WKYC's Fair Weather Fans Blog

Flood Awareness Week: Determining Flood Risk and Flood Insurance

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:34:00 +0000

CLEVELAND -- The National Weather Service has declared this week, March 15th through March 19th, as Flood Safety Awareness Week.

Save & print wkyc.com's "Flood Safety Awareness" guide

Today's topic: Determining flood risk and flood insurance.

What is flood insurance?

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program or NFIP in response to the rising cost of taxpayer funded disaster relief for flood victims and the increasing amount of damage caused by floods.

Why do I need flood insurance?

Flood losses aren't covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Local flooding can happen in all parts of the country at almost any time of the year. Flooding causes more damage in the United States than any other weather related event, an average of $4.6 billion a year in the past 20 years.

How do I obtain a flood insurance policy?

You can purchase national flood insurance from private insurance companies and agents. In fact, you may be able to purchase it with a credit card. Currently, there are over 100 insurance companies that sell national flood insurance coverage, in addition to some 60,000 independent insurance agents. If the seller of the property has flood insurance coverage on the building, that policy can be assigned to the buyer at the time of
closing.

If the mortgage company requires flood insurance as a condition of the loan, the lender may escrow flood insurance premiums, making it easy to ensure that you will not get caught without flood insurance when a flood threatens your home.

Who can purchase flood insurance?

Anyone in a community that participates in the national flood insurance program can purchase building and/or contents coverage, with a few exceptions. Coastal barrier resources system areas, otherwise protected areas, and buildings principally below ground or entirely over water are not eligible for national flood insurance.

Flood Awareness Week: Inland Flooding Caused By Tropical Systems

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +0000

CLEVELAND -- The National Weather Service has declared this week, March 15th through March 19th, as Flood Safety Awareness Week.

Save & print wkyc.com's "Flood Safety Awareness" guide

Today's topic: Tropical cyclone inland flooding.

When it comes to tropical cyclones, a generic term for a hurricane, typhoon or tropical storm, wind speeds do not tell the whole story. Intense rainfall, not directly related to the wind speed of a tropical cyclone, often causes more damage.

Since the 1970s, inland flooding has been responsible for more than half of the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States. Typically, greater rainfall amounts and flooding are associated with tropical cyclones that have a slow forward speed or stall over an area.

What do I need to know about inland flooding from tropical cyclones?

Inland freshwater floods accounted for more than half of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths over the past 30 years. Rainfall is typically heavier with slower moving storms as slower moving tropical cyclones allow heavy rain to persist over a location.

What types of inland flooding are caused by tropical cyclones?

Flash Flooding occurs in creeks, streams, and urban areas within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall. Rapidly rising water can reach heights of 30 feet or more. Streets can become swift moving rivers and underpasses can become death traps.

River flooding occurs from heavy rains associated with decaying hurricanes or tropical storms, and in extreme cases, river floods can last a week or more.

How do I know how severe a flood will be?

Within flood warning products, the NWS conveys the magnitude of observed or forecast flooding using flood severity categories. These flood severity categories include minor flooding, moderate flooding, and major flooding.

Each category has a definition based on property damage and public threat.

Minor flooding: minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat or inconvenience.

Moderate flooding: some inundation of structures and roads near streams. Some evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations are necessary.

Major flooding: extensive inundation of structures and roads. Significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.

The impacts of a floods vary locally. For each NWS river forecast location, flood stage and the stage associated with each of the NWS flood severity categories are established in cooperation with local public officials.

Increasing river levels above flood stage constitute minor, moderate, and major flooding. Impacts vary from one river location to another because a certain river stage (height) in one location may have an entirely different impact than the same level above flood stage at another location.

Flood Awareness Week: Turn Around, Don't Drown

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:52:00 +0000

CLEVELAND -- The National Weather Service has declared this week, March 15th through March 19th, Flood Safety Awareness Week.

Save & print wkyc.com's "Flood Safety Awareness" guide

Each day this week, we are bringing you a different topic about flood safety. Today's topic: "Turn around, Don't drown," or TADD. TADD is a NOAA National Weather Service campaign to warn people of the hazards of walking or driving a vehicle through flood waters.

Why is "Turn around, Don't drown" so important?

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.

What can I do to avoid getting caught is this situation?

Follow these simple safety rules:

Monitor NOAA weather radio all hazards, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information.
If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc.
Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. "Turn around, Don't drown."
Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. Never drive through flooded roadways. "Turn around, Don't drown."
Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Flood Awareness Week: AHPS And How It Can Be A Useful Resource In Flooding Situations

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:24:00 +0000

CLEVELAND -- Flood Safety Awareness Week starts today, March 15th, and runs through March 19th, to prepare you for flooding around northeast Ohio during severe weather season.

Save & print wkyc.com's "Flood Safety Awareness" guide

Today's topic: Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS)

What is AHPS?

AHPS is the National Weather Service's ongoing effort to modernize NWS hydrologic services. AHPS will provide improved river and flood forecasts and water information across America to protect life and property and ensure the nation's economic well being. AHPS graphical products are available at the NWS homepage: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/rivers_tab.php

Who can benefit from AHPS?

Everyone who makes decisions based on water, including farmers, river boat pilots, emergency managers, municipal water supply officials, recreationists, and dam operators can benefit from AHPS.

What will AHPS do for me?

Because every minute counts, ahps will help emergency managers be more proactive to "fight" a flood. AHPS provides information for community leaders and business owners to make better life-saving decisions about evacuating people or moving property before a flood. The navigation community will be able to plan with better confidence and optimize barge and shipping operations, saving millions of dollars each year. Recreational users will be able to stay out of harm's way.

AHPS, with its suite of enhanced information, provides the public with more detailed and accurate answers to the following questions.

How high will the rivers rise?
When will the river reach its peak?
Where will the flooding occur?
How long will the flood last?
How long will the drought last?
How certain is the forecast?

For more information on flood awareness week and flood safety, visit http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/ on the Internet.

Promo: Spring Is Almost Here!

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:17:00 +0000

Please enjoy another cool Channel 3 promo featuring Hollie and Betsy reminding us spring is right around the corner.

Funny, shortly after we started airing these spots, it warmed up.

Are these ladies good forecasters or what!

'Spring Ahead' Sunday with Daylight Saving Time

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:57:00 +0000

By Kim Wendel
WKYC Web Reporter

Every Spring, we move our clocks one hour ahead and "lose" an hour during the night and each Fall we move our clocks back one hour and "gain" an extra hour. Daylight Saving starts at 2 a.m. Sunday this year.

In general, at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March, we set our clocks forward one hour ahead of Standard Time.

Likewise, we "Fall back" at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November by setting our clock back one hour and thus returning to Standard Time.

Official U.S. Time Clock

The change to Daylight Saving Time allows us to use less energy in lighting our homes by taking advantage of the longer and later daylight hours.

Daylight Saving Time was instituted in the United States during World War I in order to save energy for war production by taking advantage of the later hours of daylight between April and October.

In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the length of Daylight Saving Time.

But Daylight Saving Time is four weeks longer since 2007 due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005.

The Act extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, with the hope that it would save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours.

Arizona (except some Indian Reservations), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa have chosen not to observe Daylight Saving Time.

Experts say this choice does make sense for the areas closer to the equator because the days are more consistent in length throughout the year.

First 70 Degree Day Of The Year Gives Cleveland A Taste Of Spring Fever

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:52:00 +0000

By Frank Macek

CLEVELAND -- Spring is still nine days away, but Cleveland already reached its first 70 degree day on Thursday.

The mercury at Cleveland Hopkins Airport officially topped out at 71 degrees at 3:31 p.m. this afternoon after warm southerly winds helped propel the temperatures much higher than forecasted.

The last time the area enjoyed a day above 70 degrees was back on November 8th, when we saw a high of 71 degrees.

Thursday's high was short of the record of 73 degrees set back in 1977, ironically the same year as the coldest January on record.

By late afternoon, an onshore breeze had set up right along Lake Erie and temperatures plummeted back into the mid 40s at Burke Lakefront Airport.

Thursday's warm weather was also raising flooding concerns as the March thaw was causing ice to begin breaking up on both Lake Erie and major rivers around northeast Ohio.

The Grand River was under a flood warning, but only minor flooding had been reported in that area around Fairport Harbor.

The Black River in Elyria, The Scioto River near LaRue and Killbuck Creek near Killbuck were also experiencing minor flooding on Thursday. Flood warnings where posted all along those rivers until at least Friday.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the entire Channel 3 viewing area from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening. Heavy rains of more than an inch are possible through the period. The rain, coupled with saturated soil from the recent snow melt, will make flooding possible for more of the area.

WKYC WEB EXTRA:

We asked our WKYC Weather Warriors to predict when the first 70 degree day would hit the Greater Cleveland area this year.

Only 3% guessed correctly it would be this early.

Click on our Weather Focus 3 page for complete poll results

Ice Floe Dangers Setting Up On Lake Erie This Weekend

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:12:00 +0000

CLEVELAND -- The National Weather Service is warning those with interests on Lake Erie to be careful this weekend (March 6th, 2010) as an ice floe may be set adrift in western basin of Lake Erie.

Marine forecasters says the northern half of the western basin of Lake Erie is now ice free with extensive ice coverage over the southern half of the lake.

Winds are forecast to remain from a northerly direction and this will help to keep the ice locked to the southern shore through the next few days.

However, winds are forecast to shift to a southwest direction Saturday night and increase in speed on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to warm up into the upper 30s and lower 40s over the weekend.

The combination of warmer temperatures and shifting winds along with expected sunshine will cause hazardous conditions on the ice over the weekend.

A large ice floe could potentially break away from its anchor to the islands and the shore of Ohio and drift north toward Canada.

For any one venturing out on the ice this weekend, there is a danger of becoming trapped on the ice as the ice begins to break away.

Northeast Ohio: Experts Use Torches, Axes To Battle Roof Ice

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:01:00 +0000

By Dick Russ
WKYC Reporter

NORTH OLMSTED -- What was supposed to be the "off-season" for roofers has turned into one of their busiest times in years -- battling destructive ice dams and frozen gutters.

It took a crew armed with axes, roof rakes, and a propane torch several hours to clear the clogged ice off Judy Mackrell's house in North Olmsted.

The ice backup had already caused water to leak inside.

"It's right here, and it's coming down this wall," she said, as she pointed to a spot near the front of her house. "You can tell that it's getting water in there."

Many homeowners have found the near-record February snowfall, combined with a near daily freeze-thaw cycle, not only produced stunning icicles, but destructive ice dams on their roofs and in their gutters.

"We're sending crews out every day on service calls, 24 hours, to keep up with everybody," says Keith Miller, of Complete Masonry & Roofing of Berea.

"Everyone has to realize how much damage this is doing to their roof if they don't get it taken care of."

Miller's crews have climbed one roof after another for over a month, shoveling tons of snow from problem areas, and using whatever is needed to safely remove ice that can be more than 8 inches thick.

"A homeowner can use what's called a roof rake, if they do it carefully," Miller tells WKYC. "But they should leave using something like a propane torch to the professionals."

Some roofers have said the winter has caused the worst damage they've seen in 25 years. Miller agrees and so does North Olmsted homeowner Mackrell.

"I've lived here for many, many years," she says, "but it's never been like this. Never been like this. I tried to stretch one more winter out of my roof, you know, with the economy and everything. I tried one more year. It didn't work."

In some cases, the mere weight of a record snowfall is taking its toll. Roofing companies expect to continue to be busy in the spring, once the full extent of the damage on some houses becomes apparent.

One roofer who was taking new customers as recently as Friday told WKYC he was already booked into June with jobs that need a permanent fix after temporary repairs were made this winter.

"We expect to keep getting calls and we'll try to respond to all of them," says Miller. "People didn't expect this kind of sudden damage caused by all the snow and ice so, in this economy, we're trying to work with them and offer them a fair price."

February 2010: Abundant Snows, Normal Temperatures

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:36:00 +0000

By Frank Macek

CLEVELAND-- The month of February wound up to be the second snowiest on record in the Greater Cleveland area.

The National Weather Service confirmed Monday what many of us already knew, February was snowier - much snowier - than normal in 2010.

For the month, old man winter dished out 31.7 inches of the white stuff or nearly twice as much as a normal February when 14.1 inches usually falls.

This year also takes the honor of being the second most snowiest February on record, after 1993 when 39.1 inches fell at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The area saw snow on 23 out of 28 days with the heaviest amount falling on February 26th.

February was also another very cloudy month as winter dragged on. Every day, but one, was considered "cloudy" by weather service standards - February 19th. The last day when the skies were any clearer skies occurred on November 12th. It was May 21st when officially had not a cloud in the sky for an entire day.

The good news is the National Weather Service says February turned out to be right on par with our normal average of 28.4 degrees.

The warmest temperature in February was 47 degrees on February 21st. The coldest started the day on February 8th when the morning low fell to 4 degrees.

So far, it seems the groundhog has been right...with six more weeks of winter a sure bet this year.

For monthly climate reports across the area, you can click on any of the following links:

You can also download & print out Channel 3 Weather's monthly almanac with daily highs, lows, sunrise and sunset times, record highs and record lows for each day of the month:

March Almanac

Cleveland: National Weather Service Offers Storm Spotter Training

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:22:00 +0000

By AJ Colby
WKYC Meteorologist

CLEVELAND -- Even as the winter months gradually come to a close, The National Weather Service here in Cleveland is gearing up for the onslaught of severe spring and summer storms.

Would you like to be a storm spotter? Would you like some education and training for the right price: NO CHARGE?

Being a storm spotter not only means dedication, but also training.

Each spring the Cleveland office of the National Weather Service trains members of police & fire departments, emergency management officials, amateur radio operators and weather interested citizens on spotting techniques.

Typically the training is coordinated by a local group (such as an emergency management agency), and a NWS meteorologist serves as the guest instructor. The goal of the training is not just to recognize tornadoes, but to have some understanding of storm structure, which in turn better prepares the spotter for the extreme and unusual circumstances.

SKYWARN Training is FREE and open to the public. Please attend any of the training sessions listed above. You will be trained and enrolled in the program. You do not need to pre-register.

For additional information contact:

Gary Garnet (Warning Coordination Meteorologist)
National Weather Service
5301 West Hangar Rd. Cleveland, OH 44135
216-265-2382 EXT 223 e-mail: gary.garnet@noaa.gov

Class schedule list by county

Snowfall: Measure mindfully

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:17:00 +0000

By AJ Colby
WKYC Meteorologist

CLEVELAND -- With the recent snowfalls, many have been writing about how to go about measuring their backyard snow accumulations. Believe it or not, there is an "official" way to gather this information. Want to help? Click for the details.

Snow measurement guidelines are important because the procedures to gather the observations attempt to standardize the way snowfall accumulations are calculated. This information is extremely helpful to the National Weather Service, whose responsibility it is to produce and disseminate somewhat precise snowfall and precipitation equivalent measurements taken across the area.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program (NOAA NWS COP) was created to help local NWS offices get a handle on local snowfall amounts. It became necessary to find a way to help "get everyone on the same page" when making snowfall measurements.

Snow Measurement Guidelines

Put your snowboard(s) out and mark their location with a flag or some other indicator so they can be found after a new snowfall. They should be located in the vicinity of your station in an open location (not under trees, obstructions, or on the north side of structures in the shadows).
Check your gauge to make sure there are no leaks. If there are leaks, take appropriate action.

Once your equipment has been readied for winter you are prepared for taking snowfall measurements.

Observers should determine three values when reporting solid precipitation. They are:

1. Measure and record the snowfall ( snow, ice pellets ) since the previous snowfall observation

2. Determine the depth of snow on the ground at the normal observation time,

3. Measure and record the water equivalent of snowfall since the previous day's observation.

Measure and record the greatest amount of snowfall that has accumulated on your snowboard (wooden deck or ground if board is not available) since the previous snowfall observation. This measurement should be taken minimally once-a-day but can be taken up to four times a day, (every 6 hours) and should reflect the greatest accumulation of new snow observed (in inches and tenths, for example, 3.9 inches) since the last snowfall observation.

Snowfall amounts can be measured hourly or at any interval as long as the snow measurement board is NOT cleared more frequently than once every 6 hours.

If you are not available to watch snow accumulation at all times of the day and night, use your best estimate, based on a measurement of snowfall at the scheduled time of observation along with knowledge of what took place during the past 24 hours. If you are not present to witness the greatest snow accumulation, input may be obtained from other people who were near the station during the snow event. If your observation is not based on a measurement, record in your remarks that the "snow amount based on estimate".

Remember, you want to report the greatest accumulation since the last observation. If snowfall occurred several times during the period, and each snowfall melted either completely or in part before the next snowfall, record the total of the greatest snow depths of each event and enter in your remarks "snowfall melted during the OBS period". For example, three separate snow squalls affect your station during your 24-hour reporting day, say 3.0, 2.2, and 1.5 inches. The snow from each event melts off before the next accumulation and no snow is on the ground at your scheduled time of observation. The total snowfall for that reporting 24-hour day is the sum of the three separate snow squalls, 6.7 inches, even though the snow depth on your board at observation time was zero. Snow often melts as it lands. If snow continually melts as it lands, and the accumulation never reaches 0.1 inches on your measuring surface, snowfall should be recorded as a trace (T) and record in your remarks that the "snow melted as it landed".

Note: Snowfall, the depth of newly fallen snow since the last scheduled observation, is not measured directly in the rain overflow can. Instead, snowfall is ordinarily measured on a nearby grassy surface a short distance away from the rain can.

It is essential to measure snowfall (and snow depth) in locations where the effects of blowing and drifting are minimized. Finding a good location where snow accumulates uniformly simplifies all other aspects of the observation and reduces the numerous opportunities for error. In open areas where windblown snow cannot be avoided, several measurements may often be necessary to obtain an average depth and they should not include the largest drifts. In heavily forested locations, try and find an exposed clearing in the trees. Measurements beneath trees are inaccurate since large amounts of snow can accumulate on trees and never reach the ground.

If your daily schedule permits, you may wish to make a snowfall observation every 6-hours, beginning with your regularly scheduled time of observation. This is the procedure followed by National Weather Service Forecast Offices. Follow the same rules for a once-a-day observation, but the snow accumulation reported will be the greatest for the previous six hours instead of 24 hours. If you take your observations at this frequency, make sure that you clear your snowboard (or other measuring surface) no more than once every 6 hours. Record the frequency of observations during the day in the comments section of your report. Never sum more than four, six-hourly observations to determine your 24-hour snowfall total. If you use more than four observations, it would falsely increase snowfall totals.

Freezing rain (glaze ice) should never be reported as snowfall. This precipitation type is liquid precipitation and should be reported as such.

1. Determine the total depth of snow, ice pellets, or ice on the ground. This observation is taken once-a-day at the scheduled time of observation with a measuring stick. It is taken by measuring the total depth of snow on exposed ground at a permanently-mounted snow stake or by taking the average of several depth readings at or near the normal point of observation with a measuring stick. When using a measuring stick, make sure the stick is pushed vertically into the snow until the bottom of the stick rests on the ground. Do not mistake an ice layer or crusted snow as "ground". The measurement should reflect the average depth of snow, ice pellets, and glaze ice on the ground at your usual measurement site (not disturbed by human activities). Measurements from rooftops, paved areas, and the like should not be made. Note: Hail accumulation is not entered with snow and ice pellets. Hail accumulation is entered in the "/remarks/" section with the amount and diameter (inches and tenths) of the stones. Report snow depth to the nearest whole inch, rounding up when one-half inch increments are reached (example 0.4 inches gets reported as a trace (T), 3.5 inches gets reported as 4 inches). Frequently, in hilly or mountainous terrain, you will be faced with the situation where no snow is observed on south-facing slopes while snow, possibly deep, remains in shaded or north-facing areas. Under these circumstances, you should use good judgement to visually average and then measure snow depths in exposed areas at several locations surrounding the weather station. For example, if half the exposed ground is bare and half is covered with six inches of snow, the snow depth should be entered as the average of the two readings, or three inches. When in your judgment, less than 50 percent of the exposed ground is covered by snow, even though the covered areas have a significant depth, the snow depth should be recorded as a trace (T). When no snow or ice is on the ground in exposed areas (snow may be present in surrounding forested or otherwise protected areas), record a "0". When strong winds have blown the snow, take several measurements where the snow was least affected by drifting and average them. If most exposed areas are either blown free of snow while others have drifts, again try to combine visual averaging with measurements to make your estimate.

2. Measuring the water equivalent of snowfall since the previous day's observation. This measurement is taken once-a-day at your specified time of observation. Melt the contents of your gauge (by bringing it inside your home or adding a measured amount of warm water) and then pour the liquid into the funnel and smaller inner measuring tube and measure the amount to the nearest .01 inch (use NWS provided measuring stick) just as you use for measuring rainfall. Do not measure the melted precipitation directly in the large 8-inch outer cylinder. Make sure the inner measuring tube can't fall over when pouring the liquid back into it. If the melted water equivalent (including any added warm water) exceeds two inches and cannot fit into the measuring tube all at one time, then empty the full measuring tube and pour the remaining liquid from the large 8-inch outer cylinder into the emptied measuring tube. Then, add and record the water equivalent of the multiple measurements.

If you added warm water to the gauge to melt the snow, make sure you accurately measure the amount of warm water added before pouring it into the gauge. Then, when you take your liquid measurement, subtract the amount of warm water added from the total liquid measurement to get your final liquid water equivalent of the snowfall. As winds increase, gauges collect less and less of the precipitation that actually falls. Generally speaking, the stronger the wind and the drier the snow, the less is captured in the gauge. If you notice that less snow is in the gauge than accumulated on the ground, you should first empty any existing snow from inside the 8-inch cylinder, then use it to take a snow sample, sometimes referred to as "take a core" or "cut a biscuit" from your snow board with the 8-inch overflow can. Melt the biscuit of snow, pour the liquid into the small measuring tube to measure the water equivalent.
--
Courtesy: National Weather Service

Winter Storm Dumps Nearly A Foot Of Snow in Northeast Ohio

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:08:00 +0000

CLEVELAND -- The snowstorm that began Friday afternoon has left nearly a foot of new snow in some locations around northeast Ohio.

As predicted, the heaviest snowfalls occurred south of the Greater Cleveland area that was on the northern fringe of a large storm system that paralyzed the east coast with several feet of snow.

Nearly a foot of snow has fallen in Summit, Stark, Medina, Wayne, Richland, Ashland and Portage counties in the local Channel 3 viewing area according to the National Weather Service snow spotters and WKYC Weather Warriors.

The highest amounts reported through Saturday morning have been 12.4" at Mansfield's Lahm Airport, 11" in Doylestown in Wayne County, and 10.1" at the Akron Canton Airport in Summit County.

Snow will be ending quickly this afternoon, though scattered flurries may occur. No major, additional accumulations are expected for the rest of the weekend.

Click for snowfall reports across northeast Ohio

January In Review: Really Cloudy And Really Snowy

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:05:00 +0000

By Frank Macek

CLEVELAND -- January started the new year with plenty of clouds and snowfall that exceeded what northeast Ohio normally sees during the month.

According to the latest monthly report from the National Weather Service, the Cleveland area had partly to mostly cloudy skies every single day of the month.

WKYC Meteorologist Betsy Kling says "January is typically the cloudiest month of the year. That's why the month has the most depressing day of the year. Whether that is related to the weather or those holiday credit card bills is anyone's guess."

The month of January is also the snowiest. Old man winter blew 18.6 inches of snow our way during the month, just slightly more than normal.

Some areas in the snowbelt regions, like Pierpoint in Ashtabula County, saw more than 60 inches of snow in a seven day period thanks to lake effect snows that hammered northeast Ohio at the beginning of the month.

For the winter on 2009-2010, Cleveland stands at 26.7 inches of snow, with nearly 70% of that total falling in January.

Interestingly, the snow didn't provide enough liquid content to bring us anywhere close to near normal precipitation. The month saw 1.69 inches, or .79 inches below normal. The National Weather Service uses melted snow and rainfall to determine it monthly precipitation totals.

The Greater Cleveland area also continued its run of above normal temperatures during January that started in August 2009, thanks in part to an El Nino weather pattern.

January saw an average daily high of 32.0 degrees and an average morning low 22.2 degrees. That put the region 1.4 degrees above normal.

And if you are keeping track, our highest monthly temperature occurred on January 25th when we thought 52 degrees felt spring like. The lowest temperature fell to 6 degrees on January 10th.

The good news is, spring is just six weeks away.

Monthly Climate Reports

For monthly climate reports across the area, you can click on any of the following links:

You can also download & print out Channel 3 Weather's monthly almanac with daily highs, lows, sunrise and sunset times, record highs and record lows for each day of the month:

February almanac

How Much Do You Know About Groundhogs?

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:08:00 +0000

UNDATED -- On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil, the famous weather-predicting groundhog, will emerge from his burrow at Gobblers Knob in Pennsylvania to make his prediction about our winter weather.

Scientists know that groundhogs in Pennsylvania hibernate for about 100 days, from November to February. But what if Phil lived in South Carolina or Maine?

Believe it or not, groundhogs living in different parts of the country hibernate for different periods of time. South Carolina's groundhogs hibernate for 67 days, while Maine's groundhogs hibernate for 175 days.

Scientists aren't sure yet whether these differences happen because of environmental factors, like varied weather conditions, or if hibernation patterns are genetically-determined.

Think that's interesting? Here are a few more fun groundhog facts:

*Groundhogs are one of the few "true hibernators." True hibernators can reduce their body temperatures to nearly freezing and lower thier heart rates from as many as 350 beats per minute to just four beats per minute while they sleep away the winter.

*Groundhogs - also known as woodchucks - don't move or "chuck" wood as efficiently as beavers. But...how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? One wildlife biologist estimated that if the typical groundhog's burrow was filled with wood instead of dirt, the animal would have "chucked" about 700 pounds!

WEATHER DATA BANK EXTRA

How has the groundhog accurately predicted Cleveland weather over the past 25 years, click to download our latest weather data bank comparsion of "the shadow" vs. "the outcome."

Weather Data Bank: February 2010 Weather Almanac Now Available

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:28:00 +0000

CLEVELAND -- Have an interest in tracking the daily weather across northeast Ohio?

Channel 3 Weather's monthly weather almanac gives you all the information you need on one easy to read page.

Our monthly almanac includes information for each day of the month: sunrise, sunset, normal high, normal low, record high, record low and dates of the 1st quarter, full moon, last quarter and new moon phases.

Then you can watch Channel 3 News at 11 PM for Betsy Kling's and AJ Colby's daily on-air weather almanac to write in each day's high, low and precipitation for the entire month.

You'll find a new almanac posted each month on our weather page (wkyc.com/weather) on the right hand column under "WKYC Weather Data Bank."

To save and print your own copy (.pdf file):

Can't view files in a .pdf format? Download a copy of the Adobe Reader: CLICK HERE

Snow Day: Students Swap Studies For Sleds in Rocky River

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:34:00 +0000

By Carl Bachtel
Channel 3 News Videographer

ROCKY RIVER -- Even if you're an adult, you probably remember how great it was to get a snow day and an extra day off from school.

Students in Rocky River put all the snow we've received over the past week or so to good use on Friday.

They swapped their studies for sleds on the Barrett Sled Riding Hill.

Video journalist Carl Bachtel has a look at the fun.

Warning: Chipping Away At Icicles Can Damage Gutter, Roof

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:32:00 +0000

By Eric Mansfield
Channel 3 News Reporter

AKRON -- It's a natural instinct to want to break giant icicles hanging from your home's gutters, but experts say it's a bad idea and can harm your roof.

"The best thing to do is to put calcium, or some type of a mild salt, on top of it to help melt the ice," said Tom Smith, owner of Coppersmith Roofing in Akron.

"When you begin to try to chip or break the ice, you will damage the roof itself or the gutters. In certain extreme cases, we have to take the gutter off of the home, which usually will destroy the gutter at this time of the year."

Smith said this current storm packs enough heavy snow to cause major roof problems once temperatures begin to rise and the snow begins to melt, especially for homes or buildings with a flat roof.

"It's a very dangerous situation of ponding water or it may actually back up on the roof as all this begins to melt," he said.

"(Water) can't exit the roof so the weight will become tremendous on these older structures."

Special Storm Coverage Available from WKYC.COM

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:15:00 +0000

Here is a list of links to find useful storm information from Channel 3 News and WKYC.COM:

Storm Summary: January 1st Through January 7th, 2010

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:45:00 +0000

The following are snowfall totals from the storm that affected northeast Ohio from January 1, 2010 until January 7th through 11 a.m.:

LOCATION          STORM TOTAL    TIME/DATE    COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL       OF
                     (INCHES)   MEASUREMENT

OHIO

...ASHTABULA COUNTY...
   PIERPONT 2SE          61.3  1048 AM   1/7
   CONNEAUT I-90         21.1  1003 AM   1/7
   ASHTABULA 1SW         17.6  1000 AM   1/7
   ASHTABULA             16.4   901 AM   1/7

...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...
   SOLON                 32.5  1126 AM   1/7
   BROADVIEW HTS         20.7  1031 AM   1/7
   GARFIELD HTS          19.5  1109 AM   1/7
   SHAKER HTS            17.0  1002 AM   1/7
   NORTH ROYALTON        14.7  1047 AM   1/7
   CLEVELAND             11.5   932 AM   1/7
   EUCLID                 7.5   938 AM   1/7

...GEAUGA COUNTY...
   BAINBRIDGE            39.5  1026 AM   1/7
   THOMPSON 5SW          39.4  1048 AM   1/7
   MONTVILLE             38.3   800 AM   1/7
   HAMBDEN TWP.          36.2   700 AM   1/7
   CHAGRIN FALLS         33.5  1030 AM   1/7
   CHARDON               32.6  1027 AM   1/7
   RUSSELL TWP           28.5  1109 AM   1/7
   BURTON                26.0  1029 AM   1/7
   CHARDON               25.0   940 AM   1/7
   CLARIDON TWP          24.8  1003 AM   1/7

...LAKE COUNTY...
   MADISON               20.1  1110 AM   1/7
   CONCORD TWP.          17.0  1121 AM   1/7
   MADISON  5 S          15.5   931 AM   1/7
   KIRTLAND 4SW          11.2  1007 AM   1/7
   CONCORD TWP.          10.5  1049 AM   1/7

...LORAIN COUNTY...
   N RIDGEVILLE          10.1  1122 AM   1/7
   OBERLIN                4.7  1049 AM   1/7

...MAHONING COUNTY...
   BOARDMAN SE           13.5  1109 AM   1/7

...MEDINA COUNTY...
   MEDINA                12.4   930 AM   1/7

...PORTAGE COUNTY...
   KENT                  12.7  1111 AM   1/7

...STARK COUNTY...
   ALLIANCE               6.5   932 AM   1/7

...SUMMIT COUNTY...
   SAGAMORE HILLS        21.3  1007 AM   1/7
   TALLMADGE              6.0  1001 AM   1/7

...TRUMBULL COUNTY...
   MESOPOTAMIA           20.0  1122 AM   1/7
   KINSMAN               14.4   931 AM   1/7
   NEWTON FALLS          12.8  1122 AM   1/7
   WARREN                 5.8  1126 AM   1/7

Weather Data Bank: Changes of the Seasons in 2010

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:16:00 +0000

As head into 2010, Channel 3 Weather has put together a list of the changes of seasons for the new year.

Print out our flyer and keep it handy or print one out for your friends.

So, when does Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter officially begin?

To save and print your own copy (.pdf file):

Can't view files in a .pdf format? Download a copy of the Adobe Reader: CLICK HERE

Cleveland Storm Tests New ODOT Twitter Feeds

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:10:00 +0000

By Eric Mansfield
Channel 3 Reporter

CLEVELAND -- As morning traffic snarled to a crawl on Northeast Ohio's interstates, a new weapon of road information was becoming more popular by the minute.

ODOT's three-week old Twitter feeds have quickly added more than 3,000 followers as drivers look for up-to-the-minute information on state roads.

Monday's storm was the system's first real test.

"Don't use it while you're driving," said ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic. "We'll send (tweets) early in the morning, or in the afternoon before you get behind the wheel. Use it to see how road conditions are or what we're doing out there during snow and ice. Maybe you can use it to allow some extra time if the road conditions have some slick spots on it."

There are six ODOT Twitter feeds representing six urban communities: Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo and Dayton.

www.twitter.com/odot_cleveland
www.twitter.com/odot_akron
www.twitter.com/odot_cincinnati
www.twitter.com/odot_columbus
www.twitter.com/odot_toledo
www.twitter.com/odot_dayton

Monday's tweets were, at times generic, but by mid-afternoon, tweets included notes about which interstates were passable yet icy.

The state hopes to add more detail every day, Chesnic said.

December In Review: Not A December To Really Remember

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:00:00 +0000

By Frank Macek

CLEVELAND -- December 2009 ended up slightly warmer than normal across northeast Ohio.

For the month of December, the area saw temperatures that averaged about a half degree warmer than usual. This continued a several month trend of above normal temperatures during 2009.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures ranged from 53 degrees on December 3rd to a chilly 9 degree morning low on December 30th.

Overall, the average daily high was 37.8 degrees for December with a morning low of 25.5 degrees. Despite being Ohio's meteorological winter, December only saw 8 days with high temperatures below 32 degrees.

On the precipitation side, the Greater Cleveland area was drier than normal by .43" inches. This added to a drier than normal year that ended up nearly 3" below average (35.76" compared to a normal 38.70" of liquid precipitation).

Snowfall was also well below normal. December normally yields about 13.1" of snowfall each year. But in 2009, December saw just 6.9" of the white stuff at the National Weather Service Office at Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Since July 1st, 8.1" of snow fell in the Cleveland area, compared to 18.6" during the first half of a normal Cleveland winter. However, 15 days during December did have at least a trace of snow measured at the airport.

For monthly climate reports across the area, you can click on any of the following links:

You can also save & print out Channel 3 Weather's monthly almanac with daily highs, lows, sunrise and sunset times, record highs and record lows for each day of the month:

January almanac

Time To Brush Up On Winter Driving Habits

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 07:16:00 +0000

By Paul Thomas
Channel 3 News Reporter

WILLOUGHBY HILLS -- From Brunswick to Mayfield Heights, cities across Northeast Ohio put snow parking bans into effect Friday to let snowplow drivers clear the streets.

Persistent snow bands covered roads and highways as fast as road crews could treat them with rock salt.

You don't have to tell tow truck driver Rusty Bissell that winter has arrived. He has seen driving conditions change from clear roads to white-out conditions in a matter of minutes.

"I've been on call since, like, Christmas Eve," Bissell said, after he righted an overturned SUV next to Interstate 90 Friday.

"I haven't had any time to sleep. I've been running ragged."

Snowplow driver George Helwagen, of Concord Township, geared up Friday night for what he expected could be a long weekend of pushing the snow.

"I'm expecting anywhere from four to twelve inches of snow," Helwagen said. "We're going to be out for a while. (Drivers) have got to be really careful."

Rare New Year's Eve 'Blue Moon' To Ring In 2010

fmacek@wkyc.com (Frank Macek) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:48:00 +0000

Once in a blue moon there actually is a blue moon on New Year's Eve.

There'll be a so-called blue moon around for the New Year's countdown on Thursday.

According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue -- the name has nothing to do with its color.

This month's first full moon occurred on Dec. 2.

On New Year's Eve, a full moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa.

For purists, however, a blue moon is an extra full moon in a typical three-moon season. So this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't count.

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Source: The Associated Press