( Accuweather )
Temperatures slightly increase across frigid central US
Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer
Make no mistake, it's another brutally cold morning across the central U.S. However, temperatures have shown a moderate increase compared to the extraordinary lows found across parts of the southern Plains on Tuesday. At 7 a.m. local time, Oklahoma City was at 11 degrees Fahrenheit. About 24 hours earlier it was -11. At Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport, the 7 a.m. temperature on Tuesday was -1. On Wednesday it settled at 20 F. San Antonio got above freezing Wednesday morning at around 8 a.m. local time when temps hovered in the low teens around the same time Tuesday. The city set a new daily record low of 12 F on Tuesday, breaking the previous record low of 16 set back in 1895. A winter storm warning is in effect as freezing rain has been reported around the metro area this morning.
Lincoln, Nebraska, set another daily record on Wednesday when the mercury dipped to -13. This broke the previous daily record for Feb. 17 of -10 from 1958. This might be considered an improvement for some, as the low on Tuesday in the city was -31 at 5:06 a.m. The previous daily record for Feb. 16, was -18 from 1978.
AccuWeather Broadcast Meteorologist Brittany Boyer showed a snapshot of the 24-hour temperature difference across the region at around 5:40 a.m. local time today. Check it out below. Every little bit counts...right!? Although it's still below freezing and there is snow & ice coming down right now.. temperatures are warmer than 24 hours ago. This is a snapshot as of 5:40 CT pic.twitter.com/u4ASxHPW8q — Brittany Boyer (@Brittany_Boyer) February 17, 2021
Roads remain slick as snow continues falling in Oklahoma
Mark Puleo, AccuWeather staff writer
Travel remains highly discouraged across Oklahoma, officials from the state’s Department of Transportation repeated on Wednesday morning as snow continues falling in the state. In Oklahoma City and Tulsa, reports of snow-packed roadways and icy overpasses have officials urging caution for morning commuters, KOCO reported, as the state has dealt with multiple accidents due to wintry conditions including a -14 F reading on Tuesday, its lowest temperature since 1899.
Snow is forecast to continue falling in Oklahoma City through Wednesday, with 3-6 inches of accumulation forecast for the capital city and up to 12 inches in other portions of the state. The temperature is currently 10 F with a RealFeel of 0 in the city.
Galveston placed under "stage 5" water restrictions
Ryan Adamson, AccuWeather meteorologist
The city of Galveston, Texas, has been placed under a "stage 5" water restriction due to major water line breaks and the loss of heating systems related to the widespread loss of power.
In the release from the city, people are being asked to limit showers to five minutes or less, landscape water is prohibited and flushing of water mains is not allowed unless there is an emergency. According to KPRC, once normal water usage is restored, the city will issue a boil water notice for residents to destroy any harmful bacteria.