normal days. The National Weather Service even said the storm was “over performing” what they had predicted.

Originally, they thought we’d only get about an inch of snow in OKC, but by noon, we had already seen 1 to 2 inches, and it was still coming down. The snow was expected to keep falling through early Friday morning, with warnings in place until noon.

Schools and activities across the state were shutting down, with many opting for virtual learning or traditional snow days. Even before the storm hit, some schools decided to close, and others canceled after students had already arrived.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation was urging folks to stay home since the roads were really dangerous. If you didn’t have to be out, it was best to just chill at home.

FlightAware reported that about 25 flights at OKC Will Rogers International Airport were canceled, and another 24 were delayed. Meanwhile, Dallas was seeing over 1,400 flight cancellations.

By Friday morning, we should see the last of the accumulating snow as the storm moves on. There might be some light flurries, but thankfully, we won’t be dealing with the ice that Texas and other southern states are facing.

The snow might keep things a bit cooler on Friday, but warmer temps are expected over the weekend, which should help melt some of the snow. By Sunday, we should be back to normal January temperatures.