Kent 2W (Eric Wertz) - 

Kidron 1N (Ronald Hahn) -  Temperatures averaged more than 2 degrees warmer than normal, while liquid precipitation was over 0.70" above normal.  This was also the 2nd snowiest April on record with the 6.7" of snow on the 24th and 25th being the greatest amount ever recorded here so late in the season.  The high temperature of 34 on the 24th was also the coldest high temperature so late in the season.

Ottawa 4E (Phil & Bonnie Higley) -  Ended up below normal by 1.6F & Above normal by 2.23" for precip.  As a whole the month started out fair then it got real nice by the middle then a cold front come in..Making the temperature take a nosie dive.  By 24 we had 1.0" of SNOW on the ground.  Just days before the winds really pick up.  We had a wind gust of 40 M.P.H. on the 19th.  With winds before only gusting out at 16-18 M.P.H..   What a up & down month.  Just like the Stock market..(Up & Down.  More down than Up.)

Perrysville 4W (Katie Gerwig) -  Snowstorm 23-24 with a rain snow mix 23rd.  The night of the 23rd - 7pm 24th saw aprrox. 5" of snow.  An additional 2" fell between 7-11 pm before ending.  It melted by noon the 25th.  First half of month mostly warm and dry and the 20th - 30th was cooler than average with rain on each day.

Ravenna 1SE (Gary Locke)  -  April was wetter than March and significantly warmer (except for the snow days).  There was a threat of severe weather on the 20th and a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Portage County.  No severe weather was observed at my location, however.  The highest temperature of 84 degrees was the highest temperature recorded since September 5, 2004.

Springfield (Dick Groeber) - The month was devided into two parts. The first 2/3rds was warm and dry while the last 1/3rd was cool and wet.  Temperature highs were in the 60s and 80s during the first third along with scattered light rain showers. The relative humidity was quite low.  The last third saw very cool teperatures with the only sub freezing reading.The main precipitation feature of the month came on the weekend of yje 23rd-24th with rain and the only measurable snowfall.
 

Thompson 5SW (Vance Lunn)-  April 2005 was the strangest month I have observed in a long time.  A major snowstorm hit on the 2nd and 3rd, dropping a total of 24.1 inches of snow and 2.35 inches of liquid precipitation including some rain that fell before it changed to snow.  This storm included high winds that left tree damage and knocked out our power for three days.  Water damage occured to our basement as the temperatures rose to the mid-70's with snowpack still on the ground.  Despite this warm weather, snow cover from this storm persisted for eight days.  This event was fo11owed by almost three weeks of perfect Spring weather.  Although it was very dry during this period, the water from the storm was enough to allow for the Spring growth to advance normally.  This period was ended by another major snowstorm.  This storm began as rain on the 22nd, changed to snow late in the morning of the 23rd, and continued to snow through the 25th.  This station received 22.9 inches of snow and 3.30 inches ! of liquid precipitation including the rain that fell before the changeover.  Extensive tree damage occured as trees were crushed under the weight of the very heavy snow that pasted onto everything.  Snow cover from this storm persisted to the 29th, for a total of 13 days in April with snow cover.  Piled  snowbanks and a few snowdrifts persisted into May.  Greatest snow depth for the month was 24 inches on the 3rd.

Wooster 7N (Jack Sisler) -  April was a wet and somewhat snowy month all things considered. The mean high for the entire month was a few degrees above normal even with colder than normal temperatures the last week of the month. Precipitation was more than an inch above normal. Snowfall of 3.6 inches on the 24th was the most 24-hour snowfall for any April and made it the most snowfall ever recorded for the entire month of April.
 

 = Airport

 
From: "Phillip Higley"  
Date: Fri Apr 1, 2005 10:17 pm
Subject: Monthly report
 

Ave. Max.: 43.4F Highest was 73F on the 30th
Ave. Minn.: 26F Lowest was 6F on the 3rd
Ave. Temp. 34.7F
Precip.; 1.20" / 24 hour greatest amount 0.39" on the 23rd
Snowfall 3.8"/ 24 hour greatest amount 2.0" on the 1st
Highest Baro. 30.11" on the 15th & 16th
Lowest Baro. 29.09" on the 12th
Highest wind gust 44 M.P.H. on the 31st (13 days with Precip. Out of 31)
4-E
Putnman, Co.
#15

Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 7:48 am
Subject: April Snow
 


Whether Cleveland gets enough snow to break their all-time record from
the 994mb low which was over northern W. Virginia about 6 a.m. remains
to be seen.

Some people are always amazed that we receive snow in April but for any
of us that have lived in Ohio for any length of time know better. With
my records at this location only going back to 1993, I've had 0.2" on
April 18, 1997, trace on April 23, 1996, and 0.1" on April 27, 2004.

Wonder how far into Spring any of you have recorded snowfall?

Jack Sisler
Wooster 7N


Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 8:29 am
Subject: Re: [OhioWx] April Snow
 

Jack and group,
The latest I can remember snow here in Hambden is May 12th, 1996. I irmember that because it occured on My
wife's birthday. Of course it didn't stick except for a little dustng on dead leaves, etc.
My wife is a pharmacist in Middlefield and she went in this morning at 8:00 AM. She said there seemed to be 3-4
inches of snow on Rt 608 driving from Hambden down towards East Claridon. I guess they hadn't plowed yet. By
the time she got to Middlefield there was no snow at all on the ground. Somewhere between East Claridon and
Middlefield is the rain-snow line...at least at that time. I've picked up what looks to be another 1.5" or so since my
7:00 AM report.
Doug Brady
Hambden Twp.


Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 12:08 pm
Subject: March 2005 Newcomerstown
 

Average High was ... 48.1 or -3.8 degrees below normal
Average low was ... 27.4 or -1.3 degrees below normal
Mean temperature was 37.8 or -2.5 degrees below normal
Highest reading was 74 on the 30th & 31st
Lowest reading was 12 on the 3rd & 4th
Average high wind gust was 18.1 mph
Highest wind gust was 31 mph on the 12th
Total precipitation was 1.81" or -1.10" below normal
Total snowfall was 8.7" or +3.9" above normal
Heaviest 24 HR rainfall was 0.83" on the 27'th - 28th
Heaviest 24 HR snowfall was 4.5" on the 1st - 2nd
Don Keating #106
Newcomerstown 1S
Tuscarawas County, OH

Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 2:01 pm
Subject: Rainfall @ Newcomerstown
 

Rainfall from 5 p.m. Friday through 2 p.m. Saturday has been 1.61". Conditions are now cloudy and 39 degrees.
Don Keating #106
Newcomerstown 1S

Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 7:06 pm
Subject: Snow Event
 

Group,
This has thus far been quite a storm. I've experienced blowing snow with the temperature consistently above 32.
That is, to say the least, unusual. The snow is extremely dense and heavy. The snow blower is essentially useless in
such conditions and it is a 10HP model. I thought about doing it by hand but decided against it...way too much
work. Hopefully those 50+ temperatures predicted next week will melt it quickly Today's event has resulted in this
winter going from an unremarkable 7th place in my records as of yesterday (since 1991-92) to third place. There is
no way I will beat 1995-96 (200.1") but have an outside shot at topping last year's 172.4", sitting at 167.9" as I type
this. I guess we'll see what happens overnight. I'm curious if Cleveland beat their record. I saw on The Weather
Channel that they did but am a bit wary of the source...
Doug Brady
Hambden Twp.
Geauga County


Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 7:23 pm
Subject: Re: Snow Event
 


Doug:

Yes, they did. Here's the official statement.


SXUS71 KCLE 022107
RERCLE

RECORD REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
410 PM EST SAT APR 2 2005

THE SNOWFALL AT CLEVELAND HOPKINS AIRPORT FROM MIDNIGHT UNTIL 4 PM
IS 4.2 INCHES. THIS WILL BRING THE SEASONAL TOTAL UP TO 103.1 INCHES
WHICH BREAKS THE ALL TIME SNOWIEST SEASON AT CLEVELAND HOPKINS
AIRPORT WHICH WAS 101.1 INCHES IN 1995-1996.

SINCE IT IS STILL SNOWING...ANOTHER STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED AROUND
MIDNIGHT FOR THE DAY AND ON SUNDAY WHEN THE SNOW ENDS.


Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 7:42 pm
Subject: Spring snowstorm report
 


Here at Thompson 5 SW we have had 8.0" snow in the last 12 hrs (7a-7p)
and 9.4 " for the day so far, and moderate to heavy snow continiues
with blowing snow. That is also my April total. The seasonal total
was 194.7" as of 7pm this evening.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (northern Geauga Co.)


Date: Sat Apr 2, 2005 7:54 pm
Subject: Re: April Snow
 


THe latest snowfall recorded here was 0.1" on May 20, 2002 during the
brief snowshowers that moved through that morning. We hadn't yet
built the house up here yet, but I just happened to be at the
property that day as they were starting to prep it for the
construction. April '03 had 1.2" and April '04 saw 7.4". This month
will almost certainly be in double digits.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW


Date: Sun Apr 3, 2005 1:27 am
Subject: Re: Spring snowstorm report
 


Although I call my station Thompson 5 SW, I discovered later when I
took more careful measurements that I am more like 4 miles SW of
Thompson square. Still, That puts us about a mile apart. There was
a noticable increase in the winter snowpack after you cross that
creek between Hambden and Rt. 86 (going east on 166) and get to the
top of the ridge on the other side.

Vance


Date: Sun Apr 3, 2005 1:39 am
Subject: Storm update
 


We are getting hammered!! 13.9" of snow fell today and moderate to
heavy snow continues to fall. Not only that, the liquid content is
quite high. That was 1.83 since midnight (0.02" fell before midnight
yesterday to give a storm total liquid precip. amount of 1.85" so
far). Some of this fell as rain until somtime before 3:45 am this
morning (04/02/05), but the snow consistency is very heavy and dense.
That snow total is also April's snow total and the tally for the season
is 199.2".

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (Northern Geauga Co.)


Date: Sun Apr 3, 2005 10:24 am
Subject: March Statistics for Ravenna 1SE
 

Hi Everyone:

Was hoping that winter was over but no such luck. I have measured 5
inches of snow here since yesterday and have received the liquid
equivalent of 1.63" of precip since the rain event started on Friday.
Here are my stats for March 2005:

Mean High Temp - 43.03
Mean Low Temp - 20.84
Mean Temp - 31.94
High Temp - 76 on 3/30/05
Low Temp - 2 on 3/3/05
Total Precip - 1.77
Total Precip Days - 16
Thunderstorm Days - 1
Total Snowfall - 17.9"
Highest 24 hr Rainfall - 0.24 on 3/23/05
Highest 24 hr Snowfall - 5.0" on 3/1/05

Seasonal snowfall: 66.5"

Gary Locke
Ravenna 1SE
OWON #121


Date: Sun Apr 3, 2005 10:31 am
Subject: April Snow Record
 


Although the snowfall totals I had wasn't as dramatic as points up
north, I did manage to break my snowfall record for April with 3.8
inches since keeping records here since 1993.

Power was out on occasion everywhere including here. Several reports of
trees and wires down because of the heavy snow.

Jack
Wooster 7N


Date: Sun Apr 3, 2005 4:36 pm
Subject: storm update...another snowfall milestone
vance_lunn
 


We had another 13.5" of snow as of my morning snow report for the
previous 12 hours. Another 1.2" has fallen since then for a grand
storm total of 24.1". This also pushed my seasonal total well over the
TWO hundred inch mark, and this stands at 213.9". Our power is out and
trees in the neighborhood are down (fortunately none fell into our
yard...I really don't feel like cutting up a tree right now). One tree
had fallen across our street, blocking it, but then, no one was going
anywhere anyways until the snowplow came.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (northern Geauga Co.


Date: Tue Apr 5, 2005 5:54 am
Subject: March's Weather Statistics for Centerville 1W
 

Weather statistics for the month of March for Centerville 1W.
High Temp (Date) ... 76ø / 30th
Low Temp (Date) ... 13ø / 9th
Mean High .. 45.6ø
Mean Low .. 27.8ø
Monthly Mean ... 36.7ø
Total Precipitation ... 3.43"
Max 24 hr Precipitation (Date) ... 1.59" / 28th
Number of Precipitation Days... 9
Total Snowfall... 3.1"
Max 24 hr Snowfall (Date) ... 2.6" / 5th
Max Snow Depth at time of observation ... 0"
High Wind Gust (Date) ... 39 MPH / 12th
Thunderstorm Days ... 2
Highest Barometer (Date) ... 30.30" / 16th
Lowest Barometer (Date) ... 29.33" / 12th
Average High Wind Gust... 21.1 MPH
Year To Date Precipitation . 13.78"
Robert Flory - KA5RUC
Centerville 1W
Southeast Montgomery County
Ohio Weather Observer Network #82
Wilmington NWS Skywarn ID OMT405

Date: Tue Apr 5, 2005 6:41 am
Subject: WEEKEND SNOW
 


Reading the posts about the weekend snow once again points out the
diversity of weather in this state. Cincinnati had a cold rain
Saturday and a beautiful spring day Sunday. Our winter snowfall was
near normal. It is wild to hear what happened not all that far away
in the snowbelt. Here, trees are starting to bloom and spring is
under way.

Ron Rothhaas
Cincinnati


Date: Tue Apr 5, 2005 8:16 am
Subject: Re: WEEKEND SNOW
 


Ron,

Even this far south I still had four inches of snow on the ground
Sunday morning. It was completely melted by Sunday night. Monday I had
a high of 60. May be cutting grass by the weekend or first part of next
week which suits me.

Jack
Wooster 7N


Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 10:06 pm
Subject: (No subject)
 


This is the first time I've seen this in Ohio: Even afteran
afternoon
high of 75 degrees, we STILL have a measurable snow depth averaging
2". If I hadn't been so busy, I could've laid out getting a sun tan
in
the snow!!

Vance


Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 10:17 pm
Subject: Re: [OhioWx] (unknown)
 

Hi Vance;
That is wild! When I was at Mt. Baker in NW Washington State back in 1997 (early June) we were driving
up the roads to the ski lodge (just to sightsee, I don't ski !!) the air temperature was like 80 degrees and there
was like two or three, maybe more, FEET of snow on the hillsides right up to the roads! When you'd get out
of the car and stand next to the snow banks, it'd be like walking into a grocery store and walking up to a
refrigerated cooler with milk in it, but it's still warm in the store.
Below is a photo I took while I was there in 1997. The mountain in the background is Mt. Baker.
Don Keating

Date: Thu Apr 7, 2005 12:42 am
Subject: Re: (unknown)
 


In the mountains, this happens all the time. When I worked a summer
at Mt. Rainier in WA, it would be a warm day with a high summer Sun
and hot, strenuous hiking. Every snowbank along the trail was just
crowded with hikers cooling off. I just don't think I've ever been
able to experience that in Ohio before. I think that heavy snow
actually insulated itself yesterday. It was about 15 or so degrees
cooler here than in nearby places where they didn't get so much
snow. It was 46 here and 62 in Madison 15 minutes away.

Vance


Date: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:42 pm
Subject: Re: Has anyone noticed...?
 


Our grass is only just starting to green up, and I haven't noticed
any new leaflets yet, however, at lower elevations in Lake Co. I have
seen someone mowing grass (must be picky...for while there in Mentor
the grass is completely green, it hasn't really grown very much), and
some smaller stuff growing under the bigger trees and other sheltered
areas are beginning to leaf out.

The grass here behaves differently than in other places in Ohio, it
seems. It seems that the deep snow here insulates the grass during
the coldest weather so that it stays relatively green and is so in
March when the snow melts back far enough to expose it. Then it
browns briefly until the warmer spring temps. green it again. It
wasn't as green this year at Spring Thaw. I believe this was due to
the thin snow pack in February.

Vance


Date: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:06 am
Subject: Need Some Rainfall
 


Even though I'm about a 1/4 inch above normal for the month and more
than 4 1/2 inches above normal for the year so far rainfall is needed.
Most of the precip for the month occurred the first three days of the
month I've only had .05 inch the last ten days.

Farmers are plowing their fields but it looks like this big cloud of
dust during the process.

Jack Sisler
Wooster 7N
Wayne County


From: "Phillip Higley"  
Date: Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:12 pm
Subject: interested weather
 

It's been summer like weather the last 3-4 day's. With temperatures getting into the low 80's. Today was
the first day we were issure a Severel thunder storm watch.
As of 4:08 p.m. Daylight saving time it's
Thundering
Outside air temperature is 75F
With a HI so far of 81F
Outside wind is a blowing at 21 M.P.H. out of the WSW
Baro. is at 29.69F
Rel. Hum. is at 54%
Dew Point at 59F
Just a tr. of rain so far.
WE NEED RAIN.........
Been seing alot of DUST flying across the road & onto vehicles.
Farmer are putting the corn in, I think it's to early..
But what do I know..
Cooler temperature are coming in for the weekend.
I heard that we might even see S-N-O-W for Saturday.
Is this Spring?? Or late Winter?
4-E
Putnam, Co.

Date: Sat Apr 23, 2005 7:28 am
Subject: Here comes the white stuff!
 

Kind of hard to believe the forecasts, but it does seem to be coming
together for a white blanket tonight over Northern Ohio. Right now, we have
driving rain, 38 degrees and a 14 mph NE wind.

Is this April?? I'm supposed to go camping in 2 weeks!!

Chris
West Toledo


From: "Phillip Higley"  
Date: Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:44 am
Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Here comes the white stuff!
 

Camping?????????????You known we don't usally have our last frost till May.
This is nothing to what I remember of...
See SNOW this morning @ 4-E #15. Right now it 37F with a NNW wind a blowing
@ 21 M.P.H., NICE & COOL outside right now. If you don't like Ohio weather
right now just sick around it will change...
Phil
East Ottawa


Date: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 am
Subject: WINTER WEATHER
 


Looks like Ohio is in for quite a winter weather event, especially
considering the fact we are almost a month past our most recent frost
here. Snow advisory from 6PM tonight to 2PM Sunday in Cincinnati and
I see winter storm watches in northern Ohio for what could be an
impressive storm. Many trees are in full leaf here but I doubt an
inch or 2 will be a problem. How far along are the trees up north?
With accumulations such as I am reading about this could be a problem.

Ron Rothhaas
Cincinnati


Date: Sat Apr 23, 2005 4:34 pm
Subject: Re: WINTER WEATHER
 


There is some budding going on around here, enough to give a faint
greenish tint to the lower levels of the woods, but most of the trees
are still winter bare here in Thompson 5 SW at the top of the ridge.
Mentor down at the lowere elevation by Lake Erie is about a week
further along, but I don't think there's enough foilage to collect more
snow accumulation than the branches themselves normally would. With 3
weeks of very nice seasonal weather (highs in the 50's, 60's, and 70's
and lows mostly in the 30's) pushing plant development right along,
cold now might be an issue.

The rain mixed with wet snow in late morning, then changed over
completely a little after noon. The temperature is currently 33.8 and
slowly falling. The falling snow is able to maintain a thin layer of
slush on a few of the coldest surfaces.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (northern Geauga Co.)


Date: Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:27 pm
Subject: Re: WINTER WEATHER
 


Ron,

Things have been downgraded to a weather advisory here but still could
be interesting. It has been a mix of rain and wet snow all afternoon.I
don't think we're much further along than Vance as for trees leafing
out. Not far enough along for a heavy wet accumulation to have an
effect. Temps were in the upper 70's first part of last week.

There are many garden places that already have their annuals out which
seems very strange to me considering freezing temps can still occur up
until around the third week of May around here. Have mowed the grass
three times already. Precip has been kind of slim up untl now.
Appoaching 1.5 inches for the past few days.

Jack Sisler
Wooster 7N


Date: Sat Apr 23, 2005 8:05 pm
Subject: Spring snow event update
 


As of 7:30 this evening, we've had 1.8" snow for the day. THere is 1"
on the ground. THat makes for a monthly tally for April of 25.9" and a
seasonal total of 211.2".

At 7:30pm it was 32.2 degrees with no wind and moderate to heavy snow.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (northern Geauga Co.)


Date: Sun Apr 24, 2005 12:39 am
Subject: midnight storm update
 


At midnight, we had 4.9" snow for the day (April 23) for 29.0" for the
month and 214.3" for the season. Also, a good amount of rain had
fallen before it had turned to snow. Total liquid precip. for the day
is 1.24"; for this storm is 1.77", and a monthly tally of 4.39" so far.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (northern Geauga Co.)



Date: Sun Apr 24, 2005 8:54 am
Subject: snow
 

Group,
The snow continues to fall here in Hambden. If anything, it seems to be picking up in intensity. As of now (8:45
AM) there is over 8" on the ground with 10.1" having fallen so far. It is sticking to everything. Tree branches are
weighted down and touching the ground, some of which are breaking. This is similar to the storm of 3 weeks ago. I
heard on the news that the snow is not accumulating on the roads. It is here......
Doug Brady
Hambden Twp.
Geauga County

Date: Sun Apr 24, 2005 11:01 am
Subject: storm update
 


Doug's right. It's snowing...hard. Just a short ways down the road,
but in the same snowbelt, here at Thompson 5 SW, I reported 6.9" for
the previous 12 hours at 6:30am this morning for 8.7" up to that time.
A few inches has fallen since then. Heavy snow continues.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (northern Geauga Co.)

Date: Sun Apr 24, 2005 11:34 am
Subject: Re: [OhioWx] storm update
 

Vance and group,
Heavy snow continues here too. At 11:30 AM, I recorded 4.5" since 7:00 AM this morning. That ups my total to
13.4" with 11" on the ground now. The snow has the consistency of wet cement and the wind seems to be
increasing. I have a feeling that my power will soon be lost. It has flickered a couple times in the last half hour.
Never a good sign. It is a good thing there are no leaves on the trees yet...
Doug Brady
Hambden Twp.


Date: Sun Apr 24, 2005 12:22 pm
Subject: Re: storm update
 


Doug and Group:

Although I haven't received anything close to what you guys are
getting up north it still has been interesting. As of 7 a.m. I had
1.6 inches in the past 12 hours with less than an inch since then
thus far.

For what it's worth, even with that much snow, it did establish some
records for me. It gave me the most daily snowfall I've had so late
in the season and the most snow ever for the month of April in the
15 years I've been at this location.

Between the liquid content of the snowfall and the rainfall a few
days before gave me more preciptation than I've had the entire month
up until that point.

Jack Sisler
Wooster 7N


Date: Sun Apr 24, 2005 1:20 pm
Subject: snowfall
 

As of 1 pm sunday 4/24/05 i have had
3.5 inches of snow with 3.0 on the ground
at 1: 15 pm as i write Heavy Snow continues...

31 degrees with heavy snow

Mike Bielski
Toledo 5 NE
NE Lucas co.
point place area


Date: Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:20 pm
Subject: Re: [OhioWx] Re: storm update
 

Group,
As of 5:00 PM, my storm total is 15.9" with just over 12 on the ground. It slowed down a bit in intensity this
afternnon and seems to be settling and melting from the ground up. I just did a little calculation that I found
interesting. This is my 14th winter at this location. If I add up all the snow that fell in the previous 13 April's, the
total is 42.7". Thus far I have had 36.4" in this April alone. In fact, the 36.4" is more than I have recorded in any
previous March or April since I have lived here. Another item of note: another 4.5" and I will tie my season record
acheived in the 1995-96 season.
Doug Brady
Hamdden Twp.

Date: Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:44 am
Subject: midnight storm update
 


Today we had 15.4" of snow. The storm total is 20.3". This makes for
a monthly total of 44.4" and 229.7" so far for the season. the was 16"
on the ground at midnight.

At midnight is is 32.3 with snow.

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (northern Geauga Co.)


Date: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:40 pm
Subject: Storm summary
 


We ended up with 22.9" of snow from the storm. Maximum snow depth
reached 18" late this morning. The greatest damage here is from
branches and small trees that snaped under the weight of the snow which
stuck to everything like glue. I'll have to clean up around the
perimeter of the yard as several of these crashed down into the yard.
This second large snowstorm of this April has left us with a monthly
snowfall total of 47.0" (that's FORTY-SEVEN inches in case you thought
that number was a typo). I didn't think such things could happen in
Ohio, but then I really shouldn't be surprised of anything when it
comes to snow around here. OH yea, the seasonal total is now 232.3".

I've decided not to work in the flower beds today, but to go skiing
instead!!

Vance
Thompson 5 SW (where do you think it could possibly be-see above
message)


Date: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:54 pm
Subject: liquid precip. total from the storm
 


The total liquid precip. for that storm, including the rain that fell
first and the liquid content of the snowfall, was 3.30". The monthly
total so far is 5.92".

Vance
Thompson 5 SW


Date: Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:17 pm
Subject: new forecast features
 


Jim,

You guys are getting gutsy over there at the ol' NWS office. I got
this forecast just before noon on 04/27/05. Several new features pop
out at me:

You are listing exact numbers for temp. forecasts, but always with a
qualifier such as "near" or "around". How do you measure whether or
not your forcast was right?

You are attempting to forecast rainfall amounts. This would seem to
make some sense as you've always listed snowfall amount ranges in
forecasts. However, you will have a challenge trying to nail down
summer shower and T-storm activity where rainfall can be very
localized.

The point forecast feature will require you to take into account
local geographic features such as topography into account. With the
wide variations that hilly terrain can cause in precipitation and
temperature, it woll be hard for a staff who observes the weather in
Cleveland's west side to precisely tell what will happen in Thompson
an hour's drive to the northeast. (I constantly have to "tweak" the
forecast to be able to understand what will happen around here.)
NOw, you guys are better equiped than most to take on that
challenge, as you are used to dealing with the lake-effect, but then,
you haven't got that quite nailed down, either. I usually recieve
much more snow than you forecast, while Mentor and nearby areas often
gets less than what is forecast. I took a hike in Penitentary Glen
Lake Metropark during that storm a couple days ago and the snow depth
varied from as much as 12 inches to as little as 3 inches over a ONE
MILE strech of trail. You've got you work cut out for you with this
point forecast. If anyone can do it, you guys could.

A copy of the forecast I was looking at is below.

Vance


Date: Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:00 am
Subject: NWS Point and Click Forecast
 

All:

The NWS forecast map on the front page of our web site has been converted
over
to the "Point and Click" forecast. It is completely automated and creates a
forecast on the fly every time you click a specific point.

The "points" are actually 5 km square grids. This allows us to add more
detail
to the forecast, so when Vance clicks on his point he should see more snow
than
the forecast for Mentor. However, 5 km is still a large gridpoint, so we
cannot
catch all the variability that will occur in that gridpoint nor do we have
the
skill to do it.

Some of our tools used to create the grid are better than others so you may
or
may not see a reasonable depiction of the weather for your gridpoint. You
will
no longer see many ranges such as "Snow will accumulate and inch on the west
side with 6 inches on the east side". You can still get this type of
information
in the trusty zone forecast which is linked to each forecast that displays,
just
one more click to get to it.

I personally am not in favor of this move since you will see words created
automatically by text formatting software. The software is still immature but
it
does have possibilities of getting better as we become more comfortable
adding
more mesoscale features in the forecast and refine our software. I am hoping
we
can have a NEOCAMS meeting this fall or winter and demonstrate the software
we
use to create the gridded database here at the office.

Jim Kosarik NWS CLE






 

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