Snow whitens Oklahoma, Texas as coldest air so far this season invades
Chicago, Illinois, is experiencing its first measurable snowfall of the season. It's having an effect on commuters in and out of the city on Nov. 9.
Disruptive snow is spreading across the central and southern Plains to start the week as the coldest air so far this season plunges in.
The chill that encompassed the South Central states this past weekend will pale in comparison to the taste of winter that awaits the region.
Fresh cold air is invading the region with snow along its leading edge.
Snow that closed out the weekend in Colorado, including Denver, will advance through the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, southeast Kansas, Missouri and northwest Arkansas into Monday night.
Enough snow to create disruptions to daily routines and travel can be anticipated in Tucumcari, New Mexico; Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Wichita, Kansas; and Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Thundersnow occurred in Amarillo, Texas, on Sunday night, with reports of whiteout conditions.
Download the free AccuWeather app to know how much snow is expected for your community.
While the snow may initially melt on roads and sidewalks, untreated surfaces can eventually turn slippery where temperatures drop to and below freezing. Bridges and overpasses would be the first to become slick.
"Major travel problems can develop on interstates 35, 40 and 44," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.
Motorists who must travel during this time are urged to use extreme caution and allow extra space between other vehicles. Airline passengers should prepare for flight delays and cancellations.
South of the snow, rain and thunderstorms can slow travel from Dallas to Houston and New Orleans.
While these cities will miss out on the taste of winter due to snow, cold air will plunge much farther southward behind the storm.
"Temperatures will fall drastically across New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas on Monday behind the storm," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis. Highs in the 30s and 40s are anticipated for many areas north of Interstate 10.
"Highs of this magnitude are more than 20 degrees below normal for mid-November," Travis said, "and temperatures in many areas will be falling throughout the day."
Brisk winds will make the air feel even colder, forcing residents to bundle up before heading outdoors.
"AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be as much as 8 to 15 degrees below the actual temperature reading," Travis said.
Residents will also be turning up thermostats and bringing sensitive plants indoors before heading to bed. A hard freeze is anticipated in Dallas and southward to the northern suburbs of San Antonio on Monday night.
"The cold will expand eastward, causing temperatures to rebound slightly for some locations in the southern High Plains on Tuesday," Travis said. "However, temperatures should stay below normal into midweek."
The risk for a frost and freeze may include more of the San Antonio and Houston areas and can expand down to the western suburbs of Corpus Christi, Texas, on Tuesday night.
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