Everyone dreams of a “White Christmas,” but for many the ground covered in fluffy white snow would be enjoyable anytime during the holiday season.
The air is getting chillier, but most of Oklahoma has yet to see a glimpse of snow so far this season. The exception is the Oklahoma Panhandle, where at least 7 inches of snow fell in places like Black Mesa State Park.
Here’s what we know about Oklahoma’s chances of snow over the next two weeks.
When will winter begin? See Oklahoma’s winter weather predictions from four sources
When will it snow in Oklahoma?
Chances are, not anytime soon. According to the National Weather Service in Norman, high temperatures this week will range between 45°F and 59°F in Oklahoma City. Low temperatures will largely remain above freezing, or 32°F.
For snow to fall, the atmospheric temperature needs to be at or below freezing. There also must be moisture present in the atmosphere, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, and as a general rule, snow will not form if the ground is above 41°F.
Looking at next week, according to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8- to 14-day outlook, Oklahoma will see well-above average temperatures.
The Panhandle will see less precipitation than usual, while the northern and southwestern areas will see near normal amounts and the central and southeastern areas will see slightly above average precipitation.
More: Scientists expect La Niña to emerge this fall. What it means for Oklahoma’s winter weather
Oklahoma snow day predictor
When a winter storm does come our way, one of the questions atop everyone’s mind is, “Will tomorrow be a snow day?”
While you’re waiting for your school district to make a decision, there are multiple websites that will give you a prediction on whether or not your school will close due to the weather.
Check out snowdaypredictor.com, snowdaycalculator.com or willihaveasnowday.com.
How much snow will Oklahoma get this year?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s seasonal outlooks, Oklahoma will most likely see above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation this winter, spelling disappointment for snow-lovers.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac also predicts a “warmer than usual” winter for Oklahoma, thanks to the La Niña weather pattern.
How much snow does Oklahoma get on average?
The average annual snowfall for Oklahoma widely varies depending on what part of the state you live in, according to 1991-2020 data from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey.
In a typical year, the most and heaviest snowfall will be found in northwest Oklahoma, especially in the far west Oklahoma Panhandle, where Boise City sees an average snowfall amount of 32 inches.
Here is the average annual snowfall for other Oklahoma towns, including OKC:
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Will it snow in Oklahoma? What to know about winter weather chances