Record-breaking heat grips Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahomans sweltered through record-breaking hot weather today as temperatures exceeded 100 degrees in a region thirsty for rain.<br/><br/>At 4 PM Monday, it was 97 degrees in Oklahoma

Monday, April 17th 2006, 5:49 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahomans sweltered through record-breaking hot weather today as temperatures exceeded 100 degrees in a region thirsty for rain.

At 4 PM Monday, it was 97 degrees in Oklahoma City -- five degrees above the record high. Record temperatures also were set in Ponca City, Tulsa and Gage. It was 102 degrees in Stillwater and 100 in Ada.

Meteorologists say the lack of rain and dry ground allows the temperature to climb quicker.

Meteorologist Ken Gallant says the normal highs for this time of year are in the 70s.

He says Oklahoma City has received about four inches of rain this year, about 3 inches less than normal.

Gallant says a cold front is on the way, bringing the temperature in many locations in the drought-plagued state back down to the 70s.