Northwestern Oklahoma begins to thaw out as state warms up

Conditions in northwestern Oklahoma are improving today under sunny skies after this weekend's spring snowstorm, authorities said.

Daytime high temperatures should reach the upper 40s today in most of Oklahoma, said Daryl Williams, a National Weather Service forecaster. Overnight lows in the areas hardest-hit by the storm should dip to about 30, but Monday's high temperatures should easily break 50, he said. South winds are bringing the warmer temperatures and keeping skies mostly clear.

In Woodward and Harper counties, officials and volunteers were trying to reach elderly and disabled residents who were still snowed in late this morning, said Woodward County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer. Officials were working with volunteers, including neighbors and Boy Scouts, to reach them for face-to-face welfare checks, but Lehenbauer said authorities have been in contact with the snowed-in residents and they all have water and food and most have full utilities.

Beaver County Emergency Manager Keith Shadden said authorities there were also trying to dig out a few stranded residents, who have full utilities and food as well.

"The community is pretty tight and well-organized, so thankfully there was already a game plan before the snow came, and they've been sticking to it," Shadden said.

About 100 Northwestern Electric Cooperative customers in the area were still without power this morning, company spokeswomen said.

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