Roads Closed As Blizzard Conditions Move Into Western Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has closed roads in the Oklahoma Panhandle as a winter storm causes nearly white-out conditions in the western part of the state.

News 9 Weather Page

A state of emergency has been declared by the city of Woodward and Woodward County. Matt Lehenbauer with Woodward County Emergency Management said the county's best equipment couldn't keep up with the amount of snow falling in the area. Lehenbauer said Highway 283 has been shut down, and the roads in Woodward probably wouldn't be cleared until Tuesday or Wednesday. The county is discouraging all travel at this time.

Check Oklahoma road conditions

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Interstate 40 is virtually shut down from Amarillo east to the Oklahoma state line. The Texas Department of Transportation is not able to clear the roadways. 

Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesperson Betsy Randolph said travel in the Oklahoma panhandle is "highly discouraged" because of the slick and dangerous conditions.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation

News 9 Storm Tracker Marty Logan is traveling west of Fort Supply, and called conditions there the worst he's ever seen. Near the Woodward County line, he encountered a snowplow that slid into a ditch while trying to clear the road. Marty encouraged all drivers to stay at home.

News 9 Meteorologist David Payne drove SnowTracker 9 around Woodward and said the roads were bad and getting worse.

The News 9 Weather Team is monitoring the storm and says western Oklahoma could see 20 to 30 inches of snow. Stay with News 9, we'll keep you advised.