Texas and Oklahoma Brace for Bitter Cold Wind Chills as Temperatures Drop into Single Digits Sunday Night
TEXAS PANHANDLE & OKLAHOMA — Residents across Texas and Oklahoma are being warned to prepare for bitterly cold conditions Sunday night, as wind chills are forecast to plunge into the single digits across several parts of the Southern Plains.
According to new model data from Pivotal Weather, both Amarillo and Dalhart, Texas, are expected to experience wind chill values near 9°F by midnight Sunday. The cold air mass, fueled by a strong Arctic front, will continue spreading eastward into Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Tulsa, where wind chills could hover between 14°F and 20°F.
Frigid Air Sweeps South from the Rockies
Meteorologists say the bitter chill is part of a powerful Arctic outbreak moving across the central U.S. this weekend, dragging frigid air southward from the northern Rockies into the southern Plains.
“This will be the coldest air mass so far this season,” forecasters said. “Even with air temperatures in the 20s and 30s, strong north winds will make it feel much colder — dangerously cold in some areas.”
The Texas Panhandle, including Lubbock, Childress, and Amarillo, will face the harshest conditions, with wind chills between 8°F and 15°F expected overnight Sunday. Central and southern Oklahoma will see slightly milder — but still freezing — conditions, ranging from 17°F in Oklahoma City to 19°F in McAlester.
Wind Chill Danger and Safety Measures
Experts are urging residents to take precautions against the cold wind chills, which can quickly cause frostbite or hypothermia with extended exposure. The National Weather Service recommends limiting outdoor activity, dressing in layers, and covering exposed skin, especially for those working outside or traveling overnight.
“Wind chills this low can be dangerous for anyone without proper protection,” forecasters added. “Even pets and livestock can be affected within minutes.”
Drivers should also be cautious of icy patches on bridges and overpasses as wind chills combine with subfreezing surface temperatures to create hazardous travel conditions.
Cold to Persist into the Week
The Arctic air won’t be quick to leave. Meteorologists say below-average temperatures will linger into early next week, keeping highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s across much of Texas and Oklahoma through Wednesday.
While no significant snowfall is currently expected, light flurries may develop in parts of northern Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle late Sunday or early Monday.
As the deep freeze sets in, residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors, bring pets indoors, and protect exposed water pipes from bursting.
For continuous weather updates, live radar maps, and cold-weather safety coverage across Texas and Oklahoma, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com, where our newsroom tracks severe weather developments across the South.
