FEBRUARY 28, 2007: THE LAST GREAT RACE ON EARTH

What do you get when you combine man, his best friend, and some of the coldest weather on Earth? It might be the most competitive event in the world, the 2007 Iditarod starts this Saturday! A race over 1150 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. She throws jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast at the mushers and their dog teams. Add to that temperatures far below zero, winds that can cause a complete loss of visibility, the hazards of overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs and side hills, and you have the Iditarod. A race extraordinaire, a race only possible in Alaska.

From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days. It has been called the “Last Great Race on Earth” and it has won worldwide acclaim and interest. German, Spanish, British, Japanese and American film crews have covered the event. Journalists from outdoor magazines, adventure magazines, newspapers and wire services flock to Anchorage and Nome to record the excitement. It’s not just a dog sled race, it’s a race in which unique men and women compete. Mushers enter from all walks of life. Fishermen, lawyers, doctors, miners, artists, natives, Canadians, Swiss, French and others; men and women each with their own story, each with their own reasons for going the distance.

You can learn more about the Iditarod and follow the race yourself by going to the official web site of the 2007 iditarod race: www.iditarod.com

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 27, 2007: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LONFELLOW!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 200th Birthday is today, Tuesday, February 27. He was the most widely read poet in the English-speaking world for more than 100 years. "Paul Revere's Ride," "The Village Blacksmith," "The Song of Hiawatha," "Evangeline" -- for generations, these poems were memorized and loved by all and they came to give definition to much of America’s history.

Here are some lines from his poetry that describe the weather.

Into each life some rain must fall… Silent, and soft, and slow descends the snow… O perfect day: whereon shall no man work, but play… Chill airs and wintry winds! My ear has grown familiar with your song…

Beautiful and Sunny

…O perfect day: Whereon shall no man work, but play; Whereon it is enough for me, Not to be doing, but to be! from A Day of Sunshine

She heard the birds sing, she saw the sun shine, The air of summer was sweeter than wine. from The Saga of King Olaf in Tales of a Wayside Inn

Cloudy

Be still, sad heart! And cease repining; Behind the clouds is the sun still shining; from The Rainy Day

Cloudy and Windy

The twilight is sad and cloudy, The wind blows wild and free, from Twilight

Cold

All the signs foretold a winter long and inclement. Bees, with prophetic instinct of want, had hoarded their honey Till the hives overflowed; and the Indian hunters asserted Cold would the winter be, for thick was the fur of the foxes. from Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie

Oh, the cold and cruel Winter! Ever thicker, thicker, thicker Froze the ice on lake and river, from The Song of Hiawatha

Oh the long and dreary Winter! Oh the cold and cruel Winter! From The Song of Hiawatha.

Cold and Windy

Chill airs and wintry winds! My ear Has grown familiar with your song; from Woods in Winter

The door swung wide, with creak and din; A blast of cold night-air came in, from The Saga of King Olaf in Tales of a Wayside Inn

Cold and Windy and Rainy

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary; It rains, and the wind is never weary; from The Rainy Day

Fair and Warm

But the night is fair, And everywhere A warm, soft vapor fills the air, And distant sounds seem near; from Birds of Passage

Rain

Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary. from The Rainy Day

For after all, the best thing one can do When it is raining, is to let it rain. from The Birds of Killingworth in Tales of a Wayside Inn

The mist and cloud will turn to rain, The rain to mist and cloud again, from Keramos

The hooded clouds, like friars, Tell their beads in drops of rain. from Midnight Mass.

Rain with Clearing

The mists collect, the rain falls thick and loud, Till, with a smile of light on sea and land, Lo! he looks back from the departing cloud. from The Two Angels

Snow

Over the woodlands brown and bare, Over the harvest-fields forsaken, Silent, and soft, and slow Descends the snow. from Snow-Flakes

The snow recommences; The buried fences Mark no longer The road o’er the plain; from Afternoon in February

Ever deeper, deeper, deeper Fell the snow o’er all the landscape, from The Song of Hiawatha

Storm

As the barometer foretells the storm While still the skies are clear, the weather warm from Morituri Salutamus

Thunder

As children frightened by a thunder-cloud Are reassured if some one reads aloud from Morituri Salutamus

Today’s Weather Quiz

What is the latest recorded accumulation of snow?

A. April 25

B. May 10

C. May 25

C. May 25, 1925, a half an inch of snow fell!

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 26, 2007: MARCH SNOW

Today’s Weather Quiz What is the average snowfall for the month of March?

A. 4 inches

B. 6 inches

C. 8 inches

C. 8 inches, in March of 1993 we saw 2 feet of snow in one storm! There still is winter to be had, but sooner than later warmer weather will begin to win out!

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 25, 2007: ICE JAMS

Flood Warnings issued in Belmont and Marshall counties Sunday as ice jams caused water to overflow in area streams and creeks. Chunks of ice that break loose during a thawing spell travel downstream and become trapped or lodged, creating a dam. Water behind the dam backs up.

Also, rain, warmer temperatures and melting snow all runoff into the creeks causing them to rise even more. Water backs up and slowly rises.

Eventually, ice dams break up naturally as the ice continues to melt. However, if this happens, water that the ice dam had been holding back can rush downstream, causing flash floods.

A Flood Warning means flooding is happening..do not walk or drive into flooded roadways..the water dept may be too great and can sweep you away. It only takes a foot of water to become dangerous. If told to evacuate, do so; and if rising water is surrounding you, move to higher ground.

Be sure you know the situation where you are if you live near a creek or stream. Be prepared to take action.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

FEBRUARY 23, 2007: FOR THE RECORD

When it comes to snow, the western states hold more than their share of national records. Here are a few of the superlatives:

Greatest single snowfall in a single storm: 189 inches at California’s Mount Shasta Ski Bowl, February 13-19, 1959.

Greatest snowfall in a single calendar month: 390 inches at Tamarack, California, in January 1911.

Greatest 12 month snowfall: 1,224.5 inches at the Rainier Paradise Ranger Station in Washington Sate in 1971-1972.

Most snow accumulation in a single 24 hour period: 75.8 inches at Silver Lake, Colorado, April 14-15, 1921.

Greatest depth of snow cover: 451 inches at Tamarack, California, in March 1911

Today’s Weather Quiz Which one of these Oscar nominated movies did not win “Best Picture”?

A. Rain Man

B.The Big Chill

C.In the Heat of the Night

D.Gone With the Wind

B. The Big Chill which lost to Terms of Endearment in 1983.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 22, 2007: EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK

Dense fog early this morning, followed by a shower of rain and sleet, winds will be gusty this afternoon with snow showers, otherwise it’s a quiet day in the weather center! Old Man Winter isn’t through with us yet and you will feel his presence into tomorrow. Accumulations from snow showers should be light, but a quick burst of snow could cause havoc on area roadways later today.

Today’s Weather Quiz If the temperature outside is above freezing, but the wind chill is below freezing, will water freeze?

A. Yes

B. No

No, the windchill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when outside. Windchill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL much colder. If the temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the windchill is -19 degrees Fahrenheit. At this windchill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 21, 2007: ONE MONTH UNTIL SPRING

Spring is only a month away and one sure sign of spring getting near is the number of phone calls that I receive of robin sightings. The American robin is popularly recognized as a "harbinger-of-spring." However, robins can be found in Ohio throughout the year. Robins can and do roost in the state through the winter, especially if it is a mild one; those that overwinter in Ohio are more abundant in the southern portions of the state.

As winter ends, and daylight lengthens, American robins are often the first birds you hear singing just as dawn approaches. This behavior has earned the bird the nickname "wake robin".

Now onto another sign that spring is near, today’s weather quiz focuses on potholes!

Today’s Weather Quiz What is the final step in pothole formation?

A. expansion

B. thawing

C. traffic

In sort of a trick question the answer is traffic! Traffic breaks the pothole’s edges and makes it larger.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 20, 2007: SNOW ANGELS AND A WIND NAMED AFTER CHOCOLATE
On Sunday some 9,000 people attempted to reclaim the world snow angel record, which was snatched away about a year ago in Michigan. So did they do it? We are still waiting on the Guiness Book of World records to confirm the number.

The snow angel category was created in 2002 when 1,791 people made snow angels on the Capitol grounds in North Dakota.

Today’s Weather Quiz In honor of Fat Tuesday, what is the name of the strong wind that blows in Northern Mexico?

A. Big Burrito

B. Chocolatero

C. Nacho Grande

B. Chocolatero, a strong wind that blows from the north in the Gulf of Mexico region of Mexico, often carrying dust and sand; also known as the chocolate gale.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 19, 2007: ICEQUAKE?

Did you hear a strange sound that rattled the walls of your house? Some described the sound as someone throwing a large object at the side of your house. Here is how James Ramsey described the noise: "The last week or so we have had a bang sound against the outside walls, like a ball being thrown at the house but no one is there. This noise has been heard at different neighbor’s homes and at a home in Toronto, Bacon Ridge and even at Bloomingdale. No visual signs of damage at any of the homes, could this be the ground freezing coupled with the amount of rain prior to this long of below freezing temps? This has never happened at any of these homes, even during the last deep freeze years ago. Homes vary in age from 15 to 40 years old and also some brick and some vinyl siding, some with basements some not. At times our walls are actually rattling with the noise. What do you think?"

After doing a little research I think I put an end to this mysterious sound! Cryoseisms, or frostquakes, are ground vibration caused by the freezing of downward moving water near the surface of the earth. Water expands when it turns to ice so the frozen ground surface becomes stressed. At times, the stress is relieved by cracking of the ground surface. The ground surface breaks over a very short period of time and causes a ground vibration. This type of ground vibration is called a cryoseism. Last week in Ohio Valley, we had a little thaw and there were periods of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. So the surface of the ground was saturated with water. On Wednesday, the temperature started dropping back into the deep freeze and this saturated soil started to freeze solidly again.

Today’s Weather Quiz

In honor of President’s Day, Lincoln was the tallest at 6 feet 4 inches, but who was the shortest President?

A. James Madison

B. Jimmy Carter

C. Andrew Jackson

A. James Madison at 5 feet and 4 inches tall.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 16, 2007: WEEKEND CLIPPER

A fast moving clipper will spread more snow our way this weekend. This clipper will not tap into any Gulf of Mexico moisture, so snowfall amounts will be limited to an inch or two. The bulk of the light snow will fall tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Today’s Weather Quiz

What percentage of the United States is currently snow covered?

A. 17%

B. 37%

C. 57%

C. 57%, compared to just 27% last year on this date.

Check out this very cool web site which tracks snow cover across the United States: National Snow Analyses.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 15, 2007: THE SCOOP ON SNOW PLOWS

We have seen them everywhere this week and if you drive one you have lived inside of it. What is it? The snow plow! One of the first mentions of snow plow use comes from Milwaukee in 1862. The plow was attached to a cart pulled by a team of horses through the snow-clogged streets. Over the next several years, horse-drawn plows gained popularity and came into use in many other Northeastern cities. Intercity steam trains, having made their appearance several years earlier, now puffed and whistled their way through heavy drifts with giant plows attached to their front ends. Salt was used in a few cities, but was strongly protested because it ruined the streets for sleighing and damaged the shoes and clothing of pedestrians. However, the invention of the snow plow initiated widespread snow removal efforts in cities and also created a basis for municipal responsibility in snow removal.

Plows were a boon to city dwellers, enabling winter transportation to recover more rapidly from storms than in previous years. However, this solution was accompanied by a new round of problems, some of which remain with us today. Plowing cleared the main streets for traffic, but effectively blocked the side roads and sidewalks with huge, uneven mounds of compacted snow. Businessmen and townsfolk initially hailed the success of the plow, but later complained and even brought lawsuits against the plowing companies. Merchants claimed that their storefronts were completely blocked with mounds of plowed snow, making them inaccessible to their customers, and pedestrians bemoaned trying to negotiate the huge mounds which often obstructed the sidewalks. Sleigh drivers also found fault with the plowing system because of the ruts and uneven surfaces it created.

New York and other cities responded in several ways. They hired horse-drawn carts and shovelers to work in conjunction with the plows, hauling away the plowed snow and dumping it into rivers. This not only cleared the mounds of snow, but provided thousands of temporary jobs throughout the winter season. In an effort to curtail the use of salt, which many still protested, streets and icy bridges were coated with sand instead. To appease all sides, New York in the 1880s built elevated steam railways along the major routes of the city, high enough that they would not be affected by the drifts. Still in operation today, these elevated tracks proved very successful, and carried travelers through all but a few of the most severe storms. Prior to the invention of the subway, the elevated trains were often the only transport services available in storms that halted all ground travel.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 14, 2007: VALENTINE’S DAY MESS

Snow, ice, and everything not so nice, the perfect poem for this Valentine’s Day. The freezing rain changed back to snow at around 5 this morning. Look for 1 to 2 inches of new snow before it tapers off towards noon today. It’s the combination of snow falling on top of the slushy mess and falling temperatures that is causing roads to be very tretcherous this morning. Gusty winds could cause more power interruptions today, especially where ice remains on top of trees and power lines. Most of us saw between 3 and 6 inches of snow before the change over yesterday. Add an inch or two to those amounts and total storm accumulation locally will be between 4 and 8 inches.

So why did snow change to freezing rain if the temperature was below freezing?

The temperature at the surface remained below freezing, but up in the clouds temperatures warmed above freezing. Once a snowflake melts it can never go back to a snowflake. If the layer of cold air closer to the surface is thick, the rain drop will freeze into an ice pellet, also known as sleet. Now if the layer of cold air is shallow, the rain will not have time to refreeze until it hits the surface which is below 32 degrees, we call this freezing rain.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 13, 2007: WINTER STORM WARNING

Snow began on schedule early this morning. Snow continues to fall as of 10 o’clock this morning with near 2 inches one the ground in Steubenville, Ohio. Snow should gradually change to sleet and freezing rain from south to north. Total snow today before the changeover will be between 3 and 5 inches. A period of sleet might not be a bad thing as sleet doesn’t accumulate as rapidly as snow. This might give the snow plow guys some time to play catch up before a changeover to freezing rain. Areas south of Interstate 70 have the best chance of seeing freezing rain. This wintry mix will continue tonight before changing back to snow after midnight. Then look for 1 to 3 inches of snow to fall before ending tomorrow afternoon. If we see no changeover to sleet or freezing rain a foot or more of snow is possible, but I still believe we will see a period of sleet and freezing rain. Stay tuned to Severe Weather Team 9 and WTOV 9 Weather Plus for around the clock updates on this developing winter storm.

EMAIL IN SNOWFALL AMOUNTS AT: weather@wtov.com

HEAVIEST SNOW THIS SEASON: 2.5 INCHES, FEBRUARY 2, 2007

HEAVIEST SNOW LAST WINTER: 3 INCHES, NOVEMBER 23, 2005

LAST 6 INCH OR MORE STORM: FEBRUARY 16, 2003

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 12, 2007: WINTER STORM WATCH

On Friday I told you I had a feeling about this storm moving back north, little did I know how far north the models would trend this storm. Snow will fall at earnest tomorrow morning, look for snow to start after 4 am, more likely somewhere between 5 and 7 am. This snow will be associated with strong warm air advection pouring into the area from the south. Snow will change to sleet and freezing rain as warm air floods northward up the Ohio River Valley. Snowfall is tricky depending on how rapidly the snow changes over to freezing rain. My gut feeling says a quick 2 to 4 inches tomorrow morning with a changeover to freezing rain by mid to late morning. A SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND TOMORROW NIGHT. Whether it’s more snow or more ice travel will be difficult across the area tomorrow into Wednesday. Stay tuned to Severe Weather Team 9 and WTOV 9 Weather Plus for around the clock updates on this developing winter storm.

EMAIL IN SNOWFALL AMOUNTS AT: weather@wtov.com

Today’s Weather Quiz

Which side of a building will an icicle more likely form?

A. North

B. West

C. South

C. South

The south side of a building is more affected by daily cycles of light and dark resulting in greater fluctuations in temperature. Icicles form due to melting snow and freezing water. The north side of the building would more than likely be the least affected because it would not receive any direct sunlight reducing the amount of melting potential.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 11, 2007: WINTER STORM WATCH FOR OHIO VALLEY MONDAY NIGHT

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Monday night through Wednesday morning. A storm system moving east from the southern plains will bring the potential for significant snowfall across the region beginning late Monday night and continuing through Wednesday. The snow may become heavy at times especially during Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night.

There is still much uncertainty with the track and timing of this winter storm system. Enough warm air may be drawn into the system to change the snow to sleet or freezing rain Tuesday afternoon and evening. So a wintry mix of precipitation is possible across the Ohio Valley.

Total snowfall could be anywhere from 3 to 6 inches by Wednesday, but it depends on how much of a wintry mix we get. That amount could be higher or lower. Still uncertain at this point.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. We'll keep you posted on the ongoing development of this storm.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

FEBRUARY 9, 2007: WHAT’S THIS TALK OF A SNOWSTORM?

Rumor has it that someone will see a snowstorm early next week. Well that rumor is true, but will wee feel the brunt of this storm? That is a little uncertain as computer models that aid in the forecasting of storms, go back and forth. Yesterday models showed a more northern track to the storm putting us in the sweet spot for snow. The 24 hour trend in these models is to suppress the storm to the south giving us yet another near miss. As a snow lover I am a little discouraged about this track, but I have a feeling about this storm. Stay tuned this weekend for the latest forecasts as I have a feeling the track of the storm will change again. Keep the snow blowers on standby for Monday into Tuesday.

Today’s Weather Quiz

We use salt to treat roads, what do they use in portions of the west?

A. Peanuts

B. Corn

C. Bananas

B. Corn

Some northern states use corn because it is less abrasive on cars and pavements. A corn compound has been successfully used to add traction to slick roads.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 8, 2007: COLD HARD FACTS

The streak reached 4 yesterday, 4 consecutive days with the thermometer not reading 20 degrees. The last time we had a longer streak was 6 days in a row in late January and early February of 1996.

Today will easily be the 11th day in a row of temperatures below the freezing mark. The last time we saw a longer stretch was 18 in a row in December 2000 and January 2001.

Now for the number that most of us want to see: 40 days until the official start of Spring.

Today’s Weather Quiz

What is the irrational fear of cold?

A. Frigophobia

B. Frozophobia

C. Brrrrophobia

A. Frigophobia

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 7, 2007: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Is it ever too cold to snow?

Answer: No, it can snow even at incredibly cold temperatures as long as there is some source of moisture and some way to lift or cool the air. It is true, however, that most heavy snowfalls occur with relatively warm air temperatures near the ground - typically 15°F or warmer since air can hold more water vapor at warmer temperatures.

Rosemary from Wheeling asked “How do you determine the Wind Chill Factor?”

Answer: The wind chill temperature is calculated using the following formula:

Wind Chill (ºF) = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75(V^0.16) + 0.4275T(V^0.16)

Where: T = Air Temperature (F)

V = Wind Speed (mph)

^ = raised to a power (exponential)

Wind Chill Temperature is only defined for temperatures at or below 50 degrees F and wind speeds above 3 mph. Bright sunshine may increase the wind chill temperature by 10 to 18 degrees F.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 6, 2007: FEBRRRRRUARY

A record low of 4 below zero was set today in Steubenville breaking the old record of 2 below zero in 1995. Here is a list that I compiled of temperatures from earlier this morning sent in by viewers.

-16 in Costonia, OH, from Jim Wilson

-15 in Caldwell, OH

-14 in Birds Run, OH, from Levi Fausnight

-14 in Byesville, OH, from Jeff Riggans

-13 in East Springfield, OH

-12 in Carrollton, OH

-11 in Wetzel County, WV, from Mike

-11 in West Liberty, WV, from Jill Mahy

-10 in Adena, OH, from Bernie

-10 in Barnesville, OH

-10 in Buffalo, OH, from Clarence

-9 in Higlandtown, OH, from Scott Connor

-7 in East Liverpool, OH, from Don

-6 in Woodsfield, OH, from Marsha Grimm

-6 in New Philadelphia, OH

-4 in New Cumberland, WV

-4 in Wheeling, WV

Today’s Weather Quiz

At what temperature is Fahrenheit equivalent to Celsius?

A. 0 degrees

B. -20 degrees

C. -40 degrees

C. -40 degrees

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 3, 2007: LIFE-THREATENING COLD ARRIVES IN THE OHIO VALLEY THIS WEEKEND

A strong acrtic front will blast through the region this evening, ushering in the coldest air of the season. As the front passes, winds will abruptly change from southwest to gusty northwest. Dangerous wind chills as low as -20 degrees is expected.

Yes, this needs to be taken seriously. Hypothermia and frostbite are possibilities, not only for humans but for animals as well. YOU MUST DRESS IN LAYERS AND COVER ANY EXPOSED SKIN. TRY TO LIMIT YOUR TIME OUTSIDE DURING THIS EXTREME COLD. The best thing to do, stay inside where its warm. But check in on the elderly in your family.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET OUTSIDE WITHOUT A PROTECTED AREA, HOWEVER, IN THIS KIND OF ARCTIC COLD THEY NEED TO BE BROUGHT INSIDE. At the very least, provide plenty of dry hay or straw for your pet's outdoor house, shed or garage. This will allow them to burrow themselves in. For your own animals, that you profess to love and cherish, you should be bringing them into the warmth of your home and protecting them from the perils of winter.

Be smart, be a proud pet owner, be warm and safe. This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

FEBRUARY 2, 2007: BREAKING NEWS: GROUNDHOG PREDICTS EARLY SPRING!

For the first time since 1999 and for only the fifteenth time in some 120 years, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow! According to legend this is a forecast for an early spring. I on the other hand did see my shadow and it had icicles attached to it! A tell tale sign of the bone chilling cold that will sweep into the area starting Sunday.

Punxsutawney Phil may be smarter than we've given him credit for. In addition to checking out his shadow to forecast the end of winter, he has been ahead of the curve in predicting global warming, which is wreaking havoc with our natural ecosystems.

Dr. Doug Inkley, wildlife biologist with the National Wildlife Federation, has been pondering over Phil's forecasting track record. He found that in the first 75 years of the 20th century, Phil cast no shadow only four times, which according to folklore meant an early end to winter. But in just the last 25 years of the century, Phil cast no shadow fully eight times, alerting us that winter was coming to an early end, a six fold increase!

Although Phil's forecasting can't be considered credible, the real science from many fields of scientific inquiry demonstrates that rapid climate change from global warming pollution is over-whelming. The resulting impacts on wildlife are sobering, from drowning polar bears in the Arctic to imperiled coral reefs in the world’s oceans.

Today’s Weather Quiz

When did Phil last predict an early Spring?

A.2005

B.2001

C.1999

C. 1999

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 1, 2007: A LOOK BACK AT JANUARY AND A LOOK AHEAD AT BITTER COLD FOR FEBRUARY

Today’s Weather Quiz

January started very warm and ended very cold, so how did we compare to average for the month?

A.Above Normal Temperatures

B.Normal Temperatures

C.Below Normal Temperatures

If you answered above normal temperatures for the month you are right! Get this, the first 15 days of the month were nearly 16 degrees above average! The last 16 days of January averaged nearly 2 degrees below normal. So overall the month was some 6.7 degrees above average.

The cold of January is about to get a lot colder in February. A true arctic blast will send temperatures near zero by late this weekend and early next week. Wind chills will likely be well below zero. This could be the coldest air mass that we have experienced in nearly ten years. On January 5, 1999 we saw a high of 12 with a low of -2. You have to go back to January 1997 to find a high temperature of 10 or below. On January 17, 1997 the high reached 7 after a morning low of -2.

Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.