By JAKE GOODMAN
Student Reporter
As January continues in Okla., the cold air seems to be taking its time.
Starting at the beginning of the month, Okla. had just started recovering from what was one of the worst ice storms the state has ever dealt with. The ice storm affected much of Okla. just after Christmas, leaving thousands of people throughout the state without power and causing millions of dollars in damage.
According to Electric Co-op Today, many electric cooperatives were working around the clock to restore power to the state as companies such as Western Farmers Electric had reported $10 million worth of damage to electric poles and lines. Electric Co-op Today also reported that 61,000 customers of 12 distribution companies were without power.
Crews have gone into the month of January with debris still left to pick up. Contractors predict that clean-up could last up to another month.
Even though temperatures have been getting as low as the teens at night this month, the state has not seen much in way of precipitation. The cold temperatures continued this past week as a reminder that winter is still here.
Last weekend, the east coast witnessed a snow storm that brought up to 40 inches of snow to some parts of the Atlantic coastline while the arctic blast we’ve been experiencing in Okla. the last two weeks took a break as we saw highs in the 50s and 60s last weekend.
These warmer temperatures seem to have stayed with us this week with highs in the upper 40’s. According to the KOCO 5 News weather forecast, Oklahoma could see more warm weather as temperatures are expected to reach 60 degrees again this weekend.
In case you need a reminder, the weather in Okla. is so unpredictable, so enjoy the spring-like weather while you can. Winter could be far from over, so stay aware of winter weather as we approach February.