JANUARY 28, 2008: HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia occurs when more heat escapes from your body than your body can produce. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia may include gradual loss of mental and physical abilities. Severe hypothermia can lead to death. For most people, hypothermia isn't a serious risk. Still, each year nearly 700 people in the United States die of hypothermia. Prolonged exposure to cold air or cold water temperatures are common causes.

When you're outdoors enjoying such activities as camping, hunting, fishing, boating and skiing, be aware of weather conditions and whether you or others with you are wet and cold. If you get cold and wet, move indoors and get warm and dry early — before you develop hypothermia.

Signs and symptoms

Hypothermia usually occurs gradually. Often, people aren't aware that they need help, much less medical attention. Common signs to look for are shivering, which is your body's attempt to generate heat through muscle activity, and the "-umbles":

•Stumbles •Mumbles •Fumbles •Grumbles

These behaviors may be a result of changes in consciousness and motor coordination caused by hypothermia. Other hypothermia symptoms may include:

•Slurred speech •Abnormally slow rate of breathing •Cold, pale skin •Fatigue, lethargy or apathy

Causes

•Unlike other warm-blooded animals that have a layer of fur or blubber to keep them warm, you need an extra layer of clothing to keep you warm when it's cold outside. Without that extra layer of clothing, more heat escapes from your body than your body can produce. If too much heat escapes, the result is hypothermia. Exposure to cold water and certain medical conditions also can cause hypothermia.

•Your normal core body temperature is usually right around 98.6 F. In hypothermia, your body fails to maintain a normal temperature. An internal body temperature of 95 F or lower signals hypothermia.

•The cause of hypothermia usually is extended exposure to cold temperatures or a cool, damp environment. Other contributing causes include inadequate clothing and neglecting to adequately cover your extremities, particularly your head — a disproportionate amount of heat is lost through your head.

•Hypothermia in milder weather Hypothermia can happen not just in cold winter weather, when there are low temperatures or low wind chill factors, but under milder conditions as well. A rain shower that soaks you to the skin on a cool day can lead to hypothermia if you don't move inside to warm up and dry off. If you stay outside, evaporation of the water from your skin further cools your body, lowering your internal temperature. A wind blowing over the wet parts of your body greatly increases evaporation and cooling.

•An accidental fall into cold water is especially likely to lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia may develop within minutes of being exposed to cold water, or it may take several hours, depending on the water temperature. Water doesn't have to be icy cold to cause hypothermia. Your body loses heat more quickly in water than in air. Any water temperature lower than your body temperature causes your body to lose at least some heat.

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

JANUARY 25, 2008: FROSTBITE

Once the wind chill makes the temperature feel like –28 or colder, exposed skin can freeze in under 30 minutes. When it drops to –40, frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes. Take it to –55, and you're in danger within two minutes. Anything colder than that and you shouldn't go outside at all.

Your body doesn't appreciate being exposed to the cold for too long, so it takes protective action. It puts most of its energy into keeping your core — where your internal organs are located — as warm as possible. Unfortunately, your toes, fingers, cheeks and ears may pay a steep price for keeping the rest of your body toasty.

How do I know if I have frostbite?

You might not, in some cases. But normally, the first sign of frostbite is a stinging or burning sensation in skin that has been exposed to the cold for too long. The length of time depends on how cold it is — or how bad the wind chill. Exposed skin will become red and swollen before the stinging or burning sensation kicks in. If it remains exposed, the skin will feel like it is tingling and it will turn white and waxy as the frostbite progresses. These sensations occur because less blood is flowing to the body's extremities. With a loss of warming blood flow, the fluid within your cells and tissues start to freeze, forming ice crystals and causing physical damage and permanent changes in cell chemistry. Skin could become blistered or turn black if not treated promptly.

How is frostbite treated?

You have to warm up your body. Carefully. It's best to get the afflicted person to a hospital emergency room. If that's not possible, find shelter and give first aid as quickly as possible.

Thaw the affected area by:

•Immersing the frostbitten area in warm water (no more than 40 C).

•Drying and covering the area with warm clothes followed by layers of blankets.

•Holding frostbitten fingers close to warm parts of the body, such as under the armpits.

The patient should also drink hot fluids to help warm the body and increase blood flow to the extremities.

Do not:

•Drink alcohol or smoke.

•Rub, apply snow to, or put intense, direct heat on the frostbitten areas.

•Walk on frozen feet or toes.

Rewarming the frostbitten area can take up to an hour and can cause pain as the skin thaws. If the frostbite is not severe, the skin should return to its normal color and feeling should also return to normal. If there is pain, you can take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin.

Tissue injury is greatest when cooling is slow, cold exposure is prolonged, the rate of rewarming is slow, and, especially, when tissue is partially thawed and refreezes. If the frostbitten areas do not look normal after thawing, you should get to a hospital as soon as possible.

How do I protect myself from frostbite?

Stay out of extreme cold. If you must go out, dress appropriately — layers of clothing work best. If you are out longer than expected, or weather conditions deteriorate, seek shelter. Other steps you can take include:

•Make sure your clothing protects your head, ears, nose, hands, and feet. Also, try to keep your hands and feet dry.

•Watch for any numbness or prickly feelings, which may mean that you are starting to get frostbitten.

•Avoid alcoholic beverages, which might cause you to ignore signs of frostbite.

•Keep your hands warm by tucking them in your armpits periodically.

•Be aware of wind chill values.

How long do the effects of frostbite last?

It depends on how bad the frostbite is. In mild cases, the problems can go away once the skin is rewarmed. In severe cases, the effects can last for weeks. Frostbitten skin could be sensitive to the cold for several months.

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

JANUARY 23, 2008: SNOW TO LIQUID RATIO

You may have heard that 1 inch of rain is equal to 10 inches of snow, but is this statement always true? Sometimes but not all the time is the short answer. You see the liquid to snow ratio is larger when the temperature is colder. Most of our snow falls with a temperature near freezing, so 1 inch of liquid translates into 10 inches of snow. If the temperature is between 27 and 20 degrees then 1 inch of liquid translates to 15 inches of snow. Then lets say the temperature is between 19 and 15 degrees then that 1 inch or liquid would then equal 20 inches of snow! The formula is simple the colder it is the more snow we will be able to squeeze out. That’s why the snow is fluffy and dry when the temperature is colder, however if you want to make a snowman root for the wet snow that falls when temperatures are closer to freezing.

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

JANUARY 22, 2008: LOSING LEAKS

During the winter months, you may notice drafts around windows and doors, which can make your home feel cooler. In many homes, the attic and the basement are where the most problematic air leaks are located. Warm air rises during cold weather, and when the air drifts up to your attic, cold air can be sucked into your home through leaks around doors, windows, and in the basement, wasting money and energy used to heat your home.

One of the best ways to increase wintertime energy efficiency is to seal leaks around your home. Using caulk and other materials to seal leaks and insulate attics and crawl space areas can save Ohio residents between 185 and 380 dollars per year on heating bills, depending on the type of fuel used in the home. West Virginia residents can save between 220 and 410 dollars per year.

You can find help for sealing leaks and insulating your attic space in the "Do-it-Yourself Guide to Energy Star Home Sealing:" http://www.energystar.gov/ia/home_improvement/home_sealing/DIY_COLOR_100_dpi.pdfc

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

JANUARY 21, 2008: COLDEST GAMES IN NFL HISTORY

Last night’s game between the Packers and the Giants will most likely go down as one of the top five coldest NFL playoff games. Temperature at kickoff last night read -1 degree with a wind chill of -23 degrees! BRRRRRR! Below is a list of other BRRRutally cold playoff games:

1)December 31, 1967 - NFL Championship Game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Commonly called the "Ice Bowl" because temperature was -13 degrees F and the wind chill was -48 degrees F. The Packers beat the Cowboys in the final 13 seconds of the game as quarterback Bart Star scored on a 1 yard rushing touchdown. The final score was 27-17.

2) January 10, 1982 - AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Game time temperature was 9 below but is the coldest game ever for wind chill at 59 degrees below zero, as winds gusted up to 35 mph. The Bengals beat the Chargers 27-7, and the only weather related injury was a frost bitten left ear by Bengals defensive end Eddie Edwards.

3) January 7, 1996 - AFC Playoff Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Temperature was -6 degrees F and the Colts defeated the Chiefs 10-7.

4) January 4, 1981 - AFC Playoff Game between the Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Temperature was 5 below zero and snow fell during part of the game. This time the warm weather team, the Oakland Raiders, came out on top holding off the Browns 14-12.

5) January 15, 1994 - AFC playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and the Oakland Raiders at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. Temperature was right at zero with a wind chill of 32 below. The Bills came out victorious thanks to a late Jim Kelly touchdown with a score of 29-23.

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

JANUARY 18, 2008: DON'T LEAVE ANIMALS OUT IN THE COLD

During this spell of dangerously cold weather, animals, too, need to be able to have shelter from below-freezing temperatures and wind.

The Humane Society of the United States is warning pet owners that the bitterly cold air can come down to life or death for your best friend. Not only are companion animals, such as cats and dogs, at risk but so are farm animals. All must be protected from wind and extreme cold.

"The Humane Society urges people to factor in the needs of those who can't ask for help themselves," said Ollie Davidson, intermin director of Disaster Services at the HSUS.

CARING FOR PETS

-- Don't leave pets outdoors, especially when the temperature drops below freezing. Even a garage or basement with blankets is better than just outside in the wind.

--Wind Chill can threaten a pet's life, no matter what the temperature.

--Warm car engines are attractive but dangerous for cats and small wildlife. Knock on hood of vehicle before starting engine.

--De-icing chemicals are hazardous.

--Antifreeze is a deadly poison.

Animals always need fresh water, not ice, during every day of the year, no matter the temperature. All farm animals should have sturdy shelter to get out of the rain, snow and wind.

Keep pet emergency contact numbers handy, such as those for large animal veterinarian in your area, a large animal rescue or an emergency animal transporting facility.

Source: The HSUS

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

JANUARY 17, 2008: 2007 10TH WARMEST IN US AND 5TH WARMEST WORLD WIDE

The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. in 2007 is officially the tenth warmest on record, according to data from scientists at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. The agency also determined the global surface temperature last year was the fifth warmest on record.

U.S. Temperature Highlights * The average U.S. temperature for 2007 was 54.2 degrees F; 1.4 degrees F warmer than the 20th century mean of 52.8 degrees F. NCDC originally estimated in mid-December that 2007 would end as the eighth warmest on record, but below-average temperatures in areas of the country last month lowered the annual ranking. For Alaska, 2007 was the 15th warmest year since statewide records began in 1918.

* Six of the 10 warmest years on record for the contiguous U.S. have occurred since 1998, part of a three decade period in which mean temperatures for the contiguous U.S. have risen at a rate near 0.6 degrees F per decade.

* For the contiguous U.S., the December 2007 mean temperature was 33.6 degrees F, near the 20th century average of 33.4 degrees F. The Southeast was much warmer than average, while 11 states, from the Upper Midwest to the West Coast, were cooler than average.

* Warmer-than-average temperatures for December 2007 in large parts of the more heavily populated eastern U.S. resulted in temperature related energy demand about 1.9 percent below average for the nation as a whole, based on NOAA’s Residential Energy Demand Temperature Index. For the year, the REDTI estimates that national residential energy consumption was about 2.5 percent below average.

U.S. Precipitation Highlights – December 2007 * December 2007 was wetter than normal for the contiguous U.S., the 18th wettest December since national records began in 1895. Thirty-seven states were wetter, or much wetter, than average. Only Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Dakota were drier than average.

* Precipitation was much above average in Washington state, due to a powerful storm that struck the Pacific Northwest in early December. Heavy rain and wind gusts greater than 100 mph caused widespread damage and the worst flooding in more than a decade in parts of western Oregon and Washington. Many locations received more than 10 inches of rainfall during the first three days of the month.

* While above-average precipitation in late November and December led to improving drought conditions in parts of the Southwest, Southeast, and New England, more than three-fourths of the Southeast and half of the West remained in some stage of drought.

Global Highlights * For December 2007, the combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the 13th warmest on record (0.72 degrees F or 0.40 degrees C above the 20th century mean). Separately, the global December land-surface temperature was the eighth warmest on record. The most anomalously warm temperatures occurred from Scandinavia to central Asia.

* La Niña continued to strengthen as ocean surface temperatures in large areas of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific were more than 3 degrees F (1.7 degrees C) below average. The continuation of cooler-than-average temperatures dampened the global ocean average, which was the 18th warmest on record for December.

* For 2007, the global land and ocean surface temperature was the fifth warmest on record. Separately, the global land surface temperature was warmest on record while the global ocean temperature was 9th warmest since records began in 1880. Seven of the eight warmest years on record have occurred since 2001, part of a rise in temperatures of more than 1 degree F (0.6 degrees C) since 1900. Within the past three decades, the rate of warming in global temperatures has been approximately three times greater than the century scale trend.

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

JANUARY 15, 2008: LOVE IS IN THE FORECAST

Do you have the hots for someone or has your love life gone cold? This year it's easier than ever to speak your heart without saying a word and perhaps provide a forecast at the same time. NECCO, makers of "Sweethearts Conversation Hearts" since 1866, are introducing new weather-themed slogans for this Valentine's Day.

With new sayings such as "Melt My Heart," "In a Fog," “Nature Lover,” “Heat Wave,” “Get My Drift,” “Sun Shine,” and "Cloud Nine," you can express yourself romantically as well as meteorologically. According to NECCO's marketing manager, the new sayings, "highlight the excitement and unpredictability of the day-to-day change of weather and people’s love lives."

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

JANUARY 14, 2008: SLIPPING AND SLIDING

It was one of those slipping and sliding starts to our work week. Rain fell much of the day yesterday and continued through the night. Temperatures dropped overnight and that rain turned to snow. Roads that appeared wet turned icy as the mercury fell. Bridges and overpasses of course were first to freeze and “Black Ice” was a problem for many of the fender benders this morning.

Black ice is a winter driving danger, especially at night and early in the morning. Bridges and overpasses are favored in locations for black ice formation. Look for bridges to cool more overnight as they lose heat from top, bottom and sides. The surface of a bridge can be as much as 6 degrees colder than a roadway. If the bridge surface is at or below freezing then watch out for a thin layer of ice to form when precipitation falls. The stopping distance on ice is 3 to 9 times greater than on a dry road surface.

This week looks snowy and cold, so stay ahead of the road guessing game by checking out these web sites:

For roadways in Ohio go to Buckeye Traffic For roadways in West Virginia go to WV DOT

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

JANUARY 11, 2008: WHAT ARE SNOW ROLLERS?

Snow rollers are log-shaped "snowballs" that show up on lawns, fields, and other open areas. They are formed under specific weather conditions:

•The ground surface must have an icy, crusty snow, on which falling snow cannot stick.

•About an inch or so of loose, wet snow must accumulate.

•Gusty and strong winds are needed to scoop out chunks of snow.

Once the initial "seed" of the roller is started, it begins to roll. It collects additional snow from the ground as it rolls along, leaving trails behind it. The appearance is similar to building snowmen, except the snowball is more log-shaped rather than spherical, and many times they are hollow. They can be as small as a golf ball, or as large as a 30 gallon drum, but typically they are about 10 to 12 inches in diameter.

Several photographs have been provided of these snow rollers. Check them out at Snow Rollers.

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

JANUARY 9, 2008: OHIO EARTHQUAKE

A small earthquake rippled from Lake Erie through far northeast Ohio last night but apparently caused no injuries or damage to buildings, the state's seismic network said.

The quake occurred about 8:40 p.m. and preliminary information found it was centered just offshore from Mentor-on-the-Lake, about 25 miles northeast of Cleveland in Lake County, said Mike Hansen, coordinator of the Ohio Seismic Network for the state Department of Natural Resources.

The quake was a magnitude 3.1, Mr. Hansen said. Quakes under magnitude 4.5 usually don't cause any damage, he said. Police in several Lake County communities reported calls from people who felt the quake, but no damage was reported. The department says since 1776, the Ohio region has recorded more than 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of at least 2.0. Two earthquakes were recorded in Lake County in October.

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

JANUARY 7, 2008: POLAR BEARS ON THIN ICE

Polar bears are making news because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended that the polar bear be included as a "threatened" species when the Bush Administration releases its final listing of species protected under the Endangered Species Act. A decision on the listing of the polar bear is due to be released on or before Jan. 9, unless an extension is requested.

The United States Geological Survey sponsored research into the future of polar bears following the release last January of the Fish and Wildlife Service's recommendation. The study found that projected declines in sea ice habitat, "would mean loss of ≈ 2/3 of the world’s current polar bear population by mid-century."

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

JANUARY 6, 2008: JANUARY THAW 2008

For the beginning of this week, the Ohio Valley will be some 30 degrees above normal! Most likely, we'll record a new record high temperature for Monday. We're expecting to be around 64 degrees. Our current record for Jan. 7 is 62 degrees, set way back in 1946!

Tuesday will be just as mild, with highs back up into the low 60's. Our normal high temp for this time of year is 35 degrees. Hard to believe we'll be so warm. Some may refer to this brief warm-up as a January Thaw. It happens in the Northeast usually once a year, and usually during the month of January.

Here's a more in-depth explanation: The January thaw is an observed but unexplained temperature rise in mid-winter found in mid-latitude North America.

Sinusoidal estimates of expected temperatures, for northern locales, usually place the lowest temperatures around January 23 and the highest around July 24, and provide fairly accurate estimates of temperature expectations. Actual average temperatures in North America usually significantly differ twice over the course of the year:

Mid-autumn temperatures tend to be warmer than predicted by the sinusoidal model, creating the impression of extended summer warmth known as Indian summer.

For several days around January 25, temperatures are usually significantly warmer than predicted by the sinusoidal estimate, and also warmer than neighboring temperatures on both sides. During this "thaw" period, usually lasting for about a week, temperatures are generally about 10 °F (6 °C) above normal. This varies from year to year, and temperatures fluctuate enough that such a rise in January temperature would be unremarkable; what is remarkable (and unexplained) is the tendency for such rises to occur more commonly in late-January than in mid-January or early February, which sinusoidal estimates have to be slightly warmer.

The January thaw is believed to be a weather singularity.

JANUARY 4, 2008: “SUNNIES” FOR SCHOOL

Dress codes are the norm for some schools, but they typically do not involve sunglasses. Now a school in Australia is making them part of the uniform. The “sunnies,” as they are called Down Under, are now required wear for kindergarten through grade six on the playground at the Sydney Arncliffe Public School. The goal is to protect young eyes from the ultraviolet rays, which are five times higher in the summer months than in the winter and can lead to cataracts with excessive exposure. No word whether the students are keen on the shades, but the headmaster of the school said they have no problem wearing the sunglasses while playing. The government is considering making it mandatory in all public schools.

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