Weather Focus 3: Air Quality Awareness Week

CLEVELAND -- This week is Air Quality Awareness Week across the nation.

Local air quality affects how you live and breathe. Like the weather, it can change from day to day or even hour to hour.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others are working to make information about outdoor air quality as easy to understand as the weather forecast. A key tool in this effort is the Air Quality Index, or AQI. EPA and local officials use the AQI to provide you with simple information on local air quality, the health concerns for different levels of air pollution, and how you can protect your health when pollutants reach unhealthy levels.

This week, April 27 through May 1st, is National Air Quality Awareness Week.

In partnership with the EPA, WKYC is providing a link to a useful resource called "Air Quality Index: A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health." It's a free load at the following link:

http://www.epa.gov/airnow//aqibroch/AQI_2003_9-3.pdf

You can find our daily air quality readings for the Greater Cleveland and Akron areas on our weather page (wkyc.com/weather) every day at the following link:

http://www.wkyc.com/weather/outdoors/air_quality

More from Channel 3 Weather: Get forecast e-mails, iAlert text messages or e-mails, Find Channel 3 Weather on Facebook or Watch the latest forecast from Channel 3 News

News: Cleveland Hot Spell Sets 100 Year Record

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland has been on a hot streak that has beaten a temperature record that goes back more than 100 years.

Monday was the fourth straight day that Cleveland reached 85 degrees or warmer. In a city known for long winters there hasn't been a similar string of hot weather during the spring month of April since 1900, according to the National Climatic Data Center and National Weather Service.

Other recent Aprils have been considerably different. In 2005, the month was the snowiest on record, with 19 inches, and two years later 13.7 inches fell on the city, making it Cleveland's third-snowiest April.

The city's hot spell is not expected to continue, as forecasters look for temperatures to top out in the 60s on Tuesday.

More from Channel 3 Weather: Get forecast e-mails, iAlert text messages or e-mails, Find Channel 3 Weather on Facebook or Watch the latest forecast from Channel 3 News

Cleveland reaches the mid 80s on Friday

CLEVELAND -- The end of the work week brought a nice warm up in temperatures to the area.

High temperatures on Friday were generally in the 80s across northeast Ohio.

At Cleveland Hopkins, the high reached 85 degrees this afternoon, just 3 degrees shy of the record high of 88 degrees set in 1925.

The normal high for April 24th is 60 degrees.

Temperatures will continue to be warm over the weekend thanks a large Bermuda High that will keep southerly winds pumping northward into the area.

FRIDAY'S HIGH TEMPERATURES:

AKRON-CANTON: 83 degrees

CLEVELAND: 85 degrees

COLUMBUS: 86 degrees

CINCINNATI: 84 degrees

DAYTON: 83 degrees

FINDLAY: 86 degrees

MANSFIELD: 83 degrees

TOLEDO: 86 degrees

YOUNGSTOWN: 84 degrees

ZANESVILLE: 84 degrees

Storm Reports: 4/24/09

The following are storm reports from the National Weather Service Office in Cleveland from Friday, April 24, 2009:

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0613 AM     HAIL             3 S MENTOR              41.65N 81.33W 
04/24/2009  E0.75 INCH       LAKE               OH   PUBLIC 

Ask The Channel 3 Weather Team: When Can You Avoid Hurricanes on Caribbean Cruises?

Submitted By: Francine Schwitzke

Question:

Is there a good time to cruise the Caribbean and not have to worry about hurricanes?

Answer:

First, let's be clear that the chances of having a trip affected by a hurricane are rather slim. That said, since Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, the "best" time to go would be the winter/early spring months. Hurricane season tends to peak from mid-August through mid-October. Keep in mind that early (June-July) and late season (October-November) storms, while not as numerous as those during the peak of the season, do tend to form in the Caribbean.

Before booking a cruise, it is wise to research some of the hurricane season climatology available at the National Hurricane Center (CLICK HERE).

If you plan on going during hurricane season, you may want to consider vacation insurance.

Thanks for your question and our special thanks to weather expert Bob Swanson for his help on this one.

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

Submit Your Spring Photos

WKYC's Fair Weather Fans Blog is looking for your best spring photos from across northern Ohio.

Just snap us your favorite digital photos of flowers coming up, wildlife or anything else related to the changing season so we may share them with all our fans.

To Upload photos: CLICK HERE

To View pictures: CLICK HERE

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Photo courtesy: Katherine S. from Hudson

Ask The Channel 3 Weather Team: Where Have Isobars Gone On TV Weather Maps?

Submitted By: Tom Marek

Question:

I don't often see lines of air pressure (isobars) mentioned on tv forecasts maps anymore and you don't talk about the barometer rising and falling.

Sometimes it is handy to know when the pressure will changing quickly. Is there a weather source on-line that gives these air pressure predictions?

Answered by Meteorologist AJ Colby:

We have very little time these days in our weathercasts to present isobaric conditions and forecasts (although I personally LOVE to use these maps) because most viewers are simply not interested.

Here is the site that I will often use to get a good look at forecast MSLP (mean sea level pressure): weather.unisys.com

Thanks for your question.

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

Weather Focus 3: NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR)

CLEVELAND -- Did you know the National Weather Service broadcasts weather information 24/7 over a series of local radio stations?

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office.

In northern Ohio, the weather information comes directly from the National Weather Service Forecast Ohio at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System, NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information.

In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards - including natural diasters (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental issues (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety information (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).

Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories.

NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. These can be found at many local electronic stores including Radio Shack and Target and on the web.

Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band.

The following map shows where the transmitters are located for each of the local weather radio broadcast stations.



Here is a list of where you can find our local weather radio broadcasts:

Akron: 162.400 MHZ (Call sign: KDO-94)

Cleveland: 162.550 MHZ (Call sign: KHB-59)

Grafton: 162.550 MHZ (Call sign: WNG-698)

Mansfield: 162.450 MHZ (Call sign: WWG-57)

New Philadelphia: 162.425 MHZ (Call sign: WNG 735)

Bellevue: 162.400 MHZ (Call sign: KHB-97)

Toledo: 162.500 MHZ (Call sign: WXL-51)

Youngstown: 162.500 MHZ (Call sign: WWG-56)

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ON THE WEB:

You can also find audio updates broadcast on the web at the following link:

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/nwr/oh/

Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team: What Weather Ingredients Go Into Tornado Formation?

Submitted By: Stacey Tisa

Question:

What weather ingredients go into tornado formation? My kindergarten students are curious.

Answer:

Most tornadoes result from thunderstorms. In the U.S., there are approximately 1,000 tornadoes each year compared to 100,000 thunderstorms. Therefore, tornadoes result from only about 1% of all thunderstorms in the U.S.

Since tornadoes result from thunderstorms, getting to the heart of how tornadoes start involves getting to the heart of how thunderstorms form. This is due to warm, moist air rising in the atmosphere (your students might relate to the warm, moist air in the bathroom when showering...it rises to the ceiling and you have to turn on the fan to get it out).

The difference in tornado-producing thunderstorms (commonly called supercells) is that there is a lot of wind shear. That is, the wind changes direction and speed as you go up in the atmosphere. To understand this, you might take your students out on a breezy day. Have them feel which direction the wind is blowing at the surface and then keep an eye on which direction the clouds are moving. Sometimes the wind at the surface is from a significantly-different direction than the winds aloft. This is a case where there is a lot of wind shear.

The twisting caused by wind shear in the thunderstorm can result in rotation which can find its way to the ground in the form of a tornado.

Thanks for your question & our special thanks to Bob Swanson for help on this one.

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

Latest snowfall reports for 4/7/09 through 10 p.m.

The following are snowfall reports from around northeast Ohio from 10 a.m. Tuesdsay to 10 p.m. Tuesday evening. Snowfall on the ground is listed at the end.

OFFICIAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS
12 HOUR SNOWFALL REPORTS

Northeast Ohio


...ASHTABULA COUNTY...
   DORSETT 3W             1.0   726 PM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA              0.8   700 PM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA 1SW          0.8   826 PM   4/7  
   CONNEAUT I-90          0.7   641 PM   4/7  

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...
   GALION                   T   752 PM   4/7  

...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...
   NORTH ROYALTON         1.2   559 PM   4/7  
   BROADVIEW HTS          1.0   619 PM   4/7  
   CLE AIRPORT            0.6   751 PM   4/7  

...ERIE COUNTY...
   VERMILION              0.5   843 PM   4/7  

...GEAUGA COUNTY...
   MONTVILLE              2.5   856 PM   4/7  
   CLARIDON TWP           2.3   930 PM   4/7  
   HAMBDEN TWP.           2.1   732 PM   4/7  
   BAINBRIDGE             2.0   759 PM   4/7  
   CHARDON                1.0   614 PM   4/7  
   CHARDON                1.0   743 PM   4/7  
   THOMPSON 5SW           0.7   612 PM   4/7  

...HOLMES COUNTY...
   FRYBURG                  T   740 PM   4/7  

...LAKE COUNTY...
   MADISON                1.0   811 PM   4/7  
   MADISON  5 S           0.6   835 PM   4/7  
   KIRTLAND               0.3   854 PM   4/7  
   WILLOUGHBY               T   602 PM   4/7  

...LUCAS COUNTY...
   TOLEDO AIRPORT           T   751 PM   4/7  

...MEDINA COUNTY...
   BRUNSWICK              3.1   909 PM   4/7  
   HINCKLEY               2.1   833 PM   4/7  
   MEDINA                   T   713 PM   4/7  

...PORTAGE COUNTY...
   RAVENNA 1E             1.3   512 PM   4/7  
   KENT                   1.1   900 PM   4/7  

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
   MANSFLD ARPT             T   751 PM   4/7  

...SUMMIT COUNTY...
   TALLMADGE              2.5   847 PM   4/7  
   SAGAMORE HILLS         1.2   854 PM   4/7  
   CAK AIRPORT            0.6   751 PM   4/7  
   GREEN                  0.6   518 PM   4/7  

...TRUMBULL COUNTY...
   NEWTON FALLS           0.7   600 PM   4/7  
   CHAMPION               0.5   738 PM   4/7  
   YNG AIRPORT            0.5   751 PM   4/7 

**NOTE: T = Trace

SNOW ON GROUND

Northeast Ohio


...ASHTABULA COUNTY...
   DORSETT 3W             4.0   726 PM   4/7  
   CONNEAUT I-90          3.0   641 PM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA              2.0   700 PM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA 1SW          2.0   826 PM   4/7  

...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...
   BROADVIEW HTS          4.0   619 PM   4/7  
   NORTH ROYALTON         3.0   559 PM   4/7  
   CLE AIRPORT              T   751 PM   4/7  

...ERIE COUNTY...
   VERMILION              1.0   843 PM   4/7  

...GEAUGA COUNTY...
   BAINBRIDGE             6.0   759 PM   4/7  
   MONTVILLE              5.0   856 PM   4/7  
   THOMPSON 5SW           5.0   612 PM   4/7  
   HAMBDEN TWP.           4.0   732 PM   4/7  
   CHARDON                3.0   614 PM   4/7  
   CHARDON                3.0   743 PM   4/7  
   CLARIDON TWP           3.0   930 PM   4/7  

...HOLMES COUNTY...
   FRYBURG                  T   740 PM   4/7  

...LAKE COUNTY...
   MADISON                3.0   811 PM   4/7  
   MADISON  5 S           2.0   835 PM   4/7  
   KIRTLAND               1.0   854 PM   4/7  

...MEDINA COUNTY...
   BRUNSWICK              4.0   909 PM   4/7  
   HINCKLEY               4.0   833 PM   4/7  
   MEDINA                 2.0   713 PM   4/7  

...PORTAGE COUNTY...
   RAVENNA 1E             1.0   512 PM   4/7  
   KENT                     T   900 PM   4/7  

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
   MANSFLD ARPT             T   751 PM   4/7  

...SUMMIT COUNTY...
   SAGAMORE HILLS         4.0   854 PM   4/7  
   TALLMADGE              2.0   847 PM   4/7  
   GREEN                  1.0   518 PM   4/7  
   CAK AIRPORT              T   751 PM   4/7  

...TRUMBULL COUNTY...
   CHAMPION               1.0   738 PM   4/7  
   NEWTON FALLS           1.0   600 PM   4/7  
   YNG AIRPORT              T   751 PM   4/7  


**NOTE: T = Trace

Thanks to the National Weather Service and WKYC's Weather Warriors for their reports.

Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team: Do Any Of Your Long Range Forecasts Show Heavy Snow In April?

Submitted By: Glen Kubach

Question:

Do any of your long range forecasts show heavy snow in April?

Answered by Meteorologist Hollie Strano:

Well, isn't this ironic! Snow is in the forecast for early April, that's for sure.

Looking back over climatology, we have had some heavy snows through the month of April. One in recent memory is April 2005. We had 19 inches of snow reported that month!

We have seen snow as late as May in Northeast Ohio, so really, anything is game up until then.

The extended outlook through mid-April does show more seasonal temperatures returning. Beyond that, it's really a guessing game.

Thanks for your question.

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

Latest Snowfall Reports for 4/7/09 through 10 a.m.

The following are snowfall reports from around northeast Ohio from 10 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Total snowfall on the ground is also listed at the end.

OFFICIAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS
12 HOUR SNOWFALL REPORTS

Northeast Ohio


...ASHTABULA COUNTY...
   CONNEAUT I-90          2.0   900 AM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA              1.7   700 AM   4/7  
   DORSETT 3W             1.5   730 AM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA 1SW          1.0   830 AM   4/7  

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...
   GALION                 0.1   800 AM   4/7  

...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...
   SOLON                  2.3   900 AM   4/7  
   SHAKER HTS             2.0   830 AM   4/7  
   CLEVELAND              1.5   730 AM   4/7  
   CLE AIRPORT            1.1   800 AM   4/7  
   NORTH ROYALTON         1.0   600 AM   4/7  
   EUCLID                 0.5   800 AM   4/7  

...ERIE COUNTY...
   VERMILION              2.0   800 AM   4/7  

...GEAUGA COUNTY...
   BURTON                 3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   RUSSELL TWP            3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   CHARDON                2.5   845 AM   4/7  
   HAMBDEN TWP.           2.5   630 AM   4/7  
   CHARDON                2.3   800 AM   4/7  
   THOMPSON 5SW           2.1   730 AM   4/7  
   CLARIDON TWP           1.8   900 AM   4/7  
   MONTVILLE              1.3   830 AM   4/7  
   MIDDLEFIELD 3SE        0.1   730 AM   4/7  

...HOLMES COUNTY...
   FRYBURG                1.5   700 AM   4/7  

...HURON COUNTY...
   NEW LONDON 3NW         2.0   700 AM   4/7  
   NORWALK                1.0   730 AM   4/7  
   NORWALK                0.8   815 AM   4/7  

...LAKE COUNTY...
   LEROY                  2.0   800 AM   4/7  
   LEROY                  2.0   800 AM   4/7  
   PERRY TOWNSHIP         1.5   730 AM   4/7  
   MADISON  5 S           1.0   800 AM   4/7  
   WILLOUGHBY             0.7   800 AM   4/7  
   EASTLAKE               0.5   845 AM   4/7  
   MADISON                0.5   700 AM   4/7  
   MENTOR                 0.5   800 AM   4/7  
   WILLOUGHBY             0.3   900 AM   4/7  

...LORAIN COUNTY...
   WELLINGTON             3.5   730 AM   4/7  
   OBERLIN                1.8   800 AM   4/7  

...MAHONING COUNTY...
   AUSTINTOWN             0.7   700 AM   4/7  

...MEDINA COUNTY...
   MEDINA                 3.7   830 AM   4/7  
   HINCKLEY               2.9   845 AM   4/7  
   MEDINA                 2.3   730 AM   4/7  
   BRUNSWICK              2.0   700 AM   4/7  

...PORTAGE COUNTY...
   KENT                   2.2   700 AM   4/7  
   HIRAM                  2.0   830 AM   4/7  

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
   MANSFLD ARPT           1.0   800 AM   4/7  

...STARK COUNTY...
   ALLIANCE               2.0   800 AM   4/7  

...SUMMIT COUNTY...
   BATH                   3.5   800 AM   4/7  
   SAGAMORE HILLS         2.7   830 AM   4/7  
   TALLMADGE              2.6   745 AM   4/7  
   GREEN                  1.1   730 AM   4/7  
   CAK AIRPORT            1.0   800 AM   4/7  

...TRUMBULL COUNTY...
   NEWTON FALLS           1.1   600 AM   4/7  
   KINSMAN                1.0   530 AM   4/7  
   MESOPOTAMIA            1.0   830 AM   4/7  
   WARREN                 1.0   830 AM   4/7  
   YNG AIRPORT            0.2   800 AM   4/7  

...WAYNE COUNTY...
   WOOSTER                2.6   830 AM   4/7  
   WOOSTER 7N             2.1   630 AM   4/7  
   DOYLESTOWN             1.8   700 AM   4/7  
   KIDRON 1N              1.4   900 AM   4/7 


**NOTE: T = Trace

SNOW ON GROUND

Northeast Ohio


...ASHTABULA COUNTY...
   CONNEAUT I-90          3.0   900 AM   4/7  
   DORSETT 3W             3.0   730 AM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA              2.0   700 AM   4/7  
   ASHTABULA 1SW          2.0   830 AM   4/7  

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...
   GALION                   T   800 AM   4/7  

...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...
   SOLON                  5.0   900 AM   4/7  
   BROADVIEW HTS          4.0   700 AM   4/7  
   CLEVELAND              2.0   730 AM   4/7  
   SHAKER HTS             2.0   830 AM   4/7  
   CLE AIRPORT            1.0   800 AM   4/7  
   EUCLID                 1.0   800 AM   4/7  
   NORTH ROYALTON         1.0   600 AM   4/7  

...ERIE COUNTY...
   VERMILION              2.0   800 AM   4/7  

...GEAUGA COUNTY...
   THOMPSON 5SW           5.0   730 AM   4/7  
   BAINBRIDGE             4.0   900 AM   4/7  
   HAMBDEN TWP.           4.0   630 AM   4/7  
   MONTVILLE              4.0   830 AM   4/7  
   BURTON                 3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   CHARDON                3.0   845 AM   4/7  
   RUSSELL TWP            3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   CHARDON                2.0   800 AM   4/7  
   CLARIDON TWP           2.0   900 AM   4/7  
   MIDDLEFIELD 3SE        2.0   730 AM   4/7  

...HOLMES COUNTY...
   FRYBURG                2.0   700 AM   4/7  

...HURON COUNTY...
   NEW LONDON 3NW         2.0   700 AM   4/7  
   NORWALK                1.0   730 AM   4/7  
   NORWALK                1.0   815 AM   4/7  

...LAKE COUNTY...
   LEROY                  3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   LEROY                  3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   MADISON                2.0   700 AM   4/7  
   PERRY TOWNSHIP         2.0   730 AM   4/7  
   EASTLAKE               1.0   845 AM   4/7  
   MADISON  5 S           1.0   800 AM   4/7  
   MENTOR                 1.0   800 AM   4/7  
   WILLOUGHBY             1.0   900 AM   4/7  
   WILLOUGHBY             1.0   800 AM   4/7  

...LORAIN COUNTY...
   WELLINGTON             4.0   730 AM   4/7  
   OBERLIN                3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   CARLISLE TWP           2.0   730 AM   4/7  
   N RIDGEVILLE           1.0   800 AM   4/7  

...MAHONING COUNTY...
   AUSTINTOWN             1.0   700 AM   4/7  

...MEDINA COUNTY...
   HINCKLEY               4.0   845 AM   4/7  
   MEDINA                 4.0   830 AM   4/7  
   BRUNSWICK              3.0   700 AM   4/7  
   MEDINA                 3.0   730 AM   4/7  

...PORTAGE COUNTY...
   HIRAM                  3.0   830 AM   4/7  
   KENT                   2.0   700 AM   4/7  
   RAVENNA 1E             2.0   500 AM   4/7  

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
   MANSFLD ARPT           1.0   800 AM   4/7  

...STARK COUNTY...
   ALLIANCE               2.0   800 AM   4/7  

...SUMMIT COUNTY...
   SAGAMORE HILLS         5.0   830 AM   4/7  
   BATH                   4.0   800 AM   4/7  
   TALLMADGE              3.0   745 AM   4/7  
   TWINSBURG              3.0   800 AM   4/7  
   CAK AIRPORT            1.0   800 AM   4/7  
   GREEN                  1.0   730 AM   4/7  

...TRUMBULL COUNTY...
   KINSMAN                1.0   530 AM   4/7  
   MESOPOTAMIA            1.0   830 AM   4/7  
   NEWTON FALLS           1.0   600 AM   4/7  
   WARREN                 1.0   830 AM   4/7  

...WAYNE COUNTY...
   DOYLESTOWN             2.0   700 AM   4/7  
   WOOSTER                2.0   830 AM   4/7  
   WOOSTER 7N             2.0   630 AM   4/7  
   KIDRON 1N              1.0   900 AM   4/7  


Thanks to the National Weather Service and WKYC's Weather Warriors for their reports.

Latest Snowfall Reports for 4/6/09

The following are snowfall reports from around northeast Ohio through 10 p.m. Monday night:

OFFICIAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS
12 HOUR SNOWFALL REPORTS

Northeast Ohio


...ASHTABULA COUNTY...
   CONNEAUT I-90          1.5   839 PM   4/6  
   DORSETT 3W             1.0   835 PM   4/6  
   ASHTABULA 1SW          0.9   838 PM   4/6  

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...
   BUCYRUS                  T   900 PM   4/6  
   GALION                   T   853 PM   4/6  

...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...
   BROADVIEW HTS          3.5   848 PM   4/6  
   SOLON                  2.8   924 PM   4/6  
   GARFIELD HTS           2.0   850 PM   4/6  
   NORTH ROYALTON         1.0   849 PM   4/6  
   CLE AIRPORT            0.5   910 PM   4/6  

...GEAUGA COUNTY...
   MONTVILLE              3.0   854 PM   4/6  
   THOMPSON 5SW           3.0   849 PM   4/6  
   HAMBDEN TWP.           2.4   836 PM   4/6  
   CLARIDON TWP           2.0   838 PM   4/6  
   CHARDON                1.0   837 PM   4/6  
   MIDDLEFIELD 3SE        0.8   837 PM   4/6  

...LAKE COUNTY...
   KIRTLAND               1.7   916 PM   4/6  
   WILLOUGHBY             1.2   859 PM   4/6  
   LEROY                  1.0   839 PM   4/6  
   LEROY                  1.0   851 PM   4/6  
   MADISON                0.8   915 PM   4/6  
   MENTOR                 0.5   843 PM   4/6  
   WILLOUGHBY               T   848 PM   4/6  

...LORAIN COUNTY...
   OBERLIN                0.5   911 PM   4/6  

...MEDINA COUNTY...
   HINCKLEY               0.8   912 PM   4/6  
   BRUNSWICK              0.6   916 PM   4/6  
   MEDINA                   T   834 PM   4/6  
   MEDINA                   T   852 PM   4/6  

...PORTAGE COUNTY...
   HIRAM                  0.5   925 PM   4/6  

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
   MANSFLD ARPT             T   910 PM   4/6  

...SUMMIT COUNTY...
   SAGAMORE HILLS         2.0   859 PM   4/6  
   TWINSBURG              1.0   950 PM   4/6  
   CAK AIRPORT              T   901 PM   4/6  

...TRUMBULL COUNTY...
   YNG AIRPORT            0.3   911 PM   4/6  
   WARREN                   T   901 PM   4/6  


**NOTE: T = Trace

Thanks to the National Weather Service and WKYC's Weather Warriors for their reports.

Ask the Channel 3 Weather Team: Why Does It Get Windy During the Day?

Submitted By: Tom Leddy

Question:

Why is the wind usually calm in the morning and gets windy as the day goes on?

Answer:

During the overnight hours, the atmosphere cools most markedly near the surface. As the night wears on, this cool air layer near the surface becomes thicker. Since cool air is more dense than warm air, the atmosphere can be very stable with heavy air at the bottom and lighter air above (like the stability of stacking light boxes on top of heavy boxes).

It can become so stable by sunrise that the air at the surface is essentially cut off from what is going on a couple of thousand feet up. Meteorologically, the atmosphere is said to be “de-coupled.” That is, winds can be calm at the surface even if they are much stronger aloft.

As the sun rises in the sky, convection — warm air pockets that rise vigorously from the Earth's surface — increases. Air from higher altitudes sinks to replace this rising air. The greater momentum of some of this sinking air results in the gusty winds felt by the afternoon hours.

You might notice that this mixing is most pronounced during the spring and fall months – in fact, such gusty winds make for great kite flying weather in the spring. While mixing can occur year-round, the winds aloft tend to be stronger in March, as the mid-latitude jet stream frequently falls across the contiguous 48 states throughout the month. In addition the increasing sun angle and longer days during the month allow for more heating and mixing.

This all assumes, of course, that there are no large storm systems around. The pressure gradient around surface low pressure systems tends to drive surface winds and can result in strong winds day or night.

Thanks for your question.

---

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

Weather Poll Answer: First 70 degree day?

CLEVELAND -- Earlier this year, we asked you when you thought we would see our first 70 degree day in the Cleveland area. Now, we have the answer.

According to the National Weather Service, we officially touched the threshold Thursday afternoon at 3:45 p.m.

That marks the first time since November 6th we've seen temperatures this warm at Hopkins International Airport according to WKYC Meteorologist Betsy Kling.

The results of our exclusive WKYC Weather Poll says that 55% of our 580 respondents guessed correctly the first 70 degree day would occur in April this year.

28% felt it would have been earlier, which it almost was on March 7th when we reached 69 degrees.

17% said the warmer weather would not occur until May this year.

Weather Focus 3: March in Review

CLEVELAND -- March goes out like a lamb across the greater Cleveland area after a month of little snow and warmer than normal temperatures.

During the month that saw the official end of winter and beginning of spring on March 20th, temperatures ranged from 69 degrees on March 7th to a chilly morning low of 12 degrees on March 2rd, 3rd and 4th.

Those temperatures averaged out to 39.6 degrees, or 2.1 degrees above normal for the month.

If you thought we had little snow, you were correct. Most of the preciptitation that fell during the month was in the form of rain with the highest amounts during a warm spell between March 7th and 9th. The rest of the month saw only light amounts.

Snowfall was barely measurable for the month. Only one inch of snow was recorded at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for the entire month. That is 9.7 inches below the normal average of 10.7 inches we usually have during March.

So far this winter, a total of 77.4 inches of snow has fallen - on par with last year's amount of 77.2 inches. For the entire season, the National Weather Service says we are 16.9 inches above normal...but well short of one of the top 10 snowiest winters - so far.

Keep in mind, it can snow in April and we could add to our totals.

Top 10 Snowiest Cleveland Winters on Record

1. 117.9" in 2004-05

2. 101.1" in 1995-96

3. 100.5" in 1981-82

4. 95.7" in 2002-03

5. 91.2" in 2003-04

6. 90.1" in 1977-78

7. 88.5" in 1992-93

8. 80.9" in 1909-10

9. 79.4" in 1983-84

10. 78.1" in 2000-01

**Records courtesy of the National Weather Service in Cleveland