TEXAS PANHANDLE -- Going home for the holidays is proving more than difficult this year. As family members eagerly awaited my scheduled arrival in Oklahoma City, news reached them of the massive winter storm that buried parts of both states under 10-15 inches of snow. Major highways remained closed in west Texas Tuesday night.
The Texas Department of Transportation has given the orders: I'm not going anywhere -- at least not for a while.
It started with a light mist on the morning of Dec. 19, turning to a steady rain by early afternoon. Although the daily high peaked at 60 degrees, all that was about to change. As the snow moved in Monday evening, temperatures plummeted swiftly down into the 20s. Heavy snowfall continued throughout the night and into Tuesday morning. High winds blew the snow sideways in sheets, creating blizzard conditions and packing snow on top of a layer of ice.
By late Tuesday afternoon, road crews had finally re-opened Interstate 40 west of Amarillo to the New Mexico state line. Segments of other highways, including U.S. 385 and U.S. 87 north and west of Amarillo, remained shut down. To the east, however, most major thoroughfares were still closed, including all of the roads leading into and out of Guymon, Oklahoma, the largest city in the Oklahoma panhandle.
Frustrated travelers hunkered down at area motels and church shelters, waiting for the worst of the storm to pass. As the weather system slowly pushed off to the east Tuesday night, the Texas Department of Public Safety advised drivers that it would likely be at least another night before all roads were clear.
"Do not go to the Panhandle," Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Lonny Haschel told reporters Tuesday. "We're really discouraging people from traveling, especially west of Amarillo right now. We need roadways clear so crews can get in and take care of this snow and ice," Haschel said.
Ice-slicked roads and blowing snow from drifts are expected to continue making driving conditions extremely hazardous into Wednesday. The high temperature in the Panhandle will only reach 30 degrees with gusty winds up to 35 mph, creating wind chill values between minus 3 and 7 degrees. There is still a 30 percent chance for more snow -- or so the weatherman tells us -- and temperatures will stay below the freezing mark for at least the next couple of days.
Looks like we will have ourselves a white Christmas this year. Depending on Mother Nature's moods, however, our family may be spending the holiday many miles away from one another.
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