Looking Back At Oklahoma’s February Arctic Outbreak of 2021

Oklahomans usually have doubts when the meteorologists cry "snow," even though they typically have a trusted relationship with their local meteorologist. But that all changed after Oklahoma's arctic outbreak of 2021. Since then, Oklahomans quiver when they hear things like "arctic temperatures" and "winter precipitation."

The arctic outbreak of 2021 is considered one of the worst winter storms to ever impact Oklahoma. Oklahoma endured 10 days of freezing arctic temperatures and multiple rounds of winter precipitation. The entire state receive multiple heavy bouts of snow, sleet and freezing rain from Feb. 11-20, 2021.

Multiple days of below freezing temperatures wreak havoc on Oklahoma's power grid and local water supplies. Across Oklahoma people lost power and in order to conserve power, the power grid conducted scheduled blackouts. Some Oklahomans were without heat during the freezing temperatures for several days.

The freezing temperatures also caused many pipes in homes to burst and cities experienced main line breaks throughout town. Some Oklahomans remained without water throughout the storm and for weeks after the arctic air moved out.

Corporations have been accused of manipulating the market during the 2021 arctic outbreak.

Oklahomans are mostly emotionally scarred from the arctic outbreak of 2021. Now when the local meteorologists cry "snow" or "arctic blast," Oklahomans waste no time in prepping their homes for the cold weather. It's been four years since Oklahoma experienced 10 days below freezing, but the arctic outbreak of 2021 is still prevalent. At the end of January this year, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond added 16 more firms to his lawsuit for winter storm market manipulation.

According to an article from Oklahoma Energy Today, this is the third lawsuit from AG Drummond of this nature and alleges that natural gas providers manipulated the market during the 2021 arctic outbreak. In the lawsuit, AG Drummond states that the natural gas providers were aware of the storm a month before, knew it would increase the demand for natural gas and Oklahoma's natural gas prices "ballooned" more than other states impacted by the storm.

Could Oklahoma see another arctic outbreak similar to 2021?

Oklahoma has had some cold winters and several bad winter storms just within the last century. Given Oklahoma's history and the impact of climate change, it is entirely possible for Oklahoma to experience another arctic outbreak similar to the one from February 2021.

Even though Oklahoma is expected to again receive winter weather near Valentine's Day this year, it's not looking to be as bad or as long as the arctic outbreak from 2021. But the weather conditions can always change, and winter weather is often the hardest to predict, so it's always best to stay weather aware.