Ask The Channel 3 Weather Team: What Is a Derecho?

Submitted By: Chris McKearney

Question:

What is a Derecho?

Answer:

A derecho is derived from the Spanish word meaning "straight".

The phenonemen is a widespread and long-lived, violent, straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms usually taking the form of a bow echo.

Derechos blow in the direction of movement of their associated storms, similar to a guest front, except that the wind is sustained and generally increases in strength behind the "gust" front.

A warm weather phenomenon, derechos occur mostly in summer, especially July in the northern hemisphere. They can occur at any time of the year and occur as frequently at night as in the daylight hours.

Thanks to Dr. Walker Ashley , meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University snapped these pictures as a long-lived derecho with origins in North Dakota and southeast Saskatchewan.

Thanks for your question.

---

To submit your question to "Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team" - CLICK HERE

Ohio: Cities springing forward to find rock salt for next winter

By WKYC Reporter Paul Thomas

PEPPER PIKE -- It's out of sight for now, but snow is never far from Robert Girardi's mind.

"It's been miserable, a long winter," said Girardi, service director for Pepper Pike. "A lot of worrying at times whether or not we're going to have salt available."

Rock salt is in short supply for dozens of communities in Northeast Ohio.

Pepper Pike was part of a regional group that put an order for 105,000 tons of salt up for bid last year and came up empty. No salt supplier responded to the group.

"In the 33 years I've been doing this," Girardi said, "I've never seen a no-bid situation."

Pepper Pike was able to buy rock salt from the Ohio Department of Transportation and other suppliers for nearly double what the salt cost the previous winter.

But Girardi won't be scrambling to keep the salt barn full next winter.

He said that Pepper Pike will be piggy-backing their salt order with ODOT's salt bid.

Currently, 240 municipalities, including Cleveland, purchase rock salt along with ODOT. Dave Ray, a state maintenance engineer with ODOT, expects more cities to join the voluntary program.

"There's been a lot of interest from cities that could not attain salt (this winter)," Ray said.

Municipalities must buy 80 percent of the rock salt they order through ODOT, regardless of the yet undetermined price. The deadline to participate in the program is just four weeks away.

"Just to have, feel a little bit safer," Girardi said. "In case there is a shortage (next winter), we know ODOT is going to be supplied. It's just the worry; we don't want that hanging over our head that we might not get a (contract) bid again."

Ask The Channel 3 Weather Team: Why No More Live Updates on Your Weather Plus Channel?

Submitted By: Allen Nickles

Question:

What are the plans for the Weather Plus channel that now just runs the radar and forecasts? You used to have live people.

Answer:

Weather Plus, which was a joint venture between NBC and their affiliates - like WKYC - was discontinued at the end of 2008 when NBC bought the Weather Channel.

However, we chose to continue providing a local version of the channel that was subsequently dropped by many of the cable companies that once aired our "Weather Plus."

We have not decided yet if the channel will continue permanently or not, thus have not invested any more time or station resources into it at this time. There are other options under consideration for our digital sub channels that may replace this service in the future.

Thanks for your question.

---

To submit your question to "Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team" - CLICK HERE

News: "Once in humanity" Glimpse of Comet Lulin

By WKYC Meteorologist Betsy Kling

CLEVELAND -- Some clouds may obscure our chances to see a very rare out-of-this-world object.

It may not be a big topic of discussion in meteorology circles, but the astronomy world is eagerly awaiting nightfall for a chance to see something very rare. So rare that, perhaps, at no other time have humans been able to see this space-wandering piece of debris ... past or future.

The Comet Lulin was discovered by a teenager in Taiwan. Named after the observatory from which it was discovered, Lulin will be visible for the next several nights as it continues toward the sun. It is expected to be launched by the sun's gravitation pull to a path that will take it out of our solar system completely.

There is a catch ... the best opportunity to see the comet will be in areas well away from city lights or you will need a set of binoculars of a telescope.

Lulin has astronomers around the world buzzing about it's speed, close proximity to earth (a mere 38-million miles) peculiar "double-tail". Also, the comet will be coming toward the sun in a clockwise approach, rather than the more common counter-clockwise direction.

To see the comet, head outside (after getting a good coat on) and face east. Turn slightly to the right and begin to look for a bright, constant light which will be the planet Saturn. To the upper right of Saturn you will see a smaller, slightly "fluttering" light which is the star Regulus. Lulin will be a small, greenish cloud-like spot with a bit of a tail. If you getting a good look with a telescope, you might try setting the telescope and not moving it...you will notice that you can actually see the comet moving against the stars in the background. Very rare! The later you go out to see it, the higher in the sky and more toward the southeast you will need to look.

Ask The Channel 3 Weather Team: Why No Rain and Snow Totals on Your Website?

Submitted By: Linda Papajcik

Question:

Why don't you have rain/snow totals for the days of the month and even the current day available on the website?

Answer:

You'll find the rain and snow totals for each day as their as received by the National Weather Service on our almanac page at the following link:

www.wkyc.com/weather/conditions/almanac

When there is precipitation, we have that graphically displayed and we also offer the daily and monthly climate reports from the National Weather Service. NWS keeps the running tallies in their climate reports on the page that are issued twice each day: 5 PM and around Midnight.

Plus, we always do stories on the website when the weather is especially severe with heavy snow or rain. You'll always find those on the weather page under "Weather Headlines."

We'll work on coming up with some more graphic displays you can view in the coming months.

Thanks for your question.

---

To submit your question to "Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team" - CLICK HERE

Snowfall reports through 10 a.m. on 2/23/09

CLEVELAND -- Lake effect snow continues to fall across the area on this Monday adding more to our totals.

Most areas have seen an additional 1 to 3 inches, but a few spots east and south of Cleveland picked up a little more overnight.

Here are some highlights from the past 12 hours (10 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m.. Monday):

Tallmadge (Summit): 4.2 inches

Kent (Portage): 3.7 inches

Warren (Trumbull): 3.0 inches

Newton Falls (Trumbull): 2.7 inches

Brunswick (Medina): 1.9 inches

For the season at Hopkins airport through midnight on Sunday, we have had 75.5 inches of snow which is 28.7 inches more than normal, and 35.9 inches more than last winter.

---

Remember, our snowfall reports are always available under the weather tab on wkyc.com.

For a complete list of snowfall reports: CLICK HERE

Snowfall reports through 10 a.m. on 2/22/09

CLEVELAND -- Another dusting of snow keeps winter fresh in our minds as we approach the end of February.

According to the National Weather Service snow spotters and WKYC Weather Warriors, most of the area saw one to three inches of new snow overnight.

These tallies were kept down thanks to warmer air on Saturday that kept the precipitation mainly rain until later in the evening.

Here is a look at the top snow reports:

Conneaut (Ashtabula): 2.4 inches

Pierpoint (Ashtbula): 2.3 inches

Chardon (Geauga): 2.0 inches

Leroy (Lake): 2.0 inches

---
Remember, our snowfall reports are always available under the weather tab on wkyc.com.

For a complete list of snowfall reports: CLICK HERE

Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team

Got a weather related question?

Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team... Hollie, AJ, Betsy and Bruce.

Click on the following link to submit your question, then we'll post the answers on wkyc.com/weather and here on the Fair Weather Fans Weather Blog.

SUBMIT A QUESTION: CLICK HERE

Snowfall reports through 10 a.m. on 2/20/09

CLEVELAND -- Overnight snow squalls brought heavier accumulations to areas further south of the lakeshore.

A band of heavy snow that moved inland around 2 a.m. Friday morning brought a half foot of snow to cities like North Royalton, Brunswick and Hinckley.

Otherwise, light accumulations where reported from the period of 10 p.m.Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday morning according to the National Weather Service's snow spotters and WKYC Weather Warriors.

Here are some highlights from the past 12 hours:

Brunswick (Medina): 6.0 inches

North Royalton (Cuyahoga): 5.5 inches

Hinckley (Medina): 5.5 inches

Tallmadge (Summit): 4.9 inches

Wooster (Wayne): 4.1 inches

Warren (Trumbull): 3.8 inches


---

Remember, our snowfall reports are always available under the weather tab on wkyc.com.

For a complete list of snowfall reports: CLICK HERE

New Feature: Even More Weather Stories from wkyc.com

Now you get even more great weather stories from northeast Ohio and around the world.

Channel 3's "Weather Headlines" are now available as an RSS feed for your blogs, Netvibes, Widgets or other techie toys when you need dependable, accurate weather info.

To subscribe to our WKYC Weather Headlines RSS Feed, click on the following link:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/ClevelandWeatherNews

News: Ohio community sees flooding yet again

FINDLAY, Ohio -- Some streets are already underwater in a flood-prone area of northwest Ohio where forecasters are warning of the potential for major flooding.

The National Weather Service says the Blanchard River in Findlay was one and a-half feet above flood level early Thursday and was likely to rise nearly another foot before cresting.

For Findlay, it would be only the latest of several significant floods in recent years.

River levels were rising throughout the region because of ice jams, snow melt and heavy rainfall. Findlay's airport recorded more than one and a-half inches over Tuesday and Wednesday.

A State Highway Patrol dispatcher in Lima says there aren't enough road-closing signs for all the flooded spots that ought to have them.

News: 140,000 Ohio customers still without power

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- About 140,000 customers in Ohio remain without power from the winds that blew across the state, and utility companies say electricity won't be restored to some residents until the weekend.

The winds reached 70 miles an hour Wednesday. The hardest hit was central and southeast Ohio, where about 72,000 customers of American Electric Power remained without power Thursday afternoon.

AEP spokeswoman Vikki Michalski says there are many downed trees and power lines and that the damage area is huge.

The Dayton Power & Light Co. has called in crews from Kentucky and North Carolina to help restore power to its customers in southwest Ohio.

Peak Wind Gusts - 2/11 to 2/12/09

Here is a list of peak wind gusts from across the area from the storm system that affected the region Wednesday and Thursday through 10 a.m.

...ASHTABULA COUNTY...
   JEFFERSON               60   638 AM  2/12 ASOS 

...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...
   CLE HOPKINS             67   709 PM  2/11 ASOS                    
   CLEVELAND (BURKE)       66   200 AM  2/12 ASOS 

...HANCOCK COUNTY...
   FINDLAY                 73  1115 PM  2/11 ASOS 

...LORAIN COUNTY...
   LORAIN/ELYRIA           65   200 AM  2/12 ASOS 

...LUCAS COUNTY...
   TOLEDO EXPRESS          55  1143 PM  2/11 ASOS 

...MARION COUNTY...
   MARION                  68  1045 PM  2/11 ASOS 

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
   MANSFLD ARPT            66   621 PM  2/11 ASOS 

...SUMMIT COUNTY...
   AKRON (FULTON)          59  1244 AM  2/12 ASOS 
   AKRON-CANTON            55  1228 AM  2/12 ASOS 

...TRUMBULL COUNTY...
   YNG AIRPORT             58  1216 AM  2/12 ASOS 

...WAYNE COUNTY...
   WOOSTER                 63   146 AM  2/12 ASOS 

...WOOD COUNTY...
   TOLEDO (METCALF)        62  1202 AM  2/12 ASOS 

Severe weather brings power outages and some storm damage

CLEVELAND -- The area's first round of severe weather this year has paid a visit to northern Ohio Wednesday evening.

Several days of above normal weather are coming to an end following the passage of a strong cold front that moved through the Greater Cleveland area around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service, Cleveland experienced a wind gust of 67 m.p.h. near downtown and caused some limited power outages in the Lakewood and Akron areas according to First Energy.

In Mansfield, there was a report of an overturned semi and wind gusts measured at Mansfield's Lahm Airport of 66 m.p.h.

In Conneaut, thunderstorm winds were responsible for snapping 12 power poles during an estimated 60 m.p.h. wind gust.

In Ottawa County, west of Cleveland, a structurally sound barn collapsed around 6 p.m.

Other strong wind gusts of 60 m.p.h. were reported in Lordstown and Cortland, both in Trumbull County around 8 p.m Wednesday evening.

--

Our thanks to the National Weather Service for contributing to this report.

News: Ice jams broken on Grand River in Fairport Harbor

FAIRPORT HARBOR -- The combined forces of the Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay and the spring like temperatures and wind have combined to help break up ice jams that were choking the Grand River.

Channel 3 News crews were on scene when the river started to flow again diminishing the immediate threat of major flooding.

The Neah Bay continues to work its way down the river towards Lake Erie.

Residents and businesses along the Grand River are working to clean up some minor flooding and ice chunks that breached the banks.

View Photos

The staff at the Western Reserve Yacht Club had almost three feet of water around the property.

Down the street at a nearby Fairport Harbor park, receding waters have left huge slabs of ice on picnic tables.

Lake County fire and police officials along the river are keeping a close eye on the water levels, but don't believe there is any risk to residents.

Vrooman Rd is closed in both directions because of flooding.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

Earlier, before the river ice was broken, authorities had advised about 100 residents to evacuate their homes as a precaution.

Fairport Harbor Fire Chief Jeff Hogya says some backyards have been flooded because of ice jams on the river pushing the water over the banks.

A National Weather Service says the potential for an inch of rain or more by Thursday morning stands to worsen the threat of high water in the area.

News: Flood doesn't bother stranded Carlisle Township residents

By WKYC Reporter Mike O'Mara

CARLISLE TWP. -- The residents in the low lying section of Lorain County don't care if living here doesn't make sense to most people.

These folks in this section of Carlisle Township know that they will get flooded year after year. Despite offers from the government to buy their homes, these folks refuse to leave.

Today, the Black River is once again cutting off their subdivision from the rest of the world -- the muddy water slicing across the only road into this area.

Brian Axford tried to drive his van through the water and was forced to retreat.

"I don't see any way these folks can get down here unless they are going to use a rowboat or a motorboat. I don't know any way they're getting out."

Neighbor Rich Shreve said, "I've seen them take their kayak right there, pull i,t walk up the hill and go to work. Come back get in their kayak and paddle back. No big deal to them, in fact they thought it was pretty cool actually." Gordon Brunger has to walk around the flood waters to access his home. His car is left on high ground.

Brunger said, "If it comes to this or living in the city, I'd rather be down here.

"And I don't have anybody looking over my shoulder or opening their windows looking when I come in my driveway. I've got my privacy down here."

Neighbor Rich Shreve said, "They are not in any danger and they ain't bothering anybody. They know what they are doing and have plenty of food supplies. It's nothing new to them".

Fairport Harbor: Residents urged to leave home over flood threat

FAIRPORT HARBOR -- Authorities have advised residents to evacuate 95 homes east of Cleveland because of the potential for flooding along the Grand River.

Fairport Harbor Fire Chief Jeff Hogya says the evacuation alert that went out Tuesday night is not mandatory. Residents seeking shelter are being told to go to the village hall.

Hogya says some backyards have been flooded because of ice jams on the river pushing the water over the banks. He says a U.S. Coast Guard ice breaker was expected to go to work on the river on Wednesday.

A Lake County Sheriff's dispatcher says there has been no serious flooding.

A National Weather Service flood watch says the potential for an inch of rain or more by Thursday morning stands to worsen the threat of high water in the area.

Eastlake: Thaw brings flooding, ice jam concerns

EASTLAKE -- Warm temperatures and sunshine have begun to melt the snow all across Northeast Ohio. And with the thaw comes concern for flooding along the low lying areas near rivers and streams.

The residents along the Chagrin River in Eastlake are no strangers to the spring thaw. Ice jams the bends in the Chagrin causing huge chunks of ice to build up in yards along the river.

CLICK FOR PHOTOS

Similar problems can be found along the banks of the Grand, Black and Vermilion Rivers.

If you live along one of the rivers, send us your photos. You can share them in our Weather out your Window gallery by clicking here, or you can upload large photos and video by clicking here.

THE LATEST REPORTS:

*Dave Summers reports from Eastlake at 11 PM: CLICK HERE
*Mike O'Mara's report from 6 PM: CLICK HERE

News: Spring thaw warms temperatures well above normal

By Frank Macek

CLEVELAND -- Warmer temperatures brought an early spring thaw to northern Ohio this weekend.

For the second straight day, temperatures were well above the normal high across northeast Ohio. This comes after a frigid morning low of -7 degrees on Thursday morning. The area saw a temperature swing of about 60 degrees over the course of 72 hours.

At Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the mercury reached 47 degrees on Sunday, following a high of 52 degrees on Saturday. These temperatures were 13 to 18 degrees, respectively, above the normal high - just a few weeks following the climatological low point of the year.

Along with the warmer temperatures, melting snow and ice increased the risk of flooding along several area rivers in Lake, Lorain and Erie County where flood warnings were posted for much of Sunday. However, no major reports of damage have been received.

As of Sunday night, only an inch or two remained on the ground at the airport which had a snow depth of 22 inches heading into the weekend. Barren ground is now being seen in many areas for the first time in weeks.

Even warmer temperatures are forecast through the middle part of the week with a chance of rain ahead of the next storm system. The National Weather Service says temperatures near 60 degrees will be a reality through mid-week, although a strong cold front Wednesday night into Thursday will drop temperatures back to seasonable levels and bring the area a chance of some thunder.

News: Eastlake braces for possible flooding

By WKYC Reporter Jeff Maynor

EASTLAKE -- Leaders in the City of Eastlake along the Chagrin River spent Friday morning making plans for possible flooding in the next several days.

Temperatures expected to rise to well above freezing, January's snowfall nearly being a record, and rain in the forcast will all contribute to the flooding.

"We can handle the melting," Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrezjeewski said, "but if we get significant rain on top of the melting snow, and the water coming from communities upstream, we could have serious flooding."

The mayor said these are the exact conditions that caused the community's worst flooding ever in the 1970's.

Currently the ice-covered Chagrin River is at near normal levels. If it reaches a depth of eight feet police and fire departments will move to "alert" status. At nine feet the city's reverse 9-1-1 system will notify residents near the river to move their cars and evacuate their homes.

The mayor said it looks like there is a "50-50 chance" of flooding before the middle of next week.

Roofing contractor Mike Scaperato of Bidwell Home Improvement said his company has been "slammed" with calls from people with roof leaks.

"We're getting 50 to 60 calls a day from people with leaks from the ice," he said.

"The ice on the roof gets pushed up under the roof shingles, and when it melts, instead of draining off the roof, it leaks into the house."

Scaperato said excess accumulation of ice on the roof is usually caused by a clogged gutter or downspout or improper insulation or ventilation.

Roofer Tony Hamilton, who was chopping ice off roofs at Lost Nation North condominiums Friday, warned homeowners to not climb onto snow covered or icy roofs.

"I've fallen several times in 16 years of this work," he said. "Unless the roof has a clear path with no ice I work from a ladder."

News: Another blast of Arctic air sends temperatures below zero Thursday morning

By Frank Macek
WKYC Web Weather Producer

CLEVELAND -- If an unexpected heavy snow wasn't enough, frigid temperatures sent the mercury below zero in many areas once again Thursday morning.

Early risers were faced with another quick blast of Arctic air that spilled down from Canada and sent people shivering as they headed to work and school Thursday morning.

According to the National Weather Service forecast office in Cleveland, Hopkins Airport plummeted to -5 degrees through 8 a.m. with wind chills colder than that with a slight chilly wind.

Even though it was that cold, the old record remains of -13 degrees set in 1918.

The cold temperatures helped delay the start of school by two hours at many schools, especially in Ashland and Richland counties. Clear skies in the western part of the state overnight helped temperatures fall to as low as -12 in Toledo. That was 1 degree shy of their record low of -13 degrees, also set back in 1918.

Here is a look at morning low temperatures through 8 a.m. around the state:

AKRON-CANTON: -3 degrees
CLEVELAND: -5 degrees
COLUMBUS: 1 degree
CINCINNATI: -5 degrees
DAYTON: 2 degrees
FINDLAY: -10 degrees
MANSFIELD: -4 degrees
TOLEDO: -12 degrees
YOUNGSTOWN: -4 degrees
ZANESVILLE: 0 degrees

Latest snowfall reports for 2/4/09

CLEVELAND -- Snow continues to add up across northeast Ohio as a result of a lake effect snow storm.

This storm was caused by open waters on Lake Erie from the warmer temperatures the past few days, the perfect wind direction and the slow speed of wind.

Some areas in northern Ohio are reporting around 2 feet of snow on the ground caused by this storm and earlier snows last month. That would include Hopkins Airport with 22" of snow on the ground as of 9:30 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, the following are ADDITIONAL snowfall totals today from roughly 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Storm totals will be available on Thursday.

*Parma (Cuyahoga): 9.5"

*North Royalton (Cuyahoga): 8.1"

*Russell Twp. (Geauga): 6.0"

*North Ridgeville (Lorain): 5.5"

*Leroy (Lake): 4.0"


*For more snowfall reports from the NWS: CLICK HERE
*For WKYC weather warrior reports: CLICK HERE
*Submit your own storm totals: CLICK HERE

News: Southern Cleveland suburbs get unusual visit from Lake Effect storm

By WKYC Reporter Dave Summers

BRECKSVILLE -- Snow fell relentlessly Wednesday over southern suburbs that ordinarily dodge lake effect storms.

Before the long slow trip to work and school, residents were greeted with a foot of snow in their driveways.

It was piled on the vehicles parked outside, some frozen and half buried by drifts that climbed up the doors. There were snow in places where plows had yet to tread.

Video: Unexpected snowstorm pounds NE Ohio

Ohio is getting a heavy dose of winter weather.

A snowstorm has shut down dozens of schools in the state and made for a
dangerous drive.

Officials are urging people to be careful when they hit the roadways.

The National Weather Service estimates up to eight inches of snow fell in the
area through midday.

Video: Innerbelt Bridge on 2/4/09

WKYC's AJ Colby shot some video of this morning's drive over the Innerbelt Bridge:

Latest snowfall reports for 2/4/09 through 10 a.m.

CLEVELAND -- According to the National Weather Service, Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties are hardest hit after a stubborn band of lake effect snow developed over the area early Wednesday morning.

Many areas received very little, while others were blasted.

Some highlights from this latest round of snow through 10 a.m. include:

*Broadview Heights (Cuyahoga): 10.5"
*Oberlin (Lorain): 9.4"
*North Royalton (Cuyahoga): 6.8"
*Carlisle Twp (Lorain): 6.5"
*Cleveland Hopkins Airport: (Cuyahoga): 5.6"

----
*For a complete list of snowfal reports: CLICK HERE
*For WKYC weather warrior reports: CLICK HERE

Weather Focus: Warmer days bring sunnier moods in Cleveland

By WKYC Reporter Dave Summers

CLEVELAND -- Northeast Ohio has been treated to two days of sunshine and it seems to be putting residents in a better mood.

Dave Summers reports on, after a month of nearly record snow and gray skies, what a difference the sun makes.

Promo: Channel 3 Weather - Keeping You Connected

Here's our Super Bowl promo. Okay, so it aired right after the big game(bills have to get paid which means advertisers get the plum in-game spots). Anyway, this promo shows you why the Channel 3 Weather team is Northeast Ohio's best source for weather information anytime, anywhere.

Groundhog Day: Spring won't come early this year

It looks like there's just no way around it. There will be no early end to this already long, cold winter.

The world's most famous groundhog has seen his shadow which, legend has it, means this already long winter will last for six more weeks.

Punxsutawney Phil's forecast was announced in front of thousands of revelers gathered at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. They gathered Monday morning in near freezing temperatures, with many revelers buoyed by the Super Bowl victory by the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night.

German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on Feb. 2 -- the Christian holiday of Candlemas -- winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.



Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

Ohio's furry forecaster also saw his shadow.

Handlers say Ohio's official groundhog, Buckeye Chuck, saw his shadow at sunrise Monday in Marion, about 45 miles north of Columbus.

A crowd of spectators ate sandwiches and drank hot cocoa as they waited for the prediction beneath clear skies.

Our exclusive WKYC web weather poll of 1,996 respondents found 45.6 percent had a feeling that Phil would see his shadow Tuesday morning.

38.4% said the clouds would keep him from seeing his shadow.

And 16% said they wished Phil would stay in his hole so winter could last as long as possible.

News: January 2009 wraps up as the 2nd snowiest on record

CLEVELAND -- Yes, it was snowier than you thought in Cleveland during the month of January.

The National Weather Service at Cleveland Hopkins International says we had the 2nd snowiest January on record with an official total of 40.5 inches of snow. That was just 2.3 inches below the all time record of 42.8 inches that was set during bad winter of January 1978.

For the month, the area received almost 23 and a half inches of snow above the normal average. So far for the season, Cleveland has tallies 59.3 inches of snow.

On the temperature side, the average high during the month was 26.7 degrees with an average nighttime low of 12.1 degrees.

The highest temperature during January 2009 occured on January 4th & 23rd with 44 degrees. The lowest temperature was -13 degrees on January 16th.

Overall, the month was 6.3 degrees below the normal average.

Elsewhere across the region, the Akron Canton airport saw the 5th coldest monthly average with 18.4 degrees. (The record is 11.4 degrees in 1977). It was also the 2nd snowiest January on record with 29.0 inches, 8.5 inches below the all time record of 37.5 inches set in 1978.

Mansfield had the 4th coldest January at 17.5 degrees and the the snowiest on record with 43.8 inches. In addition, the city tied a record low of -5 degrees first set in 1971.

And in Youngstown, it was the 8th coldest on record with 18.8 degrees for the month and the 3rd snowiest with 35.8 inches of snowfall.

For more information about the climate reports of selected cities around northern Ohio for the month of January, click on the following link for our almanac page. CLICK HERE
---
Our thanks to the National Weather Service Office in Cleveland for their great work compiling statistics used in this story.