FEBRUARY 29, 2008: HAPPY LEAP DAY!

It actually takes Earth 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to travel around the sun, a fact the ancient Egyptians first noticed. So an extra day was occasionally added to the calendar, and over time the practice became official. It was the Romans who first designated Feb. 29 as leap day. Later, a more precise formula (still in use today) was adopted in the 16th century when the Gregorian calendar fine-tuned the calculations to include a leap day in years only divisible by four, i.e., 2008, 2012. Another stipulation ruled that no year divisible by 100 would have a leap year, except if it was divisible by 400. So, for example, 1900 was not a leap year, but 2000 was.

If you were born on leap day on this year, you'd be this old in leap years (and actual years):

1908 25 (100)

1928 20 (80)

1948 15 (60)

1968 10 (40)

1988 5 (20)

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

FEBRUARY 27, 2008: SNOW DAY!

A lot of kids are enjoying the day off thanks to the snow that fell last night. If you are looking for something to keep them occupied for at least a few minutes have them make snowflakes. It’s probably been 20 some years since I folded up paper and grabbed the scissors to make a snowflake. Now thanks to the internet you and the kids can make a snowflake in just a matter of minutes. Want to make one for yourself head on over to the Better Homes and Gardens website..

After a quick registration, you can use a pair of virtual scissors to craft your own snowflake. You can check out the snowflake I made (#6,318,167) that’s if you can find it amid the flurry of other flakes on the screen.

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

FEBRUARY 26, 2008: GREASY SNOW

The third storm in three weeks is bringing a variety of precipitation to the local area. Early this morning we saw about 1 to 2 inches of wet snow, or you could call it a greasy snow! Greasy snow is a term for an accumulation of dense, wet, and slushy snow that falls when temperatures are near 32 degrees. On sidewalks greasy snow is much more slippery than drier snow. On roads, it creates hazardous driving conditions because it enhances hydroplaning.

Typical snow has a 12 to 1 snow to meltwater ratio, meaning that 12 inches of snow is equivalent to 1 inch of water. Greasy snow has a very low snow to water ration, often in the range of 4 to 1. Slush floating on water is referred to as grease ice.

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

FEBRUARY 22, 2008: PRECIPITATION POTPOURRI

Yet another storm with a potpourri of precipitation pelting people and places in the Ohio Valley (alliteration a beautiful thing!). Snow fell last night with many areas as expected picking up anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of snow.

Here is a look at some area snowfall totals:

BELLAIRE: 2.5 INCHES

COSHOCTON: 3 INCHES

CAMBRIDGE: 3 INCHES

STEUBENVILLE: 2 INCHES

WEST LIBERTY: 2.5 INCHES

CARROLLTON: 2.5 INCHES

DILLONVALE: 2 INCHES

SOUTH WHEELING: 4.5 INCHES

The snow has changed over to sleet and freezing rain this morning, but a changeover to snow will occur this evening. Additional snow amounts of one inch are expected tonight.

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

FEBRUARY 19, 2008: LUNAR ECLIPSE WEDNESDAY NIGHT

The full Moon is going to get totally eclipsed on the night of February 20th, putting on a gorgeous show as it glides through Earth's shadow. Ohio Valley skywatchers will get an excellent view as long as the weather cooperates.

The partial eclipse of the moon will start at 8:43 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Earth’s shadow will totally engulf the Moon from 10:00 to 10:52 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The partial phases of the eclipse last for about an hour and a quarter before and after totality.

After three total lunar eclipses in less than a year, we face a dry spell. Partial ones occur for Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia on August 16, 2008, and December 31, 2009. The Americas get a partial one on the morning of June 26, 2010. But not until the night of December 20–21, 2010, does the next total lunar eclipse happen. That night the Americas will once again be favored.

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

FEBRUARY 18, 2008: REMEMBERING PRESIDENT’S DAY STORM OF 2003

It was our last big snowstorm as some 10 to 26 inches of snow fell across the area. The snow began on a Sunday morning and it didn’t let up until Monday, President’s Day morning. This storm brought the heaviest snow to southern areas and lower amounts to northern areas. A large arctic high pressure system sat just to our north and funneled in cold air. Warm and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico advanced northward. The collision of two air masses brought on the heavy snow. Most of the snow with this storm fell with air temperatures in the teens, so it was a powdery dry snow.

Five years later our weather is looking wintry again after a brief warm up this weekend. Snow showers will fly again this afternoon. A coating to half inch of new snow will greet you as you step outside tomorrow morning. Then an Alberta Clipper will spread 1 to perhaps 3 inches of snow for the area on Wednesday. Another storm has the potential for more snow later Thursday and into the day Friday.

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

FEBRUARY 16, 2008: OHIO VALLEY'S UNSUNG HEROES...SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

During winter storms, most of us get to settle in and get cozy for the night, but there are some brave workers that endure the cold, rain, ice, snow and wind to keep us warm and safe from nature's wrath.

A loved one of mine works for American Electric Power and I know what he must face during those storms. Those are the roughest days on the job. There are many other workers out there who face similar challenges.

To thank our unsung heroes, here's a tribute to all of those who must brave the weather to keep others safe:

THE MAN ON THE POLE

The darkening dusk and thin driving snow make it feel much colder than two below.

The wind rasps the snow like sharp cutting sand, brushes bare frozen trees with icy hand.

Stiff branches creak with the weight of the wind which will sing its chill dirge for hours on end.

No pin-point of light pricks the gloom of the night, dark will descend soon, a frozen sight.

On a country road stands a truck, its tail to the storm; around it gray drifts have started to form.

Dimly discerned are the lines of its back, the high white top, with side ladder rack.

Like a pack-horse it stands, hock deep in the snow, as patiently waiting with head hanging low.

Motionless there in the falling dark, its flashers repeating their sharp yellow spark.

Above on a pole, in the ominous sky, a snow-blurred figure works on high.

Clings to his perch with spurs of cold steel; arches his back to the safety strap feel.

Desperately he twists the stiff stubborn wires, his thoughts running home to warm glowing fires.

He pulls with numbed hand, his face a chill mask, with fast-ebbing strength, completes his lone task.

Now light sprays from windows all down the road, a radio blares loudly, then silence takes hold.

Somewhere a dog barks his plea at the door; light and life have come back to the country once more.

The man on the pole draws a long tired sigh, then picks his way slowly down out of the sky.

The cold hours of labor have taken their toll; he rest for a moment against the hard pole.

To the truck he plodding makes his way, stows his tools in the back and drives away.

Not a soul in those houses, now bright and warm, knows that he's been there, out in the storm.

Silently working to bring them light, as silently fading into the night.

When work-a-day heroes are inscribed on the roll, we too often forget

the man on the pole.

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

FEBRUARY 12, 2008: WHY DOESN’T IT JUST STAY SNOW ANYMORE?

I wanted to share an email from Michael asking why we don’t stay all snow anymore:

“It seems every snowstorm that hits us ends up turning from snow to freezing rain then rain. Why is that? Even today with temperatures in the mid teens right now at 8am they are forecasting rain by evening. So this begs to question will we ever see the foot of snow we saw in the mid 90s or will we be known as the ice/rain belt from now on? Also what would it take for the foot of snow to affect us eventually as it seems most of those storms stay towards the coast and we get 1-2" at most?”

Thanks,

Michael Michael,

It’s all about the track of the storm. Storms this year have been cutting to our west, thanks in large part to a ridge of high pressure across the Southeast. The same ridge of high pressure responsible for the drought this past summer across the Southeast. When storms pass overhead like this one or to our west like others this winter, milder air surges right into the Ohio River Valley. In order for us to stay snow we need the storm to track just east of the area. The problem we run into with that is storms like to jump from lets say Central Pennsylvania to the East Coast. Why do they do that? Storms tend to form where there is a big temperature gradient and the water off the east coast thanks to the Gulf Stream is a lot warmer than that of the land. The fancy word for this is frontogenisis . So the storm across Pennsylvania will jump to the east coast and we get robbed as a new storm forms too far to our east. So basically sometimes its tough to get a big one and for that matter to stay all snow around here, but sometimes we get lucky and we get a perfect track, it just hasn’t been that way of late.

Help out Severe Weather Team 9 by sending in snow amounts from your backyard, you can send them to weather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 11, 2008: FRIGID TO WINTER STORM

Wind chill temperature measures how cold humans and animals feel when they are outdoors, based on how cold air and wind affect the rate at which heat is lost from the body. When wind increases, it reduces skin temperature and eventually your internal body temperature by drawing heat away from the body. While wind makes you feel much colder, it does not lower the temperature of inanimate objects, such as pipes or car radiators. For example, it if is five degrees Fahrenheit outside, and the wind chill is -15 degrees Fahrenheit, inanimate objects will only cool to five degrees, but wind can reduce the time it takes them to cool to that temperature.

The best way to stay safe during extremely cold weather is to limit your time outdoors and dress appropriately. Adults and kids should wear a hat, gloves or mittens, layered, long sleeved clothing, and a water-resistant, warm jacket. Use a scarf or knit mask to cover your face and mouth. When you must be outside, watch for signals of heat-loss - persistent shivering is a sign that you should head inside.

With snow in the forecast for late tonight into tomorrow, help Severe Weather team 9 with your reports. Please email snowfall measurements from your backyard or even send a photo to weather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.

FEBRUARY 10, 2008: EXTREME COLD IN OHIO VALLEY CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING ESPECIALLY FOR PETS

Dangerous cold and extremely low wind chills are expected overnight Sunday into Monday morning. The threat for both humans and animals includes frost bite and hypothermia, warns the the National Weather Service.

People must dress in layers, wear a hat, scarf and gloves as well as limit time spent outside until this cold snap passes.

Animals outside MUST be brought inside or at least out of the wind and cold with some type of shelter. It is a matter of life and death, warns the Humane Society of the United States.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT PET TIPS DURING EXTREME COLD: Housing:

It is best to keep pets indoors during the winter months, but if this is not possible, outdoor pets must be provided with shelter. Their home should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet, and snow. Shelters should be insulated or heated. Water sources may be heated to permit constant access to unfrozen water; thermal units designed specifically for this purpose are readily available. Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm feed your pet according to its needs when the temperature drops. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a draft-free, warm area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off the floor.

Roaming cats:

Roaming cats, as well as house pets and wildlife, may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth during cold weather. Be sure to check under the hood before starting your vehicle and honk the horn to startle any animals seeking shelter inside.

Frostbite and snow removal salt:

Snow and salt should be removed from your pets paws immediately. Frostbitten skin is red or gray and may slough. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for further care. Snow removal products should be stored out of the reach of pets and small children as their toxicity varies considerably

SOURCE: PAWS; HSUS

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

FEBRUARY 5, 2008: NO TWO SNOWFLAKES ARE ALIKE

From the earliest memories of our childhood, many of us can remember hearing the phrase "no two snowflakes are alike". This discovery was made in the small rural town of Jericho, Vermont by Wilson A. Bentley (1865-1931).

A self educated farmer, Bentley attracted world attention with his pioneering work in the area of photomicrography, most notably his extensive work with snow crystals (commonly known as snowflakes). By adapting a microscope to a bellows camera, and years of trial and error, he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal in 1885.

He would go on to capture more than 5000 snowflakes during his lifetime, not finding any two alike. His snow crystal photomicrographs were acquired by colleges and universities throughout the world and he published many articles for magazines and journals including, Scientific American and National Geographic.

In 1931 his book "Snow Crystals", containing more than 2400 snow crystal images, was published by McGraw-Hill but has long been out of print. A soft cover copy, identical in all respects, can be obtained today from Dover Publications, Inc.. On December 23, 1931, Bentley died at the family farmhouse in Jericho. Because of his wonderful work with snow crystals, he became affectionately known as "Snowflake" Bentley.

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

FEBRUARY 2, 2008: PHIL: SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!!

Forget doppler radar, satellite maps, and even barometers . When you want accurate weather predictions you got to ask Mother Nature's meteorologist, the groundhog.

Groundhog Day occurs every year and is where people all over North America look to a rodent to predict whether spring will be coming soon or whether they'll have to live through another six weeks of winter.

According to lore, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow on February 2 and sees his shadow, he will be frightened back into his hole, presaging another six weeks of winter. A cloudy day -- and no shadow -- means winter will end early.

This year, Phil saw his shadow, so ( lucky for us) here in the Ohio Valley, if Phil is correct, we'll be dealing with more ice and snow and cold!

The source of the current tradition is unclear but may be based on the European tradition of Candlemas, brought to the United States by German immigrants.

Since 1887, the groundhog has not seen his shadow only 14 times, compared to 96 times when he saw his shadow. There were no records in nine of the early years.

Like many animals, groundhogs hibernate during the winter. They often emerge from their underground burrows in early February, when Groundhog Day is marked.

Punxsutawney Phil weighs 20 pounds (9 kg) and is 22 inches long. Although groundhogs live for six to eight years, legend has it that Phil, who is named after King Philip, has been making predictions for 121 years thanks to a magic elixir that he drinks every summer to get seven more years of life.

Sources: Cornell University, Environment Canada, IMDB, Reuters

This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.

FEBRUARY 1, 2008: GROUNDHOG TRIVIA

• Groundhogs are rodents in the Sciuridae (squirrel) family that go by several other names including woodchuck and whistlepig.

• The name woodchuck comes from a Cree Indian word, wuchak, which was used for several different animals of similar size and color, including other marmots.

• This very vocal animal carries the nickname “whistle-pig” for the various hisses, squeals, growls, barks and teeth chattering noises it emits.

• How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Based on the typical burrow a woodchuck digs, a scientist at Cornell University estimated the answer would be close to 700 pounds.

• The elaborate architecture of a woodchuck burrow with lengths of 20-30 feet, include spy-holes, a toilet chamber, nest and nursery.

• During hibernation, the body temperature of a woodchuck drops from 97°F (36°C) to less than 40°F (4°C). Its breathing slows to once every six minutes, and its heartbeat slows from 100 beats per minute to four.

• Groundhog Day developed from the European tradition of Imbolc and Candlemas Day, marking the day between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. On that date, good weather meant more winter was on the way, bad weather meant the end of the cold season. This tradition was first linked to the appearance of the groundhog February 2, 1886, when Punxsutawney Spirit editor Clymer Freas reported the furry creature had not seen his shadow, thus an early spring was in the forecast.

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