MAY 31, 2007: EXTREME HEAT GRIPS OHIO VALLEY

Hazy, hot and humid conditions will take over the Ohio Valley today through the weekend. High temperatures will hit 90 degrees in some parts of the local area today. The best defense against heat-related illness is prevention.

Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

-infants and young children -people ages 65 and older -people with mental illness -those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.

Visit adults at risk twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

Hot Weather Safety Tips: -Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours -Cut down on exercise. -Try to rest often in shady areas -Protect yourself from the sun by wearing hats and putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher

Also: -Drink more fluids, nonalcoholic, regardless of your activity level. -Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing -NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked car -Seek a cooler environment, such as a shopping mall, library, restaurant, to get out of the heat for a while

Source: Emergency Preparedness and Response website

Be smart, stay cool and use common sense during this heatwave. This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 30, 2007: PETS MUST BE SAFE FROM SUMMER HEAT TOO!

During the summer, living isn't always easy for our animal friends. Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do, such as overheating, dehydration and even sunburn.

By taking simple necessary precautions, you can celebrate the season and keep your pets happy and healthy. Be a proud, responsible pet owner.

-Add heartworm to your summer care of your pet, if not on a year-round heartworm pill.

-Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle--this can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade does not make much of a difference.

-Provide fresh cold water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed dog house serves best. Bring your dog and cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.

-Older and overweight animals need extra care in hot weather. Snub-nosed dogs, such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, MUST be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

-Street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog stand or lay on hot asphalt. His or her body can quickly heat up quickly and paw pads can burn.

-Grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a 1-inch length--never down to the skin, please, which robs Fido of protection from the sun. Cats should be brushed often. White and light-colored pets can get sunburn too.

-Stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting and drooling and mild weakness, along with an elevated body temperature.

Source: ASPCA

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 29, 2007: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN'S RAYS

It is estimated that 1 out of 7 people in the United States will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. Once serious sunburn can increase the risk by as much as 50 percent.

The effect UV light has on our skin is dependent both upon the intensity and the duration of your exposure. How your skin reacts to the amount of exposure received is related to your genetic background. Even if you rarely sunburn however, sensitive areas such as your lips, nose, and palms of the hands should be protected.

The following six steps have been recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation to help reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

-Minimize your exposure to the sun at midday and between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. -Apply sunscreen with at least a SPF-15 or higher, to all areas of the body which are exposed to the sun. -Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days. -Wear clothing that covers your body and shades your face. -Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps or tanning beds. -Protect the children from excessive sun exposure. Apply sunscreen liberally and frequently. (Do not use sunscreen on children under 6 months of age who should be severely limited to the sun)

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 26, 2007: MEMORIAL DAY TRIVIA

Memorial Day is a big part of our history and an important holiday for most Americans as we honor our loved ones who served our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Here's some trivia about Memorial Day:

Memorial Day was originated with another name. It was called Decoration Day.

Memorial Day was founded to honor military personnel who died in The Civil War.

Waterloo, New York, was proclaimed in 1966 by the government as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day was first observed on May 5, 1866.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 25, 2007: TRAVEL WEATHER THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND

It's been reported that nearly 38 million Americans travel on Memorial Day weekend.

Weather should not be a problem across much of the nation this year. However, thunderstorms will erupt during late afternoon hours throughout the Ohio Valley and Mid-west with a cold front moving through and stalling out. The Northeast will get a nice cooldown after being in the 90's today.

That cooler, drier air will arrive here in the Valley on Monday aternoon with morning lingering showers.

If you're traveling to the Southern Plains, you may run into some heavy rains which could lead to temporary road closures.

Dry air will control the Southeast and the Pacific Coast with plenty of sunshine.

Have a safe Memorial Day Holiday. This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 24, 2007: FEELING MORE LIKE SUMMER!

Temperatures are soaring today with highs expectd in the mid to upper 80's! That's well above normal for this time of year, and close to the record high temperature for this date. The Ohio Valley experience 89 degrees way back in 1944! That is our current record for today, and we'll be close to that old stat.

Hazy and humid conditions are moving into the area for the next couple of days as well, all ahead of a cool front that will bring a chance of scattered showers and a thunderstorm Friday afternoon and stalling over the area all weekend.

Memorial Day weekend will include sun, clouds and a chance for rain. Temperatures will stay above average, pushing 80 degrees. So you don't have to rethink those picnics just keep an eye to the sky for a stray shower or thunderstorm later in the day after the atmosphere heats up. Monday looks to be the best day for a picnic. Enjoy the summertime weather.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 23, 2007: BUG SEASON

Over the last thirty years, the growing season in the United States has increased by an average of two days per decade, which means that insects that do not survive well in freezing temperatures now have longer lives and more chances to reproduce. When mosquitoes hatch, however, is not determined by temperature but instead by the hours of available daylight. Those mosquitoes that possess genetic traits that allow them to hatch earlier and take advantage of the recent warming are the most likely to be successful and reproduce. Over the past 30 years, the population has become dominated by individuals that possess genes that allow them to hatch earlier in the year.

Warmer weather means that tick season is here! These tiny mites are most common from mid-April to mid-July and prefer areas with high, overgrown weeds and debris, or edges of pathways or trails, where conditions are generally shady and humid. Ticks bite animal or human hosts that brush up against the vegetation, and can carry Lyme disease, Rocky-Mountain Spotted Fever, and other diseases.

You can control ticks around your home by keeping overgrown weeds and grassy areas mowed, and cleaning up debris, such as leaves and brush piles. Keeping vegetation clipped allows more sunlight to reach the ground, making the area less tick-friendly by raising temperature and lowering humidity. It's also a good idea to keep children and pets away from tick-prone areas and check for ticks regularly.

Find more "Tick Tips" at the Centers for Disease Control Web Site: Email your weather questions to Disease Control Web Site.
Today’s Weather Quiz

How many hurricanes occurred last year?

A. 0

B. 2

C. 5

C. 5, but none made landfall

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

MAY 22, 2007: HURRICANE SEASON PREDICTIONS

With all signs pointing to an unusually active hurricane season, government forecasters are expected to issue their seasonal prediction Tuesday morning.

A news conference is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Among the participants are Bill Proenza, director of the National Hurricane Center, and Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr., administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The six-month hurricane season officially begins June 1.

Forecasters from Colorado State University already have predicted ''a very active'' season with 17 named tropical storms that grow into nine hurricanes, including five intense hurricanes with winds above 110 mph. The average season produces 11 tropical storms, six hurricanes and two intense hurricanes.

It should be remembered, however, that long-range, full-season forecasts tend to be less accurate than real-time forecasts of an actual storm.

At this time last year, government forecasters predicted that 13 to 16 tropical storms would become eight to 10 hurricanes, four to six of them intense. Fortunately, that was wrong. In actuality, 10 named storms grew into five hurricanes, two of which were intense. This was primarily due to an El Nino that formed. The stronger upper level winds that are found in El Nino seasons ripped apart tropical systems last year.

La Niña conditions in the western Pacific are likely to support hurricane development this year. The relatively cool sea temperatures that mark La Niña suppress crosswinds that otherwise would tear apart developing hurricanes.

Today’s Weather Quiz

A small but vigarous whirlwind formed in a clear sky is called a . . .

A. dust devil

B. williwaw

C. mesocyclone

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

MAY 21, 2007: EARLY CALL ON THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Do you remember the weather last Memorial Day weekend? I asked Dino that same question this morning and he said he couldn’t remember what happened last week. Most of us would probably give a similar response, but I can remember last year sitting by the pool and enjoying the sunshine and near 90 degree temperatures. I’m confident it won’t be that hot this weekend, so how is the weather shaping up for our picnic plans?

The weekend should start dry on Saturday with high temperatures near 80 degrees, but a cold front will cause late day storms Sunday. If the front doesn’t clear the area by Monday then we will have to include the chance for rain on Memorial Day.

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

MAY 20, 2007: NO WEATHER WOES ANY TIME SOON!

The upcoming work week is shaping up to be another summer-like one as a High pressure system gains control and stays strong through Thursday. Monday will be quite pleasant with sunny skies, light winds and temps in the low 70's.

Tuesday brings warmer temperatures with mostly sunny skies. High temps Tuesday will warm up to 80 degrees!

Wednesday and Thursday will be just as nice with a mix of clouds and sun and temps in the 80's. Our next chance of rain comes Thursday night with the arrival of a cold front. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will stick around for Friday but conditions will still be mild.

A good week to spend outdoors! Enjoy the weather. This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 19, 2007: WEATHER FOLKLORE

I enjoy reading about weather folklore. Most folklore came from farmers and gardeners of yesteryear, and can still hold true to this day! Below are some samples...try and figure out how they came to be...it can be fun and educational!

If crows fly low, the wind will blow. If crows fly high, winds going to die.

A sunshiny shower won't last half an hour.

The more rain, the more rest....fair weather's not always best.

When sea birds fly to land, there truly is a storm at hand.

It rains as long as it takes rain to come.

Year of snow, fruit will grow.

Rainbow at noon, more rain soon.

When a cow tries to scratch her ear it means a shower is very near.

You can find more folklore sayings in the Old Farmer's Almanac.! This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 18, 2007: NATIONAL RIDE YOU BIKE TO WORK DAY!

Americans are spending record amounts of time commuting and the roads have never been more packed. With spring here, now is a good time to stop fighting traffic and bypass the congestion by bike.Biking is clean transportation! Consider leaving your car at home a few days per week to help reduce vehicle emissions:

Ffifty-five percent of all nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions come from cars. NOx is one of the main ingredients inground level ozone formation. Ground level ozone can irritate the respiratory system, causing wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing, and is the main ingredient in “smog.” Long periods of exposure can cause permanent respiratory damage. NOx also contributes to acid rain, which can damage buildings, destroy aquatic ecosystems, and deteriorate water quality.

Motor vehicles are responsible for 56 percent of all carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that reduces oxygen delivery to the body, impairs mental functioning, and like NOx, contributes to ground-level ozone formation.

Cars, especially older cars and vehicles that run on diesel, emit particulate matter. Particulate matter causes health problems for individuals with heart and lung conditions. It also reduces visibility.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) traps heat in the atmosphere. In the U.S., automobiles produce over 2 billion tons ofCO2 each year.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted by automobiles not only while running, but also after a car has been turned off because heat from the engine causes the molecules to evaporate. VOCs lead to ozone formation and can cause headaches, as well as eye, nose, and throat irritation.

Biking also benefits your health! Sixty percent of Americans engage in virtually no physical activity and 40 percent are clinically overweight. Biking at even a moderate pace burns about 400 calories an hour. Heart disease is the nation’s number one killer and is closely linked to obesity. Cardiovascular exercise like biking helps to reduce the risk of heart disease by raising levels of HDL “good” cholesterol, lowering levels of triglycerides, and lowering blood pressure.

Biking provides cardiovascular benefits without putting too much stress on knees and joints. Freeway noise, traffic jams, and other stresses on the road can take their toll on a commuter’s mental health. Exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to reduce stress levels, and a bike commute provides a fun opportunity for outdoor activity.

When you do hit the road on your bike, make sure to take proper precautions to stay safe. Helmets reduce injury rates by 85 percent – choose one that fits snugly and sits flat on your head.

Wear clothing that makes you visible to drivers – neon, reflectors, or other bright clothing. Avoid biking at night, when it’s harder to be seen.

Check for traffic before entering intersections and ride with the flow of traffic to prevent accidents. Make sure you can hear what’s going on around you – never wear headphones while riding your bike.

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

MAY 17, 2007: FROZEN PINEAPPLES!

Hawaii’s lowest temperature was recorded on this date in 1979. The mercury fell to 12 degrees at the Mauna Kea Observatory, elevation of 13,770 feet. Hawaii is the only state whose lowest recorded temperature is above zero degrees.

It won’t be that cold around here, but we are chilling down. Temperatures will not get out of the 50’s this afternoon. Clouds will likely keep temperatures from falling too much tonight but breaks in the clouds Friday night and early Saturday morning will send temperatures down into the upper 30’s.

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

MAY 16, 2007: ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

We've all heard the expression "once in a blue moon," and maybe you thought it might have something to do with the moon appearing blue. Maybe some of you think the moon is made of blue cheese? I personally think the moon is made of swiss cheese, what else would explain all the holes? The true definition of a "blue" moon is when there are two full moons in a calendar month, which is happening this month. The second full moon this month will occur on May 31st.

Given that the full moon occurs every 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, 2.8 seconds, this means there is a blue moon about every two and a half years.

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

MAY 15, 2007: MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

As the days lengthen, about 2 minutes per day, and the sun climbs higher in the sky, the sun becomes increasingly intense the more directly overhead. We are all anxious to enjoy the time outdoors wearing t-shirts and shorts. However we should limit our exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and an increased risk of skin cancer for all skin types. The most intense sunlight occurs from 10 am to 4 pm.

While solid overcast cut UV rays, the UV can penetrate clouds and you can burn even on cloudy days. Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and reapply every 2 hours. Do you know the shadow rule? UV exposure is greater when your shadow is shorter than you are. Exposure is less intense when your shadow is taller than you are.

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

MAY 14, 2007: NEW REPORT ON GLOBAL WARMING

A new study by NASA scientists suggests that greenhouse-gas warming may raise average summer temperatures in the eastern United States nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the 2080s.

"There is the potential for extremely hot summertime temperatures in the future, especially during summers with less-than-average frequent rainfall," said lead author Barry Lynn of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Columbia University, New York. The research found that eastern U.S. summer daily high temperatures that currently average in the low-to-mid-80s (degrees Fahrenheit) will most likely soar into the low-to-mid-90s during typical summers by the 2080s. In extreme seasons — when precipitation falls infrequently — July and August daily high temperatures could average between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit in cities such as Chicago, Washington, and Atlanta.

To reach their conclusions, the researchers analyzed nearly 30 years of observational temperature and precipitation data and also used computer model simulations that considered soil, atmospheric, and oceanic conditions and projected changes in greenhouse gases. The simulations were produced using a widely-used weather prediction model coupled to a global model developed by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

The global model, one of the models used in the recently issued climate report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), was utilized in this study to identify future changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns due to the build up of greenhouse gases. This information was then fed into the weather prediction model to forecast summer-to-summer temperature variability in the eastern United States during the 2080s. The weather model showed that extreme summertime surface temperatures developed when carbon dioxide emissions were assumed to continue to increase about two percent a year, the "business as usual" scenario. These findings are too recent to be included in the latest IPCC report.

The weather prediction model used in this research is advantageous because it assesses details about future climate at a smaller geographic scale than global models, providing reliable simulations not only on the amounts of summer precipitation, but also on its frequency and timing. This is an important capability for predicting summer temperatures because observed daily temperatures are usually higher on rainless days and when precipitation falls less frequently than normal.

Observational climate data also showed that sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean have a significant influence on summer air temperatures in the eastern U.S. "Relatively cool waters in the eastern Pacific often result in stubborn summer high-pressure systems over the eastern states that block storms, reducing the frequency of precipitation below normal, noted study co-author Richard Healy of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass. "Less frequent storms result in higher surface and atmospheric temperatures that then feedback on the atmospheric circulation to further reduce storm frequency and raise surface temperatures even more." The global model simulated rainfall too frequently, so that its surface temperatures were not appropriately sensitive to interannual changes in Pacific sea surface temperatures. "Since the weather prediction model simulated the frequency and timing of summer precipitation more reliably than the global model, its daily high temperature predictions for the future are also believed to be more accurate," added co-author Leonard Druyan, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Columbia University. In comparison, the researchers say that a number of the global models used in previous studies of future climate change predict too frequent precipitation that often falls too early in the day. As a result, they tend to underestimate the amount of future warming by reflecting solar radiation back to space before it can warm the surface and by simulating excessive evaporation from the wet ground. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that has documented the impact of precipitation simulation imperfections on model predictions of surface air temperature. "Using high-resolution weather prediction models, we were able to show how greenhouse gases enhance feedbacks between precipitation, radiation, and atmospheric circulations that will likely lead to extreme temperatures in our not so distant future," said Lynn.

The study is published in the April 2007 issue of the American Meteorological Society's Journal of Climate.

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

MAY 13, 2007: MOTHER NATURE GIVES MOMS EVERYWHERE A SPECIAL TREAT!

Mother's Day was quite pleasant in the Ohio Valley this year! Cooler, drier air worked its way into the area for comfortable conditions no matter what plans you had for mom Sunday. The official high temperature was 68 degrees with sunny skies.

Temps, however, will continue to fall Sunday night through Monday morning, with patchy frost possible again for this Monday morning. Lows will dip into the mid to upper 30's. Our average low temp is 48 degrees. Jackets will be needed for the bus stop, but then break out the shorts for Monday afternoon as highs get into the mid 70's.

Tuesday will be very summer-like with highs in the 80's. Thunderstorms are a good possibility Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with a cold front moving through. Highs Wednesday only in the 60's.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 12, 2007: SPRING MEANS BABY WILDLIFE...RESIST URGE TO INTERFERE!

Just because you see wildlife alone, such as a fawn in tall grass or a baby bird on the ground, doesn't mean they are orphaned or abandoned, according to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.

Unless a baby animal is visibly hurt or in a dangerous situation, such as in the road, resist the urge to "save it." The baby may not need rescuing.

Go inside and wait to see if the mother returns. Be patient, wildlife experts advise. Mothers won't endanger their little ones by returning if you're anywhere nearby, according to wildlife experts.

Certain events that are upsetting to us are a normal part of development in the wild. Like deer, mother rabbits only return to their babies a few times a day. What about grounded baby birds? Fledgling birds often end up on the groud. That's just part of learning to fly, experts say.

"The best chance of survival that a wildlife baby has is with its mother," says one expert. So before you intervene, consult a wildlife specialist or a trained professional who works with injured animals.

When help is needed, a little goes a long way. Moving a baby off a road and into nearby cover allows the mother to find it when she comes back. And she will, if she isn't already watching you from the shadows.

Common wisdom goes that a mother will abandon her baby if it has been handled by a human. But touching the baby briefly usually is fine. If you are sure an animal needs to be moved, do so calmly and quickly. To protect yourself from teeth and claws, wear leather gloves or use a towel. If the baby is obviously in distress-its injured or infested with insects, its ribs are visible or its mother is dead-place it in a box with toweling and deliver it to a rehabilitation professional or a veterinarian.

Source: parade.com. You can learn more about how you can protect wild animals and for links to wildlife rescue centers across the country.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 11, 2007: PLANTING FLOWERS FOR MOM?

The warm weather of late has everyone thinking of summer and summertime gardening. I even started planting some geraniums and petunias this week. I typically wait until the middle of May just to be on the safe side, just in case we get one more cold snap with frost. The weather will get cooler this weekend and a few places might have to contend with frost Sunday night into early Monday morning. High pressure will be overhead Sunday evening providing for a perfect radiational cooling set up. The clear skies and calm winds will allow all the built up heat from the daytime sun to escape into out of space. Most of us will wake up to temperatures in the upper 30’s, but usual cool spots such as valleys will wake up to reading colder than that. So if you get Mom a hanging basket for Mother’s Day you might want to advise her to keep inside for the night.

FROST INFORMATION

Normals

Average date of last killing frost in spring April 21

Average date of first killing frost in Autumn October 20

Average length of growing season 182 days

Records

Latest date of killing frost is spring May 29 1894

Earliest date of killing frost in autumn September 17 1959

Latest date of killing frost in autumn November 11 1994

Shortest growing season 131 days May 29 1894 - Oct 7 1894

Longest growing season 215 days Apr 1 1901 - Nov 2 1901

215 days Apr 8 1902 - Nov 9 1902

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

MAY 10, 2007: SUBTROPICAL STORM ANDREA

It appears that the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will get an early start. The National Hurricane Center has named its first storm of the season called subtropical storm Andrea. Andrea would be the first named Atlantic basin storm in May since 1981 and the third-earliest named storm since 1950.

So what is a subtropical storm anyway? A subtropical storm is a low pressure system in tropical of subtropical latitudes that has characteristics of both tropical lows (like hurricanes) and extratropical lows.

Here is a look at other notable early starts to the tropical season:

Tropical Storm Ana -- April 21-24, 2003

Tropical Storm Arlene -- May 6-9, 1981

Subtropical Storm 1 -- May 21-25, 1976

Subtropical Storm Alpha -- May 23-29, 1972

Hurricane Alma -- May 17-27, 1970 (Category 1 south of the Cayman Islands)

Hurricane Able -- May 15-24, 1951(Category 3 as it was off the Outer Banks of North Carolina)

Andrea is the “A” storm in the Atlantic tropical basin. Take a look at the remainder names to see if your name has a chance to become a hurricane:

ANDREA

BARRY

CHANTAL

DEAN

ERIN

FELIX

GABRIELLE

HUMBERTO

INGRID

JERRY

KAREN

LORENZO

MELISSA

NOEL

OLGA

PABLO

REBEKAH

SEBASTIEN

TANYA

VAN

WENDY

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

MAY 9, 2007: CRICKET WEATHER

To convert cricket chirps to degrees Fahrenheit, count number of chirps in 14 seconds then add 40 to get temperature.

Example: 30 chirps + 40 = 70° F

So, how do crickets make that chirping sound?

Usually, the males are the "singers." The male cricket rubs a scraper (a sharp ridge on his wing) against a series of wrinkles, or "files", on the other wing. The tone of the chirping depends upon the distance between the wrinkles. There are several reasons why crickets chirp. They may be calling to attract a female with a loud and monotonous sound or courting a nearby female with a quick, softer chirp. Crickets also chirp to sound a danger alert when sensing trouble.

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

MAY 8, 2007: TIME TO GET THE AIR CONDITIONER READY

There will be a feel of summer in the air over the next few days as temperatures soar towards and in some cases above the 80 degree mark. Summertime heat and humidity will soon be here so now is a good time to get that air conditioner in tip top shape.

The typical U.S. household spends over 200 dollars on air conditioning each year - and in the warmest parts of the country, that figure can easily double. Spring is the ideal time to have a professional check your cooling system to ensure it is working properly. A properly functioning system will use less energy and run more efficiently, adding up to less air pollution from energy production, and more savings on your energy bill.

Finding any problems and making repairs now will ensure that your system is in working order for summer heat. A professional contractor can check the controls, moving parts, thermostat settings, and electrical components of your system to ensure optimal performance. Once you've had your system checked, you can help to maintain it by regularly checking, cleaning, and changing air filters. Clean air filters can increase efficiency and prevent damage to your air conditioning system.

Check out Energy Star's Maintenance Checklist for a list of things a professional should review during a check-up: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_maintenance.

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

MAY 7, 2007: ACTIVE TORNADO SEASON

The Plains are reeling from a tornado blitz this weekend. The reported United States twisters have already surpassed recent May full month totals. With only one week into May 164 tornadoes have touched down in the United States. The record breaking May of 2003 started with 207 tornadoes in the first week and ended up with 543 tornado touch downs.

The tornado that decimated the town of Greensburg, Kansas, on Friday night has been rated an EF-5 by a team of meteorologists. This is the first tornado to receive an EF-5 designation since the Enhanced Fujita Scale was introduced this past February. The storm cut a 22 mile track, almost 2 miles wide, and had winds estimated over 200 mph.

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

MAY 6, 2007: FROSTY NIGHT BEFORE BIG WARM-UP

A Frost Advisory has been issued for Tyler County until 9 a.m Monday. Much of the Ohio Valley will be quite cold overnight, and a warm jacket would be a good idea for the bus stop Monday morning. Temperatures will drop into the mid to upper 30's.

After that, get ready for a summer-like week! Temperatures by the afternoon Monday will rebound into the low 70's. Tuesday will be mostly sunny and even warmer with a forecast high temperature of 78 degrees! A few more clouds roll in on Wednesday and Thursday with warming temps on Thursday to around 80 degrees. A Canadian High Pressure system is to thank, and it will be sticking around for much of the week as you can see.

A system will move in by the weekend and bring a chance rain showers and thunderstorms. So enjoy this beautiful week coming up!

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 5, 2007: WHAT CAUSES FALSE ECHOS ON RADAR

As most weather enthusiasts may know a false echo on the radar simply means the green that you see is not precipation. False echos are one of the biggest enemies of the meteorologist!

Ground clutter is the most commmon false echo. It results from backscattering from the radar beam sidelobes.

Very often, radar shows "stuff" in the air, or obsticles above the ground that aren't rain. For example, birds and bugs can show up on radar, especially in the evening. This is because in the evening, as the atmosphere near the ground cools, the density of the air near the ground begins to increase. Having different density air at different heights causes the atmosphere to act like a lense.

Since radar beams are just like light, they bend, and toward the ground in the evening, exposing the beam to much more of the dust, birds and bugs near the ground. This results in false echoes. Think of a mirage, its the same effect.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

MAY 3, 2007: NEARBY TORNADO

A tornado struck Mercer county in Northwestern Pennsylvania this past Tuesday evening. About 6:15 pm on the evening of May 1, 2007, a tornado touched down about a mile and a half north of the town of Mercer in a mobile home park. There was a very sporadic path of damage that extended to the southeast to just east of Interstate 79, about 4 miles in length. The tornado was not on the ground for the entire length of the path. The tornado was classified as and EF0 on the new enhanced Fujita Scale. The estimated maximum wind speed was 75 mph. Most of the damage consisted of uprooted and snapped trees. A few telephone poles were downed and one barn was destroyed. Several trees fell onto two mobile homes causing significant damage.

Today’s Weather Quiz

This type of weather phenomenon is affecting the Phoenix area. What is it?

A. haboob

B. monsoon

C. Santa Ana

A. haboob which is a dust or sand storm

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

MAY 2, 2007: AIR QUALITY AWARENESS WEEK

The National Weather Service has designated this week Air Quality Awareness Week. There are many kinds of air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the Air Quality Index for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Ozone and particle pollution are two common pollutants found in many parts of the country.

Ozone is a colorless odorless gas. It’s the same kind of gas that’s found in the ozone layer. But in the ozone layer – high in the Earth’s stratosphere – ozone protects us from the sun. At ground level, where we live, ozone pollution is unhealthy to breathe. Ground-level ozone forms when pollutants from cars, trucks, power plants, industries, and some consumer products “cook” in the sun. Ozone usually peaks during the afternoon hours, when sunlight is the most intense.

Particle pollution consists of microscopic particles in the air. It can be a problem in the winter or summer, depending on where you live. Particle pollution causes haze, blurring the view in many cities and national parks. And like ozone, it’s not healthy to breathe.

You can help reduce pollution in your community by following these guidelines. These recommendations are especially important when ozone is expected to be unhealthy:

Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.

Choose a cleaner commute—share a ride to work or use public transportation. Combine errands and reduce trips.

Bicycle or walk to errands when possible.

Defer use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment for later in the day, or for days when the air quality is better.

Refuel cars and trucks after dusk.

Limit engine idling.

Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).

Avoid spilling gas and don't top off the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.

Properly dispose of household paints, solvents and pesticides. Store these materials in airtight containers.

Paint with a brush, not a sprayer.

Buy low VOC paints for indoor and outdoor painting jobs.

You can help prevent or reduce unhealthy levels of particle pollution with these actions: :

Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.

Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.

Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is forecast.

Replace your car's air filter and oil regularly

You can track Air Pollution by checking out this website: http://www.airnow.gov/

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

MAY 1, 2007: A LOOK AT MAY

Welcome to May! Did you know that we gain 56 minutes of daylight from May 1st to May 31st? The days are getting longer and the weather should be getting warmer. The average high temperature for May 1st is 67 degrees and the average low temperature is 44 degrees. By the end of the month our average high temperature climbs to 76 degrees and average low temperature to 54 degrees. The earliest 90 degree day on record occurred on May 1, 1942.

Unfortunately we can still see cold weather in May with record low temperatures near or below freezing through the middle of the month. This is why I always recommend planting flowers after May 15th.

On May 9, 1966 we recorded a half inch of snow! Average precipitation for the month is 3.59 inches. The wettest May was 2003 with 8.05 inches falling. Only 1.43 inches of rain fell during the May of 1986 making it the driest on record.

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