The City of Tulsa is bracing for possible winter weather conditions as light snow and winter precipitation is expected. City crews will start preparations at midnight, focusing on elevated surfaces such as bridges, hills, and overpasses. The intention is to apply brine, a mixture of salt and water, to prevent ice formation.
Tulsa’s Winter Weather Preparation
In anticipation of the 2025-26 winter season, the City has been preparing since late summer. This includes ensuring the availability of equipment, personnel, and materials like salt and brine. City crews are closely monitoring weather forecasts to activate necessary resources when snowfall or icy conditions are predicted.
Responsibilities and Resources
The City of Tulsa is tasked with clearing snow and ice from major roads, specifically:
- Gilcrease Expressway (excluding Turnpike section)
- L. L. Tisdale Expressway
- All arterial streets
Other highways in Tulsa are maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. To ensure safety and accessibility, the City has allocated numerous resources for winter response:
- 66 trucks equipped with salt spreaders
- 53 of those trucks have snowplows
- 4 trucks with liquid applicator systems for brine
- 3 additional trucks mounted with plows
- 7 pickup trucks outfitted with snowplows
- 2 motor graders for snow removal
- Approximately 9,000 tons of salt (with ongoing deliveries)
- 2 brine mixing systems housing 76,600 gallons of brine
- 2 tanks containing 3,000 gallons of calcium chloride
- 210 employees comprising drivers and support staff
Crews will cover 36 designated routes, totaling around 1,770 lane miles, which is akin to the distance from Tulsa to San Francisco. The plowing and spreading routes are prioritized based on traffic volume.
Clearing Priorities
The City’s main priority during winter events is to ensure the safety of elevated surfaces and major arteries. Once these areas are clear, attention will turn to residential streets, particularly those near hospitals and schools, as well as steep hills.
Maps detailing all snow and ice routes, including arterial and residential streets, can be found on the El-Balad website under the winter preparedness section.
Warming Stations and Shelters
As temperatures drop, the City of Tulsa encourages individuals seeking warmth to utilize designated warming stations and shelters. Currently open facilities include:
- John 3:16 Mission – 506 North Cheyenne Avenue, open 24/7
- Tulsa Day Center – 415 West Archer Street, open 24/7 (pet-friendly with limited capacity)
- Salvation Army, Downtown Tulsa – 102 North Denver Avenue, open 24/7
- Be Heard Winter Weather Shelter, East Tulsa – 7216 East Admiral Place, open 24/7 (adults only, pets allowed)
Residents are urged to stay informed and prepared as winter weather approaches.
