JANUARY

OHIO WEATHER OBSERVERS NETWORK

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

E-Mail: ssherid1@kent.edu

           

                

                   

                                                                                                

    Cleves 3NW #55 (Hamilton County) James F Davis - It was the coldest Jan. since 1994 with a -5.3 departure.

    Cincinnati 5NW #13 (Hamilton County) Ronald E. Rothhaas Jr. - January was a cold and wintry month here, much closer to normal than recent Januarys.  Both temperatures and precipitation were well below normal.  Precipitation was held down by a northerly air flow which predominated most of the month and shut off gulf moisture.  20 of 31 days saw 1 inch or greater of snow depth with snow depth peaking at 5 inches on the 27th.  While temperatures at my more urban location dropped to only 1F on the 27th, it fell to -11F at CVG and -15F at Hamilton-Fairfield Airport.  Highs stayed below freezing on 14 days.  Last January saw no days with highs below freezing.

    Kent 2W #53 (Portage County) Eric E. Wertz - January 2003 was a very active month weatherwise.  With the exception of some rain on the 1st, all precipitation for the remaining 30 days of the month was of the frozen variety.  Liquid equivalent precipitation occurred on 17 days with the monthly total of 1.89 inches being slightly below average.  This below average liquid equivalent amount was due primarily to over 90% of the precipitation falling in the frozen form.  Measurable snowfall occurred on 20 days with a total of 25.9 inches for the month, which is well above normal.  Snow depths were as deep as 10 inches on the 29th.  Temperatures were well below normal with 6 days seeing morning lows below zero.  The low of -13 degrees on the 27th was a record.  There were six advisories issued during the month. 

    Ottawa 4E #15 (Putnam County) Phil & Bonnie Higley - The month started out very nice with Hi's in the low 30F to upper 20F's.  With very little snow on the ground at first, low's wasn't getting out of the 20F.  But old man winter said enough is enough.  By the middle of the month we were going into the deep freeze.....With cold air in place.  All we need now is some snow.  Boy did we get it. By the 26 we got 3" then 4.2", on the 29.  Right after we gotten that 3.0" of snow, the bottom fell out.  We got down to -17F, on the 27.  Then shortly after we gotten that 4.2" of snowfall we got down to -12F.  With only 6 more weeks of winter.  I believe a lot of people here in Ohio would welcome spring with open arms.  Let's hope that the ground hog say spring is a coming......Sooner.
             

    Perrysville 4W #79 (Richland County) Katie Gerwig - The month of January was consistently cold and snowy.  Precipitation was normal but snowfall was 6 inches above normal, with at least a trace falling on 17 days and snow cover on the ground everyday except the 1st.  Lows went below 0 on 4 days including -14 on the 27th which was a record low since my records began in 1996. 

    Springfield 2N #1 (Clark County) Dick Groeber  - The average temperature of 22 degrees was the 7th coldest since 1968.  The coldest was an average of 10 degrees in 1977.  The last year to record a colder average temperature was 1994 with an average of 21 degrees.  Temperatures were at or below 32 degrees from the 13th to the 28th or 16 consecutive days.  The lowest was or single below zero temperature date of the27th with a reading of -4 degrees.  The first 10 days were cool with highs in the 30s and 40s and lows in the 29s and 30s.  This was the 7th snowiest January since 1968 with a total of 14 inches.  The heaviest was in 1978 with 24.5 inches which was the year of our blizzard.  The last year of heavier snowfall was 1996 with 18.5 inches.  Snow fell on 14 or nearly half the month.  The total liquid precipitation was nearly all melted snow or 1.50 inches.  

    Thompson 5SW #98 (Geauga County) Vance Lunn - Snow events of several days duration separated by half day long periods between events characterized the weather pattern for most of the month.  The 8th was sunny with temperatures in the 40's, and the temperature reached 39 degrees on the 31st.  There was a trace of snow recorded on the 27th and 29th.  All other days saw measurable snow, six of those being 6 inches or greater.  Minimum snow depth was a trace on the 1st.  Maximum snow depth was 20 inches on the 23rd and 26th.  On the 2nd and 3rd, clouds rolling in off the Lake were low enough to shroud the ridge top on which the station sits and cause periods of dense fog.  There were 7 days of zero and below temperatures, 3 days of fog, 2 days with freezing rain, and 1 day saw sleet. 

    Wooster 7N #16 (Wayne County) Jack Sisler - This January turned out to be a Winter month making up for lost time. Mean temperatures for the month were 6 degrees below normal with the average mean temperature of 18.9 degrees. There were five sub-zero low temperatures with three breaking records and the lowest being -14 degrees on the morning of the 27th. January 2003 also turned out to be the second snowiest month in the last twelve years with 20.3 inches of snowfall.
                 

                     

          

           

                  

 

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 26.7 15.2 21.0 46 1/9 - 2 1/27 1.73 0.38 28,29 17 22.4 5.7 5,6 07 17 7,19
A Akron-Canton 25.3 13.0 19.2 44 1/9 - 8 1/27 1.80 0.52 1/1 19 19.1 3.8 1/26 05 30 1/19
35 Aurora 3S 26.4 11.7 19.1 46 1/9 - 14 1/27 1.41 0.36 1/29 28 40.2 7.7 1/6 12 N/A N/A
107 Brookville 28.3 14.7 22.1 49 1/8 - 7 1/27 1.15 0.55 1/1 10 10.9 3.5 1/26 06 28 1/7
82 Centerville 1W 30.6 14.5 22.5 52 1/8 - 7 1/27 1.49 0.56 1/1 12 10.3 2.7 1/26 05 36 1/9
A Cincinnati 31.0 16.9 24.0 53 1/8 - 11 1/27 1.66 1.45 1/1 10 9.5 4.6 1/16 03 29 9,10
13 Cincinnati 5NW 33.7 19.5 26.7 55 1/9 01 1/27 1.60 0.77 1/1 11 9.6 2.9 1/16 04 N/A N/A
A Cleveland 27.0 15.4 21.2 45 1/8 - 4 1/27 1.98 0.97 24,25 21 30.3 6.6 1/26 11 31 1/10
55 Cleves 3NW 32.2 16.7 24.4 54 1/8 - 10 1/27 1.64 0.88 1/2 12 9.0 3.4 1/16 04 30 1/6
A Columbus 28.8 16.5 22.7 48 1/9 - 5 1/27 1.65 0.66 1/1 17 14.4 3.7 1/26 03 32 1/10
A Dayton 27.6 13.8 20.7 48 1/8 - 7 1/27 1.07 0.69 1/1 12 14.0 5.0 1/26 04 33 1/9
A Erie 25.9 15.5 20.7 45 1/8 00 1/27 2.97 0.44 1/1 23 51.8 9.2 1/11 13 32 1/8
22 Kent 2E 26.3 13.5 19.9 46 1/9 - 14 1/27 1.97 0.47 1/1 20 24.6 4.9 1/6 09 N/A N/A
53 Kent 2W 26.4 12.0 19.2 45 1/9 - 13 1/27 1.89 0.40 1/1 17 25.9 6.0 1/6 08 34 1/19
87 Lagrange 2SW 27.8 12.8 20.3 45 8,9 - 11 1/27 1.57 0.39 1/28 16 18.8 4.2 1/26 05 36 10,19
23 Lodi 2S 27.3 9.8 18.6 44 8,9 - 23 1/27 1.68 0.35 1/29 17 24.7 5.1 26,29 09 38 8,19
A Mansfield 25.0 12.4 18.7 44 1/8 - 10 1/27 1.32 0.38 1/1 17 19.0 4.0 1/26 08 29 1/8
51 Middleburg Hts N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.99 0.48 1/6 25 28.0 6.0 1/6 12 N/A N/A
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
106 Newcomerstown 1S

#'s from 1/21 - 1/31 only

 26.1 8.0 17.0 43 1/31 - 10 1/27 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 23 1/23
32 North Ridgeville 1N 29.0 15.2 22.1 47 1/8 - 7 1/27 1.72 0.34 1/26 23 20.1 5.8 1/26 07 33 1/8
15 Ottawa 4E 26.5 12.1 19.3 45 1/8 - 17 1/27 1.27 0.29 1/2 18 16.2 4.2 1/29 15 40 1/7
38 Perry 26.6 15.3 21.0 48 1/9 - 10 1/27 3.47 0.48 1/6 19 41.7 0.48 1/6 10 N/A N/A
79 Perrysville 27.8 13.7 20.8 45 1/9 - 14 1/27 1.57 0.23 1/1 14 16.4 4.0 1/29 05 N/A N/A
33 Rockbridge 4W 30.2 15.5 22.8 50 1/9 - 4 1/27 1.90 0.60 1/1 15 20.0 3.8 1/26 06 N/A N/A
113 Sabina N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.46 0.85 1/1 13 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
43 Sharonville 2NE 31.5 18.5 25.0 53 1/8 - 3 1/27 1.59 0.66 1/1 20 8.0 3.0 1/16 02 31 1/24
01 Springfield 2N 28.0 15.0 22.0 50 1/8 - 4 1/27 1.50 0.37 1/1 15 14.0 3.0 1/26 08 38 1/9
112 Sugarcreek 2SW 27.8 13.9 20.9 48 1/9 - 14 1/27 1.76 0.78 1//1 14 14.2 3.5 1/26 05 31 1/19
98 Thompson 5SW 24.9 11.6 19.0 44 1/8 - 14 1/27 2.52 0.45 1/6 23 74.0 8.7 1/6 17 N/A N/A
117 Tiltonsville 30.9 18.3 24.2 53 1/9 - 4 1/27 2.27 0.92 1/1 25 16.0 2.7 1/6 06 30 1/9
A Toledo 27.5 13.6 20.6 44 1/9 - 5 1/27 1.29 0.20 1/6 10 14.1 5.0 1/2 05 29 1/10
16 Wooster 7N 25.5 12.4 18.9 44 1/9 - 14 1/27 1.30 0.33 1/29 22 20.3 5.1 1/29 06 32 1/7
A Youngstown 25.0 13.5 19.3 43 1/9 - 5 1/27 1.63 0.41 1/1 19 25.6 4.1 1/26 11 25 1/8
48 Zanesville 6N 29.3 17.8 23.6 50 1/9 - 3 1/27 2.12 1.08 1/1 21 11.5 3.5 1/26 02 14 1/8
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

                                   

Amber
Brunswick 2NE
Medina County, OH
 
Date:  Sat Jan 4, 2003  9:51 pm
Subject:  Message from a 2way device
 
 Larry and group, So far I haven't had the problem with frozen wind instruments. I have in the past. I just had to wait for 
it to become unfrozen. I am using both Nimbus and Vantage pro plus. The Vantage pro seems less likely to be frozen. 
Dick Groeber. 
Springfield 2. O.W.O.N. 1.
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  7:51 am
Subject:  frozen wind speed unit's
 
I notice there's alot of different people out there that has frozen wind speed unit's. I have a Minn & Max unit & such I 
spray it with socin spray it hasn't frozen up for me yet....I try doing this before cold weather get in here.  Now I need to 
get up to my other unit & clean that one out with rubbing acol. & do that one the same way.  You have to remember one 
thing when you stray anything, you don't want none of that to get in side of the unit.   Just on the cup's & around where 
the unit turns at.
4-E
Putnam, Co.
Oh by the way it's snowing over here right now. (7:51 a.m.)  It's been snowing such 7 a.m 
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  1:02 pm
Subject:  Re: Frozen Wind System
 
Larry,
 
That always happened to mine, ring or no ring. IS either one within easy reach (I know you've got that high tower)? I 
usually could remedy the problem by taking a long handled tool (to reach it), and lightly tapping it. Some times this 
worked and sometimes not. Don't force it, but sometimes the only thing jamming it is a single chunk of ice, especially if 
you've had any sun (which I haven't had any sun for several days). I haven't set my anemometer up yet since we 
moved to Thompson. Also do people who use other brands have this problem?
 
Vance
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  1:27 pm
Subject:  Message from a 2way device
 
Group, Hello from Springfield! 
The snowfall from the 'Alberta Clipper' here totaled 2.2 inches melted to .15 inch water. It began at 11 p.m. saturday 
and ended at 12 noon sunday. The temperature was between 28 and 32 degrees. 
Dick Groeber. O.E.O.N. 1.
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  5:15 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Re: Frozen Wind System
 
Vance & Group,
You are correct ... my wind systems are located about 53 feet on the tower.
Highest temperature thus far today only 30 degrees. I may have a long wait.
Forecast does call for 30 - 35 degrees for high on Wednesday.
--
Larry Huff
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  2:24 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Re: Frozen Wind System
 
Larry, Vance and Group,
I am also having the same problem with my anemometer. I have a Radio Shack WMR-918 made by Davis, and it's 
wireless. Mine also froze up last week when we had that ice event. It happened last year also, so I contacted Radio 
Shack and Davis. They told me they have nothing to prevent that from happening. I, like most of you, will just have to 
wait until we get some sun and above freezing temps. Mine is frozen at 11 degrees North. I have mine mounted to the 
roof of the house and it's probably 35' with a steep pitch, no way am I going to climb up and thaw it out, I can wait!
Rich Rabatin
Ravenna
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  3:58 pm
Subject:  Re: WINTER WX EVENT
 
The below event was largely a bust. The ppt broke up as it approached. We got 0.5 inch. The new discussion mentions 
an inch or 2 Sunday night into Monday. We'll see. It still looks rather cold by next weekend, but my coldest so far this 
winter is only 19 which is warmer than last winter at this time. P.S.: HOW 'BOUT DEM BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Ron
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  4:31 pm
Subject:  CINCINNATI 5 NW 2002 WX SUMMARY
 
2002 YEAR END SUMMARY 
RONALD E. ROTHHAAS JR. 
CINCINNATI 5NW 
 
AVERAGE MEAN TEMP:     55.5(DEPARTURE +2.2F) 
HIGHEST TEMP:                  97(AUGUST 4) 
LOWEST TEMP:                  09(MARCH 4) 
DAYS W/TEMP <33:            104 
DAYS W/TEMP>89:             23 
LATEST 32F:                       APRIL 7 
EARLIEST 32F:                    NOVEMBER 2 
LIQUID PPT:                        54.96(DEPARTURE +13.63) 
SNOWFALL:                       19.0(DEPARTURE -3.4) 
T-STORM DAYS:                 52 
 
NOTES:  Cincinnati 5NW is a semi-urban location and is influenced by the urban heat island.  On May 22, 2002, 
temperatures dropped below freezing in most areas around Cincinnati and as close as a couple miles to my west, 
drastically altering the legnth of the growing season by 6 weeks!  It was 35F here.  Also, by chance, several precipitation 
patterns set up here this year which missed the NWS station at CVG yielding a greater annual discrepancy than normal.
It is interesting to note that in a year when rainfall was nearly 30% above normal drought losses were extensive since 
little rain fell during critical periods of the growing season and excessive rains at other times flooded soils and affected 
sensitive plants. 
 
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  7:30 pm
Subject:  December's Weather Statistics for Centerville 1W
 
Weather statistics for the month of December for Centerville 1W.
 
High Temp (Date) ... 57o / 18th
Low Temp (Date) ... 11o / 9th
Mean High ... 38.9o
Mean Low ... 24.9o
Monthly Mean ... 31.9o
Total Precipitation ... 4.66"
Max 24 hr Precipitation (Date) ... 1.34" / 19th
Number of Precipitation Days... 11
Total Snowfall...  5.4"
Max 24 hr Snowfall (Date) ... 2.8" / 25th
Max Snow Depth at time of observation ... 3"
High Wind Gust (Date) ... 31 MPH / 18th
Thunderstorm Days ... 0
Highest Barometer (Date) ... 30.54" / 3rd
Lowest Barometer (Date) ... 29.41" / 25th
Average High Wind Gust... 19.1 MPH
 
Robert Flory - KA5RUC
Centerville 1W
Montgomery County
OWON #82
ILN Skywarn OMT405
 
Date:  Sun Jan 5, 2003  7:42 pm
Subject:  2002 Weather Statistics for Centerville 1W
 
Weather statistics for the 2002 for Centerville 1W.
 
Annual Mean Temperature . 54.4o  (Departure +2.8o)
Annual Mean High Temperature . 64.9o
Annual Mean Low Temperature . 44.0o
High Temp for Year (Date) ... 97o / Jul 3rd & Aug 4th
Low Temp for Year (Date) ... 4o / Mar 4th
Total Annual Precipitation ... 53.84" (Departure +17.19")
Max 24 hr Precipitation (Date) ... 4.31" / May 13th
Total Annual Snowfall...  13.7"
Maximum Monthly Snowfall . 5.8" / Jan
Max 24 hr Snowfall (Date) ... 3.0" / Jan 6th
Highest Barometer (Date) ... 30.54" / Dec 3rd
Lowest Barometer (Date) ... 29.37" / Nov 10th
Thunderstorm Days ... 46
High Wind Gust (Date) ... 60 MPH / Feb 20th
 
Robert Flory - KA5RUC
Centerville 1W
Montgomery County
OWON #82
ILN Skywarn OMT405
 
 
Date:  Tue Jan 7, 2003  9:08 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Frozen Wind System
 
Myself I have 2 anemometer's.  One from the Davis & the other one is Minn./ Max.  And I try to have both of these spray 
down before cold weather set's in.  The Davis is mounted @ 40' on a walk up tower & the other one (Minn. Max.) is 
mounted on a 35' tower.  I do notices that the Minn. Max. one does have bigger cups then the Davis.  By talking to Mr. 
Burkholder, a Offical weather observer.  The wind speed unit should be mounted no higher then 10'-15' higher then the 
top of your home.  The N.W.S. would like to see these unit to be mounted no higher then 35'.  My wind guess today has 
been 40 M.P.H.. And that was taken off of the Minn. Max. unit.  Wail my Davis show's a wind guess of 34 M.P.H.  Our Hi 
temperature today come in @ 34F with a Low of 7F.  Right now it 34F.(9:04 p.m.) Baro. is @ 29.39"S.  But remember I 
@ 740' . Just notice is now trying to fall from 29.38F.
4-E  Putnam, Co.
 
Date:  Wed Jan 8, 2003  7:03 am
Subject:  REAL WINTER?
 
A few days ago models were hinting at a cold outbreak such as we have not seen for a while. Admittedly, some of you 
have had some cold this year but this has mainly been due to radiational cooling and snow cover. Down here where 
snowfall is less my low for the season is 19F on the 1st of December and only fell below 10F once all last year to 9F on 
March 4. The cold I'm seeing which seems projected to continue over the next 2 weeks should challenge these 
numbers.  Admittedly this is not historic cold but it certainly represents the coldest Ohio has seen in a couple years 
(which may not be saying a whole lot). If we see good snow cover develop, we could get near some records from what 
I am seeing. One of the limiting factors will be the snow drought in the upper Midwest. The cold will be passing over a 
lot of bare or marginally snowy ground. Any other thoughts.
 
Ron Rothhaas
CINCINNATI 5NW
 
Date:  Wed Jan 8, 2003  2:04 pm
Subject:  Re: REAL WINTER?
 
Hi Ron (and Group):
 
I'm seeing about the same thing you are, but I'd like to clarify that the cold snap coming is not only going to be 
non-historic but it's also not going to be significant. Consider that we are now entering what is the climatologically 
coldest part of the year we're only likely to see daily mean temperatures averaging 5 to 10 degrees below seasonal 
averages from Friday through the early part of next week.  Will we see any daily minimum temperature records 
challenged during this cold snap? No way. Record low temperatures Statewide this time of year are generally well 
below zero and from what I'm seeing from a thickness perspective the coldest locations in the State during this 
upcoming cold snap will be hard pressed to fall to zero Fahrenheit.
 
Bundle up because it's going to be snappy, but it's January & it's normally cold this time of year.
 
My 2 cents worth!
 
Matt Higgins
Lodi 2S
 
Date:  Wed Jan 8, 2003  4:10 pm
Subject:  Re: REAL WINTER?
 
Ron and Group:
 
Temperatures have been more realistic this winter than the last few but nothing out of the ordinary. This mornings 
models do bring in colder air but nothing to "write home about" that I could see. Looks like the "zero line" stays around 
the upper midwest and upper New England areas. Might be some single numbers here for lows but I don't see anything 
colder. Coldest here for the season so far was a 3 above back on December 4th.
 
Speaking of record-breaking cold how many remember January 1994? Low temperatures were -10 to -20 below for lows
from the 15th thru the 21st. On the 19th I had a high of -7 and a low of -28. Lot of dead batteries that morning! At 4pm it's 
a "balmy" 41 degrees. Other comments?
 
Jack
Wooster 7N
 
Date:  Wed Jan 8, 2003  9:10 pm
Subject:  MORE ON REAL WINTER
 
Matt, Jack, and group:
 
I agree with your assessments of the cold but a careful reading of my original comments say the same thing. Consider 
that those mid-90's cold waves were accompanied by deep and widespread snow cover here and over North America. 
Central Kentucky had 25 inches at one point. Look at a snow cover map now. This cold is coming over bare ground. 
It is significant not by historical standards but by the standard of the persistent warmth of the past 2 years. Also, it looks
to me that most projections show this pattern locking in. Over time snow could accumulate and re-enforcements may be
colder. In the meantime, people may be caught off guard by what is by historical standards rather typical.
 
Ron
 
Date:  Wed Jan 8, 2003  10:43 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] MORE ON REAL WINTER
 
Ron & Group;
I agree.
 
Don Keating
 
 
Date:  Thu Jan 9, 2003  2:50 pm
Subject:  Frontal Arrival (?)
 
Hello List;
 
It's obvious the cold front has yet to pass through Ohio as of 2 p.m. 1/9/2003. In fact, looking at Michigan observations at
the same time, it doesn't look as if it's passed through lower MI yet either.  Only the upper part of lower MI and the UP are
experiencing the colde and snowy weather to this point. And I see there has been a L.E. Snow "Watch" issued for NE 
OH and the Erie County, PA region.  Colder, yes. When??? I go with not today. :-)
 
Don Keating
 
 
Date:  Fri Jan 10, 2003  12:01 pm
Subject:  CORN Report
 
Now posted is the December report from Bob Davis at the 
Central Ohio Raingage Network at:
 
 
Larry Huff
 
From:  Elizabeth Stapleton  
Date:  Fri Jan 10, 2003  3:10 pm
Subject:  report from Cleveland OH 44106 (University Circle)
 
report from Cleveland OH 44106 (University Circle)
At 3:00 PM, heavy snow 0 visibilty
At 3:08 PM moderate snow 1/4-1/2 mile visibility
 
WOOOOOW!
 
Date:  Fri Jan 10, 2003  6:44 pm
Subject:  OWON 2002 Year-In-Review Submission Form
 
Group:
 
For those that wish to submit their 2002 yearly data may do so on the OWON website (http://sheridan.geog.kent.edu/
owon/). Click on where it says "Flash" at the top of the page. Just enter the necessary information like you normally do 
with your monthly data.
 
Jack
 
Date:  Fri Jan 10, 2003  10:05 pm
Subject:  Re: REAL WINTER?
 
Ron,
Monday evening of this week skies cleared after a heavy lake effect snowfall.  I had a 10" snow depth as the sun went 
down.  Low temps Tuesday morning managed to get down to +4.8 deg F.  I thought you'd be interested.  Got belted 
again this afternoon.  SW+, BS from late afternoon into the early evening brought visibilities to zero.  It was a great scene 
outside the window!!!!!I was watching snow devils develop and move across the backyard.
 
Dan
Macedonia 2ESE
 
 
Date:  Sat Jan 11, 2003  11:48 pm
Subject:  Re: REAL WINTER?
 
Dan:
 
If you ever want to trade places.......!!! Sounds like heaven on earth! Shows you what a little snow can do for a cold air 
mass, too.  We had 27F this afternoon with 100% possible sunshine and bare ground. Put some snow on the ground 
and it would have been lucky to reach 20. Add snow in the plains and we would have been colder yet.
 
Ron
 
Date:  Tue Jan 14, 2003  8:35 am
Subject:  snow update
 
THompson 5 SW 8:00 am 01/14/03
 
We got 3.3" of "flurries" since this latest round began late yesterday evening. As of 8 am that makes gor 29.2" for Jan. 
so far and 73.6" for the season so far. The snowpack hovers around a foot, give or take a few inches depending on 
settling and re-accumulation, with specifically 11" on the ground this morning. We've had one day in January so far in 
which it has NOT snowed (8th). Seven days so far has seen 1" or more in Jan. (17 days for the season so far). This 
snow belt thing really works!
 
Vance Lunn
Thompson 5 SW
OWON # 98 
 
 Date:  Thu Jan 16, 2003  11:29 pm
Subject:  Message from a 2way device
 
Group, From Springfield. 
Snowfall began 9 a.m. and ended 9 p.m. totaling 2.8 inches melting to .18 inch water. Temperatures between 15 and 24 
degrees during period with winds under 10 m.p.h.. Dick Groeber. 
O.W.O.N. 1.
 
Date:  Fri Jan 17, 2003  7:20 pm
Subject:  What El Nino?
 
Group:
 
Had to go along with a statement made in the Cleveland NWS morning discussion about El Nino not making it into this 
part of the country. I've been wondering the same thing for weeks. If you were to believe all the news media hype and 
"scientists" we would be basking in 60-degree temperatures.
 
Precipitation has been from one extreme to the other depending on what part of the state you're in. I know Ron in 
Cincinnatti has had above normal precipitation and I've had below normal precipitation for several months except in 
December last year. Temperatures were below normal in October and November and normal in December. 
 
Nothing has convinced me this is an El Nino pattern - a consistency of dry and warm conditions. At 7pm the 
temperature is 6 degrees with about an inch of snow on the ground and it could get down to zero by morning. The last 
zero-degree temperature here was back in January 9, 2001. Long-range predictions could hold more of the same up 
until the end of the month. Other thoughts or opinions?
 
Jack
Wooster 7N 
 
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  2:21 am
Subject:  Re: What El Nino?
 
El Nino this year was only a moderate one. John Daly's web site at http://www.john-daly.com has a daily record of the 
Southern Oscillation (El Nino, La Nina). Click the "Latest SOI Index" link to see this graph. It shows that negative SOI 
(El NIno) and positive SOI (La Nina) has, in fact been alternating lately on a daily basis and overall, El Nino is declining. 
Everyone remembers the very strong El Nino of 1998 and sort of expected similiar type conditions this year. Also El 
Nino is only one of many factors which influence our weather. Remember that last year was not an El Nino year and 
yet that winter was awfully lame.
 
By the way, here at Thompson 5 SW, the temp. hit zero F around midnight, went back up to 3 as light snow passed 
through, and is currently 0.7.
 
Vance
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  8:28 am
Subject:  Lodi 2S Overnight Low Temperature
 
G'Morning Group:
 
The overnight low temperature at Lodi 2S plunged to -5.4 F.  This is the coldest temperature I've observed in quite some 
time.
 
Matt Higgins
Lodi 2S
Medina County
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  8:54 am
Subject:  Below Zero!
 
Finally, after over two years without a below zero degree temp.  Last nights low was - 2.4 deg.  Yesterday picked up 3.9 " 
of new snow with persistant lake effect snow showers.Snow depth is 5".So far 21.9" of snow has fallen and the mean 
temp.is 24.5 deg.  No doubt, it's winter!
 
Dan
Macedonia 2ESE
N.Summit County
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  9:09 am
Subject:  Re: What El Nino?
 
Jack,
I'm far from being an El Nino / La Nina expert but, what I've observed with this year and past years is that the upper air 
flow did exhibit the split flow of past El Nino years. What was unique about this year (especially December) is that the 
Polar branch was troughing just far enough into the lower Great Lakes while the southern branch (jet stream) was 
ridging into the Tennessee Valley. This combined flow allowed just enough cold air to advect at the surface while the 
warmer / moister air was being advected over it with the passing of the low pressure areas "riding" the southern branch 
and passing usually just to our south.  As we observed this is a great pattern for snow as well as mixed precip. in our 
state.  In the other El Nino years, the southern branch was the more dominate branch of the jet and ridged further north 
and / or the polar branch just positioned itself much farther north and left Ohio in an area basically not influenced at all 
by either branch of the jet stream. This is when we observed that one, serious tornado outbreak over Florida with a very
 active southern branch.  I think this was 1998 like Vance mentioned. 
 
Dan
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  9:19 am
Subject:  Re: Below Zero!
 
Dan and Group:
 
My low was -1 last night which is the lowest temperature here since December 28, 2000.
 
Jack
Wooster 7N
Wayne County
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  2:18 pm
Subject:  low last night
 
Thompson 5 SW 2:15pm 01/18/03
 
The temp. here at Thompson 5 SW dropped to -2.7 F last night. So far this January, The avg. temp. is 22.2 and we've 
had 43.7" of snow.  Since this is the first season I've been here, I don't have a norm for snowfall. Chardon averages 
about 26" for Jan. This area is thought to receive more snow than Chardon on average but even so, I am probably 
above normal for the month, especially given that Jan. is only half over. We've seen 88.1" for the season so far. The 
snowpack is about 1 foot deep.
 
Vance
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  2:53 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] low last night
 
Hi List:
 
I've been reading but not saying much lately. My low in Ravenna last night was -2.3. Haven't been keeping records but I 
don't think it got that cold last winter here.
 
Gary L.
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  5:22 pm
Subject:  NEOCAMS Update
 
I have just posted an update from Eric Wertz, NEOCAMS president at: 
 
 Larry Huff
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  5:53 pm
Subject:  cold????
 
I don't really think it's cold outside.  This morning I had a low temperature of 4F & a Hi temperature of 19F.  Right now it's
17F, with lite snow coming down. But the baro. is holding at 29.64.  Today we had a wind chill of -16F, but that  is on the 
old system....Right now the winds are at 10-15 M.P.H. out of the WSW.  You want cold tempeature's, go into the Northern 
plans....Where they didn't even get out of singal numbers.  I can remember when we didn't get above 0F for day time 
Hi's., and night time low's in the mid tenns.(-15F)Now that is COLD.  I think we just got to use to warm weather & we all 
think we should go right into spring now.  Remember one thing, Spring is 2-3 months away.......Oh, by the way I still in 
need of a place where I can get ground temperature's reading for N.W.O., I try that web site & they didn't have what I 
was looking for.  I just need a ave. ground temperature for 20 or 25 yrs., for this area.  Can anyone help me out??????
4-E Putnam, Co. 
 
Date:  Sat Jan 18, 2003  11:56 pm
Subject:  new thompson 5 sw web site
 
I finally got a new web site for THompson 5 SW up. Its still a little messy as I don't have all that much time to put into it, 
but it s there. Among the things you can find there are current wx. from my Davis Weather Wizard III (wind and windchill 
are not available yet; daily rain won't be accurate becuase that data is entered manually through the winter); and 
archived data). THere is a link on the front page where you can go to recent snowfall data.
 
The address is: 
 
http://vance_lunn.tripod.com/thompson5sw/home.htm
 
Vance
 
Date:  Sun Jan 19, 2003  9:03 am
Subject:  Anniversary Date Record Low
 
On this date in 1994, a low temperature of minus 22 was set at my station which still stands as the lowest on record for 
my station. Records began in 1992.
 
My low temperature for Saturday morning (1/18) was 1.5 F. During the early morning hours we were experiencing cloudy 
skies and some snow showers. The last time I recorded a below zero reading was in December 2000 with a minus 2.
 
Larry Huff
Munroe Falls 1SW, Summit County 
 
Date:  Mon Jan 20, 2003  8:09 pm
Subject:  Temperatures
 
Group:
 
As Phil mentioned temperatures over the past six days have been cold but I think it's compounded by the fact we 
haven't had a stretch of cold weather like this in a couple of years.
 
The mean temperature over the last six days has been about 10 degrees below normal here with the average mean 
temperature this time of year of around 25 degrees. Nothing compares to what we were getting about this time in 1994. 
I had minimum temperatures ranging from -9 to -28 from the 15th to 20th in 1994.
 
Jack
Wooster 7N
 
Date:  Tue Jan 21, 2003  1:53 pm
Subject:  Brutal Cold Approaching!!
 
Hi Group:
 
I checked out the models this morning and it appears that the cold that we've been experiencing over the past week or 
so is going to be like a trip to the Bahamas compared to what is coming Wednesday night into Friday for us.
 
The coldest air in seven winters appears destined to advect into the lower Great Lakes and Ohio Valley during this time 
frame. While the cold will not be as intense as that experienced in January 1994, it will be brutal all the same.
 
I'm looking at charts that are showing me thickness values of 496-498 dcm and 850 mb (H8) temperatures of -21 to -23 C
Thursday into Friday morning. If these figures hold, you can forget about those forecast highs in the mid-teens for 
northern OH on Thursday. We'd be lucky to climb out of the single digits. And nighttime lows..count on them being at 
zero or below Statewide.
 
The good news is that the charts are showing a moderating trend beginning this weekend and continuing into the first 
part of next week, albeit it may only be modest.
 
Plan now on true bitter cold Wednesday night into Friday & don't forget about your pets...they need to keep warm 
during this cold period ahead.
 
Matt Higgins
Lodi 2S
Medina/Wayne County Border
 
Date:  Tue Jan 21, 2003  10:22 pm
Subject:  Re: Brutal Cold Approaching!!
 
Higgs,
I see what you mean!! We have not seen anything like this in quite some time.I'm expecting well below zero with any 
sort of clearing over my station.The flow is right out of the north pole!!  My snow pack is 7".Right now I'm hovering at 
only + 1.9 deg.Cccccontinnnnued ccccccoooold.
 
Dan
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  8:13 am
Subject:  Re: Brutal Cold Approaching!!
 
 Hi Vance & Group:
 
Models are in good agreement concerning this cold snap coming in. The 00Z run on the ETA and AVN is still calling for 
1000-500 mb thicknesses of about 497 dcm and H8 (850 mb) temperatures of -23 C at 12Z Thursday (January 23rd). 
 
I think the NWS forecasts are in error, especially with the high temperatures forecast for Thursday. Given this cold a 
profile, I can't envision temperatures leaving the single digits during the day Thursday. Low temperatures Wednesday 
night should average 0 to -5 F with the coldest values -10 F possible in the usual cold valley locations of northeast Ohio.
It is likely that temperatures may stay just above zero near the Lake Erie shoreline where the moderating effects of the 
Lake elevate temperatures a bit.
 
The latest model runs do show the coldest air pulling out of the region Thursday night and Friday. Temperatures 
Thursday night may bottom out early in the night (probably around zero Fahrenheit) and then moderate towards 20 
degrees Friday afternoon.
 
Keep Warm!
 
Matt Higgins
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  8:18 am
Subject:  Mighty Snappy!
 
Hi Group:
 
Overnight low temperature at Lodi 2S on January 22nd was -6.0 F.  This is the coldest temperature so far this winter 
season.  Temperatures moderated a bit overnight with some warm advection (HA, HA) occurring ahead of the Siberian 
Front. My 7 AM temperature was a whopping +1.8 F.
 
Matt Higgins
Lodi 2S
Medina/Wayne County Border 
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  9:18 am
Subject:  cold????
 
This is about normal for us......We just got use to above normal reading for the last couple of years....I had a low 
temperature this morning of 6F.  Right now (9:14 p.m.) it's 9F.  I can remember when we didn't even get above 0 for day 
time Hi's.  Even one year we were below zero for daytime Hi.  Trying figuring out Heading Degree's Day's when you 
have a Hi temperature of -11 degree's and a low temperature of -17.  A bone chilling -3 for a ave. temperature & 68 
Heating degree's day's.  I think I am right.  Now that's cold!!  (If I am wrong about this please say so.....)
4-E Putnam, Co. 
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  9:49 am
Subject:  Re: cold????
 
 Hi Phil and Group:
 
Normal mean temperatures across northern Ohio this time of year (mid-late January) range from approximately 23-25 
degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime highs average in the lower 30's and nighttime lows in the mid to upper teens.
 
With this in mind, daytime highs in the single digits above zero and teens are not normal for us. Granted we have 
experienced the extremely cold outliers that you've mentioned (highs near zero & nighttime lows in the minus 
teens/-20's) but those are historical events that occur only a handful of times in one's life around here.
 
You raise a good point in eluding to the fact that this cold is not record-breaking, but it is still significant all the same. 
But no, this weather is not about normal for us, average daily temperatures have been averaging 10-15 degrees below 
normal for over a week now.
 
Matt Higgins
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  10:44 am
Subject:  Warm-Up?
 
Hey guys, I know we're still in the cold right now but the local NWS (for me out of Wilmington) says we'll be up into the 
mid-40's by this coming Tuesday. But I've been doing some reading, researching, and there seems to be conflicting 
opinions on what will happen. Some say it will warm-up, but only briefly and then the cold will return, say by late this 
coming week. Others say the warm-up will not be as strong as advertised to begin with, but still say the cold will come 
back. What are your opinions on it?
 
Jon
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  1:44 pm
Subject:  Re: Warm-Up?
 
Hi Jon (and Group):
 
While there is some conflict among the key medium-range models there is a general consensus among them indicating 
that there could be a bit of a warm-up next week. Right now, I'm leaning towards it being modest, but I still think all of 
Ohio will crack the freezing point by the middle of next week. It is quite possible that you guys in southwest Ohio may 
see low to mid 40's for a time next week (especially Wednesday as it's looking like now).
 
I'm hearing the same thing you are that the warming trend is going to be temporary and the arctic cold will return by 
next weekend. From a solely climatological sense given the fact that we'll be in early February at that time it would make 
sense that the cold will return.
 
I'm glad my liquor cabinet at home is suitably stocked :).
 
Have a good one!
 
Matt Higgins
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  4:39 pm
Subject:  Re: Mighty Snappy!
 
Matt:
 
You got me beat. I only had a -4 and that occured late last night.  However, this is the coldest here since January 29, 
2000. Almost forgot how cold Winter can get it's been so long.
 
By the way, why don't you strap a bottle of your "antifreeze" around your dog's neck and send him down! (ha)
 
Jack
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  5:35 pm
Subject:  Cold Air Thoughts
 
Hello List;
 
I attempted to post this e-mail in a similar version earlier, but was having trouble with my browser at the time, so, here we
go again!!
 
I have set up my Weather Wizard III to the Weatherlink and toolbox and once again am recording conditions on a 30 
minute interval on my computer. So, I will be able to record conditions once again. You see, last fall when my hard 
drive on my computer went out and I had to replace it, I was overwhelmed with programs to place back in the system. I 
seem to have taken it for granted that I was checking conditions daily here at the house, so I didn't bother reinstalling 
the program.
 
However, since I'm going to Mt. Vernon on a regular basis for 2 or 3 or more days at a time, I needed to reinstall the 
program. I did that yesterday. 
 
Thus, I can tell you I had the same condition as did someone else who posted a low of -6 this morning. My reading 
bottomed out at only -1 at between 1:30 and 2 a.m. The reading then went up from -1 to a +8 at 9 a.m. and 15 at 10 a.m. 
It leveled out at 17 late morning and is now at 14 @ 5:30 p.m. One interesting thing I noticed was the rapid fall in 
temperature last evening. It went from about 10 at 8 p.m. to a +1 at midnight. Then leveled off, and began to rise.
 
Is everyone else here of the same opinion as I am on cold air? The more snow pack you have, the colder the air mass 
can remain? Or is my brain fuzzy? 
 
As Dick Goddard says... keep an eye on the animals outdoors or bring them in if possible with this brutal air. I have a 
cat over at my moms who NEVER comes in, even a few years ago when it was -5 to - 10 and strong wind chills. She 
apparently finds someplace to keep warm; I have no idea where. Stay warm. Enough rambling!!!
 
Don Keating
 
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  5:41 pm
Subject:  You Think THIS is Cold?
 
List....
 
Checking my extremes I notice that on January 22, 1994 I recorded a morning low and record tying temperature of - 23 
degrees. The record was also established on January 19, 1994. So, you think this is cold? Don't even go there!!!! Ha ha 
ha.
 
Don Keating
 
 
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 6:33 pm
Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Cold Air Thoughts
 
Just got this e-mail over the internet system. He is right on, about having colder temperature's when you have more 
snow on the ground. On clear & calm night with 1" of snow on the ground, we can have colder temperature's right 
before sunraise. I myself been notice's this. My wife get's up around 5:20 a.m. to get really to go into work & I get up 
shortly there after. During the winter months it doesn't get day light till 7:30a.m. or so. During 6:30-7:15 a.m. I notice the 
outside tempeature drop down more during this time, then during the night time. Just like this morning, we had a low 
temperature of 6F @ 8:26 a.m., now that about 1 hour after sunrise. Our Hi come in @ 2:48 p.m., which was 17F. An that 
is when I seen snow flurries in the area too. So this should tell yea something. When we have a clear night, with snow 
on the ground & calm winds, we have colder temperature's. Now in the spring & summer months, it's about the same, 
but it doesn't get as cold. Does anyone been notices that the lake's are begin to freeze over? I been hearing when the 
lake's freeze's over, the lake affet snow comes to a end. How true is this statement? Present tempeature 12F (6:33 p.m.) 
Present Baro. 30.06S 0.00 Winds WNW-2 M.P.H. Guess so far today been 17M.P.H. Remember we are under a Wind Chill 
Advisory for later on tonight & Thursday too.  Look like that "Hi" pressure & "Low" pressure is moving out of the area. 
Which been pulling that COLD air down from our friends North of us. Let's hope that the back door remine close this 
time. Animals know how to stay warm. Won't you????? If you have to stay outside.... 
4-E 
Putnam, Co.
 
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 7:34 pm
Subject: Re: Cold Air Thoughts
 
 
Phil:
 
True, but only for Lake Erie. We will still see some lake effect off Lake Erie but nothing like it was before the lake started 
freezing over. We occasionally get some lake effect from Lake Huron. The reason Lake Erie freezes over when it gets 
this cold for any length of time is because it is the shallowest of all the Great Lakes. The average depth of Lake Erie is 
only 62 feet compared to Lake Huron with an average depth of 195 feet, Lake Michigan at 280 feet, Lake Ontario at 283 
feet, and Lake Superior at 483 feet.
 
I think if you watch the radars you will see places like western lower Michigan/northwestern Michigan and western New
York continue to get some pretty good lake-effect snows all Winter.
 
Jack 
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  7:55 pm
Subject:  25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Group:
 
This Sunday, January 26 marks the 25th anniversary of the Blizzard of  1978. For those of us who can remember, it was 
one of the worst blizzards ever to hit Ohio and the Great Lakes that broke several weather records, killed at least 35 
Ohioans, and cost more than $ 100 million dollars in losses (lot of money back then).
 
I thought it would be interesting for everyone to kind of "go back in time" and tell us of your personal experiences on 
anything you can remember of the blizzard; where were you at, what were you doing, weather observations, etc. I have 
some old newspaper articles with information on the blizzard I would like to pass on in the days ahead.
 
Let us hear from YOU!!
 
Jack
 
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  9:15 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Jack
 
I was attending Tri-C in Parma then. My dad worked in Cleveland at Alcoa. We lived in Brunswick.
 
School was cancelled. My dad spent - I believe - 2 - maybe 3 nights at work, sleeping on his desk, as the weather 
"went South" during the day and he decided the prudent move was to not try and make it home.
 
Bennett's Corners (intersection of Brunswick, Hinckley, North Royalton & Strongsville) - back then it was a 6 road 
intersection (today it has been redone and made into 2 intersections) - a water main broke and water flooded the entire 
intersection. The water froze and the entire intersection remained frozen for weeks afterwards (perhaps someone can 
remember how long we stayed below freezing that year - but it seemed like a long time).
 
I live on a north-southbound road. There was no snow on our road during the storm. The wind was blowing so fiercely 
that it blew all of the snow off of our road (north?). I remember the wind whistling and howling and the cold coming in 
the windows.
 
It was a really neat storm and I will never forget it. It's just hard to believe it's been 25 years!
 
Amber
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  9:22 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 Hello List;
 
January 26'th, 1978 I did not have an anemometor. Too bad too!! I lived on Main Streen here in Newcomerstown. At the 
time I was just 15 years old. Old enough to know what was going on around me for sure. I did have, and still do, a 
Taylor Barometor. At about 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the 26'th I recorded a low pressure of 28.77" 
 
I recall hearing guys like Don Webster (WEWS TV 5 Cleveland) and Dick Goddard (TV 8 Cleveland) talking about how 
rapidly the temperature was going to fall; the pressure was going to fall and the winds were going to increase. At 
first there was a Blizzard Warning in effect. I recall at 11 p.m. on the 25'th I had like 52 degrees, light winds and some 
light drizzle and rain. The morning of the 26'th there was a Severe Blizzard Warning in effect.
 
The following morning at 6 a.m. it was snowing heavily, the temperature was down to something like 15 degrees and the
winds were incredible. I remember hearing on our police scanner that a pontoon boat had blown out of someone's yard
 on west State Street and was now in the middle of the road!
 
My dad had gone to Wheeling to Wheeling Downs Dog track the night of the 25'th. He said he wasn't concerned, the 
weather wasn't that bad. Normally it's an hour and a half drive from here to the dog track. All the way home they had 
to go 15 to 25 mph in blinding snow and it took them 8 hours to get home!!
 
My girlfriend recently told me that in a small town she lived in at the time, I think it's Fredricktown, that they had drifts of 
at least 10 FEET and it was so bad that her Grandparents had to literally dig a tunnel in the snow drifts out to the road. 
They couldn't go any further; it was too much work.
 
That's the best I can recall. Incredible it's been 25 years already. I recently found a medium sized tee-shirt that Dick 
Goddard had produced that stated "I Survived the Blizzard of '78". I doubt I'll ever see another like it in my lifetime. Then
again, you should never say never huh?
 
Don Keating
Newcomerstown, Ohio
1/22/2003
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  9:27 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Amber D. wrote.........
 
(perhaps someone can remember how long we stayed below freezing that year - but it seemed like a long time).
 
Amber, List;
 
I recently saw a weatherman in Columbus state that they (Columbus [CMH]) were below freezing for 38 consecutive 
days in 1978. I know Cleveland was close to that number as well.
 
Let me take the oppertunity to add to my blizzard story brielfy. We were out of school a solid week due to that one 
storm. The winter of 77-78 I believe we had missed like 17 days of school. I loved it!!!
 
Don Keating
 
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  10:05 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Weeeelll... I don't have any personal memories of the storm, seeing as I was only 3-1/2 years old when it happened...
 
However, I saw a picture of my sister and I in the aftermath. We lived in a rented duplex that had a slightly graded yard 
and several (3-4)steps to the front door. The snow had drifted up against the house so that it was level with the door. 
Probably at least a three foot drift. My parents, ever resourceful, shoveled out the side door and used the snow to build 
a little ridge between the walk and the front steps. Then they opened the front door and my sister and I had our own 
snow slide -- down the front steps/drift on our plastic Sesame Street place mats!
 
My father says he remembers when the first gust of wind hit as the storm came in. He says he heard a very loud THUD 
and the house shook, and he knew it was going to be a terrific storm. Of course it was the middle of the night when it 
first came in, so that had to be a huge gust to wake him up from a dead sleep!
 
My only true blizzard memories are from the Blizzard of 1993, when I was at the University of Delaware (that's Newark, 
Delaware, not Delaware, Ohio.) I knew it was going to be a big one not so much because of the forecasts but rather the 
extremely warm temperature we had the day before. That much warm air, I knew, would fuel one heck of a storm. Ahh, 
but that wasn't in Ohio so it doesn't belong on OhioWx (unless you *want* to hear about it.)
 
Cheers & stay warm,
Liz
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  10:05 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Re: Warm-Up?
 
One thing is for sure about this winter, unlike almost every year this past decade, the cold has been winning out. There 
have been brief moderate warm spells, but nothing outrageous. The only time it could be considered that was perhaps 
around November 10th with the tornado outbreak. Other than that, the cold has really been consistent since October. 
Every month here in Columbus has been below normal since then, and we are shaping up to have our first below 
normal January since 1994. I don't see any reason why that pattern should break in February.
 
Jon
 
Date:  Wed Jan 22, 2003  11:20 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Hi all:
 
I do remember that time real well. I was working at the University of Toledo at the time on the grounds crew. Only 4 out 
of 20 made it to work that day. The 4 of us worked at keeping the campus roads open, but some were a lost cause. 
Since there were about 3000 students in dorms at that time, and the power was out, a lot of what we ended up doing 
was supplying as many heating units (salamanders or kerosene heaters) as possible. We also had one dorm that had a 
flu bug going through it, and after transporting a bunch of people to the hospital, they finally sent a doctor and 2 nurses 
to the dorm to take care of the students.
 
After the 3rd day, I was pulled off of the campus and put on a state plow south of Toledo. I was assigned a big V plow to 
open roads with. WOW!!! I've never seen drifts like that since. Some roads were covered with 8 - 10' drifts(and some 
higher..). When you hit those with a plow, it feels like you have just hit a wall. Yes, it moves, but even with a big V plow, 
you know you just got into something big! All of the roads were supposedly checked before I tried to clear them, but 
they missed a VW Beatle on one of them... I hit it at about 40mph and cut it in half. Didn't damage the plow much 
(although I came close to eating the windshield..), so I was told to just go on and they would sort things out 
in the spring...
 
I ended up working so many hours that I was told by a bean counter that there was no way that anyone could work that 
much for so long(128hrs in 7 days). Yes, it was possible, but it took me another week just to catch up on my sleep! 
Looking back, I kind of cringe at the thought that I was driving a plow with so little sleep, but when I was doing it, it 
seemed like the adrenaline was working well. That and something I'll never forget...every Red Cross shelter I stopped at 
gave me a handful of Tootsee Rolls! Never did find out why they all had such a big supply of these...
 
Anyway, those are my memories of the blizzard of 1978.
 
Chris 
 
Date:  Thu Jan 23, 2003  2:44 am
Subject:  cold night
 
So far, The temp. here at Thompson 5 SW has bottomed out at -3.0 F around midnight. It then modified as some light 
snow moved through up to 3.5 F and now it has cleared again and the temp. is falling again, currently at 1.8 F. 
 
By the way, as for the Lake, I can see it from a distance as I drive down the hill to work every day when visibility is good 
(which it frequntly isn't, due to daily snow showers). Yesterday it appeared to be ice closer to shore, where it appeared 
white, but I could see blue out beyond. I don't know if that was open water or thinner ice. It won't be open for long 
though.
 
Vance
 
Date:  Thu Jan 23, 2003  10:04 am
Subject:  Re: 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Hi Group:
 
The Blizzard of 1978...This ranks as the top 2 storm events I've ever 
observed in my life here in northeast Ohio.
 
I was well into my teenage years when this event hit and my interest in the weather was well established. I remember 
listening to Elliot Abrams of Accu-Weather the morning of January 25th (a day before the big storm) and he stated that 
the worst storm in over 60 years is going to strike Ohio within 24-hours. He stated that 70 MPH winds combined with 
nearly a foot of new snow will shut Ohio down. I remember my Mom listening to this forecast and grumbling "will this 
weather ever settle down?". As many of you who are old enough to remember, the early part of Winter 1977-78 was very 
snowy with 70 to 80 inches of snow falling in the Cleveland area during the months of December 1977 and January 1978
alone.
 
During the late morning NWS zone forecast update, Winter Storm Warnings were posted for all of Ohio. During the late 
afternoon NWS zone forecast update it was changed to a Blizzard Warning for all of Ohio. As many of you may recall, 
the term "Blizzard Warning" didn't get our attention as much back then as it does today. This is because several of them
were issued during the Winters of 1976-77 and 1977-78 and it became "the same old song & dance" to northeast 
Ohioans who were accustomed to the combination of strong winds and heavy snow over these past two winters. But 
this storm was going to be real special...especially to weather enthusiasts across the Ohio Valley.
 
When I went to bed during the evening of January 25th preparing for school the next day (that wasn't going to be), I 
noticed the reading on my Springfield Barometer (the one Grandpa gave me for Christmas several years before the big 
blizzard) drop below 29.00 In Hg. Up to this time, I only recalled the barometer dropping below 29.00 In Hg once before 
and that was with the big northern OH snowstorm of November 30-December 1, 1974.
 
I couldn't sleep a wink that night. I was up constantly watching the barometer & listening to NOAA weather radio. The 
barometer continued it's plunge. 28.74" by midnight, 28.52" by 3 AM on January 26th, 28.32" by 5:45 AM January 26th. 
Through this time, a light to moderate rain was falling that was accompanied by brisk, but not necessarily strong, E to 
SE winds. Temperatures were mild for the season, generally in the 42-45 degree range. I was thinking to myself.. Where 
is the big blizzard? Don't tell me we're going to miss it?
 
My question was answered at approximately 5:45 AM on January 26th. While I was ready to step out the door on my 
way out to deliver the Plain Dealer I heard a roaring sound in the distance. The barometer read 28.32" and I thought it 
was broken. I never saw a pressure this low in my life. Then it hit! Winds of 70-80 MPH roared through the neighborhood,
ripping off awning, tearing off tree limbs, and removing shingles from neighbor's roofs. Fortunately, I didn't leave to 
deliver papers before the high winds set in. My Mom got up and immediately told me to stay home & don't go outside. 
Right after she said this, we heard a loud ripping sound followed by a big bang. To our surprise, the storm door on the 
side of our house in Parma ripped off and blew half-way down our driveway. Temperatures took a free-fall dropping 
from 44 degrees at 5:45 AM to 10 degrees by 7:00 AM. Snow piled up into 3-foot drifts on the street I was living on 
(Greenleaf Ave. in Parma). At times, you could see debris being carried in the air by the high winds.
 
NOAA weather radio went off the air as soon as the blizzard struck & didn't come back on until that evening. The 
barometer started to rise rapidly as soon as the high winds set in. The temperature at my house in Parma bottomed out 
at +2 degrees around midday on the 26th & remained in the single digits into the night. Winds continued to gust to 70 
MPH and beyond into the early afternoon hours and were still gusting to 55 MPH + into the evening hours. I 
approximated about 4 inches of snow fell in Parma from the blizzard, but the NWS in Cleveland estimated about 7 
inches fell. There was no way to know for sure because of the wicked blowing and drifting that took place.
 
What a storm & what memories! 
 
Matt Higgins
 
Date:  Thu Jan 23, 2003  10:24 am
Subject:  What's up with this?
 
List;
 
I find this quite interesting. The NWS at PGH is forecasting an overnight low for tonight / tomorrow morning (the 24'th) of
just 10 ABOVE zero. Yet I'm hearing  Columbus forecasters forecasting overnight lows down to as much as -5. Why the 
difference? I had a morning low of + 1 here and it's currently 8 at 10:25 a.m.
 
"Tonight. Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow showers until midnight. Then scattered flurries. Little or no snow 
accumulation. Up to 1 inch. Lows near 10 above. Wind chills around 10 below zero. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph 
decreasing to 5 mph. Chance of snow 30 percent."
 
Don Keating #106
 
Newcomerstown 1S
 
 
Date:  Thu Jan 23, 2003  4:31 pm
Subject:  Re: What's up with this?
 
Don:
 
I think it's because of the varying degrees of cloud cover and wind expected by morning; the further west you go the 
less the cloud cover, hence the lower the temperature. I think Pittsburgh is going with cloudy most of the night, 
Columbus is going to partly cloudy after midnight and forecasts for places in eastern Indiana are calling for clear skies.
 
I had a -3 degrees this morning. I think the high for today will be 11 degrees because its been there most of the day and 
it's almost 4:30 pm now. After the last few years I almost forgot what Winter is suppose to be like around here.
 
Jack
 
Date:  Thu Jan 23, 2003  7:02 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Group:
 
Nice topic for discussion. At the time I was in my senior year at Akron U trying to learn to be a teacher. I was student 
teaching at Stow High School. The morning the storm hit, I was driving from Ravenna to Akron on I-76. As I recall the 
snow and wind came on real hard, real fast. By the time I had got on I-76 at the Kent-Hartville ramp, it was snowing so 
hard I could not see beyond the front of my car. I got off at the next exit, turned around and headed home. From that 
point the trip would normally take about 15 minutes to get home but it took me about 1.5 hours as I recall.
 
Gary L.
Ravenna
 
 
Date:  Thu Jan 23, 2003  7:44 pm
Subject:  Re: [OhioWx] Re: Warm-Up? Updated NWS forecast
 
Well, looks like the cold still wants to stick around. Here is the NWS forecast out of Wilmington for the Columbus area, 
both from this morning and then this afternoon. Notice the big differences, especially for Monday.
 
This Morning This Afternoon
 
Sunday: "Highs near 30" "Highs in the mid-20's"
Monday: "Highs near 40" "Highs in the upper-20's"
Tuesday: "Highs in the mid-40's" "Highs in the upper-30's"
 
In fact, they are now not calling for 40 until Wednesday. We'll see if they don't push that back even more or even 
eliminate that possibility altogether. This "warm-up" doesn't look too impressive anymore. Not that it did to begin with.
 Jon
 
Date:  Thu Jan 23, 2003  8:13 pm
Subject:  Re: 25th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78
 
Group:
 
I consider the Blizzard of '78 my second most memorable winter storm; the other back in the mid-sixties being stranded