On the evening of Wednesday, November 8, 2000 freezing drizzle began falling across the Joplin area, eventually transitioning to snow overnight and continuing into the morning hours. By the time the precipitation was over on Thursday, November 9, the Joplin area had received one to three inches of snow.
With the snow on the ground roads across portions of the western Ozarks had become treacherous, as this was the first pre-winter snowfall of the season, many drivers were unprepared for the icy conditions. Travelers on Interstate 44 encountered icy spots, especially on overpasses and bridges.
In southeast Kansas, especially in Cherokee County, at least ten vehicles slid off the road during the morning commute, resulting in a few injuries. Some schools canceled classes due to the hazardous conditions.
In eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, precipitation began as cold rain before changing to snow Wednesday night. A narrow band of heavy snow affected parts of northern Tulsa County, northwest Rogers County, southern Washington County, and southwestern Nowata County. The highest snowfall reported in the Tulsa area came from just northwest of Owasso, where seven inches was recorded.
This event was all due to an area of low pressure that moved across southeast Oklahoma producing a large are of precipitation.
Resources: NWS Springfield, MO / NWS Tulsa, OK / Joplin Globe