Residents had time to prepare for a long stretch of brutally cold weather starting this week, but icy conditions moving into the county caught many by surprise.

Kingfisher, Blaine, Woods, Major, Alfalfa, Grant and Garfield counties were included in an order by Gov. Kevin Stitt allowing state agencies to reduce nonessential services on Monday and Tuesday.

Kingfisher County commissioners canceled their weekly meeting Monday after deciding to close the county courthouse all day Monday and delay Tuesday’s opening until 10 a.m.

Kingfisher City Commission also canceled its monthly meeting scheduled for Monday night.

The meeting has tentatively been rescheduled to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, “with hopes the weather will be better by then,” City Manager Dave Slezickey said.

County schools closed Monday and Tuesday, with some pivoting to remote/virtual learning.

Hennessey Board of Education went ahead with its monthly meeting Monday night, despite the road conditions (see related story)

Oklahoma Department of Transportation crews were reporting a mixed bag of highway conditions Tuesday morning across Oklahoma with some areas improving and nearly dry while other portions of the state battling new precipitation from light snow to freezing mist and fog.

Highways were again becoming slick and hazardous in spots throughout northwestern, western, northeastern and eastern Oklahoma.

Motorists are advised to use extra caution, especially on bridges, overpasses and elevated ramps.

Highway conditions across south-central and southeastern Oklahoma also began deteriorating Tuesday with crews treating slick and hazardous spots across several counties and warning motorists to delay travel in these areas, if possible.

The southern 1-35 corridor also was reported as slick and hazardous from near Paoli to Thackerville at the Oklahoma/Texas state line.

The Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro area highways were mostly dry and clear at press time Tuesday, but motorists are advised to be cautious as isolated slick spots remain and conditions can rapidly

Drivers who must be out are reminded to plan extra travel time, drive for conditions and lower their speed.

Many locations may appear tobe clearbut are actually slick with a thin coating of ice, especially onbridges and overpasses. Crews are continuing around-the-clock emergency operations for this winter storm and will be working until all roadways are clear.