APRIL

OHIO WEATHER OBSERVERS NETWORK

http://sheridan.geog.kent.edu/owon

E-Mail: ssherid1@kent.edu

          

              

 

 

    Cleves 3NW #55 (Hamilton County) James F Davis - April ended up 1.8 degrees above normal and well below the norm on rainfall.        

 

    Kirdon 1N #2 (Wayne County) Ronald Hahn -  April temperatures averaged 4 degrees above normal, while liquid precipitation was more than an inch below normal.  Highs of 75 on the 2nd, 79 on the 14th, and 81 on the 15th were new records for those dates.  This is the 3rd April in the last 6 years to have no snow, but every April from 1972 through 1997 had measurable snow. 

    

    Newcomerstown 1S #106 (Tuscarawas County) Don Keating -   Average wind speed was 4.2 mph. There were only two (2) days with thunder which is a rather low number of days for the month of April. Relatively humidity levels dipped to as low as 19% on the 27'th of the month. This is the fourth month of the year with total precipitation being in the 2 to 3" range. Record high temperatures were tied or broken on one day and record low temperatures were tied or broken on one day as well  

           

        Ottawa 4E #15 (Putnam County) Phil & Bonnie Higley - Month started out as a wet beginning, with 0.98" of precip. falling on the 7th.  But there was a winter Storm Warning Posted for the 6th.  That evening old man winter just didn't want to gave up the goat. After been into the low 70's, we were looking for HI's in the mid to upper 30's, for the 7-9th.  A slow warm up. We finally got back into the low 80F by the 15th, but cool right back down again. Never see 80 degree's for the rest of that month.  Ended up with strong storms & some rain by the end of the month. A lot of strong storms, but not to much preicp..

   

    Perrysville 4W #79 (Richland County) Katie Gerwig - April temperatures averaged approximately 5 degrees above normal while precipitation was approximately 1.25 inches below normal.  There were 3 thunderstorm days.  Heavy fog remained all day on the 8th continuing into the morning of the 9th. 

   

    Springfield 2N #1 (Clark County) Dick Groeber  - Mild to warm days along with generally cool nights dominated the month.  The overall averages were above the station 35 year averages.  The rainfall was scattered and mostly light with one notable storm.  The rain total was below the station 35 year averages. 

    The month saw one warm period.  The period of the 14th through the 20th saw most daily high temperatures in the 70s and 80s along with lows mostly in the 50s.  The apparent last 32 degree reading of the season occurred on the 23rd with scattered frost. 

    There were two dates of notable thunderstorms.  The first was the 7th with 0.63 inch rainfall.  The second was Easter Sunday evening when a quickly moving storm dropped off 0.90 inch.  The second storm had hail up to 0.25 inch in size and a brief wind gust to 44 miles per hour. 

    Because of the mild and generally dry conditions of the month, the soil was becoming somewhat dry and in need of more rainfall. 

 

 Thompson 5SW #98 (Geauga County) Vance Lunn -  Although the low temperature dropped to 32 and below on 14 days, April was not an especially cold month.  Snowfall was light with three days seeing measureable amounts and several trace amounts.  Greatest snow depths were rounded-up 1 inch depths on the 1st and 7th.  Freezing rain occurred on the 7th-9th.  There were several warm afternoons with two seeing 80 plus.  A smoke cloud from a large fire in Mentor Marsh invaded the area on the 29th.  There were 3 days with thunder, three with fog, 3 with freezing rain, and 1 day with sleet.

  

 

    Wooster 7N #16 (Wayne County) Jack Sisler - The first real signs of Spring began to appear this month after a long Winter. Mean temperatures were about four degrees above normal. On the 15th I tied the record high for the date of 80 degrees first set in 1993. A record low of 26 degrees was established on the 26th breaking the 31 degrees set in 1996. Precipitation was 1.5 inches below normal for the month and 3.25 inches below normal for the year thus far. The ground was quite dry during the end of the month.
 

              

   

                                 

OWON # Station Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Mean Temp High Temp Date Low Temp Date Total Prec Max 24hr Prec Date # Prec Days Total Snow Max 24hr Snow Date #  1"+ Snow Days Max Wind Gust Date
119 Akron 1W 62.6 40.1 51.3 82 4/15 28 4/6 2.01 1.11 3/3,4 09 T T 4/5,7 00 18 4/15
A Akron-Canton 62.2 39.5 50.9 81 4/15 28 4/6 2.28 0.86 4/4,5 09 T T N/A 00 30 4/15
3 Aurora 3S 62.0 37.6 49.8 83 4/15 24 13,24 2.95 1.62 04 16 T T 4/,5,7 00 N/A N/A
A Columbus 66.0 43.8 54.9 82 4/15 30 4/6 2.54 0.63 4/7 10 T T N/A 00 29 4/20
107 Brookville 64.4 43.6 53.9 81 4/15 27 4/6 1.44 0.51 4/7 07 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 35 4/9
A Cincinnati 65.9 45.5 55.7 81 4/15 31 4/23 1.91 0.89 4/20 10 T T 4/9 00 21 4/20
A Dayton 64.3 43.0 53.7 81 4/15 27 4/6 1.49 0.37 4/7 08 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 30 4/15
A Erie 53.8 35.4 44.6 81 4/15 25 4/6 1.96 0.65 4/4,5 09 2.5 2.1 4/7 01 31 4/17
82 Centerville 1W 67.7 42.2 55.0 84 4/15 25 4/6 2.20 0.76 4/7 08 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 41 4/4
13 Cincinnati 5NW 66.8 45.4 56.1 81 4/15 29 4/6 2.21 0.81 4/20 07 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 N/A N/A
A Cleveland 59.0 38.7 48.9 82 4/15 28 4/24 2.47 1.52 4/4,5 08 0.1 0.1 4/5 00 32 4/15
55 Cleves 3NW 68.3 43.5 55.9 84 4/15 29 4/23 1.64 0.69 4/20 09 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 31 4/4
53 Kent 2W 62.1 36.7 49.4 81 4/15 26 4/24 2.57 1.22 4/4 10 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 34 4/15
2 Kidron 1N 65.0 40.6 52.8 51 4/15 28 13,24 2.26 0.63 4/4,7 09 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 31 4/15
87 Lagrange 2SW 62.3 37.3 49.8 83 4/15 27 4/24 2.53 1.06 4/4 08 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 36 4,15
23 Lodi 2S 63.2 36.8 50.0 83 4/15 25 4/24 2.56 0.82 4/4 08 T T 4/5,5 00 52 4/4
A Mansfield 61.7 37.9 49.8 80 4/15 26 4/13 2.10 0.97 4/4,5 10 T T 4/5 00 30 4/15
51 Middleburg Hts - - - - - - - 2.02 1.02 4/4 7 T T 4/5 00 - -
25 Munroe Falls 1SW 61.4 36.2 48.8 83 4/15 26 1,24 2.33 1.31 4/5 14 T T 4/6 00 40 4/20
106 Newcomerstown 1S 66.3 40.2 53.2 82 4/15 27 4/24 2.32 0.94 4/4,5 10 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 38 4/15
15 Ottawa 4E 61.2 39.0 50.1 82 4/15 28 6,13,23 2.75 0.98 4/7 12 T T 4/5 00 48 4/20
38 Perry 56.8 36.3 46.6 83 4/15 27 4/29 3.35 1.27 4/4 10 0.1 0.1 4/6 00 N/A N/A
79 Perrysville 4W 64.2 39.5 51.9 79 4/16 27 4/24 1.99 0.62 4/7 05 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 N/A N/A
33 Rockbridge 4W 67.6 44.0 55.8 84 4/15 26 4/6 2.24 0.51 4/7 13 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 N/A N/A
51 Sabina N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2.02 1.02 4/4 07 T T 4/5 N/A N/A N/A
01 Springfield 65.0 43.0 54.0 82 4/15 29 4/6 3.02 0.90 4/20 10 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 44 4/20
112 Sugarcreek 2SW 64.5 40.3 52.4 80 4/15 27 4/24 2.49 0.68 4/21 11 T T N/A 00 29 4/15
98 Thompson 5SW 59.2 35.6 47.4 84 15 25 6 2.69 1.25 4 11 1.2 0.5 4/1,7 00 N/A N/A
A Toledo 59.8 37.7 48.8 83 4/15 27 4/10 2.57 1.54 4/4,5 09 0.5 0.3 4/4 00 36 4/16
16 Wooster 7N 64.1 39.1 51.6 80 4/15 26 4/24 1.81 0.50 4/5 10 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 37 4/21
A Youngstown 61.2 37.5 49.4 82 4/15 26 4/24 1.82 0.96 4/4,5 08 0.3 0.3 4/1 00 31 4/15
48 Zanesville 6N 66.5 43.9 54.1 82 4/15 32 4/24 2.99 0.82 4/7 12 0.0 0.0 N/A 00 42 4/20
OWON # Station Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Mean Temp High Temp Date Low Temp Date Total Prec Max 24hr Prec Date   # Prec Days Total Snow Max 24hr Snow Date #  1"+ Snow Days Max Wind Gust Date

 

A = Airport

T = Trace

                    

 
 
 

DOWNLOAD APRIL'S MONTHLY REPORT IN MICROSOFT WORD FORMAT -  CLICK HERE

 

Date:  Tue Apr 1, 2003  7:09 am

Subject:  End of month report

 

For those of you that been wanting for my web page to come up, like it

used to be.

Well it's now up like it was before........

Just click on www.bright.net/~phigley

enjoy......

Here's what I had.

Monthly Mean>38.8F   Highest was 72F on the 24 & 28

Monthly Max>49F        Lowest was 1F on the 3rd

Monthly Minn>28.8F    Precip.; 1.72"/ 24 hour 0.37" on the 13th Total

Snowfall 1.1" 24 hr. 1.0" on 6th.

Highest wind gust 40 M.P.H. on the 28th

(This is NO April fool's joke........)

4-E

Putnam, Co.

 

Date: Wed Apr 2, 2003 7:57 pm

Subject: March's Weather Statistics for Centerville 1W

 

Weather statistics for the month of March for Centerville 1W.

High Temp (Date) ... 75o / 16th & 24th

Low Temp (Date) ... 4o / 3rd

Mean High ... 55.5o

Mean Low ... 31.3o

Monthly Mean ... 43.4o

Total Precipitation ... 2.75"

Max 24 hr Precipitation (Date) ... 0.71" / 29th

Number of Precipitation Days... 11

Total Snowfall... 1.5"

Max 24 hr Snowfall (Date) ... 1.0" / 1st

Max Snow Depth at time of observation ... 7"

High Wind Gust (Date) ... 32 MPH / 8th & 28th

Thunderstorm Days ... 1

Highest Barometer (Date) ... 30.35" / 13th

Lowest Barometer (Date) ... 29.57" / 21st

Average High Wind Gust... 19.0 MPH

Robert Flory - KA5RUC

Centerville 1W

Southeast Montgomery County

Ohio Weather Observer Network #82

Wilmington NWS Skywarn ID OMT405

Date: Wed Apr 2, 2003 9:03 pm

Subject: Found error in home pg. & fix it.

 

For those of you that have already

check my home web page. Notices that I

foregot to put in my Ave. Temperature.

WELL I got that put in now & also if it

was above normal or not in temperature

& Precip..

For those of you that does not know my

web page. It's www.bright.net/~phigley

check it out..........The bug's are

work out of it now & it look's like it

surpost to.

Today Hi; 75F

Today Low; 52F

Present Temp. 62F (@9:01 p.m.)

Precip. 0.00

Rel. Hum. 76%

Dew Point of 54F

4-E

Putnam, Co.

 

Date:  Thu Apr 3, 2003  5:46 pm

Subject:  Xenia Tornado Anniversary

 

On this date, April 3, 1974, Xenia hit by tornado. View details

and photos at:

 

 

Larry Huff

 

Date: Thu Apr 3, 2003 7:05 pm

Subject: Re: Xenia Tornado Anniversary

 

 

Larry and Group:

 

I know there was a lot of debris including papers and cancelled bank

checks from the Xenia area carried by the upper winds that were found

all over the Wooster and Wayne County area later on. I actually saw

some of these items and it sure left a lump in ones throat knowing,

had the timing been a little different, we (those in my area) could

have been one of the targets.

 

Jack Sisler

Wooster 7N

 

Date: Thu Apr 3, 2003 7:20 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Xenia Tornado Anniversary

 

 

Group,

I just got off the site Larry sent.

If you want to hear some spine chilling sounds, listen

to the sound of the tornado with headphones on. When

I did, it actually sent chills up my spine, trying to

imagine what those people went through during the

tornado.

I forgot today was the anniversary of Xenia, thanks

Larry for sharing this site with us. I book marked it

as my favorites.

Thanks again.

Rich Rabatin

Ravenna 1E

 

Date:  Thu Apr 3, 2003  8:52 pm

Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Xenia Tornado Anniversary

I was down in Beavercreek (you can see how close it is to Xenia on this

guy's map) at Thanksgiving 2000 and I went through Xenia to take some

pics. I felt guilty going there to "gawk" at people's losses, so I

didn't get out of my car to walk around very much.

 

Even two months later the devastation was obvious. Everything that you

see damaged in this guy's pictures was covered in a tarp or somewhat

cleaned up, but you could still see parts of houses missing, a few

driveways without houses, etc. The church walls were still standing

with a massive tarp over top and debris still lying in the parking lot.

 

I went to the Wal-Mart and while their sign had been restored, there

were still pock marks and scrapes in the blue part of the facade. When

I say "pcok marks and scrapes" I'm talking about palm- to

dinner-plate-sized areas that had been hit by debris. I went in to the

Wal-Mart and when I checked out I mentioned to the cashier that I was

looking at the damage and wished to help people if there was a place I

could donate. She said it was fine for me to be looking around, that

people were pretty much used to it, and thanked me for my concern.

 

I followed the path all the way back through town. This tornado path

actually went at an angle that I believe crossed the path of the 1974

tornado. At the high school there was a sign thanking the disaster

relief volunters. I was left with the inpression that even though the

2000 tornado wasn't "as bad" as the 1974 event, it was still bad

enough.

 

 

Liz

 

Date:  Thu Apr 3, 2003  9:34 pm

Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Xenia Tornado Anniversary

 

Wow!

 

Just as a point of interest, my current boss was City Manager in Xenia

before he came to Kent. The 74 tornado predated him and the last one

that

hit Xenia several years ago went through his subdivision and took out

some

houses about three doors down from his. He had already moved up here

but

his house was up for sale and had not been sold yet. He tells some

interesting stories though. Evidently, since 1974 or sometime

thereafter,

Xenia has a policy where if a tornado warning is issued for that area,

all

City Department heads are REQUIRED to report to a situation room I

think in

the basement of their City Hall. They have all kinds of hookups and

weather

stuff in the room. So no matter what time of day or night, everyone has

to

go and family gets left at home. He also tells about the tornado that

hit

the northern burbs of Cincy several years ago early in the morning. Of

course all the dept. heads got called to the situation room as that

storm

was progressing. He happens to notice one of the guys in the room who

evidently was with the City back in 74 and the poor man has turned

white as

a sheet. When they asked him what was wrong, the guy told them that the

storm was following the same general path as the 74 storm. I don't know

if

that is factually correct, but that is what the guy said. After all

that my

boss doesn't deal well with storms and he says that his kids have a

rough go

as well, I'm guessing because of all the stuff that he had to do down

there.

Thought you all might find that interesting. Great info and discussion

of

the Xenia storm.

 

Gary L.

Ravenna

 

Date: Thu Apr 3, 2003 9:46 pm

Subject: Xenia

 

Back in the 70s we had a sister church in Xenia and got together with

the

kids from the youth group there. Most of the kids had gone through that

tornado. I remember one gal that I had become particularly close with

and

she had scars from debris/glass all up and down her legs. It's hard to

imagine. I spent several weekends with families in Xenia from the

church as

well as outings w/the kids from the Xenia church in the mid-late 70s. I

remeber seeing the new construction in so many areas. It's amazing how

resilient people are, especially kids in the face of what they went

through.

Putting together the video/news accounts available with what they went

through is heart stopping.

 

Amber

 

Date: Thu Apr 3, 2003 11:29 pm

Subject: Snow Season

 

I have a question on the months considered to be used for

"Seasonal Snowfall".

1. The NWS Coop ROSA system requires daily reports from

November 1st through March 31st.

2. The Cleveland (OH) NWS Snow Spotter Network continues

with snowfall reports through April 30th.

 

What is the correct beginning and ending dates when YOU total

your Season Snowfall?

 

Larry Huff

Munroe Falls (Summit County)

 

Date:  Fri Apr 4, 2003  3:28 pm

Subject:  Re: Snow Season

 

Technically,Larry, I think the "season" runs from July 1st through

the following June 1st. Obviously, a seasonal total is whatever falls

during that time. NWS Cleve goes through April becuase in northern

Ohio there is still often significant snow in April.

 

Vance

 

Date: Fri Apr 4, 2003 7:07 pm

Subject: Severe Wx

 

 

Group:

 

Looking at some storm reports for Ohio there was some severe wx this

afternoon in western Ohio. There was a tornado reported on the ground

by a pilot around 3:30 pm about three miles northeast of Troy in

Miami County (or about 20 miles north of Dayton). I saw one report of

1.25" hail in Van Wert County and .75" hail in Miami and Union

counties.

 

All this is being caused by a frontal boundary draped across the

state running west to a strong Low over central Illinois. There's

been about a 40-degree temperature contrast between the northern and

southern part of the state. Much of Ohio is in a slight risk and with

such a contrast in temperatures, dewpoints close to 60, and the

strong Low forecast to move over Ohio I wouldn't be surprised to see

more severe wx the rest of the evening and early tonight.

 

Jack

Wooster 7N

 

 

Date: Fri Apr 4, 2003 7:32 pm

Subject: Re: Snow Season

 

 

Larry and Group:

 

I don't know if there is any right or wrong answer. I've always

considered my seasonal snowfall from when the first snow falls

usually sometime in October to when the last snow falls some time in

April.

 

What does one consider a season? Winter is a season but many times

you have snow before the official Winter season begins and starts at

the end of a year and ends in the following year.

 

I guess that's why seasonal snowfall and yearly snowfall can be

different. I'd be interested in hearing if there is such a thing as a

correct answer.

 

Jack

 

Date: Sat Apr 5, 2003 7:32 am

Subject: Davis Wx Instrument Owners

 

 

Group:

 

I, and perhaps some of you, received this announcement in their email

about a software upgrade for those of us who own a Weather Monitor,

Weather Wizard, and Perception station.

 

I think this is long overdue, especially since I personally was told

they weren't going to do this several months ago because they

appeared to be putting all their support towards the Vantage. I'm not

sure what all the changes there will be but hopefully it's something

worthwhile.

 

Jack

Wooster 7N

 

Davis Instruments Weather Club

April 4, 2003

Late Breaking News: WeatherLink 5.4 Ready for Beta Testing

 

 

Davis WeatherLink software users will be delighted to know that

our

latest version, 5.4 is almost ready. The new version will be

especially welcomed by owners of Weather Monitor, Weather Wizard,

and

Perception stations, as it supports all Davis weather stations at

the

same standards as the Vantage Pro software. Monitor and

Perception

owners will even be able to get a forecast! (Sorry, Wizard

owners,

forecasts require a barometer!)

 

But, although WeatherLink for Vantage Pro owners already have

most of

the features of the new version, even they will find some new

ones

included in the new version. Version 5.4 will allow all station

owners to post their data to the "Personal Weather Station" pages

on

Weather Underground. It also has been designed to report data for

use

in the GLOBE school program.

 

But before we release the new version, we need our trusty Beta

Testers to help us identify any bugs or weak spots. If you would

like

to participate, you can download the free beta version from the

Davis

website. The beta version is free and fully functional, but it

will

expire on May 31.

 

Date: Sat Apr 5, 2003 9:01 am

Subject: Strong Thunderstorms

 

 

Hi Group:

 

That was certainly a "noisy" night last night, huh?! Ahhh! The

sweet thundery sounds of spring!

 

A strong thunderstorm passed through Lodi 2S between 4:15-4:45 PM

Friday afternoon (April 4th). The thunderstorm produced a peak wind

gust of 52 MPH at 4:28 PM. This ties my highest peak wind gust of

record at this station to date. A 52 MPH peak wind gust was also

observed on March 9, 2002.

 

Another strong thunderstorm passed through the local area

(Lodi/Burbank) between 9:30-10 PM Friday evening. The storm was

accompanied by frequent ground-to-cloud lightning strikes and small

hail (pea-sized).

 

Total precipitation for the event (Friday, April 4th through 8 AM

Saturday, April 5th) was 1.27 inches.

 

Matt Higgins

Lodi 2S

Medina/Wayne County Border

 

Date: Sat Apr 5, 2003 4:22 pm

Subject: Re: Strong Thunderstorms

 

 

Matt and Group:

 

Good lightning show for sure! Highest wind gust here was 37 mph

between 4 and 5 pm yesterday and total rainfall for the event

was .75". The weather radio was going crazy.

 

Looking at the SPC storm reports for Ohio I came up with the

following:

 

1 Tornado report (Miami County north of Troy)

19 Hail reports .75" or larger (1.50" the largest, in Seneca County)

19 Wind reports (highest being 61 mph in Toledo)

 

Anyone else have some storm reports?

 

Jack

Wooster 7N

 

Date: Sat Apr 5, 2003 11:26 pm

Subject: dew vs. transpiration

 

 

Ohio Weather Group:

 

A few weeks ago I posted a message asking which parts of the state are

most

conducive for dew and frost formation. It was generally agreed that

areas

of the state with significant vegetation experience a lot of dew/frost

formation. While I was home for spring break, I read that the moisture

that

forms on plants may be transpiration (moisture from the plant itself)

and

not dew.

 

So what would be an easy way to distinguish dew from transpiration?

 

-Shawn Trueman

Scalia Lab

Ohio University

 

Date: Mon Apr 7, 2003 4:50 am

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Digest Number 1046

 

ive got a report

during the storng storms, we had about a 2 minute peroid of very small hail or

my guess it was

sleet in Toledo.

 

Michael

 

Date: Mon Apr 7, 2003 8:13 am

Subject: Snow Season

 

 

Larry and all:

 

The NWS snow season is defined as July 1 through June 30th. Lets hope

that we

don't have any snow in June!

I limit the monthly snow logs for the snow spotters to Nov-April. Snow

that

occurs in May is usually (but not always) a trace (melts upon contact)

or a few

tenths. It is more common to get some accumulating snow at the end of

October

but folks can include that data on the November sheet.

 

Jim Kosarik, NWS CLE

 

Date: Mon Apr 7, 2003 1:20 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Snow Season

 

Hi Larry & List;

I usually keep track of snowfall for a "season" from the first

measurable in the later part of the year to the last measurable

at the start of spring, or whenever we get it out of here!! In

other words, October or November whatever, to March or April

whatever, of the following year.

So far I'm at a record number of 57.6". Enough!! Where's true

warm spring that'll stick around?

Don Keating

Newcomerstown 1S

 

Date: Tue Apr 8, 2003 12:03 pm

Subject: Radio Interview

 

 

Eric Wertz, NEOCAMS president, called to say that a live

interview with our next speaker, Dr. Jeffrey Rogers (State

Climatologist), will be aired tomorrow (4/9) morning. The time

will be around 8:50 A.M. on WAKR (1590 AM) Radio. Dr.

Rogers will be our guest speaker this Saturday at Kent State U.

 

Larry Huff

 

From: "Phil Higley"  

Date: Tue Apr 8, 2003 5:00 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: Snow Season

 

 

Hi;

When you have Hail at your house .How do you log it(HAIL)? We were

told to log the hail has SNOW!sO WE CAN HAVE SNOW REPORT IN JUNE OR

JULY

.BUT IT WOULD REALLY BE HAIL.

 

 

Date: Thu Apr 10, 2003 9:04 am

Subject: Snow Season Hail

 

 

List:

 

According to the NWS Observing Handbook #7 (latest version), hail does

indeed

count as "frozen" precipitation in the summer in the official Climatic

Data

Center records. It should always

be noted with an asterisk (*) and comment as "fell as hail".

Unfortunately,

some software and translations over the years have dropped the asterisk

and

comment and it looks weird to see

frozen precipitation in the summer. Also, the handbook makes no

discrimination

between measuring the depth of frozen precipitation and includes hail

and snow

by the same measuring criteria

so you could indeed have an inch of hail (frozen precip) as your entry

if it

covered the ground uniformly.

 

Jim Kosarik, NWS Cleveland

 

Date: Fri Apr 11, 2003 11:48 am

Subject: Re: Snow Season Hail

 

 

If you do get an inch accumulation of hail, do you add it to your

seasonal snowfall total?

 

Vance

 

Date: Fri Apr 11, 2003 11:57 am

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: Snow Season Hail

 

Ummmmm, snow is snow, hail is hail. Since when should an inch of

hail on the ground be considered an inch of snow? You have got to

be kidding me!? That is the most illogical thing I've heard in

quite a while. And obviously, and inch of hail piles up with less

effort than an inch of snow. You really got me scratching my bald

head on this one!!

Don Keating

 

Date: Fri Apr 11, 2003 1:34 pm

Subject: Re: Snow Season Hail

 

 

Vance (and group):

 

The answer to your question is "no". As Jim stated in his e-mail,

you should asterik the value in your notes or log and mention that it

fell as hail.

 

I have to agree with Don that it would look kinda silly if you

reported an inch of "snow" on a day when your maximum temperature

was, per se, 88 F and the minimum was 65 F! Actually, in the log I

use to record my daily weather here at Lodi 2S I use the following

header for my frozen precipitation column: "Total Snow, Ice, and

Hail for the 24-hour period ending at observation". In the remarks

column of my form, I would specify that the precipitation fell as

hail. This helps clear up any ambiguties associated with the

different frozen precipitation types.

 

Matt Higgins

 

 

Date: Fri Apr 11, 2003 3:41 pm

Subject: Message from a 2way device

 

 

Group, From Springfield.

I know how stupid this seems, but my B 91 form says to record hail as

part of the snow column. Comtact the N.W.S. for

comments. Dick Groeber

 

Date:  Fri Apr 11, 2003  9:28 pm

Subject:  report's this week

 

This week I been reading report's on "How to measure Hail", from

differnent observers. 

I only thing I can say as a Amateur Weather Watcher & a ham radio

operator; "Hail is measure as snowfall & whatever fall's on the

ground, as we have more then 1/4", I put it down as Snowfall but

I but a * beside my report & I note it as HAIL FALL.

So if anyone tell yea, if it snow's in June or July, you can say

YES it does......Cause Hail is Ice & snow is Ice also. 

Today Hi was 67F

Low was 30F

@ 9:27 p.m. it's 51F

0.00/0.0 Precip.

Baro. 29.63S

Winds; Calm out of the NNW

4-E

Putnam, Co.

 

Date: Fri Apr 11, 2003 9:38 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] report's this week

 

Hey Phil;

Good to hear from ya!! However, with all due respect, I must

disagree here. Hail is ice, correct. Snow is NOT ice. Snow is a

minor form of frozen precipitation. Entirely different than hail

stones. Snow doesn't make your skin sting when it hits you when

it falls. Hailstones surely will. I always make not on my weather

reports if there was hair, what size and if it covered the ground

and if so, how deep it piled up. I would never say it snows in

June or July for hail stones. I know a lot of this is just a

difference of opinions, but I also think we need a 'standard' as

well. Just my opinion, you may be correct Phil, nothing personal.

Anyone else wanna chime in on this? Someone tell me if I'm wrong,

please.

Don Keating

 

Date: Sat Apr 12, 2003 7:43 am

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] report's this week

 

Don;

I think we are need a good eduaction on how to write down "Hail", in our

report's.

It's just run's in my mine (WHAT MINE! Like my wife would say.) that when we do

have hail & it cover's the ground I alway's been putting it down in my columum

as

snow, but with a * beside it, so I will know it was "HAIL" not snow. Wouldn't

that

be alright??????

@ 7:40 a.m. it's 34F with mtly. clear skies.

Got down to 33F.

Look like another FINE day install for us.

4-E

Putnam, Co.

 

Date:  Sun Apr 13, 2003  7:02 am

Subject:  CORN Report

 

 

I have posted Bob Davis' Central Ohio Raingage Network March

Report at:

 

 

Larry Huff

 

 

 

Date: Mon Apr 14, 2003 4:54 pm

Subject: reports from 4-E Putnam, Co.

 

Well it started out as a cool morning, after

being down to 39F. The winds were almost

clam. But noon, it was in the mid 60F. As of

right now, the winds are picking up & the

temperature is now in the low 70F. (74)F)75F

was our Hi today. The skies are NICE an

Blue.....

But the Baro. is started to fall from 29.97F

0.02", winds are out of the SSW@18

M.P.H..Pumping up that warm air from the

south. By this time Torromorrw, I surpost

it's going to be alot more winder & getting

cldy..

But still be in the upper 60F to near 70F.

If the rest of this year be like today, I

will have NO complete's.......Very Low rel.

hum. 36%, the dew point is 46F.

Let's keep this type of weather

coming.......

4-E

Putnam, Co.

Phil

 

Date: Mon Apr 14, 2003 6:43 pm

Subject: Re: reports from 4-E Putnam, Co.

 

 

Phil and Group:

 

Couldn't agree with you more about staying this way all summer. Kind

of wondered the way this Winter has been. Had a high of 74 and low of

33 today. There could be some high temperature records set tomorrow

(Tuesday)with highs forecast in the 80's. I need to break 80 tomorrow

to break a record set in 1993. Could use a little rain though with no

precipition here the last six days.

 

Any others have a chance in breaking a high temperature record

tomorrow?

 

Jack

Wooster 7N

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 2:23 am

Subject: Re: reports from 4-E Putnam, Co.

 

 

The low here (Thompson 5 SW) was 31.9 F and the high was 75.6 F, a

diurnal range of 43.7 F degrees.

 

Vance

 

From: "Phil Higley"  

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 6:25 am

Subject: Reporting temperature's

 

I been noticing that alot of people are

putting down in there report there air

temperature like 71.5F or 82.3F or 71.7F. Is

this right???????

I was told to ALWAYS round them up the whole

number. Like if we had 71.5F it would be 72F

or if its 82.3F, it would be 82F. Am I doing

it wrong or am I doing it right? Could

someone PLEASE inform me which way is the

RIGHT way?????

4-E

Putnam, Co.

Current temperature 60F or 60.1F

@ 6:24 a.m.

Winds Lt. SSW-10

Baro. 29.87S

Rel. Hum. 71%

Dew Point of 51F

Precip. 0.00

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 7:01 am

Subject: Message from a 2way device

 

 

Group and list, From Springfield.

Are we being setup for some severe weather with this low and cold front?

With the high temperatures expected in the middle 80s today and the sharp

temperature fall behind it, it wiuld be a classic case for this outlook.

As for those temperatures. Some thermometers read to the tenth

degree while others to the whole degree. Report as you think best. I report to

the whole degree. Dick Groeber.

 

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 8:17 am

Subject: Re: Reporting temperature's

 

 

Phil and Group:

 

You are "officially" correct. Both the NWS Cooperative Observer

Program and the Federal Meteorological Handbook say to record all

temperature readings (maximum, minimum, and current) to the nearest

WHOLE degree. However, for one's own recordings, to each his own.

 

As of 8 a.m. it's a "balmy" 57 degrees. Ahhhhhhhhh!

 

Jack

Wooster 7N

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 10:21 am

Subject: Re: reports from 4-E Putnam, Co.

 

 

Group:

 

Lodi 2S had a 46-degree spread between the maximum and minimum

temperatures yesterday (April 14, 2003). The max. was 76 degrees and

the low was 30 degrees. From winter coats to summer shorts in a

matter of a few hours!!

 

Matt Higgins

 

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 11:17 am

Subject: Record High in Danger

 

List... This stations record high temperature for April 15 is 83

degrees. That was established in 2000. Currently @ 11:15 a.m. we're at

75 degrees.

Don Keating

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 1:21 pm

Subject: Sad News

 

 

A.J. Colby's contract was not renewed by FOX8. A.J.'s last day is

tomorrow (Wednesday, April 16th).

 

A.J.'s replacement will be Scott Sabol, from WSAZ-TV,

Charleston, WV. Scott will make his debut around May 1st.

 

Larry Huff

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 5:17 pm

Subject: Message from a 2way device

 

 

Group, The high temperature recorded in

Springfield today was 82 degrees. My previous station high for April 15 was 84

degrees recorded just last year. Dick

Groeber.

 

Date: Tue Apr 15, 2003 8:37 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Sad News

 

Don and All,

I discovered this news when Andre sent out e-mails this morning to all

of his "weather spys".

You are right, Don. It is show business but one wonders what the

decision makers were thinking when they decided to do this. I feel

certain that A.J. will find another TV job soon and probably in the

Cleveland market. Dick will retire somewhere down the line and I believe

Andre wants to someday go into a full time Christian ministry. If both

departed about the same time, Fox8 weather would be greatly weakened. I

feel that Fox8 Cleveland has had the best weather team in Northeast

Ohio.

--

Larry

 

 

Date: Wed Apr 16, 2003 12:05 pm

Subject: Re: Reporting temperature's

 

 

Use whole numbers in your "official" reports for the daily max. and

daily min. temp. In a discussion, use whatever sounds more

interesting.

 

While we're on the topic, I can't get Davis Weatherlink to use whole

numbers for the high and low in its report. Anyone know if it can be

set to do that?

 

Vance

 

From: "Phil Higley"  

Date: Wed Apr 16, 2003 4:12 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: Reporting temperature's

 

 

I have a Davis Weatherlink in my system.......It show's unit's, like 59.3F,

but if it is showing this on the unit itself, you can push unit's on the

desk top & you can just show 59F. But to have it to downloan into your

computor, I don't really know how to do it.

4-E

 

Date:  Wed Apr 16, 2003  5:59 pm

Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Re: Reporting temperature's

 

Vance;

 

    No, it is not possible. At least not at this point in time. As far as

recording temperatures on a daily basis, etc. If your reading maxed out at 75.4,

I record 75. If it maxes out at 75.5, I record 76.

 

Don Keating

 

Date: Thu Apr 17, 2003 4:58 am

Subject: temp change

 

greetings,

 

talk about drastic temperature change.

 

at noon i had a temp of 81

at 1205 the temp was 70

by one pm, it dropped down to 61

 

20 degrees in one hour, I love Ohio!

 

Michael

Toledo, Oh

 

Date: Sun Apr 20, 2003 11:39 pm

Subject: Weather Monitor II and an Observation

 

List;

I haven't looked yet, but was wondering who recorded the wind gust of

109 mph near Springfield? I wonder what Dick Vader had as a gust? I had

a gust of 32 as a minor squall line moved through.

Now, an interesting observation. A while back I noticed my wind

direction was messed up on my Weather Wizard III by Davis Instruments. I

had had enough! I was fed up. I decided to surf the web to see if I

could find a good price on line for the Monitor II. I found several

places on line that offered it for $259 but I wanted to find somewhere

in this part of Ohio. I finally remembered I had purchased my Wizard III

at a place called Boats US in Cleveland. I called them before I ventured

all the way up there, but they were out of stock. Then I remembered I

had gone to a place called West Marine in North Olmstead to purchase the

Kestrel 1000 unit I had got a few years back. I checked their web site

and discovered they carried what I wanted. I called and Bingo, they had

it in stock. So I drove the 111 miles one way trip to buy the Monitor

II. I also got an additional $20 off; $10 for every $100 spent. I was in

great shape!

This evening with the thunderstorms moving into the area, I noticed

something interesting. The pressure was on a gradual fall since about

1130 a.m. at 30.06" It dropped to a reading of 29.92" at 6 p.m. Then, it

went from 29.92 to 29.94 at 6:30. It then fell again to 29.86" @ 10 p.m.

and it rising now. I'm wondering why the small increase for 30 minutes?

Any ideas??

Sorry to write so much in this post. Take care everyone. Oh, and the web

address for the place I got my Weather Monitor II is.........

www.westmarine.com

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

 

Date:  Mon Apr 21, 2003  12:03 am

Subject:  Message from a 2way device

 

 

Group and list, From Springfield.

About that wind gust. I recorded a gust of 44 m.p.h. just after 7 p.m.

with

that thunderstorm. There was also hail to .25 8.inches.The temperature

fell

from 72 to 54 degrees. I don't know who recorded

that 109 m.p.h. but compared to my 44 it seems way to high!

Dick Groeber.

 

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 5:56 am

Subject: Springfield OH 109 MPH Wind Gust

 

List,

I heard the same report of the 109 MPH wind gust in Springfield. It was reported on the Dayton Section

Skywarn from the Clark County liaison. He stated that it was a measured wind gust and came from an

individual who is also a first responder. I wondered what Dick Groeber was experiencing at that time, but I

see from his post early this morning he had a wind gust to 44 mph.

 

Robert M. Flory - KA5RUC

Centerville 1W

Southeast Montgomery County

Ohio Weather Observer Network #82

Wilmington NWS Skywarn ID OMT405

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 8:15 am

Subject: Re: Springfield OH 109 MPH Wind Gust

 

 

Rob and Group:

 

That 109 mph wind gust was listed in the Storm Prediction Center

Storm Reports this morning. It was posted at a location

as "Springfield 2N" with a time of around 7:31 p.m. That accumulating

hail in Deleware County was also posted with 1.50" hail falling at

the time.

 

I would be interested in hearing anymore reports or confirmation from

Dick or anyone in the Springfield area about that wind gust. There

must have been some wind damage in that area.

 

Jack Sisler

Wooster 7N

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 8:28 am

Subject: Message from a 2way device

 

 

Group and list, From Springdield.

I contacted the Wulmington N.W.S. office. They said the 109 m.p.h.

wind report may have come from a spotter. The peopple who took the report were

off duty so no confirmation. The local newspaper said the report came from

north of the city. I do know there was little

proprty damage and a few trees knocked down. It doesn't seem like enough for

such a strong wind. I can only confirm my report of 44 m.p.h..

Also, the rain total was .90 inch. Dick

Groeber.

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 10:40 am

Subject: Re: Message from a 2way device

 

 

Dick and Group:

 

This really got me thinking (hard to believe I know)but with what

gusts Dick and maybe a few others had could this particular station

have mistakenly read that gust in kilometers per hour instead of

miles per hour? A 109 k.p.h. gust would be around a 68 m.p.h. which

to me would seem more realistic to me. The only other thing I can

think of in the discrepancy in wind speeds is that the station may

have been under a microburst. Keep us posted Dick and others. Other

thoughts?

 

Jack

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:08 am

Subject: weather data from storm

 

We ended up with only .02" of rain, but the

wind......WOW!!!!

Had a wind gust of 48 M.P.H.

Yesterday Hi was 76F

Low was 59F

At 9:30 p.m. it was 62F

The baro. was S at 29.63

Winds were SSW-14

Rel. Hum. was at 88%

Dew Point of 58F

The rain come down hard, but move out VERY

fast.......

Hancock Co., the co. to the East of me, got

hit BIG time......

They had Thunder & Lighten.......

Storm must be getting bigger as it went NNE

ward.

4-E

Putnam, Co.

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 12:05 pm

Subject: Davis Wind Systems

 

 

Don's comments on his Davis Weather Monitor II, reminds me of

the frustration that I have also been experiencing with my Davis

station. All of the problems that I have ever had with my two

Davis stations has been with the wind system. Both my Wizard II

and Monitor II are not able to record wind direction. I have

replaced the wind systems at least two times before because of

the bearings going out on the anemometer. At that time (about

two years ago .... they can be expected to go out in 3 to 4 years),

a replacement unit for the wind system was around $125. if you

returned the damaged unit to them. With my system about 155

feet up and me not a tower climber, I have come up another idea.

I search e-Bay alot and often see good buys on Davis

instruments. I may buy a full station on e-Bay just to get the wind

system. Some of the stations posted are new and should be a

better risk than one that has been in use and be cheaper than

getting it directly from Davis. I'll let you know how it comes out

when that time comes.

 

Larry Huff

Munroe Falls Weather Station

 

Date:  Mon Apr 21, 2003  12:07 pm

Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Re: Message from a 2way device

 

 

Jack;

 

    That's pretty much what I was thinking, a microburst. I would also buy into

the possibility of the reading being made in a different unit of measurement.

However, if that were the case, I suggest the observer check his settings.

 

    As far as here in Newcomerstown... I noticed on the SPC web site for the

days severe weather reports that someone reported tree damage here in

Newcomerstown. I can assure you, it was not me! I observed NO tree damage in the

area.

 

Don Keating 

 

Date:  Mon Apr 21, 2003  1:44 pm

Subject:  Re: Davis Wind Systems

 

 

Larry and Group:

 

I think we all need to put the Davis product line in perspective.

They are great STARTER stations. They carry a low price tag.

Typically, when it comes to scientific equipment of any kind

(laboratory, meteorological, etc.) the lower the price tag the less

reliable from a performance standpoint.

 

I, too, own a Davis Weather Monitor II. Thus far, the wind

equipment has given me good results. It's been in use nearly 4

years now. I don't expect it to last much longer (your comments

concerning the life of the wind equipment are exactly what I've been

hearing from Davis & other users). When its time finally comes, I'm

planning to replace it with another model. This might be a Maximum,

Texas Instruments unit, whatever.

 

My suggestion to Davis users is that you should save your money and

be prepared to shell out your $300-$500 for a decent wind set in a

few years. Understand that the intention of Davis is to build and

sell STARTER stations and not stations that will last you 25-30

years.

 

Just my opinion and 2 cents worth!

 

Matt Higgins

Lodi 2S

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 1:47 pm

Subject: Misc. observations 4/18, 4/20

 

 

On Friday, April 18, I drove up to New York via I-90 and as some of you

may know there is a stretch of highway north of Erie, PA where you get

a 270-degree view of Lake Erie as you come over a ridge. Well, I saw

this huge white area out on the lake despite the low overcast that

stretched across the whole area. I thought this might be an area where

the sun broke through the cloud cover, but on my way back to Cleveland

the same white area remained in the same place and the angle of the sun

would have made it impossible for it to be a sunlit area at that time.

Therefore I concluded that there is still a significant amount of ice

left over in that area of the Lake, probably about ten to twenty miles

off Ripley, NY.

 

Yesterday I was at the airport spotting planes when the gust front came

through. It was quite spectacular there... A Southwest Airlines plane

had just landed and left quite a bit of tire smoke at touchdown, but

the smoke didn't dissipate; instead the plume seemed to grow larger.

Then I realized it wasn't smoke anymore, but a cloud of dust blowing up

from the construction site at the south end of the runways. Within a

few seconds this cloud of dust grew and thickened and moved towards me

until I could not see the end of the runway; then I couldn't see the

middle of the runway at all. I was monitoring the control tower

frequency as another smaller jet landed. The pilot remarked

[paraphrasing] "That was some dust cloud," and the tower controller

replied, "Yes, there's a gust front coming through, but we haven't seen

something that spectacular in a while." In the mean time I had warned

the other spotters at our site that we were in for some very strong

winds within a matter of minutes, and some of them got in their cars

but two guys decided to remain standing in their exposed location.

They were hit with a gust of wind and accumulated dust and after a few

seconds realized it would be prudent to return to their cars. I can't

recall whether the tower reported it as a 44 mph or a 44 kt gust at the

time. In any case, my little Ford Escort shook with the impact. As

soon as the gust front passed, visibility returned to near normal.

 

 

I hope everyone had a happy Easter,

Liz

 

Date:  Mon Apr 21, 2003  5:26 pm

Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Re: Davis Wind Systems

 

 

Hello Matt;

 

    I received your e-mail off list this morning and thank you for writing. I

have already purchased a brand new Monitor II outfit that hopefully will last me

the five years you seem to be referring to. The problem with mine, to be honest,

is that I think I messed it up myself. I accidently severed the cable a little

over a year ago when I put the new wind equipment on top of the house. I tried

to fix it up and it worked fine for a while, but I think the weather finally got

to it. The wind DIRECTION ended up reading a constand North when I knew it

wasn't. So I suppose it was mostly my problem. At any rate, I'm glad I purchased

the Monitor II. Larry recalls, maybe, when I first visited with him at his place

a couple of years ago that I was wanting to get a WM II. So I finally did. :-)

 

    I've been hearing this wind gust of 109 MPH reported as far away as The

Weather Channel. Honestly, I am rather disturbed by it. I have yet to see ANY

video from the location in the Springfield area showing any damage by this high

gust. Since Dick Vader is that locations represenative, I suggest he go to the

location and check it out. Maybe he has already done this, and I surely don't

want to seem forward like I'm ordering him to do this. I just think it'd be a

great idea for someone with all the years under his belt to let us all know what

he personally thinks. What do you think Mr. Vader?

 

    I shall close for now. I've done more than my share of posting recently. I

am, though, very glad to see the list has awaken from the coma it was in. ;-)

 

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

 

Date: Mon Apr 21, 2003 10:12 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: Davis Wind Systems

 

Don & List:

 

I thought Dick Vader lived up in the Cleveland area, not Springfield. Not much here in Ravenna last night

other than some good downpours and a little thunder and lightning.

On a separate note, I don't know if any of you were getting the weather paging from NWS CLE but they are

discontinuing that service as of the end of the month. Has anyone come across a good commercial service

that is reasonable and delivers severe weather pages? I am out and about enough that the severe weather

pages are very useful to me. I am sorry to see NWS cut this service but I guess as budgets get tighter,

something has to go. Will be out of town for several days. Ciao!

 

Gary L.

Ravenna

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:42 am

Subject: Pagers

 

I use www.stormnow.com for $2.00/ month. Has worked well for me for

several years. Use the e-mail option sent to your pager with as little

text as possible. It usually beats CLE's hand-typed pagers by 1-2

minutes...

 

Chris, N8WGB

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:27 am

Subject: Re: Misc. observations 4/18, 4/20

 

 

That would make sense, Liz, as the winds would generally blow any

remaining icepack in that direction. It has not been overly warm so

far, except for a few days, and the lake acts as a giant refrigerator

to preserve its ice. I get a distant veiw of the lake each day as I

drive to work, and may have spotted distant ice on a few days. It is

hard to tell at that distance. Yesterday I did not see any ice as it

was a uniform bluish-grey color all the way out to the horizon.

 

Speaking of ice, there is currently light snow falling here nwith

that temp. at 36.5 degrees.

 

Vance

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:37 am

Subject: Re: Davis Wind Systems

 

 

Larry, Matt, and group,

 

What are good stations to consider saving up for when those Davis

stations wear out? I seems most of us have either Davis stations

and/or manual equipment. We need to consider what would give us the

best "bang for our buck." I think all out industrial, professional

equipment is going to be above budget for most of us, so what are

your opinions and observations as to what might be more durable than

davis, but at a cost, though higher, would still be within a range

most of us could consider?

 

Vance

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 5:00 pm

Subject: Davis Stations

 

 

I really appreciate the point Matt made re: the Davis station ...

 

"I think we all need to put the Davis product line in perspective.

They are great STARTER stations. They carry a low price tag.

Typically, when it comes to scientific equipment of any kind

(laboratory, meteorological, etc.) the lower the price tag the less

reliable from a performance standpoint."

 

Before the Davis type stations became available, we would have

no other choice but to buy each instrument separate. And when I

was building my first station in the late 50s, digital was not

available. If able, I hope to purchase a separate wind system

such as the ones manufactured by Texas Instruments. Wind

vane and anemometer that I have been looking at runs around

$400 - $500.

 

By the way, does any one have the name of the anemometer

company in Cleveland? Paul in Garfield Heights has one that he

really likes but I don't know his phone number (its unlisted).

 

Larry Huff

Munroe Falls

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 5:19 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Davis Stations

 

Hi Larry, Matt & List;

 

I had entertained the idea of purchasing a new different outfit other

than the Davis when I purchased the WM II. One of the factors I took

into consideration was that I have my outfit feeding information into

the computer. Considering the fact the program cost $165 plus a Link

Isolator Kit for another $50 plus s/h, sooooooo, you see where I'm going

with this story?

The only problem I've ever had with the wind equipment has been the

direction. I don't know why this would be. Seems to me the anemometor

would wear out much quicker considering all of the work it gets compared

to the wind vane. Anyhow, I'm pleased with the WM II I have right now

and until it croaks on me, I'll keep it. Thanks to everyone for their

input and opinions on this topic.

 

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 7:24 pm

Subject: Weather Instruments

 

 

Group:

 

Another interesting topic of conversation. As the saying goes "You

get what you pay for". I am also amongst the list of Davis owners,

having had a Weather Wizard III for several years. Other than a few

of the usual problems with the instruments themselves, their upgrades

and support has been somewhat disappointing especially over the past

year or so. I think much of their effort was going into new items

(ex: VantagePro) leaving everyone else with the Weather Wizard III,

Monitor, etc. lost and forgotten. Secondly, if you want something

repaired they want money "up fron" BEFORE they even work or look at

it.

 

As for other manufacturers, I can add this. I've owned an analog

windspeed/direction dial with the wind direction/anemometer called

the "Maestro" from Maximum Weather Instruments for almost twenty

years and have had little problem with it. There are two things I

know of about Maximum over the Daavis. First, the anemometer nor the

wind direction vane, because of a different style than Davis, has

NEVER froze up due to freezing rain or other frozen precipitation.

Secondly, Maximum has a five-year warranty compared to Davis's one-

year warranty. The only thing about the Maestro is you can't keep

times, etc. Maximum does make the WeatherMAX which is comparable to

the Wizard or Monitor. I know Texas Weather Instruments has always

been a reputable manufacturer but I have not dealt with them before.

 

Here are some web addresses of weather manufacturers and distributors:

 

Maximum

http://www.maximum-inc.com

 

Texas Weather Instruments

http://www.txwx.com

 

Robert E. White Instruments

http://www.robertwhite.com

 

Scientific Sales

http://www.scientificsales.com

 

Weather Information Systems

http://www.weathermarket.com

 

The Weather Source

http://www.theweathersource.com

 

It might be nice to hear from anyone who has weather instruments,

especially in the wind direction/speed category, other than from

Davis.

 

Jack

Wooster 7N

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 10:06 pm

Subject: Re: Weather Monitor II and an Observation

 

 

Don,

I don't think anyone responded to your query yet.I've read the

recent messages so here I go.

The pressure was falling slowly during the day on Easter Sunday

in response to the approaching surface cold front.You observed

T'storms at your station around 6:00 PM to 6:15 PM and then the small

pressure rise.This rise is called a pressure jump and is due to the

thunderstorms cold , dense outflow over your station.Think of this as

a micro cold front.The rise in pressure is immediately behind the

thunderstorms gust front(micro cold front).The air is colder and thus,

heavier than the surrounding air and this registers on your

barometer with a rise in pressure.Your temperature should have fallen

as well to coincide with this event.This cold outflow area behind the

gust front can be so strong that it creates what is known as a

"bubble" high or mesoscale high pressure area.This area will show up

on surface charts if the resolution of the isobars is fine

enough.Meteorologists will focus on the gust front / bubble high area

to predict areas of near future thunderstorm development during a

t'storm / severe t'storm event.Keeping track of gusts fronts and their

likelyhood to collide with other mesoscale gust fronts is significant

in a severe storm environment.Many times the area of collision spawns

a severe t'storm that will rotate and produce tornadoes later in its'

life cycle.

 

Dan

Macedonia 2ESE

 

 

Date: Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:04 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: Weather Monitor II and an Observation

 

Hi Dan;

Thanks for your response. However, we didn't have thunderstorms in this

area until a few hours after the small rise, then return to gradual

falling pressure. So I'm wondering what in the unstable atmosphere

caused this minor (relatively) rise about three hours prior to the small

squall line passing through. Below is the part of my post originally

sent out on Sunday. I apparently made it look like we were about to get

stormed on, not the case. Sorry for the wrong impression. Thanks.

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

This evening with the thunderstorms moving into the area, I noticed

something interesting. The pressure was on a gradual fall since about

1130 a.m. at 30.06" It dropped to a reading of 29.92" at 6 p.m. Then, it

went from 29.92 to 29.94 at 6:30. It then fell again to 29.86" @ 10 p.m.

and it rising now. I'm wondering why the small increase for 30 minutes?

Any ideas??

 

Date: Wed Apr 23, 2003 9:46 am

Subject: Re: Davis Stations

 

 

Larry, Jack, Don, Vance & Everyone Else:

 

Larry, your comments are right on the money :)! Back in the 1970's

when my interest in the weather was exploding you didn't have much

choice when it came to purchasing a "full blown" weather station in

one. The only real choice you had was to go with a "Heath Kit",

which at the time were "top notch" weather stations valued at nearly

$1,000 (a little expensive for a teenager I'd say). Unfortunately,

Heath doesn't make the stations anymore. But, now we are bombarded

with choices. Don't misunderstand me, folks, I too am a Davis WM II

owner. I don't question the accuracy of my readings on the unit at

all. In fact, for the money they are really nice units. But Jack

hit on the point that is all too common in the scientific equipment

industry "you get what you pay for". Fortunately, with the Davis

product line you get good accuracy, but, unfortunately, less

than "par" durability.

 

Another factor when shopping for a weather station is to consider

one's personal budgetline. I, like most of you, are strapped

finacially when it comes to shopping for weather equipment. Heck,

for years I didn't even own a wind set because 1. I couldn't really

afford the $300-$500 to shell out for one, and 2. There were

restrictions placed at my old residences that wouldn't allow me to

install one. We have to put weatherwatching into perspective. It's

a hobby for us. We do what we can afford to do taking into account

other personal restrictions.

 

In terms of good weather equipment manufacturers I suggest the

following:

Maximum (entire product line)

Texas Instruments (The Weather Report)

Columbia Weather Systems (Capricorn II, II-Plus, and 2000)

Downeaster (entire product line)

 

These manufacturers are NOT cheap, but if you can afford the price

they are definately the way to go. I'm setting my eyes on the

Capricorn 2000 for my next station investment. I'm looking at a

price tag of at least $2,000. The specifications on each of the

sensors, however, meets or exceeds the accuracy obtained by National

Weather Service type equipment. The components of the wind set use

laser technology that greatly reduces wear and offers many years of

good operational use.

 

I'll close for now. Remember, let us all remember that the reason

why we are doing this is to have FUN! Sometimes, I think we may all

(including myself) get carried away on details that may be outside of

the realm of what we are able to do.

 

Matt Higgins

Lodi 2S

 

Date: Wed Apr 23, 2003 9:56 am

Subject: Re: Davis Stations

 

 

Larry,

 

I'm pretty sure the answer to your last question is "Electric Speed

Indicator, Inc."

 

Matt

 

Date: Wed Apr 23, 2003 3:51 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Message from a 2way device

 

 

So, what is your take on the alleged gust of 109 mph? Have you been to

the area to check for storm damage and so on to see if it's consistent

with damage from winds that high?

Frankly, I'm still scratching my head on this one. Why on earth does a

Columbus TV station promote and advertise a substantial wind gust like

this, yet not travel the 50 or so miles to the west to check for storm

damage?? Things that make ya go hmmmmm.

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

 

Date: Wed Apr 23, 2003 4:11 pm

Subject: Re: Springfield OH 109 MPH Wind Gust

 

 

Group:

 

I was reading the mesoscale discussions put out by SPC Sunday evening

concerning this particular storm. According to SPC, the damaging

winds were associated with a bow echo. The bow echo was produced as

a segment of a squall line over central and southwest Ohio was

accelerated east-northeastward due to the dynamics created by the

nose of an 80-knot jet streak blasting into central Ohio.

 

It is quite possible that someone in Springfield may have experienced

a 109 MPH wind gust from this storm. Remember, severe thunderstorm

events can be extremely localized. Someone's anemometer may have

been at the right place at the right time. Even though Dick only had

a 44 MPH gust at his station doesn't mean that someone else in

Springfield couldn't have had a much stronger gust.

 

I agree with Don that it is a little surprising that the Columbus (or

Cincinatti, for that matter) media didn't investigate this report a

little further. It's not very often when a anemometer is in direct

fire of a 109 MPH thunderstorm wind gust. I would expect to see some

damage from that type of blast. Granted, one major consideration to

take into account is the fact that if the trees weren't foliated at

the time of the storm event that could drastically cut down on the

tree damage. Still, I would think at least some structural damage?!

 

Matt Higgins

 

Date: Wed Apr 23, 2003 4:36 pm

Subject: winds report's

 

As I read though the reports that come in

today about wind damage's & how the local

T.V. report's fail to show any wind damage's

I feel something must be up. A downbrust

maybe......

When we have winds over 45 M.P.H. there's

alway's picture's in the local newspaper

about wind damage's. When I measure wind

gust of 48 M.P.H. on the 20th of this month

I notice in the local paper that there was

picture's of sign's blow over & some 3'-4'

tree's blow over. (These tree's wasn't very

tall. 3' to 4' round the base.) But mostly

sign's from business that was blow down.

Today we got up to 56.1F after being down to

28.2F @ 7:09 a.m.. Right now (4:30 p.m. it's

55.9F) Cooling off. As the sun goes down.

The dew point is showing 34F & rel. hum. is

at 45%, could we be in for another cold

night???Could will be, with clear skies & no

rain coming in for tonight, we just might

see 30F or cooler. Baro. is at 29.97F.03".

4-E

Putnam, Co.

 

Date: Wed Apr 23, 2003 5:12 pm

Subject: Re: Davis Stations

 

 

Group:

 

Matt makes a very good point concerning ones budget restraints and

keeping the hobby of weather in perspective. I, as well as others I'm

sure, have been in or seen other hobbies where a particular hobby

could put you into bankruptcy if you let it or should be spending

that money to put food on the table.

 

I, too, built a Heath weather station years ago. The biggest part of

doing it was I had fun doing it. I think the minute the word "fun" is

taken out of this hobby is the time to start looking for another one.

The hobby of "weather" does NOT have to be an expensive one to enjoy

it.

 

Jack

 

Date: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:04 am

Subject: Re: Davis Stations

 

 

Well, for 3 years ('96-'99) at my Streetsboro 2N station, all I had

was cheap manual equipment. I started out with a U max-min

thermometer($25), and a garden rain guage ($4-5), along with a ruler

to measure snow. I built a sort of sun shade for the thermometer out

of scrap wood. While not up to NWS accuracy standards, My records

from there do give a good idea of the climate there during that time

for general interest purposes. I did not have a way to measure wind

at that time. I did upgrade to an electronic max-min thermometer

from Radio Shack and a 4" plastic rain guage for a year before I got

my Davis Weather Wizard III.

 

Vance

 

Date: Thu Apr 24, 2003 10:15 am

Subject: Re: Davis Stations

 

 

Vance and Group:

 

Great conversation starter I must say! I hear you loud and clear!

When I started off in the early 1970's all I had was a Taylor Utility

Thermometer my Mom bought me at the local hardware store and a tin

can as a rain gauge. I made a barometer out of a glass jar and a

balloon with a drinking straw as a pointer (with help from Mom). I

made a hair hygrometer out of my Mom's hair (again with help from

Mom). This was my "first" weather station.

 

In Christmas of 1972 (if I remember correctly), my Grandpa bought me

my first aneroid barometer. It was a Springfield that I used into my

adult years. It was this barometer that I observed the 28.33" Hg sea-

level pressure at my station in Parma on January 26, 1978. The

following Christmas (1973, I think), my Parents bought me an Edmund

Scientific weather station and the following year I added a wedge

rain gauge from the local hardware store (if I remember it all

correctly).

 

Major station developments occurred in 1976 when I bought my first

Taylor max/min thermometer! I was so excited then! I even built my

first instrument shelter that year to house the thermometer. Now my

station had a hint of professionalism! My station didn't change much

after that until adulthood when I bought a Computemp 3 and a 11-inch

capacity rain gauge sometime in the early 1980's. I didn't buy my

first real anemometer until 1988 (a TradeWinds with peak gust

register..they are no longer in business) when I was in my apartment

in North Royalton.

 

Since then there have been several important changes. The biggest

one recently occurred just last month (March 2003) courtesy of Brian

Mitchell at the NWS in Cleveland. I just added an official NWS

Cotton Region Shelter to my station along with an NWS max/min

thermometer set with Townsend Support! I use this along with my 11-

inch capacity rain gauge, Davis Weather Monitor II, Taylor

Stormoscope Barometer, Taylor max/min thermometer, and NWS standard

thermometer at my site at Lodi 2S.

 

It's coming along, folks, very slowly and surely. The key thing is

that I'm having FUN!

 

I'd like to hear how everyone else's stations have developed over the

years. From the very beginning to now.

 

Matt Higgins

 

Date:  Thu Apr 24, 2003  3:38 pm

Subject:  Thompson 5 SW March summary

 

OWON Number

98

Station Name

Thompson 5 SW

Month

March 2003

Mean Max Temp

46.3 F

Mean Minimum Temp

24.0 F

Mean Temp

35.2 F

Highest Temp

75 F

Date1

28

Lowest Temp

-4 F

Date2

3

Total Prec

2.39 in.

Max 24hr Precip

0.56 in.

Date3

25

Number of Precip Days

18

Total Snowfall

9.1 in.

Max 24hr Snow

2.3 in.

Date4

13

Number of 1+ Snow Days

3

Wind Gust

N/A

Date5

 

comment

The first half of the month was cold with temeratures frequently

dipping to the single digits and even below zero. There were frequent

light snowfalls. The second half was mild. After the 13th, the only

snow that occurred was 1.0 inch which trickled down from the 29th-

31st. Maximum snowdepth was 15 inches (2nd-3rd). The 20th was the

last day of a nearly 4 month long period of continous snowcover. A

trace or more of snowdepth was recorded from Nov. 22, 2002 to March

20, 2003 a period of 119 days. There were also 2 days of light

freezing rain (5th, 13th); 1 day with sleet; 4 days with thunder and

6 days with fog.

 

Vance Lunn

Thompson 5 SW

OWON #98

 

Date: Thu Apr 24, 2003 6:40 pm

Subject: Record Low This Morning

 

 

Had a cold and frosty start this morning. Low was 26 degrees between

6 and 7am breaking the record of 31 set on this date in 1996.

 

Jack

 

 

Date: Thu Apr 24, 2003 6:48 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Record Low This Morning

 

Jack;

Our record low temperature for this date is 26 degrees established in

1986. Our low this morning was between 6 and 6:30 a.m. at 27 degrees.

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

 

Date: Sat Apr 26, 2003 8:13 am

Subject: Re: Weather Monitor II and an Observation

 

 

Don,

Sounds like what is called a pre- frontal trough.I don't remember

the detail of the surface map that evening but, I believe the squall

line formed right along the surface cold front.

 

Dan Macedonia 2ESE

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 12:42 pm

Subject: Barograph

 

 

Today (Sunday) is when I usually change my barograph chart.

The challenge is to get the time correct that is reflected by the

trace made by the barograph. This is always a hit and miss

thing for me. I watch the trace vs time throughout Sunday to

make sure it is hitting the correct time. Does anyone have a

good technique for doing this procedure or does everyone rely

on the hit and miss method?

 

Larry Huff

Munroe Falls, OH

 

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 5:13 pm

Subject: Record Low and 5 p.m. obsv. 4/27/2003

 

List;

Noticing some pretty low humidity and dew point reading. I noticed at 4

p.m. the following on the Ohio weather round-up.....

BOLTON FIELD MOSUNNY 70 0 6 CALM 30.04F TC 21

They indicate a humidity of 6% and a D.P. of zero degrees. I'm not sure

where Bolton Field is, but I would consider this an erronous report.

At 5 p.m. my temperature was 70F with a humidity of 22% and a D.P. of 29

degrees F. I recorded a low this morning of 28 degrees which ties the

record from 2000. Any other observations to share?

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

 

 

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 7:12 pm

Subject: Re: Barograph

 

 

Larry:

 

I change my chart on Friday's @ 6pm (observation time). After

changing my chart I tighten the acorn nut as much as possible after

advancing the drum about four days ahead of where I want to set the

pen then turn the drum counterclockwise to the correct time. This

usually takes the slack out. With the time lines being in four-hour

increments you get as close as possible I guess.

 

Jack

 

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 7:24 pm

Subject: Re: Record Low and 5 p.m. obsv. 4/27/2003

 

Don and Group:

 

I can verify your humidity and dewpoints. Although I can't measure

them with my Weather Wizard III, I was just checking the county

airport webpage and the dewpoints have been in the 20's since last

night.

 

The wife and I painted our storage building in which conditions were

ideal for painting. (after the frost melted of course)

 

Jack

 

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 7:36 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: Record Low and 5 p.m. obsv. 4/27/2003

 

Jack & List;

Thanks. I couldn't measure humidity and dewpoint with my WW III either,

I can now with the WM II, but didn't buy the accessory for it yet.

I currently measure humidity and dewpoint on the Kestrel 4000 handheld

unit I own. I purchased it a year ago and it is quite a good little

unit. I measured heat indixes with it last summer as high as 115 to 120.

As far as painting... you can have it! I hate painitng. Take care.

Don Keating #106

Newcomerstown 1S

 

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 8:15 pm

Subject: Re: Record Low and 5 p.m. obsv. 4/27/2003

 

 

Don and List:

 

I can verify your low dewpoints as well. According to my

Weatherlink data from my WM II, dew point have been running between

23-26 degrees much of the afternoon with relative humidity values

near 20%.

 

The laundry on the line dried awfully fast this afternoon!

 

Matt Higgins

Lodi 2S

 

P.S. Bolton Field is located in the Columbus area.

 

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 9:00 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: Record Low and 5 p.m. obsv. 4/27/2003

 

 

You know why laundry dry's fast don't yea?????

Answer;

The rel. hum. is real low......

Phil Higley

4-E

Putnam, Co.

 

Date: Sun Apr 27, 2003 11:00 pm

Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Record Low and 5 p.m. obsv. 4/27/2003

 

 

Don,

Bolton Field is in Southwest Franklin County. I

just looked up the 24 hour summary for it and here are

some of the observations:

7 PM 69F 21F(dew point)

6 PM 71F 0F

5 PM 71F -7F! 4% humidity

4 PM 69F 3F

 

About 15 miles away at Rickenbacker dew point were in

the 30's all day.

Bolton still appears to be malfunctioning with a dew

point of 15F. Rickenbacker has 42F

Low this morning 29F, seconded coldest this April.

Chris Morris

Lancaster 2 NE

 

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