City of Tulsa

Weather

Winter in Oklahoma brings a mix of beautiful snowfalls and challenging weather conditions. From freezing rain and sleet to sudden temperature drops, the state’s winter months require preparation and awareness. Stay informed about potential impacts on travel, school closures, and city services to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the season. Check this page regularly for updates, resources, and tips to navigate Tulsa's unpredictable winter weather.

Our team at the City of Tulsa is fully equipped and ready to tackle the challenges brought on by winter weather. We understand the importance of being prepared for severe storms and are committed to ensuring our community remains safe and functional. We encourage you to take proactive steps to prepare for winter.

For local updates, follow the City of Tulsa and the National Weather Service on social media.

Severe Weather Safety

Emergency Sirens

Warming Stations and Volunteer Opportunities

Warming stations are available for anyone who needs safe and warm shelter.

John 3:16 Mission
506 N. Cheyenne | Open 24/7

The Salvation Army Center of Hope
102 N. Denver Ave. | Open 24/7

Tulsa Day Center
415 W. Archer St. | Open 24/7

Denver Avenue Station
319 S. Denver Ave. | M-F 5 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., Sat 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Getting People Inside
If you know of individuals who may need assistance finding somewhere warm to ride out the cold and snow, please fill out the following form.

Assistance Request Form

Upon completion of the form, outreach teams will coordinate a swift response. If you see someone in immediate danger, call 911.

Becoming a Temporary Shelter
The City of Tulsa is available for organizations interested in setting up a temporary station or temporary shelter.

More Info

Winter Weather Preparedness

Before the next round of cold temperatures and snow or ice, it's crucial to ensure that both your home and vehicle are prepared for winter's arrival. Here's a quick checklist to help you stay safe and warm.

For Your Home

Insulate Windows and Doors: Keep the cold out and the warmth in. Check for drafts and seal them up.
Furnace Check-Up: Ensure your heating system is serviced and filters are replaced.
Emergency Kit: Stock up on essentials like batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, and water.
Pipe Protection: Prevent freezing by insulating pipes and knowing how to shut off water in case of a burst pipe. Turn your faucets in a position that allows them to slowly drip consistently in order to keep water flowing. Open cabinet doors below faucets to allow warm air to reach pipes. Find additional water pipe protection information here.
Yard Maintenance: Unhook exterior garden hoses and place protective covers over outside faucets. Turn off your water sprinklers.

For Your Car

Winter Tires: Switch to winter tires for better traction on snow and ice.
Battery Check: Cold weather can be tough on your battery. Make sure it's in good shape.
Emergency Kit for Car: Include blankets, a shovel, road salt, and an ice scraper.
Fuel Up: Keep your tank at least half full to avoid fuel line freeze-up.

Remember, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a safe and comfortable winter. Stay warm, stay informed, and let's embrace the season together!

Learn more at www.ready.gov/winter-weather#prepare

Winter Weather Safety Tips

Winter weather can bring its own set of safety hazards that residents should be aware of. Please use the tips below to keep you and your family safe during winter weather!

Stay off of freezing bodies of water, as ice that develops will not be thick enough to safely support someone. Parents should take extra caution to ensure children are not trying to play on things like frozen pools, ponds, lakes and streams. Activities like ice fishing and ice skating are not safe in conditions where bodies of water have recently frozen over.
Check on your neighbors. Call and check in on neighbors, especially the elderly, to make sure they adequate and safe heating sources in their home.
Bring your pets inside. If it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for your pets. City ordinances require pet owners to bring their pets into a temperature-controlled facility when the temperature is at or below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Check smoke detectors to make sure they are operating properly. It is also recommended to purchase and install a Carbon Monoxide detector if you do not currently have one in your home.
Take steps to lessen the impact to your natural gas bill.
- Keep warm, hot hot- if you're too warm in your home, turn your heat down.
- Hold off on doing chores that involve using natural gas appliances until outside temperatures rise.
- Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or to the "warm" setting.
- Change or clean the filters on heating or air conditioning units.
Make sure to use space heaters in a safe way. Safe heaters should be kept at least 3 feet from all combustible items and be plugged directly into the wall. Only one heater should be plugged into each outlet. Do not use gas-fueled heaters indoors. Never leave a space heater unattended as they are easily knocked over and could cause a fire.
Do not use ovens or stoves as a source of heat, especially appliances that use gas. They can create a carbon monoxide danger in your home which is potentially lethal.
Leave the generator outside. If you lose power and plan to use a portable generator, the generator should always be operated on the exterior of your home. It is important to keep generators away from windows or any other places that would allow fumes to enter your home.
Limit your time outdoors. If you must be outside, wear warm, water-resistant clothing and cover your head, hands, and feet. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any signs of hypothermia or frostbite, including shivering, slurred speech, confusion, and changes in skin such as whitening or numbing.

Reporting Problems

Reporting Waterline Breaks

Extended periods of cold weather can sometimes cause waterline breaks on City streets and in neighborhoods. You can first check the waterline break board to see if a break has already been reported. If not, you can report it by calling (918) 596-9488.

Reporting a Pothole

Weather extremes, including freeze-thaw cycles, take a toll on Tulsa’s streets, causing potholes to form. Tulsans can help identify locations for pothole repairs by reporting them through:

Online at Tulsa311.com
Download our Tulsa311 mobile app from the Apple store or Android store
Call Customer Care Center at 311 or (918) 596-7777.

Tulsa’s Street Maintenance personnel repair potholes as soon as possible, with a goal of within 72 hours after a report is received. Between 200 and 300 potholes are repaired each day. Street Maintenance crews also make permanent repairs to both asphalt and concrete pavement.