Snow day fun snowblinds winter weather safety across Texoma

The winter weather that’s impacted Texoma over the last few days has left residents preoccupied with thoughts of snow day fun, home preservation, and wondering when the kids will be going back to school. With so much to worry about, many people in the area have gotten lax about maintaining winter safety measures. 

With snow being a relatively rare occasion in Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas, most people aren’t particularly well adapted to how to react to it. The first signs of this came before the storm when many people began panic shopping which resulted in cleared shelves. Once the storm hit, the dangerous downsides of the weather began to appear on social media and in headlines. 

Many of these dangers were linked to snow day activities such as sledding and attempts to walk on frozen lakes. Several reports across Texas and Oklahoma have reflected injuries and even fatalities connected to what was just intended to be winter weather fun. 

Despite there being a considerable amount of snow on the ground, the conditions of some areas that were being used for sledding were ripe for injuries to occur. Additionally, while temperatures were below freezing for a couple days, the period was not long enough to result in safe conditions to walk on large bodies of water.

Dark Roast staff reached out to Austin Bowling, the owner and meteorologist for the Texoma Weather Lab, to explore important points to remember when it comes to winter weather safety. 

Bowling explained that when it comes to monitoring these conditions, he has to consider the various layers of the atmosphere. He said that in the case of this storm, a small layer high above our heads stayed at 36 degrees, which allowed falling snow to melt and refreeze as sleet. He added that this cut into the forecasted snowfall totals considerably. He said that the monitoring process includes surface observations and balloon soundings, in order to conclude what amount may fall. 

“The atmosphere is like a layered cake,” Bowling said. “Just because the surface is cold enough doesn’t mean you will actually see snow.”

He said in terms of maintaining safety amidst snow day activities, the primary focus should be on understanding the conditions. Certain levels of snow on hills that are particularly steep may not be enough to provide a safe pace or traction when sledding. In addition, he noted that if a location is crowded with people or sleds are being pulled by vehicles, the chances of injury or accidents are increased. 

As far as walking on bodies of water, Bowling said  that ice must be at least four inches thick to withstand the weight of someone walking across it. This can be difficult to gauge simply through appearance.

“Typically, temperatures need to be well below freezing for several days and nights for a body of water to freeze,” Bowling stated. “Oklahoma doesn’t usually see this kind of prolonged cold, so it’s best to stay off the ice even when it may look safe.”

Bowling shared that having kids under the age of five, his family stuck to safer snow day practices. He said they stayed within their yard, bundled the kids up in winter-appropriate clothing, and monitored how long they were outside at a time. However safety measures didn’t inhibit the fun, as Bowling shared that he and his wife were able to make “snow cream” for the kids to try, which he said they loved.

The freezing temperatures were their own threat, especially for those with minimal resources in their homes or those without proper shelter. Many people have taken to social media in search of heaters, food, or help, as the temperatures have resulted in loss of power, frozen pipes, and harshly cold conditions. One fatality has already been reported in the Lawton community due to the temperatures.

Bowling said the most important factor with exposure to freezing temperatures is time limits, which is understandably hard to achieve for those with inadequate shelter for freezing weather, or for those with no shelter at all. He said that once temperatures hit the teens or lower, frostbite is a serious concern. He went on to say that it takes as little as 10 - 20 minutes of exposure on bare skin for frostbite to set in.

“It’s easy to hunker down and take it slow on the roads when snow and ice move through, but when you’re dealing with sub-freezing temperatures for nearly a hundred hours, you worry about the heat in people’s homes and the stability of the water lines,” Bowling said.

Finally, one of the most common dangers witnessed across Texoma over the last week was vehicle accidents. Especially as the days went on and cabin fever began to set in, people began adventuring out of their homes, even before the roads have been deemed safe. While some individuals have vehicles better suited for such conditions, some were left stuck or stranded. Beyond that, the snow-covered roads and slick spots commonly resulted in many drivers overlooking basic traffic laws, making the roads even more dangerous.

Bowling did note that the weather conditions weren’t as severe as the notable freeze of 2010 or negative temperatures of 2021, but he said that this week’s conditions were still worthy of caution. He explained that while 2 - 3” of sleet was nothing compared to ¾ to an inch of ice as was seen in 2010, it still has a significant impact on the roadways.

The City of Wichita Falls has consistently updated residents about accident reports in the area and road conditions. Many accidents have been reported taking place at Lake Wichita Park. City View Independent School District also reported incidents in relation to motorized vehicles and cautioned against such means of seeking fun in this weather. The city is asking residents to maintain a level of caution when having fun and to stay off bodies of water.

The City of Wichita Falls has also continued to issue warnings against driving on the roads unless completely necessary. While it’s understood that people are sick of being cooped up after four days, need groceries, and have work, the slick conditions of the roads are still a reality. 

While bigger cities like Wichita Falls and Lawton – and even residents – are actively making efforts to clear roads and better driving conditions, the freezing weather has not passed yet. Exercise caution when driving, and take it slow. Encourage kids to wear weather-appropriate clothes, be aware of the conditions of their outdoor surroundings, limit time outdoors, and avoid activities that include motorized vehicles or bodies of water. 

At home, continue to practice home-preservation measures when temperatures drop in the evenings, such as running heaters, running faucets, and providing pets with warm shelter. Monitor temperatures and weather updates through local news channels and digital services, such as Texoma Weather Lab. Lastly, help those in need of resources in your community if you have the means to do so.

While the precautions and practices associated with freezing weather may feel tedious, they are worth it to avoid costly repairs, injuries, or worse. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay weather-aware, Texoma!