September 2006 Severe Weather Team 9 Blog
September 30, 2006: A STORMY END TO SEPTEMBER
Showers and thunderstorms with vivid cloud to ground lightning are rolling through the Ohio Valley this evening. This is keeping me on my toes in the Severe Weather Center, so tonight’s entry might be a little brief. Look for lightning, heavy downpours, and even some hail with these storms this evening.What do we have to look forward to in October?
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 29, 2006: AUTUMN MEANS COOLING DOWN
We have an upcoming heatwave for the beginning of the new month, October. High pressure Sunday will shift eastward and bring up a warm southerly flow of tropical air. Highs Tuesday projected to be near 80 degrees! Enjoy the warm-up because it won't last for long.But Autumn does mean a cool down. The Northern Hemisphere cools rapidly during the fall season, especially at middle and northern latitudes. The cooling is a direct result of the dwindling daylight period and the lowering sun angle. Both contribute to a net loss in heat. Hence, there is much more energy leaving than coming in.You can bet it won't be too long before the winter chill and seasonal snowfalls settle into the Ohio Valley!This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 27, 2006: COLD WEATHER PREP
Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for cooler weather in months to come. By checking home heating equipment and making a few adjustments now, you can increase your home's energy efficiency and be ready for winter chills.Ask a professional to check your heating system and ducts to make sure things are running properly. Fixing any problems now can avoid unnecessary costs and wasted energy during the winter months. This is also a great time to find and seal leaks around the house - sealing holes around pipes, vents and attic hatches, and adding weatherstripping around leaky doors and windows will reduce the amount of heat escaping from your home this winter.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.Source: Energystar.gov; National Environmental Education & Training FoundationSeptember 26, 2006: AUTUMN, A TIME FOR CHANGE
The atmosphere becomes more energetic and the weather becomes more vigorous in the autumn, and the Ohio Valley is about to experience some examples of that in upcoming days. The autumn season, standing as it does between summer and winter, can on occasion deliver a little of the weather characteristic of both those seasons. The weather plate in upcoming days will offer varied servings of sunshine and, blustery winds, autumnal chill, clouds and showers, and a 20° temperature drop.A cold front will move through by Thursday, replacing our recent warmth with a calendar checking type chill. High temperatures on Friday will not climb out of the fifties, more common for November. Low temperatures this Saturday morning will flirt with 40°, BRRRR!Yesterday’s blog entry was geared towards all of those leaf peepers. Looking for more autumnal bliss? Use the following Leaf Identification Guide to help you determine common fall foliage in your leaf peeping adventures.Fall Leaf ID Guide.
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 25, 2006: WHY DO LEAVES CHANGE COLOR?
Most people assume old Jack Frost is responsible for changes in leaf color, but, not so. Many leaves begin to turn before we have any frosts. If you look close enough you will probably even see blotches of color right now. The change in coloring is the result of chemical processes which take place in the tree as the seasons change. During the Spring and Summer, a food-making process takes place in the leaf in cells containing the pigment chlorophyll. This gives the leaf its green color. The chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight and uses it in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.In the Autumn, the shorter hours of sunlight and the cooler temperatures cause the leaves to stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellowish colors or pigments already in the leaf become visible.Autumn weather conditions favoring the most brilliant colors are warm, sunny days and clear, cool nights, but not freezing nights. A few hard frosts can cause the leaves to wither more quickly and drop to the ground. The degree of color may also vary from tree to tree.Leaves directly exposed to the sun may turn red, while those on the shady side of the same tree or other trees, may be yellow. When there is mainly warm, cloudy and rainy weather in the Fall, the leaves may have less red coloration. Plan a fall trip to look at the leaves. Check out the following web sites in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia by checking out the following links.
Ohio Fall Preview..
Pennsylvania Fall Preview..
West Virginia Fall Preview..
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 24, 2006: FALL BRINGS MUCH COLOR TO THE OHIO VALLEY
We're already beginning to see the leaves change to beautiful colors, bringing the many valley hills alive with hues of orange, red and yellow. Since it's quite early in the season, only the coldest areas of the country are starting to see the leaves fully change. Those areas would be the mountains of the Northeast, Northern Minnesota and Maine. The color will increase over the coming weeks, but may not be as vivid this year due to the hot and dry summer.Our peak time for fall foliage viewing is mid-October, around the 15th. What would pumpkin picking be like without the spectacular show of color from Mother Nature!This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 23, 2006: WE'LL ESCAPE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT THIS WEEKEND!
The storm system that produced 36 tornadoes and massive flash flooding across the central Mississippi Valley Friday and today is now targeting areas from Texas to Ohio. A strong cold front associated with a large storm system will be moving east through the Ohio Valley tonight and early Sunday, but it looks as though the severe weather will stay to our north and to our south.As of Saturday evening, the bulk of the thunderstorm activity covers eastern Kentucky, central and southern West Virginia and areas north of Cleveland along the upper Great Lakes. However, we could still experience heavy downpours overnight with flash flooding possible in the low-lying, flood prone areas. Gusty winds are also possible, with 10-15 mph winds and gusts up to 25 mph.A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Tyler County in West Virginia until 4 p.m. Sunday.The cold front will help bring drier air into the local region, with a beautiful work and school week ahead. Back to fall-like conditions with crisp, cool mornings and warm, pleasant afternoons for much of this week! Enjoy.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 20, 2006: THE LAKE EFFECT MACHINE IS TURNED ON, RELAX IT’S RAIN, NOT SNOW!
There will be lake-effect rain across the Great Lakes region today. What do we mean by lake-effect rain? Well, the process is similar to lake-effect snow, with the exception that the precipitation that falls is not frozen, it comes as just plain rain. A chilly and gusty wind will blow across the Great Lakes, which are still warm from the summer heat. This cold air, over warmer lakes leads to bands of rain developing downwind of the lakes. Away from the lakes we will see considerable clouds and the chance for a few sprinkles.Skies will begin to clear by later tonight and that temperature will drop to near 40 in many areas by tomorrow morning. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of a few upper 30’s tomorrow morning, especially in rural areas and deep valley locations.I am not concerned with frost, but Warren Springer sent this email into the weather inbox: “When will we see our first frost?”
Warren, frost isn’t likely tonight or the next five days. The average date of a killing frost in this area is October 20th. It’s not impossible to see a frost before then but it is more likely that a killing frost will occur in mid to late October. So the tomato plants might shiver tonight but they should survive.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 19, 2006: AUTUMN COMES A FEW DAYS EARLY
Autumn doesn't officially arrive until 12:03 a.m. Saturday, but looking at the forecast, it's already here! A cold front sweeping east across the country has brought a change from summer to autumn conditions locally. As it approached our area yesterday, it didn't pack quite a punch and just brought light to moderate rainfall. However, the cooler air is moving in...and tonight will be the coldest of the season so far. We'll drop down into the mid-40's overnight, with highs Wednesday struggling to reach 60 degrees! That will be a 20 degree difference between Monday and Wednesday! Don't forget your jackets for the rest of the week.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 18, 2006: SECOND WARMEST U.S. SUMMER ON RECORD
How hot has this summer been in the continental United States? Try the second warmest on record, behind only 1936 and the Dust Bowl era, according the National Climatic Data Center.A blistering heat wave in July impacted most of the nation, breaking more than 2,300 daily records and more than 50 all-time high temperature records. Additional high temperature records were broken during the first part of August.Factor in the earlier months of 2006, and the January-August period is the warmest since records began in 1895, the center added in a report released Thursday. This January-August period eclipsed the previous record set in 1934.The average June-August 2006 temperature for the contiguous United States was 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average of 72.1 degrees F, the center said. That's just 0.2 degrees below the 1936 record. Eight of the past ten summers have been warmer than the U.S. average for the same period.Hurricane Helene is a strong category three storm in the Atlantic. It does not appear that Helene will affect the United States anytime soon. You can track this powerful hurricane at theNational Hurricane Center..
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 16, 2006: TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP
People across the U.S. and abroad work together to remove trash from beaches, streams and lakes. Today is The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. Not only do citizens clean up, but they also keep record of the types and amounts of trash and debris they collect. In 2005, 174,000 volunteers participated and covered almost 14,000 miles and cleaned up nearly 4 million pounds of trash!Coastal trash is not just an eyesore-items that end up in or near our waters can contribute to poor water quality and are often responsible for marine mammal and seabird entanglements (volunteers found 101 entangled animals during last year's event).Remember, wind and rain are capable of carrying trash items far from where they originated, and that simple actions can help to keep trash contained. Make sure that outdoor trash cans have tight-fitting lids, and carry a litter bag in your car to collect trash. If you are a smoker, use an ashtray instead of putting your cigarette out on the ground or throwing it out the car window.Source: National Environmental Education & Training FoundationThis is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 15, 2006: DOES FOG PREDICT SNOW?
"I'm told by some older friends that snow has something to do with fog (this is what they say: You have to count the foggy days in September and that will tell you how many days of the snowfall). If that is the way it goes, we are in for a lot of snow. I live in Adena, Ohio, and we have had fog all but one day this month. Please if you have heard this, let me know."Thank you, Chris of AdenaChris, there may seem to be a link there, but according to weather and sciene researchers, don't put much stock in that correlation. If you looked closely at the data you may find that an average of the number of foggy mornings over 30 years is similar to the number of snow days in the following winter. However, that does not mean that will be true for any one year, with rare exceptions. Just like the Old Farmer's Almanac weather predictions, which are based on climatological means, the number of snow days predicted by the number of preceding foggy days, is no more valid for a particular year.FYI, September and October are the typical months the Ohio Valley experiences the most fog. But as you know, our snow amounts always vary from year to year.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 14, 2006: EARLY THOUGHTS ON UPCOMING WINTER
I don’t know if it’s the cloudy and cool weather we’re experiencing or the sight of Christmas items in local stores, but something has us thinking about the upcoming winter. Keep in mind it still is summer as fall doesn’t arrive until next Saturday. The inbox is filled with questions about winter like this one from Jim: “When will the first snowfall be this year and will we have a lot of snow this winter?”
Jim, keep in mind I’m a meteorologist, not God! I wish I knew the exact date of our first snowfall, but that is impossible to predict. Climatology tells us that we typically see our first flakes of snow by late October or early November. The earliest recorded accumulation of snow occurred on October 4, 1959 when .3 inches of snow fell. The earliest one inch snowfall on record occurred on October 27, 1957. It is more likely that we will see our first one inch snowfall in November.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 13, 2006: AFTER WEEKEND 80’S, TEMPERATURES TAKE A PLUNGE
Rain showers will continue to fall across the area today as this slow moving low pressure system chugs eastward. Rain showers should come to an end all together by tomorrow morning. Then the weather is looking up as we head towards the weekend.Here are my bold weather predictions:
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 12, 2006: SPLISH, SPLASH
A slow-moving storm combined with a moist flow tapping some Gulf moisture will bring damp weather to the Ohio Valley over the next two days. The heaviest rain is expected to fall over western sections of the viewing area, towards Interstate 77. These locations could be looking at rainfall amounts exceeding 2 inches over the next two days. Most of us will see rainfall amounts closer to an inch.Are you having problems with your cell phone reception? Blame it on the rain! A group of researchers from Israel claimed in recent research that cell-phone towers can provide accurate rainfall measurements. Microwave signals sent between towers can be disrupted by rainfall. As a result the towers must adjust their signal strength depending on the weather. The researchers monitored the signal information from a group of towers in Israel and found that the towers provided similar rainfall data to traditional rain gauge equipment.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 11, 2006: CLIMATE INFORMATION GAINED FOLLOWING THE 9/11 TRAGEDY
Today the nation reflects on the 5 year anniversary of the tragic events that took place on 9/11. Everyone remembers where they were and how they felt on that dreadful day. In the days following 9/11, I remember the eerie silence from the absence of air traffic in our skies. The national airspace was shut down for three days, something that had not yet occurred since the jet age began in the 1960s and is not likely to occur ever again. Scientists took advantage of this unique three day period in history to study how contrails affect our climate. Contrails are man-made clouds left in the wake of jet aircraft.Climatologists took advantage of the grounding and measured the difference, over those three contrail-free days, between the highest daytime temperature and the lowest nighttime temperature across the continental United States. They compared the data with the average range in day-night temperatures for the period 1971-2000. They discovered that from September 11 to September 14, the days had become warmer and the night’s cooler, with the overall range greater by about two degrees Fahrenheit.These results suggest that contrails can lower daytime high temperatures by reflecting sunlight back to space. The results also suggest that nighttime low temperatures would be higher by trapping radiated heat. That is, they can be both cooling and warming clouds. But what is the net effect? Do they cool more than they warm, or vice versa? Some say this could be another example of global warming, but there is a lot of argument still going on about how much of a warming effect they produce.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 10, 2006: FLORENCE REACHES HURRICANE STATUS
As of Sunday evening, Hurricane Florence was located 150 miles southwest of Bermuda and was moving to the north near 14 mph. Florence remains a strong Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of near 90 mph with higher gusts. The second hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season is rather large as tropical storm-force winds continue to blow over Bermuda.While Flo is not forecasted to be a direct hit on Bermuda, residents and visitors of the island should not let their guard down. Since Florence will brush by to the west, the northeast quadrant of the storm will move over the island. Within this portion of the storm, lives and property will be greatly threatened as damaging winds are usually stronger, storm surge is higher and the threat of tornadoes exists more than in other quadrant of a hurricane.For more on Hurricane Florence and her path, check out Accu Weather.com for updates and visuals. You can also track Florence yourself by going to theNational Hurricane Center..
This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 9, 2006: GET READY FOR A TASTE OF FALL
Beginning tomorrow, it will be a slight preview of Fall. A cold front, along with a Canadian high pressure system, will bring much cooler air into the valley Sunday and much of the upcoming work and school week. Keep those light jackets nearby, as we dip into the upper 60's and low 70's for the daytime high! But I must say, it could be worse!Parts of the upper midwest, including northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, are under frost advisories and warnings this weekend! The frosty weather in that region is because of the same Canadian high pressure influencing our weather. Don't worry though, the warmer weather will return after this "cold spell."This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 8, 2006: DID YOU SEE THE FULL CORN MOON?
It was hard to miss the big bright golden full moon yesterday evening...what a beautiful sight. Many have been asking me if it was the "Full Harvest Moon," which typically comes in the fall. The answer: NO, too early for the harvest moon. This moon is called the "Full Corn Moon.''Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. Some include the Full Flower Moon when flowers are abundant everywhere; the Full Crow Moon when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter; and the Full Crust Moon when the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon marks the time of tapping maple trees.This year the Full Corn Moon came yesterday at 2:42 p.m. EDT. Corn-an Indian staple-is now ready for gathering. It's the biggest and brightest Full Moon of 2006.The Full Harvest Moon will be Oct. 6 this year at 11:13 p.m. EDT. Harvest Moon is always the full moon occurring nearest to the Autumnal Equinox. In one out of three years, it comes in October and 2006 is one of those years. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of the moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 7, 2006: FLORENCE LIKELY TO STRIKE ATLANTIC CANADA
An update on Tropical Storm Florence shows the storm will likely become the first major hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season by this weekend. The most likely scenario will send Florence away from the East Coast toward Canada's Maritime Provinces;, however, there is still concern that the powerful storm could strike United States.Through the weekend and early next week, high pressure over our area will shift to the east and the clockwise winds circulating around the high will guide Florence more to the northwest and then the north. This path would take Florence over Bermuda, battering the island nation with flooding rains and hurricane-force winds. As next week gets underway, a low pressure system moving off the Northeast coast will steer Florence to the northeast. While the U.S. East Coast would avoid a direct hit, Canada will be in the storm's path.Even if Flo does not make landfall on the East Coast, it will not pass quietly. Coastal areas from the Outerbanks of North Carolina to Maine will have to endure high surf and rough seas. As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Florence!This is Meteorologist Lisa MontgomerySeptember 6, 2006: WHERE WILL FLO GO?
The sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season has formed. Its name is tropical Storm Florence. The storm is still centered some 845 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Florence is making some headway on its west-northwesterly track across the Atlantic. However, upper-level wind shear is making it difficult for the storm to strengthen at the moment. Over the next couple of days, Florence will encounter warmer waters and lighter upper-level winds, allowing the storm to strengthen to a hurricane. This can occur as early as Friday. Over the weekend Florence will need to be monitored even closer as the warm open Atlantic waters can provide enough fuel for Florence to reach major-hurricane status as it heads closer to the United States. At this time it looks as if the hurricane will miss the United States as it takes a turn to the north but it needs to be watched closely.You can track Florence yourself by going to theNational Hurricane Center..
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 5, 2006: AUTUMN TEMPERATURE DECLINE
Is this recent cool snap normal for early September? I heard that question many times this past weekend. A thirty year average of high temperatures shows that we should still be near the 80 degree mark. Over the next few weeks we will see the average high temperature continue to fall. By the end of the month the average high will fall to 70 degrees, which is the forecasted high for today. By the end of October the average high falls to 60 degrees and by the end of November the average maximum temperature drops all the way down to 45 degrees.The average date of killing frost in autumn is October 20th. The earliest date of killing frost in autumn is September 17, 1959 and the latest date of a killing frost on November 11, 1994.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 4, 2006: IS LABOR DAY THE END OF SUMMER WEATHER?
Most people think of Labor Day as the unofficial end to summer. Kids are back in school, community pools are closed for the year, vacation time is over, football season is underway and well, the days are getting shorter. But there are still many very warm days left before the new season begins!Hurricane season is just starting, and there's still plenty of hot weather across the U.S. Some of this hot, muggy air can still spread northward from the south, all the way to New England! We still have a good chance of some hot days ahead, so the AC may not be turned off for good just yet. Don't count on it, summer is afterall, still here!This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.
September 4, 2006: SLIGHTLY MILDER END TO A CHILLY HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
Temperatures struggled to get out of the 50’s on Saturday and 60’s on Sunday. With some breaks in the clouds today we should break 70 degrees this afternoon. Weak high pressure is building into the area but there are plenty of high, thin cirrus clouds overhead. These cirrus clouds are associated with an upper level jet streak that is overhead. So look for a milky, white sky with a few patches of blue. It’s a little too chilly to take a dip in the pool one last time before they close.Labor Day is the unofficial end to summer. Meteorological fall began on September 1st and ends on November 30th. Most of us wait until astronomical fall which begins this year on September 23rd.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 2, 2006: PREDICTION FOR OHIO VALLEY WINTER
"I know--I don't want to think about it either. I noticed the second week of August the geese were flying south and most of my humming birds have left already. Also, I noticed the cicada seemed to be singing already and the Fall sounds and feel in general seem earlier too. Do you have any forecast for winter yet?"Judy BrittonHi Judy, sounds like you love nature and birds! Do you ever read The Old Farmer's Almanac? I love checking in on the website to read tips and ideas for gardening, feeding wildlife, recipes and of course, the weather! According to the Almanac, predictions for the Ohio Valley region this winter are:Winter temps. will be slightly below normal, on average, with near-normal snowfall. Rainfall will be above normal, especially in the southwest region. The coldest temperatures will be around Christmas and in early, mid- and late January and early February. The most widespread snowfalls will be in early December, January and late February.For Spring of 2007, the first half of April will be rather cold, but mid-April through May will be much warmer than normal, with some of the year's hottest temperatures in mid-May. Precipitation in April and May will be near or slightly below normal.This is MeteorologistLisa Montgomery.
September 1, 2006: MY THOUGHTS ON ERNESTO’S IMPACT IN THE OHIO VALLEY
Memories of Ivan’s flooding two years ago are fresh in everyone’s minds, which is a good thing. Ernesto will not be another Ivan. Rain will begin to become steadier this afternoon, with heavier rain arriving later tonight. (Look for teams that like to run the football to have success tonight!)If you want a detailed hour by hour forecast for these games or any local high school football game make sure you check out the Football Forecast..
Rainfall amounts of up to an inch, perhaps two are possible by Saturday morning. It is possible that some locations will actually receive less than an inch of rainfall. To be on the safe side the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for much of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. This watch is in effect from this afternoon to Saturday morning.The threat for flooding will be much higher to our east. Over 6 inches of rain will plague areas from eastern and northern Virginia to south-central Pennsylvania. The rest of central Virginia and from south-central Pennsylvania to Delaware will experience 4 to 6 inches of rain.The holiday weekend is salvageable. With the exception of Saturday morning, the remainder of the weekend should be free of rainfall. If we’re lucky we could even see some breaks of sunshine on Sunday and Labor Day.Thanks for all the email questions over the past few days. I am working on a winter outlook for all those wondering how cold and snowy it will be this year. I’ll try to post an early outlook by sometime next week. This Ernesto has been keeping things extra busy in the weather center. I can answer this email question right now:“When is the daily low temperature recorded?”
Daily low temperatures typically occur right around sunrise each morning. So the low temperature that is predicted for tonight will actually occur around 6 am or 7 am. Sometimes low temperatures can occur early in the night. This happens when skies are clear in the evening, so all the heat will quickly escape into outer space. Then clouds associated with warmer air aloft will move in overnight causing temperatures to actually rise by morning. This occurs most often in the winter. High temperatures generally are reached in the mid afternoon. Sometimes during the winter cold fronts will cause temperatures to fall during the day, so the high temperature will occur during the morning, before the frontal passage. If this seems complicated, just keep this in mind, the high temperature is the maximum temperature recorded in a 24 hour day, midnight to midnight, while a low temperature is the minimum temperature that is recorded in a 24 hour day.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
Showers and thunderstorms with vivid cloud to ground lightning are rolling through the Ohio Valley this evening. This is keeping me on my toes in the Severe Weather Center, so tonight’s entry might be a little brief. Look for lightning, heavy downpours, and even some hail with these storms this evening.What do we have to look forward to in October?
OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS
Normal High, October 1st: 70 degrees
Normal Low, October 1st: 49 degrees
Normal High, October 31st: 60 degrees
Normal Low, October 31st: 39 degrees
Normal Precipitation: 2.36”
Normal Snowfall: Trace
Maximum Snowfall: 2” in 1993Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 29, 2006: AUTUMN MEANS COOLING DOWN
We have an upcoming heatwave for the beginning of the new month, October. High pressure Sunday will shift eastward and bring up a warm southerly flow of tropical air. Highs Tuesday projected to be near 80 degrees! Enjoy the warm-up because it won't last for long.But Autumn does mean a cool down. The Northern Hemisphere cools rapidly during the fall season, especially at middle and northern latitudes. The cooling is a direct result of the dwindling daylight period and the lowering sun angle. Both contribute to a net loss in heat. Hence, there is much more energy leaving than coming in.You can bet it won't be too long before the winter chill and seasonal snowfalls settle into the Ohio Valley!This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 27, 2006: COLD WEATHER PREP
Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for cooler weather in months to come. By checking home heating equipment and making a few adjustments now, you can increase your home's energy efficiency and be ready for winter chills.Ask a professional to check your heating system and ducts to make sure things are running properly. Fixing any problems now can avoid unnecessary costs and wasted energy during the winter months. This is also a great time to find and seal leaks around the house - sealing holes around pipes, vents and attic hatches, and adding weatherstripping around leaky doors and windows will reduce the amount of heat escaping from your home this winter.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.Source: Energystar.gov; National Environmental Education & Training FoundationSeptember 26, 2006: AUTUMN, A TIME FOR CHANGE
The atmosphere becomes more energetic and the weather becomes more vigorous in the autumn, and the Ohio Valley is about to experience some examples of that in upcoming days. The autumn season, standing as it does between summer and winter, can on occasion deliver a little of the weather characteristic of both those seasons. The weather plate in upcoming days will offer varied servings of sunshine and, blustery winds, autumnal chill, clouds and showers, and a 20° temperature drop.A cold front will move through by Thursday, replacing our recent warmth with a calendar checking type chill. High temperatures on Friday will not climb out of the fifties, more common for November. Low temperatures this Saturday morning will flirt with 40°, BRRRR!Yesterday’s blog entry was geared towards all of those leaf peepers. Looking for more autumnal bliss? Use the following Leaf Identification Guide to help you determine common fall foliage in your leaf peeping adventures.Fall Leaf ID Guide.
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 25, 2006: WHY DO LEAVES CHANGE COLOR?
Most people assume old Jack Frost is responsible for changes in leaf color, but, not so. Many leaves begin to turn before we have any frosts. If you look close enough you will probably even see blotches of color right now. The change in coloring is the result of chemical processes which take place in the tree as the seasons change. During the Spring and Summer, a food-making process takes place in the leaf in cells containing the pigment chlorophyll. This gives the leaf its green color. The chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight and uses it in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.In the Autumn, the shorter hours of sunlight and the cooler temperatures cause the leaves to stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellowish colors or pigments already in the leaf become visible.Autumn weather conditions favoring the most brilliant colors are warm, sunny days and clear, cool nights, but not freezing nights. A few hard frosts can cause the leaves to wither more quickly and drop to the ground. The degree of color may also vary from tree to tree.Leaves directly exposed to the sun may turn red, while those on the shady side of the same tree or other trees, may be yellow. When there is mainly warm, cloudy and rainy weather in the Fall, the leaves may have less red coloration. Plan a fall trip to look at the leaves. Check out the following web sites in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia by checking out the following links.
Ohio Fall Preview..
Pennsylvania Fall Preview..
West Virginia Fall Preview..
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 24, 2006: FALL BRINGS MUCH COLOR TO THE OHIO VALLEY
We're already beginning to see the leaves change to beautiful colors, bringing the many valley hills alive with hues of orange, red and yellow. Since it's quite early in the season, only the coldest areas of the country are starting to see the leaves fully change. Those areas would be the mountains of the Northeast, Northern Minnesota and Maine. The color will increase over the coming weeks, but may not be as vivid this year due to the hot and dry summer.Our peak time for fall foliage viewing is mid-October, around the 15th. What would pumpkin picking be like without the spectacular show of color from Mother Nature!This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 23, 2006: WE'LL ESCAPE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT THIS WEEKEND!
The storm system that produced 36 tornadoes and massive flash flooding across the central Mississippi Valley Friday and today is now targeting areas from Texas to Ohio. A strong cold front associated with a large storm system will be moving east through the Ohio Valley tonight and early Sunday, but it looks as though the severe weather will stay to our north and to our south.As of Saturday evening, the bulk of the thunderstorm activity covers eastern Kentucky, central and southern West Virginia and areas north of Cleveland along the upper Great Lakes. However, we could still experience heavy downpours overnight with flash flooding possible in the low-lying, flood prone areas. Gusty winds are also possible, with 10-15 mph winds and gusts up to 25 mph.A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Tyler County in West Virginia until 4 p.m. Sunday.The cold front will help bring drier air into the local region, with a beautiful work and school week ahead. Back to fall-like conditions with crisp, cool mornings and warm, pleasant afternoons for much of this week! Enjoy.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 20, 2006: THE LAKE EFFECT MACHINE IS TURNED ON, RELAX IT’S RAIN, NOT SNOW!
There will be lake-effect rain across the Great Lakes region today. What do we mean by lake-effect rain? Well, the process is similar to lake-effect snow, with the exception that the precipitation that falls is not frozen, it comes as just plain rain. A chilly and gusty wind will blow across the Great Lakes, which are still warm from the summer heat. This cold air, over warmer lakes leads to bands of rain developing downwind of the lakes. Away from the lakes we will see considerable clouds and the chance for a few sprinkles.Skies will begin to clear by later tonight and that temperature will drop to near 40 in many areas by tomorrow morning. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of a few upper 30’s tomorrow morning, especially in rural areas and deep valley locations.I am not concerned with frost, but Warren Springer sent this email into the weather inbox: “When will we see our first frost?”
Warren, frost isn’t likely tonight or the next five days. The average date of a killing frost in this area is October 20th. It’s not impossible to see a frost before then but it is more likely that a killing frost will occur in mid to late October. So the tomato plants might shiver tonight but they should survive.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 19, 2006: AUTUMN COMES A FEW DAYS EARLY
Autumn doesn't officially arrive until 12:03 a.m. Saturday, but looking at the forecast, it's already here! A cold front sweeping east across the country has brought a change from summer to autumn conditions locally. As it approached our area yesterday, it didn't pack quite a punch and just brought light to moderate rainfall. However, the cooler air is moving in...and tonight will be the coldest of the season so far. We'll drop down into the mid-40's overnight, with highs Wednesday struggling to reach 60 degrees! That will be a 20 degree difference between Monday and Wednesday! Don't forget your jackets for the rest of the week.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 18, 2006: SECOND WARMEST U.S. SUMMER ON RECORD
How hot has this summer been in the continental United States? Try the second warmest on record, behind only 1936 and the Dust Bowl era, according the National Climatic Data Center.A blistering heat wave in July impacted most of the nation, breaking more than 2,300 daily records and more than 50 all-time high temperature records. Additional high temperature records were broken during the first part of August.Factor in the earlier months of 2006, and the January-August period is the warmest since records began in 1895, the center added in a report released Thursday. This January-August period eclipsed the previous record set in 1934.The average June-August 2006 temperature for the contiguous United States was 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average of 72.1 degrees F, the center said. That's just 0.2 degrees below the 1936 record. Eight of the past ten summers have been warmer than the U.S. average for the same period.Hurricane Helene is a strong category three storm in the Atlantic. It does not appear that Helene will affect the United States anytime soon. You can track this powerful hurricane at theNational Hurricane Center..
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 16, 2006: TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP
People across the U.S. and abroad work together to remove trash from beaches, streams and lakes. Today is The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. Not only do citizens clean up, but they also keep record of the types and amounts of trash and debris they collect. In 2005, 174,000 volunteers participated and covered almost 14,000 miles and cleaned up nearly 4 million pounds of trash!Coastal trash is not just an eyesore-items that end up in or near our waters can contribute to poor water quality and are often responsible for marine mammal and seabird entanglements (volunteers found 101 entangled animals during last year's event).Remember, wind and rain are capable of carrying trash items far from where they originated, and that simple actions can help to keep trash contained. Make sure that outdoor trash cans have tight-fitting lids, and carry a litter bag in your car to collect trash. If you are a smoker, use an ashtray instead of putting your cigarette out on the ground or throwing it out the car window.Source: National Environmental Education & Training FoundationThis is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 15, 2006: DOES FOG PREDICT SNOW?
"I'm told by some older friends that snow has something to do with fog (this is what they say: You have to count the foggy days in September and that will tell you how many days of the snowfall). If that is the way it goes, we are in for a lot of snow. I live in Adena, Ohio, and we have had fog all but one day this month. Please if you have heard this, let me know."Thank you, Chris of AdenaChris, there may seem to be a link there, but according to weather and sciene researchers, don't put much stock in that correlation. If you looked closely at the data you may find that an average of the number of foggy mornings over 30 years is similar to the number of snow days in the following winter. However, that does not mean that will be true for any one year, with rare exceptions. Just like the Old Farmer's Almanac weather predictions, which are based on climatological means, the number of snow days predicted by the number of preceding foggy days, is no more valid for a particular year.FYI, September and October are the typical months the Ohio Valley experiences the most fog. But as you know, our snow amounts always vary from year to year.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 14, 2006: EARLY THOUGHTS ON UPCOMING WINTER
I don’t know if it’s the cloudy and cool weather we’re experiencing or the sight of Christmas items in local stores, but something has us thinking about the upcoming winter. Keep in mind it still is summer as fall doesn’t arrive until next Saturday. The inbox is filled with questions about winter like this one from Jim: “When will the first snowfall be this year and will we have a lot of snow this winter?”
Jim, keep in mind I’m a meteorologist, not God! I wish I knew the exact date of our first snowfall, but that is impossible to predict. Climatology tells us that we typically see our first flakes of snow by late October or early November. The earliest recorded accumulation of snow occurred on October 4, 1959 when .3 inches of snow fell. The earliest one inch snowfall on record occurred on October 27, 1957. It is more likely that we will see our first one inch snowfall in November.
SNOWFALL NORMALS (30 yr mean 1971-2000)
September 0.0
October 0.4
November 3.1
December 6.9
January 12.3
February 8.5
March 7.9
April 1.5
May T
Annual 40.6It’s a little too early to tell what type of pattern is setting up for the upcoming winter, but I will throw out one little nugget of information, El Nino, its back! The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, which announced the arrival of El Niño Wednesday, predicts warmer-than-average temperatures over the western and northern United States, unusually wet conditions over portions of the Gulf Coast and Florida and drier-than-average conditions in the Ohio Valley and the Pacific Northwest this winter. This El Nino is being compared to the 2002-2003 winter. That winter we saw a slow start but a strong finish in terms of snowfall. In fact a storm in February 15-17, 2003 brought over a foot of snow to most of the area. I’m not saying we will get dumped like that winter, but sometimes an El Nino forecast of a warm and dry winter doesn’t always hold true.We can thank the developing El Nino for the relatively quiet hurricane season in the United States. Keep in mind though we are still in the heart of hurricane season, so don’t let your guard down quite yet.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 13, 2006: AFTER WEEKEND 80’S, TEMPERATURES TAKE A PLUNGE
Rain showers will continue to fall across the area today as this slow moving low pressure system chugs eastward. Rain showers should come to an end all together by tomorrow morning. Then the weather is looking up as we head towards the weekend.Here are my bold weather predictions:
1.) THE TEMPERATURE WILL REACH 80 OR BETTER BY THE END OF THIS WEEKEND
2.) TEMPERATURES PLUNGE INTO THE 40’S BY NEXT WEDNESDAY MORNINGComputer model forecasts are hinting that a potent cold front will slice through the area next Tuesday. Behind this front is the coolest air of the early autumn season. In the upcoming weeks and months these fronts will become more frequent and stronger. Autumn officially arrives next Saturday, September 23rd at 12:03 am.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 12, 2006: SPLISH, SPLASH
A slow-moving storm combined with a moist flow tapping some Gulf moisture will bring damp weather to the Ohio Valley over the next two days. The heaviest rain is expected to fall over western sections of the viewing area, towards Interstate 77. These locations could be looking at rainfall amounts exceeding 2 inches over the next two days. Most of us will see rainfall amounts closer to an inch.Are you having problems with your cell phone reception? Blame it on the rain! A group of researchers from Israel claimed in recent research that cell-phone towers can provide accurate rainfall measurements. Microwave signals sent between towers can be disrupted by rainfall. As a result the towers must adjust their signal strength depending on the weather. The researchers monitored the signal information from a group of towers in Israel and found that the towers provided similar rainfall data to traditional rain gauge equipment.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 11, 2006: CLIMATE INFORMATION GAINED FOLLOWING THE 9/11 TRAGEDY
Today the nation reflects on the 5 year anniversary of the tragic events that took place on 9/11. Everyone remembers where they were and how they felt on that dreadful day. In the days following 9/11, I remember the eerie silence from the absence of air traffic in our skies. The national airspace was shut down for three days, something that had not yet occurred since the jet age began in the 1960s and is not likely to occur ever again. Scientists took advantage of this unique three day period in history to study how contrails affect our climate. Contrails are man-made clouds left in the wake of jet aircraft.Climatologists took advantage of the grounding and measured the difference, over those three contrail-free days, between the highest daytime temperature and the lowest nighttime temperature across the continental United States. They compared the data with the average range in day-night temperatures for the period 1971-2000. They discovered that from September 11 to September 14, the days had become warmer and the night’s cooler, with the overall range greater by about two degrees Fahrenheit.These results suggest that contrails can lower daytime high temperatures by reflecting sunlight back to space. The results also suggest that nighttime low temperatures would be higher by trapping radiated heat. That is, they can be both cooling and warming clouds. But what is the net effect? Do they cool more than they warm, or vice versa? Some say this could be another example of global warming, but there is a lot of argument still going on about how much of a warming effect they produce.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 10, 2006: FLORENCE REACHES HURRICANE STATUS
As of Sunday evening, Hurricane Florence was located 150 miles southwest of Bermuda and was moving to the north near 14 mph. Florence remains a strong Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of near 90 mph with higher gusts. The second hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season is rather large as tropical storm-force winds continue to blow over Bermuda.While Flo is not forecasted to be a direct hit on Bermuda, residents and visitors of the island should not let their guard down. Since Florence will brush by to the west, the northeast quadrant of the storm will move over the island. Within this portion of the storm, lives and property will be greatly threatened as damaging winds are usually stronger, storm surge is higher and the threat of tornadoes exists more than in other quadrant of a hurricane.For more on Hurricane Florence and her path, check out Accu Weather.com for updates and visuals. You can also track Florence yourself by going to theNational Hurricane Center..
This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 9, 2006: GET READY FOR A TASTE OF FALL
Beginning tomorrow, it will be a slight preview of Fall. A cold front, along with a Canadian high pressure system, will bring much cooler air into the valley Sunday and much of the upcoming work and school week. Keep those light jackets nearby, as we dip into the upper 60's and low 70's for the daytime high! But I must say, it could be worse!Parts of the upper midwest, including northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, are under frost advisories and warnings this weekend! The frosty weather in that region is because of the same Canadian high pressure influencing our weather. Don't worry though, the warmer weather will return after this "cold spell."This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 8, 2006: DID YOU SEE THE FULL CORN MOON?
It was hard to miss the big bright golden full moon yesterday evening...what a beautiful sight. Many have been asking me if it was the "Full Harvest Moon," which typically comes in the fall. The answer: NO, too early for the harvest moon. This moon is called the "Full Corn Moon.''Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. Some include the Full Flower Moon when flowers are abundant everywhere; the Full Crow Moon when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter; and the Full Crust Moon when the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon marks the time of tapping maple trees.This year the Full Corn Moon came yesterday at 2:42 p.m. EDT. Corn-an Indian staple-is now ready for gathering. It's the biggest and brightest Full Moon of 2006.The Full Harvest Moon will be Oct. 6 this year at 11:13 p.m. EDT. Harvest Moon is always the full moon occurring nearest to the Autumnal Equinox. In one out of three years, it comes in October and 2006 is one of those years. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of the moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night.This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.September 7, 2006: FLORENCE LIKELY TO STRIKE ATLANTIC CANADA
An update on Tropical Storm Florence shows the storm will likely become the first major hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season by this weekend. The most likely scenario will send Florence away from the East Coast toward Canada's Maritime Provinces;, however, there is still concern that the powerful storm could strike United States.Through the weekend and early next week, high pressure over our area will shift to the east and the clockwise winds circulating around the high will guide Florence more to the northwest and then the north. This path would take Florence over Bermuda, battering the island nation with flooding rains and hurricane-force winds. As next week gets underway, a low pressure system moving off the Northeast coast will steer Florence to the northeast. While the U.S. East Coast would avoid a direct hit, Canada will be in the storm's path.Even if Flo does not make landfall on the East Coast, it will not pass quietly. Coastal areas from the Outerbanks of North Carolina to Maine will have to endure high surf and rough seas. As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Florence!This is Meteorologist Lisa MontgomerySeptember 6, 2006: WHERE WILL FLO GO?
The sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season has formed. Its name is tropical Storm Florence. The storm is still centered some 845 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Florence is making some headway on its west-northwesterly track across the Atlantic. However, upper-level wind shear is making it difficult for the storm to strengthen at the moment. Over the next couple of days, Florence will encounter warmer waters and lighter upper-level winds, allowing the storm to strengthen to a hurricane. This can occur as early as Friday. Over the weekend Florence will need to be monitored even closer as the warm open Atlantic waters can provide enough fuel for Florence to reach major-hurricane status as it heads closer to the United States. At this time it looks as if the hurricane will miss the United States as it takes a turn to the north but it needs to be watched closely.You can track Florence yourself by going to theNational Hurricane Center..
Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 5, 2006: AUTUMN TEMPERATURE DECLINE
Is this recent cool snap normal for early September? I heard that question many times this past weekend. A thirty year average of high temperatures shows that we should still be near the 80 degree mark. Over the next few weeks we will see the average high temperature continue to fall. By the end of the month the average high will fall to 70 degrees, which is the forecasted high for today. By the end of October the average high falls to 60 degrees and by the end of November the average maximum temperature drops all the way down to 45 degrees.The average date of killing frost in autumn is October 20th. The earliest date of killing frost in autumn is September 17, 1959 and the latest date of a killing frost on November 11, 1994.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 4, 2006: IS LABOR DAY THE END OF SUMMER WEATHER?
Most people think of Labor Day as the unofficial end to summer. Kids are back in school, community pools are closed for the year, vacation time is over, football season is underway and well, the days are getting shorter. But there are still many very warm days left before the new season begins!Hurricane season is just starting, and there's still plenty of hot weather across the U.S. Some of this hot, muggy air can still spread northward from the south, all the way to New England! We still have a good chance of some hot days ahead, so the AC may not be turned off for good just yet. Don't count on it, summer is afterall, still here!This is Meteorologist Lisa Montgomery.
September 4, 2006: SLIGHTLY MILDER END TO A CHILLY HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
Temperatures struggled to get out of the 50’s on Saturday and 60’s on Sunday. With some breaks in the clouds today we should break 70 degrees this afternoon. Weak high pressure is building into the area but there are plenty of high, thin cirrus clouds overhead. These cirrus clouds are associated with an upper level jet streak that is overhead. So look for a milky, white sky with a few patches of blue. It’s a little too chilly to take a dip in the pool one last time before they close.Labor Day is the unofficial end to summer. Meteorological fall began on September 1st and ends on November 30th. Most of us wait until astronomical fall which begins this year on September 23rd.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
September 2, 2006: PREDICTION FOR OHIO VALLEY WINTER
"I know--I don't want to think about it either. I noticed the second week of August the geese were flying south and most of my humming birds have left already. Also, I noticed the cicada seemed to be singing already and the Fall sounds and feel in general seem earlier too. Do you have any forecast for winter yet?"Judy BrittonHi Judy, sounds like you love nature and birds! Do you ever read The Old Farmer's Almanac? I love checking in on the website to read tips and ideas for gardening, feeding wildlife, recipes and of course, the weather! According to the Almanac, predictions for the Ohio Valley region this winter are:Winter temps. will be slightly below normal, on average, with near-normal snowfall. Rainfall will be above normal, especially in the southwest region. The coldest temperatures will be around Christmas and in early, mid- and late January and early February. The most widespread snowfalls will be in early December, January and late February.For Spring of 2007, the first half of April will be rather cold, but mid-April through May will be much warmer than normal, with some of the year's hottest temperatures in mid-May. Precipitation in April and May will be near or slightly below normal.This is MeteorologistLisa Montgomery.
September 1, 2006: MY THOUGHTS ON ERNESTO’S IMPACT IN THE OHIO VALLEY
Memories of Ivan’s flooding two years ago are fresh in everyone’s minds, which is a good thing. Ernesto will not be another Ivan. Rain will begin to become steadier this afternoon, with heavier rain arriving later tonight. (Look for teams that like to run the football to have success tonight!)If you want a detailed hour by hour forecast for these games or any local high school football game make sure you check out the Football Forecast..
Rainfall amounts of up to an inch, perhaps two are possible by Saturday morning. It is possible that some locations will actually receive less than an inch of rainfall. To be on the safe side the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for much of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. This watch is in effect from this afternoon to Saturday morning.The threat for flooding will be much higher to our east. Over 6 inches of rain will plague areas from eastern and northern Virginia to south-central Pennsylvania. The rest of central Virginia and from south-central Pennsylvania to Delaware will experience 4 to 6 inches of rain.The holiday weekend is salvageable. With the exception of Saturday morning, the remainder of the weekend should be free of rainfall. If we’re lucky we could even see some breaks of sunshine on Sunday and Labor Day.Thanks for all the email questions over the past few days. I am working on a winter outlook for all those wondering how cold and snowy it will be this year. I’ll try to post an early outlook by sometime next week. This Ernesto has been keeping things extra busy in the weather center. I can answer this email question right now:“When is the daily low temperature recorded?”
Daily low temperatures typically occur right around sunrise each morning. So the low temperature that is predicted for tonight will actually occur around 6 am or 7 am. Sometimes low temperatures can occur early in the night. This happens when skies are clear in the evening, so all the heat will quickly escape into outer space. Then clouds associated with warmer air aloft will move in overnight causing temperatures to actually rise by morning. This occurs most often in the winter. High temperatures generally are reached in the mid afternoon. Sometimes during the winter cold fronts will cause temperatures to fall during the day, so the high temperature will occur during the morning, before the frontal passage. If this seems complicated, just keep this in mind, the high temperature is the maximum temperature recorded in a 24 hour day, midnight to midnight, while a low temperature is the minimum temperature that is recorded in a 24 hour day.Email your weather questions toweather@wtov.com.
I'm meteorologist Jeff Oechslein.
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