March 2001

Ohio Weather Observer Network

Weather summaries, Station Data and Network News

E-Mail: lrhuff@megsinet.net

www.ohioweather.net
Weather Station Summaries

Lake Effect Snows Bring Significant Totals in Parts of Northeast Ohio

Spring Valley 2E #62 (Greene County) - Ed Kramer March was a quiet month, but it did continue a pattern of below normal rainfall. Soil temperature rose to 42 degrees by month's end. Field work is underway, but as soil temperatures increase along with evaporative loss, so will dry soils with limited moisture.

Perrysville 4W #79 (Richland County) - Katie Gerwig Temperatures were normal. Snowfall was near normal but total liquid precipitation was over 1.5 inches below normal.

Springfield 2N #1 (Clark County) - Dick Groeber March was below that stations 33 year averages for both temperature and precipitation. This was despite the fact that the barometric pressure was near the average and the relative humidity above the average. The most outstanding figure was the precipitation. This was the driest of the period since 1968 for precipitation of both rainfall and melted snowfall. The previous least precipitation was 1.27 inches in 1981. Although snowfall was not the least, it was one of the lower totals at 1.8 inches. The least was in 1997 without any snow total. There were 9 of the 33 dates with lower monthly totals. The number of dates with liquid precipitation (11) was the period average. This indicates that the daily totals were mostly light. The month total also indicates that March is usually a wet month. Temperatures were also below the station's 33 year averages. The highest recorded temperature of 65 degrees on the 31st was below what is usually expected. A high for the month of 72 is expected. The low of 11 degrees on the 26th, although not the lowest, was one of the coldest. A low temperature of 14 degrees is usually expected. The atmospheric pressure may have been the controlling factor. The overall month average of 29.95 inches was .03 higher than the station period average.

Streetsboro 2N #98 (Portage County) - Vance Lunn March this year lacked the wild temperature swings normally associated with the month. The high temperature failed to even reach 60 degrees, only making it to 57 degrees. Extreme cold was also lacking, as the lowest temperature did not even reach single digits. The temperature averaged a little below normal overall. Snowfall was heavy with the highlight being the storm that came on the 5th and 6th. This was the wrap-around precipitation from a nor-easter, greatly enhanced by the lake effect. A total of 13.2 inches of snow fell, beginning late on the 4th and continuing through the 6th, with 11.5 inches of that coming in a 24 hour period. Another series of snow events occurred from the 24th to the 27th. A total of 10.4 inches fell over those four days. Greatest snow depth was 12 inches on the 6th. Rain events occurred on the 11th through 13th (0.81 inch mixed with 0.5 inch snow); 16th (0.29 inch changing to snow on the 17th with 1.5 inches of that) and the 21st (0.21 inch). Other weather included two days with fog occurring and one day with sleet. No days had thunder.

Cincinnati 5NW #13 (Hamilton County) - Ronald E. Rothhaas Jr. Cold and dry. This summarizes March 2001. Precipitation was less than half normal in March as well as for the year, continueing a trend from last year and hopefully not setting us up for problems this summer. The last time we had a La Nina pattern, we had the drought of 1999. Precipitation seems headed in that direction, at least for now. Fourteen of thirty one days saw lows below freezing, bottoming out on the 26th with a low of only 16 degrees and a high of only 31! By month's end, only minor progress had been made by plants toward spring and the landscape retained a decidedly wintry appearance.

Wooster 7N #16 (Wayne County) - Jack Sisler Cold and dry were the words for the month. Mean temperatures were almost 3 degrees below normal for the month. An all-time record low of 7 degrees on the 26th was set. Precipitation was also below normal for the month with only 1.48 inches recorded; over 1.50 inches below normal. This brings the deficit for the year so far to almost 4 inches.

Kidron 1N #2 (Wayne County) - Ronald A. Hahn This was the 5th driest March in my records with only 1.48 inches of liquid precipitation - 50 per cent of normal. Temperature averaged 2.5 degrees below normal and snowfall was over an inch below normal. The 11 degree reading on the 26th set a new low temperature record for that date and it also was the second latest date for such a low reading.

Kent 2W #53 (Portage County) - Eric Wertz March 2001 was slightly drier than normal and colder than normal. Two weather advisories, one watch and one warning were issued during the month. A significant snow event occurred across northeastern Ohio on the 5th and 6th as a low pressure system laden with moisture, moved through the region. Snowfall on the 5th and 6th totaled 6.1 inches at Kent 2W with some areas receiving higher amounts. Lake effect snows set up from the 25th through 27th amounting to a total of 2.7 inches. Total snowfall for the month was 10.4 inches (near normal) with measurable snowfall noted on 11 days and measurable liquid equivalent precipitation recorded on 16 days. The heaviest 24 hour liquid equivalent precipitation was 0.33 inch on the 12th. There was one thunderstorm day and two fog days.
March 2001 Weather Extremes
-
READING
DATE
STATION (s)
Highest Temperature
78
8th
Oxford (Butler County)
Lowest Temperature
+5
26th
New Philidelphia 1NW (Tuscarawas ) & Sugarcreek (Holmes)
Highest Precipitation
4.60
-
Alliance 7S (Stark County)
Lowest Precipitation
0.78
-
Coldwater 1NW (Mercer County)
Highest Snowfall
27.8
-
Streetsboro 2N (Portage County)
Highest Wind Gust
55
13th
Dayton NWS (Montgomery County)
Around The Networkby Larry Huff
Just one Ohio Weather Observer Network member celebrating a station anniversary this month. Ed Kramer (#62), Spring Valley, Greene County began observations on March 1, 1998.

We have three locations in the Ohio Weather Observer Network that are represented by more than one observer.

Bob Reef began Lancaster weather records in 1969. When Jeff Willison began his reporting to the OWON, he was living in New Lexington, Ohio but now lives in Lancaster (Fairfield County). Both Don Keating and Bob McKim report weather observations for Newcomestown (Tuscarawas County). And Eric Wertz and Tom Schmidlin submit their weather data for Kent (Portage County). Having more than one observer for one location might at first look to be a duplication of weather information but I have found it to be a plus. Several years ago I came across an article that told about an observer network in Washington D.C. that comprised of about 200 reporters. More recently, I became aware of the Central Ohio Raingage Network that uses about 107 observers, 60 of them in the greater Columbus area. I believe that it would be difficult to have too many observers in one area. One example of this came just this past year when a severe storm went through Kent. Even with two observers, that specific storm delt it's most severe blow in a small area directly between Eric and Tom's stations. My station (Munroe Falls 1SW) is about 4 miles from Eric's station and a little further from Tom's station. I compare my readings with what they report. Not long ago, I was alerted to a problem with my readings by having this comparison with their reports. I want to encourage Ohio weather enthusiasts who read this page to seriously consider the possibility of joining the OWON, even if you already see that we have observers in your area. Our membership is FREE. Yours could be a valuable addition to the information we make available through ohioweather.net. And, current OWON observers are encouraged to contact others in your area to join us. Contact me through my e-mail at lrhuff@megsinet.net.

Thanks to all of you who participated in this season's snowfall reporting through the OhioSnowReport e-Group. A reminder that this season ends at the end of April. Join us again in the fall.

And with that, I am reminded that some of you may not be aware of our other e-Group list called OhioWx. This is a service of the Ohio Weather Observer Network and is used for sharing weather questions, weather observations, weather items wanted or for sale. If interested, contact me by e-mail.

Lastly, you will note that I now list current significant weather events on our home page. Please join in with your reports by faxing (330-686-1667), posting on OhioWx or e-mail.
Jeff Willison
Bob Reef
Don Keating
Bob McKim
Eric Wertz
Tom Schmidlin
March 2001 Ohio Weather Data
Station
Max / Min Temperature
Mean Temperature
Precipitation
Snowfall
High WindGust and Average High Wind Gust
High & Low Barometer
Ada #115
54 (x) / 09 (x)
36.9
0.84 / x
-
-
-
Akron 2E #11
-
-
-
-
-
-
Akron-Canton NWS
56 (12) / 10 (26)
33.7
1.70 / 0.68 (13)
9.1 / 2.8 (6)
39 (13)
30.50 (19) / 29.39 (13)
Alliance 7S #21
57 (12) / 09 (26)
34.4
4.60 / 1.14 (12)
3.4 / 1.5 (5)
12 (5) / 10.0
30.14 (19) / 29.10 (16)
Athens 1S
67 (12) / 18 (26,27)
40.1
2.92 / 0.95 (4)
-
51 (13) / 19.1
30.43 (19) / 29.46 (13)
Aurora 3S #3
55 (20) / 13 (26)
33.0
2.09 / 0.49 (13)
22.7 / 6.6 (6)
-
-
58 (12) / 11 (26)
34.9
1.14 / 0.31 (16)
-
30 (13) / 17.3
30.55 (29) / 29.40 (13)
61 (21) / 11 (26)
39.1
1.35 / 0.39 (16)
0.2 / 0.1 (6,7)
37 (13) / 20.2
30.46 (18) / 29.50 (13)
Chillicothe 3S #40
64 (13) / 14 (26)
38.8
2.69 / 0.66 (5)
0.0
-
-
Cincinnati 5NW #13
62 (11,23) / 16 (26)
41.2
1.30 / 0.54 (4)
1.5 / 1.3 (6)
-
-
Cincinnati NWS
60 (23) / 16 (26)
39.7
1.42 / 0.41 (4)
1.2 / 1.0 (6)
51 (13)
30.44 (18) / 29.50 (13)
Cleveland NWS
55 (20) / 14 (26)
34.0
2.41 / 0.44 (13)
26.7 / 7.7 (25)
40 (13)
30.54 (19) / 29.38 (13)
Coldwater 1NW #97
61 (31) / 09 (26)
42.6
0.78 / 0.42 (16)
T / T
30 (13) / 15.8
30.30 (18) / 29.39 (12)
Columbus 5NW #9
63 (12) / 12 (26)
37.8
1.01 / 0.46 (13)
1.4 / -
31 (13)
-
Columbus NWS
64 (12) / 13 (26)
38.1
1.03 / 0.44 (13)
1.1 / 0.7 (6)
44 (13)
30.47 (19) / 29.43 (13)
Dayton NWS
58 (21) / 10 (26)
37.2
1.35 / 0.56 (17)
0.4 / 0.3 (6)
55 (13)
30.47 (18) / 29.47 (13)
Holgate 1SE #8
56 (21) / 10 (26)
35.4
0.85 / 0.30 (16)
5.3 / 2.1 (16)
33 (5)
-
54 (12,20) / 12 (26)
34.1
2.12 / 0.60 (6)
11.6 / 6.0 (6)
22 (14) / 13.1
-
Kent 2W #53
55 (20) / 12 (26)
33.5
2.14 / 0.33 (12)
10.4 / 4.1 (6)
30 (24) / 17.3
30.50 (19) / 29.42 (13)
Kidron 1N #2
60 (12) / 11 (26)
35.5
1.48 / 0.44 (13)
5.2 / 3.1 (6)
23 (13,14)/14.0
30.48 (19) / 29.42 (13)
Lagrange 2SW #87
60 (20) / 13 (26)
33.8
1.39 / 0.45 (16)
7.4 / 3.5 (5)
44 (6) / 23.5
30.49 (19) / 29.38 (13)
Lancaster 4N #17
59 (x) / 15 (x)
-
2.94 / 0.81 (x)
-
36 (13)
-
Lancaster 1E #30
63 (12) / 12 (26)
37.4
1.70 / 0.43 (4)
2.0 / 1.8 (6)
-
-
Loveland 1N #83
-
-
-
-
-
-
Mansfield NWS
56 (12) / 06 (26)
33.3
1.72 / 0.44 (13)
12.3 / 5.5 (6)
39 (13)
30.49 (19) / 29.39 (13)
57 (20) / 12 (26)
34.1
2.02 / 0.76 (13)
13.2 / 9.4 (6)
37 (14) / 20.0
30.41 (19) / 29.45 (13)
Newcomerstown 2W #99
-
-
-
-
-
-
Newcomerstown 1S #106
67 (12) / 11 (26)
36.2
2.29 / 0.63 (14)
4.2 / 2.6 (6)
32 (13) / 19.8
-
New Philadelphia 1NW #58
64 (12) / 05 (26)
33.2
2.68 / 0.75 (13)
6.6 / 2.8 (5)
30 (13)
30.31 (19) / 29.50 (13)
North Ridgeville 1N #32
59 (20) / 14 (26)
35.6
1.13 / 0.33 (12)
5.9 / 1.2 (9)
33 (6,13) 18.9
30.49 (19) / 29.33 (13)
Ottawa 4E #15
57 (21) / 08 (26)
35.4
0.93 / 0.52 (16)
3.8 / 2.0 (16)
41 (5) / 25.3
30.42 (18) / 29.18 (13)
Oxford #108
78 (8) / 23 (18)
47.5
2.41 / 0.72 (19)
-
43 (9)
-
Perry 3SE #38
54 (20) / 16 (26)
33.2
2.14 / 0.32 (17)
16.3 / 4.0 (17)
-
-
Perrysville 4W #79
58 (12) / 07 (26)
34.9
1.27 / 0.56 (13)
5.6 / 3.3 (6)
32 (13) / 17.0
-
Port Clinton 3W #14
53 (22) / 13 (26)
35.1
1.23 / 0.59 (13)
5.2 / 3.0 (17)
43 (16) / 23.5
30.47 (19) / 29.37 (13)
58 (20) / 14 (26)
36.6
3.60 / 1.13 (13)
9.8 / 7.3 (8)
25 (5) / 15.4
30.70 (18) / 29.76 (6)
Rockbridge 4W #33
66 (12) / 10(26)
37.3
3.16 / 0.94 (4)
2.0 / 1.0 (6)
-
-
Rocky River 1W #51
-
-
1.71 / 0.40 (25)
14.5 / 5.0 (25)
-
-
Sabina #113
-
-
2.21 / 0.80 (4)
-
-
-
Sandusky 1N #4
52 (22,23) / 13 (26)
34.6
1.23 / 0.40 (16)
3.8 / 1.2 (5)
39 (6) / 22.2
30.50 (19) / 29.39 (13)
Sharonville 2NE #43
-
-
-
-
-
-
Springfield 2N #1
65 (31) / 11 (26)
39.1
1.06 / 0.46 (16)
1.8 / 0.8 (5)
37 (15) / 21.0
30.44 (18,19) /29.46 (13)
Spring Valley 2E #62
65 (30) / 16 (26)
40.3
1.20 / 0.23 (5,13,17)
1.1 / 0.5 (6,7)
24 (13) / 13.6
30.42 (18) / 29.55 (12)
Stow 1SE #105
60 (20) / 15 (26)
38.1
2.27 / 0.69 (13)
8.7 / 5.2 (6)
-
30.33 (19) / 29.26 (13)
57 (20) / 14 (26)
33.9
2.28 / 0.37 (13)
27.8 / 11.5 (6)
30 (13) / 16.7
-
Sugarcreek 2SW #112
63 (12) / 05 (26)
36.1
1.70 / 0.65 (13)
2.9 / 1.5 (6)
30 (14) / 17.8
30.47 (18) / 29.50 (13)
Toledo 5NE #66
56 (22) / 11 (26)
34.6
1.15 / 0.52 (16)
10.1 / 5.8 (16)
43 (13)
30.49 (19) / 29.40 (13)
Toledo NWS
56 (22) / 12 (26)
35.2
0.82 / 0.33 (13)
5.2 / 2.6 (16)
41 (13)
30.50 (19) / 29.39 (13)
57 (12) / 07 (26)
34.4
1.48 / 0.55 (13)
5.1 / 3.9 (6)
35 (13) / 19.6
30.42 (19) / 29.45 (13)
Youngstown NWS
53 (20) / 12 (26)
32.8
2.09 / 0.39 (13)
11.0 / 2.2 (25)
40 (13)
30.51 (19) / 29.37 (13)
Zanesville 6N #48
66 ( 12) / 13 (26)
38.8
3.02 / 0.60 (4,13)
0.0
26 (13)
30.46 (19) / 29.45 (13)