Hazardous Travel: I-35 and I-40 Snow-Packed Amid OKC Winter Storm Alert

Significant Travel Risks: Highways Slick and Hazardous Across Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oklahoma City officials have issued an urgent travel advisory for today, Sunday, January 25, 2026, as a winter storm continues to impact the metro area. Highways across the state, including the major arteries through Oklahoma City, are reported as snow-packed and extremely slick. Authorities are strongly discouraging any non-essential travel to allow emergency crews and snowplows the space needed to treat the roadways.

Highway and Arterial Updates

According to the latest reports from ODOT, both Interstate 35 and Interstate 40 are currently snow-packed and hazardous from state line to state line. Within the Oklahoma City metro, the primary concern for Sunday drivers is the potential for refreezing and the development of black ice as temperatures remain frigid. Notable roadway alerts include:

• I-35 and I-40: Both interstates are reported as snow-packed. ODOT is operating approximately 50 multi-use trucks in the Oklahoma City area 24/7 until conditions improve.
• I-240 at I-35 Interchange: Ongoing multi-phase construction has already narrowed this interchange to two lanes with no shoulders. The lack of emergency space makes this a high-risk corridor during the storm.
• I-40 at Douglas Blvd: In Midwest City, the highway remains narrowed to two lanes in both directions with restricted merge distances. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution or use I-240 as an alternate.
• N.E. 23rd St. (SH-66): This route is narrowed to a single lane in each direction between N. Lee Ave. and N. Harvey Ave. for a bridge project. Municipal crews are prioritizing this section for salt and sand application.

Public Transit and EMBARK Alerts

EMBARK has officially implemented Level 2 Winter Weather Detours for all fixed-route buses and the RAPID NW service for Sunday, January 25. These detours are triggered when certain roads become impassable for standard transit vehicles. Commuters should expect significant delays and localized stop closures. Key transit notes include:

• OKC Streetcar: The streetcar is operating on its regular schedule today. As a preventative measure, streetcars are running overnight without passengers to keep the tracks clear and prevent ice from accumulating on the overhead wires.
• Emergency Transport: EMBARK is offering free transportation to emergency winter shelters along its active routes to assist vulnerable residents during the storm.
• Norman Transit: As a reminder, Norman bus service does not operate on Sundays; however, commuters should prepare for potential disruptions for the Monday morning restart.

Safety Recommendations for Commuters

If travel is absolutely necessary, ODOT urges motorists to maintain at least 200 feet of distance—roughly four school bus lengths—behind snowplows and salt spreaders. Avoid using cruise control and watch for black ice, which often makes the pavement look merely wet. Real-time road conditions are available through the Drive Oklahoma mobile app, though the official recommendation for the remainder of the day is to stay off the roads if possible.