Remembering The Christmas Blizzard Of 2009 In Oklahoma

It might surprise some families who move here, but Oklahoma very rarely sees snow on Christmas Day. Granted, we don't have nearly as nice weather as we're having this year, but we just don't get the wintery weather that the northern part of the nation usually does.

But if you lived in Oklahoma sixteen years ago, you had the chance to experience not just a rare occasion of snow on the ground, but an actual blizzard. The storm caused a rucus in the entire state, and we've never seen anything like it.

Look back at the Winter Blizzard of 2009 in Oklahoma.

Weather analysts from the National Weather Service explained that the storm that hit Oklahoma and northern Texas on Christmas Eve in 2009 was initially underestimated. While everyone had been watching the weather carefully, they noted that " the full brunt of the Christmas Eve Blizzard was not recognizable until the hours leading up to and during its onset."

Days before the storm, weather experts watched as the storm grew closer and more intense, increasing the alerts for Oklahomans from winter storm warnings to Blizzard warnings.

Winds reached up to 60 miles an hour, and wind chill temperatures dropped dramatically, ranging between 10 degrees Fahrenheit and below zero. People everywhere captured videos of the crazy wind, undoubtedly blown away in more ways than one.

Why are blizzards more dangerous for Oklahomans than for most other states?

It's fairly simple: we aren't prepared for blizzards here. The houses we've built, the roads that we drive, even the equipment that our state has, aren't meant to prepare our state's conditions for weather that's usually only seen farther north.

Driving became incredibly dangerous that year, with "at least nine fatalities in Oklahoma related to the blizzard, and hundreds of injuries. Interstates 35, 40, and 44, as well as the turnpikes, numerous roads, and highways were shut down during the height of the storm," according to the National Weather Service.

The National Guard also had to come and offer aid to stranded families who had to leave their vehicles to find shelter nearby. The storm eventually subsided after around five to seven hours and left between four and eight inches of snow on the ground.

Needless to say, Oklahoma's version of a "white Christmas" isn't always the way we would've liked it. Will that storm be the last time we see snow on Christmas Day? What do you think? Share your thoughts with us through the app.

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Oklahoma Winter Weather Vehicle Checklist

Whether you're driving across town or across the state, Oklahoma's winter weather has the potential to make your trip an unforgettable experience. While we focus mainly on the summer season conditions--not driving during the heat of the day, road surface temp, etc...--the winter here is just as concerning. Here's a quick rundown on the stuff you should check before braving the frigid cold in the Sooner State.

Gallery Credit: Kelso