SEPTEMBER 30, 2007: SUNDAY'S UPSIDE DOWN RAINBOW!

A nice lady by the name of Margi Bolinger of Martins Ferry called and said she and her son saw an upside down rainbow high in the sky between 5-6 p.m. Sunday!

"It was very bright," she said, but adding most people may not have seen it because it was straight up in the sky. She is exactly right about that!

What Margi saw is known as a circumzenithal arc. It has to do with the sunlight playing on the ice crystals in the clouds.

Circumzenithal arcs are one of the most beautiful and most colourful halos. They can be as colourful and bright as a rainbow or even brighter. For this reason they have often been taken for rainbows. But contrary to a rainbow which forms a circle around the anthelic point, a circumzenithal arc is an arc around the zenith. Only the part pointing towards the sun is visible. Normally a quarter of a circle appears, but in special cases you can see half of it. Its vertex is at about 48° above the sun.

At a sun elevation of 32 the circumzenithal arc disappears in the zenith. When the sun is higher than 32°, it cannot arise. At a sun elevation of 22.1° it has its greatest brightness. Thus it is observed in most cases at sun elevations between 15° and 25°.

Formation: Just like the parhelia, circumzenithal arcs are caused by horizontally orientated plate-shaped ice crystals which are floting in the air. But to generate a circumzenithal arc, the light enters the base face of the plate and leaves a prism face. As the prism faces are perpendicular to the base, the refraction angle is 90°. When there are parhelia, there is a high possibility for a circumzenithal arc to be visible, especially at sun elevations between 15° and 25°.

Unfortunately very few people know the circumzenithal arc, although it appears as nearly as often as a rainbow. Probably the main reason for this is the fact that you have to look almost vertically upward to see it.

Light playing on water drops, dust or ice crystals in the atmosphere produces a host of visual spectacles - rainbows, halos, glories, coronas and many more.

Thanks Margi for calling and you were quite lucky to see such a beautiful sight!

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2007: FALL SEASON OFF TO A MILD START

Another warm week is coming our way, feeling more like summer than the first week of October! Your geraniums are probably still looking good due to the warm temperatures we've been experiencing.

The Fall season does bring an array of weather and temperatures before we begin to see a definite shift from very warm to more seasonal temps. in the low 70's and 60's for the daily highs in October.

The current weather pattern will allow a southerly flow of tropical air to move up into the Ohio Valley for all of next week. A high pressure system will block any cold fronts or weather systems from moving east into our area, thus this set up is known as a "Blocking High" for that reason.

Temps next week will hover around the 80 degree mark. If you're a big fan of autumn like me, you'd rather see cooler weather.

But I keep reminding myself once the cool air is here, it's probably here to stay! So try to enjoy the warmth, and don't put away those shorts just yet from the looks of things!

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2007: WOLLY WORMS AND THE UPCOMING WINTER

Those fuzzy, wuzzy, wolly worms are beginning to pop up. I spotted a few in my backyard this week. Folklore has it that woolly worms are really miniature weather forecasters. Careful observation of these short, fuzzy caterpillars in the fall supposedly can tell you what kind of weather the coming winter will hold.

The woolly worms of winter weather forecasting fame are black at each end with a reddish brown band in the middle. The size of the brown band is said to be an indicator of winter's severity. The narrower the band, translates into a harsher winter. If woolly worms are more brown than black and the middle band tends toward orange, that indicates the winter will be mild.

Well, that's a fun bit of folk wisdom, but it's simply not true. There is no scientific evidence suggesting that woolly worms can predict the weather.

Woolly worm is a common name for the larval stage of the Isabella tiger moth. The scientific name for this insect is Pyrrhactia isabella. Other common names for this caterpillar are woolly bears, black-ended bears and banded woolly bears (the name approved by the Entomological Society of America).

Woolly worms grow from 1-3 inches long and are found throughout the United States. Scientists say variations in their bands are linked to differences in species and larval stage, not the weather.

The genus Pyrrhactia includes many different species. Some are solid black, without any bands and others have bands of varying sizes. Woolly worms go through six larval stages before entering their pupal or winter cocoon stage. In other words, the caterpillar molts six times and the color and size of its bands may change from molt to molt.

So, woolly worms cannot be counted on to provide a peek at what the coming winter holds. Still, this fall's woolly worms will become next spring's moths. And that in itself is a pretty amazing feat.

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

SEPTEMBER 27, 2007: WHY DO CLOUDS FLOAT?

There is a notion that clouds float in the sky, but the truth is that it’s incorrect. Clouds don’t float! The tiny droplets of water and ice crystals of which clouds are composed of actually do respond to the downward tug of gravity. They fall, only a foot or two per minute, but they do fall.

So if cloud particles fall, what keeps the clouds up in the sky? The quick answer is that clouds remain aloft because they only exist in an environment of rising air. This rising motion can be very gentle or can be very violent in cumulonimbus clouds (thunderstorm clouds).

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

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007: ENJOY THE HARVEST MOON

The Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest to the autumnal equinox, which occurs (in the northern hemisphere) on or about September 23rd, and in the southern hemisphere on or about March 21st.

Its physical characteristics - rising time, path across the sky - are similar to those of the Hunter's moon.

All full moons have their own special characteristics based primarily on the whereabouts of the ecliptic in the sky at the time of year that these moons are visible. The full moons of September, October and November as seen from the northern hemisphere - which correspond to the full moons of March, April and May as seen from the southern hemisphere - are well known in the folklore of the sky.

All full moons rise around the time of sunset. However, although in general the moon rises about 50 minutes later each day, as it moves in orbit around Earth, the Harvest Moon and Hunter's Moon are special, because around the time of these full moons, the time difference between moonrise on successive evenings is shorter than usual. In other words, the moon rises approximately 30 minutes later, from one night to the next, as seen from about 40 degrees N. or S. latitude, for several evenings around the full Hunter's or Harvest Moons.

Thus there is no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise around the time following these full moons. In times past this feature of these autumn moons was said to help farmers working to bring in their crops (or, in the case of the Hunter's Moon, hunters tracking their prey). They could continue being productive by moonlight even after the sun had set. Hence the name Harvest (or Hunter's) Moon.

The Harvest Moon can come before or after the autumnal equinox. It is simply the full moon closest to that equinox. About once every four years it occurs in October, depending on the cycles of the moon.

Many cultures celebrate with gatherings, festivals, and rituals that are intricately attuned to the Harvest Moon or Hunter's Moon.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2007: FALL LEAVES AND BANANAS

Three factors influence autumn leaf color-leaf pigments, length of night, and weather, but not quite in the way we think. The timing of color change and leaf fall are primarily regulated by the calendar, that is, the increasing length of night. None of the other environmental influences-temperature, rainfall, food supply, and so on-are as unvarying as the steadily increasing length of night during autumn. As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begin to paint the landscape with Nature's autumn palette.

The green color in unripe bananas comes from chlorophyll, the same pigment that gives green leaves their color. As bananas ripen, the chlorophyll breaks down and disappears, revealing the yellow color which has been there all along. The yellows and oranges of autumn leaves are also revealed as their chlorophyll breaks down. Of course, other changes also occur as bananas ripen: the starches change to sugar and the flesh softens as pectin (a carbohydrate) breaks down.

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

SEPTEMBER 24, 2007: THE FALL OR AUTUMN OUTLOOK

Did you every wonder why the season that started yesterday has two names? After all, spring is spring, summer is summer, and winter is winter, but why can the season between summer and winter be either fall or autumn? Is it because autumn comes from the Autumnal Equinox which marks the start of the season? If that were the case then why don’t we call spring, Vern in honor of the Vernal Equinox? Oh well, I guess it’s just something to ponder.

The warm year that the United States has been experiencing, the 13th-warmest since records began 113 years ago is forecast to continue for the remainder of 2007. The Climate Prediction Center reports today that almost the entire contiguous USA should continue to experience above-average temperatures through December (left), thanks in part to a developing La Nina climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean.

As for precipitation, most of the USA east of the Rockies should be near-normal, while the Southwest remains dry and the Pacific Northwest should be wetter-than-average.

TODAY’S WEATHER QUIZ

We have seen ___ consecutive days without any rain.

A. 5

B. 8

C. 13

ANSWER: B. 8 days

SEPTEMBER 23, 2007: ROOSTERS AND WEATHER!

I was so excited this summer when my young hen started laying an egg a day, I just had to tell my co workers. That led to a conversation about roosters and hens. I had many ask, and I wondered too, why roosters crow and why in the morning?

Here's what I found out:

Roosters don't crow at dawn to be noisy or annoying. They are protecting their turf!

Before chickens were domesticated, a rooster--that's a male chicken--used to travel with a group of female chickens. The group claimed a particular area as theirs; they raised their families and hunted for food in this territory. The rooster took it upon himself to crow out to any passing birds that this is their spot.

Song birds do the same thing. It's still pretty dim and cold at dawn, even though the sun is rising.

Dim light means birds can't find food very well. On top of that, insects, which are the preferred food of many birds, don't come out in cold temperatures.

Birds don't have much to do until the insects come out, so birds that wander use the time to find a spot for the day.

That's where the singing come in. Birds that already have a territory, including chickens, sing to send a message to both neighboring birds and passers-by that this is their territory.

So, the next time you hear a rooster crow or a song bird happily chirping in the early morning, you'll know what they are really saying: Keep Out!

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2007: FALL SEASON OFFICIALLY BEGINS SUNDAY MORNING

We welcome in the Fall season Sunday at 5:51 a.m.! The weather will still be above average, but much more pleasant. Highs will be in the upper 70's with a light North wind that will feel more comfortable. Saturday's high was 86 degrees!

Sunday's arrival of Fall is known as the Autumnal Equinox. An equinox in astronomy is the event is the event when the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator, occurring around March 20 and September 22 each year.

There is either an equinox or a solstice on about the 21st day of the last month of every quarter of the calendar year. On these dates, night and day are nearly of the same length and the Sun crosses the equator.

The equinoxes are the two days each year when the center of the Sun spends an equal amount of time above the below the horizon at every location on Earth.

The word equinox derives from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night).

Happy Fall!

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007: LAST WEEK OF SUMMER DOESN'T DISSAPPOINT!

Hope everyone's enjoying this fantastic weather, which will last through early next week. Highs today in the low 80's...another above average day. Normal high temperature for our area is 74 degrees. This is the place to be..with abundunt sunshine and pleasant conditions.

We'll welcome in the fall season Sunday morning with sunny, dry and warm weather once again, still feeling like summer!

Fall officially arrives at 5:51 a.m. Sunday morning, which is known as the Autumnal Equinox.

It will be a while longer before it begins to feel like the fall season. Our next chance of rain will come mid week next week!

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2007: ARCTIC ICE AT AN ALL TIME LOW

Arctic sea ice is at the lowest level ever recorded, scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo., reported last week. The NSIDC reports that Arctic sea ice covers about 1.63 million square miles, 20% less than the previous all-time low of 2.05 million square miles set in 2005. The difference is about the size of Texas and California combined.

Sea ice is frozen sea water that keeps polar areas cool and helps moderate global climate. Arctic sea ice could decline more before it begins to increase through the fall. The annual minimum of Arctic sea ice is usually around September 13, but has occurred as late as September 25.

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

SEPTEMBER 18, 2007: LEAF WATCH

Fall Color’s arrival depends primarily on decreasing daylight hours – a cycle that is repeated at the same time each year without fail. Leaves begin to turn color in late September, with the color reaching peak by the third week of October.

However, the vividness of the colors and how long colored leaves remain on the trees depend on weather and can vary from year to year. The cool nights and sunny days of September are key to striking Fall Color landscapes. These varying temperatures bring on a chemical change in leaves, producing the deep russets and purples that light up the woodlands in fall.

Moist conditions tend to keep leaves on the trees and prolong the season. However, severe windstorms can bring leaves down abruptly and cut the Fall Color season short. Conversely, periods of quiet weather can lengthen the season well into November.

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

SEPTEMBER 17, 2007: IVAN REVISTED

Three years ago on this date the remnants of Hurricane Ivan dumped 5.36 inches of rain in Steubenville. That day went down in the record books as the second wettest day on record. Rainfall amounts in Wheeling reached 9 inches. Many recall Ivan, but do you remember Frances? The remnants of Hurricane Frances deposited 3.39 inches of rain in Steubenville on September 8, 2004. This date is the 9th wettest day on record. The double whammy from the tropics in about a week time caused the widespread flooding three years ago on this date.

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

SEPTEMBER 16, 2007: FALL MIGRATION IS OFFICIALLY AFOOT!

Wildlife from hawks to butterflies to songbirds are on the move. We'll be tracking this seasonal movement over the next several weeks, so stayed tuned.

Birders and wildlife watchers are reporting thousands of broad-winged hawks gathering in New England and beginning their southward migration. They will follow the Appalachians down into the Mid-Atlantic states over the course of this week.

Be on the lookout for dozens, or hundreds, of hawks swirling and rising high into the sky as they move southward. This behavior, called kettling, gives the raptors' wings a rest and saves them energy as they hitch a free ride on the warm air currents that rise upward.

From southern Canada across the northern United States east of the Rockies, monarch butterflies are in full migration. Monarch watchers have reported large numbers of these orange and black butterflies heading south to their wintering grounds in Mexico.

You can help migrating monarchs by planting late-blooming plants such as goldenrod, ironweed, sunflower and aster that provide the butterflies with nectar to fuel their long journey.

Millions of monarchs will spend the winter roosting in mass numbers in just a few spots in the mountains of Mexico, returning to the United States in early spring.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

Source: David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation

SEPTEMBER 14, 2007: HUMBERTO AND WEEKEND CHILL

Hurricane Humberto became a hurricane faster than any other storm on record. The storm, initially expected to be not much more than wet, strengthened from a tropical depression to full-scale hurricane landfall faster than any storm on record: just 16 hours!

We are seeing clouds from what is left of Humberto in our sky today. The rain from Humberto will skirt by to our south and east missing the area. A cold front could trigger a few showers this afternoon or evening. This cold front will usher in late October-like weather into the Ohio Valley this weekend. High temperatures will hover around 60 degrees Saturday and low temperatures will plummet towards 40 degrees by Sunday morning. Some outlying areas could easily see temperatures in the upper 30’s Sunday morning! This cold snap won’t last very long as warmer air will spill back into the area by early next week.

TODAY’S WEATHER QUIZ

A new tropical storm has formed in the open Atlantic. What is it’s name?

A. Ike

B. Ingrid

C. Igor

ANSWER: Ingrid, Ike is the I storm for 2008 and Igor is the I storm for 2010.

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

SEPTEMBER 12, 2007: “OLD” FARMER’S ALMANAC CHIMES IN ON UPCOMING WINTER

A few weeks ago the Farmer’s Almanac predicted that the upcoming winter would be colder and snowier than normal. Now it’s time for The Old Farmer's Almanac to chime in. The Old Farmer's Almanac is relying on time-honored, complex calculations to predict that 2008 will be the warmest year in a century, but it also is banking on a factor anyone can understand: years that end in "8" have weird weather.

This year's edition, on newsstands today, predicts a warmer than average winter in much of the country. Believers will look for below-average snowfall.

Using a secret formula based on sunspots, weather patterns and meteorology, the almanac points to a hot summer in most areas, but cool and dry in the upper Midwest. It's also looking for drought prompting water management and wildfire problems in Florida and the western states. Elsewhere, look for more rain than normal.

Established in 1792, the Old Farmer's Almanac is North America's oldest continuously published periodical. The little yellow magazine still comes with the hole in the corner so it can hang in outhouses.

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

SEPTEMBER 11, 2007: NO THERMOMETER, NO WORRY, I HAVE A RHODODENDRON

When the temperature drops below 35F, rhododendron leaves begin to cup and curl at the edges. At 25F, the leaves have curled so tight that half the leaf surface has disappeared and the leaves droop. When temperatures hit the teens, leaves shrivel even tighter, turn brownish-green and dangle like stiff string beans. This response to temperature changes is a rhododendron's method of preventing loss of moisture through the leaves.

The upper side of a rhododendron leaf is leathery. The bottom side is dappled with tiny air valves that control the flow of air in and out of a leaf. Cold air contains less moisture than warm air. So when low temperatures and high winds arrive, the leaf valves close. By looking out a window on a winter day, one can determine roughly how cold it is by the degree the rhododendron leaves have curled and drooped. When temperatures rise, the leaves open again.

The rhododendron makes the same response in summer when temperatures become excessive; only the leaves curl upward to prevent undue moisture loss.

Rhododendrons are also subject to leaf scorch in winter months, particularly in January, February, and March when the sun marches northward. That is why these plants prefer broken shade -- from a tall tree, a tall building, or a nearby hedge.

TODAY’S WEATHER QUIZ

Which of the following letters are not used to begin hurricane names?

A. Q, U, Z

B. Q, V, X

C. V, X, Z

ANSWER: Q, U, Z, in addition to X and Y are not used to name hurricanes.

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

SEPTEMBER 10, 2007: A TOUCH OF AUTUMN THIS WEEK

Seven of September's opening nine days here have been warm with highs of 80 degrees or higher, including one official 91 degrees on September 6th. All that is going to change later this week as the mercury is expected to embark on a decidedly downhill trend. After fluctuating through the 70s early this week, a slug of chilly air will descend into the Ohio Valley on Wednesday with daytime highs in the upper 60’s. The low temperature Thursday morning will most likely dip into the 40’s. We should see some moderation with temperatures by late in the work week before another shot of cool air arrives for the weekend.

TODAY’S WEATHER QUIZ

Which city in the lower 48 states drops below freezing more than any other?

A. Butte, Montana

B. Boise, Idaho

C. Cheyenne, Wyoming

ANSWER: A. Butte, Montana typically sees 233 days a year in which the temperature drops below freezing.

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

SEPTEMBER 9, 2007: UPDATE ON TROPICAL STORM GABRIELLE

While we had some rain here in the Ohi Valley this weekend, it wasn't because of Tropical Storm Gabrielle.

In fact, the weather system influencing our weather helped to keep Gabrielle away from us!

As of Sunday evening, Tropical Storm Gabrielle buffeted the North Carolina coast with gusty winds and some rain, but weakened as it began turning back to head out over the Atlantic Ocean, U.S. forecasters said.

The blustery core of the storm came ashore along the Cape Lookout National Seashore shortly before noon, kicking up the surf and sand and bringing scattered showers to the barrier islands known as the Outer Banks, forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

The seventh named storm of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, Gabrielle's top sustained winds had slipped to 45 miles per hour by 8 p.m. It was about 8 miles west of Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina.

The storm was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 mph and was expected to turn to the northeast.

"On this track the center will be moving back over the Atlantic waters in a few hours," the hurricane center said.

Source: Reuters This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2007: TROPICAL STORM BREWING ALONG EAST COAST

Tropical Storm Gabrielle swirled toward North Carolina's Outer Banks Saturday, with rain and high winds expected to brush the coast there Sunday afternoon.

Gabrielle is expected to turn north and curve back out into the Atlantic, according to forecasters there.

The Ohio Valley should stay clear of Gabrielle! High Pressure just to our east is helping to block the storm from heading this way, and push Gabrielle back out into the Atlantic Ocean.

As of 8 p.m. Saturday, Gabrielle was centered about 150 miles southeast of Lookout, N.C., moving northwest about 9 p.m. The storm had top sustained winds of 40 mph, down slightly from earlier, but forecasters said the storm will become more organized.

A tropical storm warning was issued for the North Carolina coastline as well as for Virginia and northward along the East Coast.

The storm is expected to have 50 mph winds by Sunday afternoon. The weather service there is warning of surge flooding up to 3 feet as the storm passes by, with 1 to 3 inches of rain falling in coastal areas and up to 5 inches in isolated spots.

The greatest danger will be flooding in low lying areas and on roads, officials said.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery. Source: Associated Press

SEPTEMBER 7, 2007: LIGHTNING TALK

Have you ever heard the saying “Lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice”? Well that’s not true and I have visual proof. Check out this cool video of the Sears Building in Chicago repeatedly getting struck by lightning.

TODAY’S WEATHER QUIZ

About how many lightning strikes occur each year in the United States?

A. 2 million

B. 20 million

C. 200 million

ANSWER: B. 20 million

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

SEPTEMBER 7, 2007: AMAZING PICTURE OF HURRICANE FELIX!

I found some amazing pictures of Hurricane Felix taken by Hurricane Hunter Randy Bynon. Randy was an aviation weather forecaster for 15 years for the Air Force. Randy currently is a dropsonde systems operator and load master flying with the Hurricane Hunters at Keesler AFB, MS. He has been an amateur photographer for 20 years. Check out Randy’s slideshow of Hurricane Felix

TODAY’S WEATHER QUIZ

What is the average date of the last killing frost in Autumn?

A. September 30

B. October 20

C. November 1

ANSWER: October 20

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

TODAY’S WEATHER QUIZ

What is the coldest temperature to be recorded in this area in September?

A. 40 degrees

B. 35 degrees

C. 33 degrees

ANSWER: 33 degrees on September 29, 1951 and September 24, 1950.

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

SEPTEMBER 4, 2007: TROPICAL WEATHER

Hurricane Felix slammed into Nicaragua as a category 5 storm. The eye of Felix was over the Nicaraguan coast near Punta Gorda. Felix was packing potentially catastrophic winds of about 160 miles per hour.

With Felix following the footsteps of Hurricane Dean in achieving category 5 intesity it becomes the first time since record-keeping began in 1851 that the first two hurricanes of the Atlantic hurricane season were Category 5. In fact, there are only three other instances when the first hurricane of the season reached Category 5 status: 1992 (Hurricane Andrew), 1980 (Hurricane Allen) and 1977 (Hurricane Anita).

The peak of hurricane season is less than a week away on September 10th. So far the United States has been spared from most of the hurricane activity, but that could change. An area of low pressure has formed off the southeastern coast of the United States. It is located in a favorable area to strengthen into a tropical system. Only time will tell, stay tuned.

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

SEPTEMBER 3, 2007: HAPPY LABOR DAY FOR THE 125th TIME

On September 5, 1882, some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City to participate in America's first Labor Day parade. After marching from City Hall to Union Square, the workers and their families gathered in Reservoir Park for a picnic, concert, and speeches. This first Labor Day celebration was initiated by Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and labor union leader who a year earlier cofounded the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, a precursor of the American Federation of Labor.

McGuire had proposed his idea for a holiday honoring American workers at a labor meeting in early 1882. New York's Central Labor Union quickly approved his proposal and began planning events for the second Tuesday in September. McGuire had suggested a September date in order to provide a break during the long stretch between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. While the first Labor Day was held on a Tuesday, the holiday was soon moved to the first Monday in September, the date we continue to honor.

New York's Labor Day celebrations inspired similar events across the country. Oregon became the first state to grant legal status to the holiday in 1887; other states soon followed. In 1894, Congress passed legislation making Labor Day a national holiday.

For many decades, Labor Day was used by workers not only to celebrate their accomplishments, but also to air their grievances and discuss strategies for securing better working conditions and salaries. Today, Labor Day is associated less with union activities and protest marches and more with leisure. For many, the holiday is a time for family picnics, sporting events, and summer's last hurrah.

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

September 2, 2007: ALL'S CALM HERE BUT HURRICANE FELIX IS GAINING STRENGTH

The Ohio Valley is the place to be this Labor Day holiday weekend! The best weather in the country is right here!

However, residents in the deep south are keeping their eyes on Hurricane Felix and the projected path.

Hurricane Felix intensified at an alarming rate Sunday while passing north of Aruba and was expected to become an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm as it brushed Central America and neared Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, U.S. forecasters said.

On a similar though more southerly track toward the Yucatan as last month's powerful Hurricane Dean, which killed 27 people, Felix's top sustained winds had increased to 225 km/h by 5 p.m. EDT, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

That made the second hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic storm season, located around 700 kilometres southeast of the Jamaican capital, Kingston, a Category 4, or "major" hurricane capable of causing extensive damage.

Forecasters at the Miami-based hurricane centre said the storm was strengthening at one of the fastest rates seen, as measured by the drop in its minimum internal pressure.

It would be passing over a warm eddy of water in the central Caribbean, finding in it the fuel needed to intensify further within 36 hours into a rare and potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane with winds over 250 km/h.

"The official intensity forecast could be conservative and there is certainly the potential for us to have another Category Five hurricane on our hands before all is said and done," said hurricane centre storm expert Richard Pasch.

Hurricane Dean in mid-August became a Category 5 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before slamming into the Yucatan.

Such strong hurricanes have been rare in the past. Before the devastating 2005 hurricane season, only two years had seen more than one Category 5 hurricane. The 2005 season experienced four, including Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

The hurricane was moving toward the west-northwest. The Dutch authorities lifted hurricane watches for Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire but Jamaica and the Cayman Islands issued storm watches just in case.

None of the major computer models used to predict hurricane tracks took Felix through the Yucatan Channel into the Gulf of Mexico, where the United States gets a third of its domestic crude oil and 15% of its natural gas production.

But most of the models did take Felix across the Yucatan Peninsula into the Bay of Campeche, where Mexico has some major oil fields. Long-range forecasts are unreliable, however.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery. Source: Reuters