The most recent average temperature of 35.1° for December of 2011 was an astounding 10.5° warmer than the previous December of 2010 which averaged 24.6°.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Lower Heating Bills?
Reach into the mail box the next couple of weeks, grab the bill you see to heat your home and hold your breath...but you may be in line for a pleasant surprise. Heating bills up to this point in the year are likely to be dramatically less compared to this point last year. After a very harsh December of 2010, this past December was very mild. Here's the difference:
The most recent average temperature of 35.1° for December of 2011 was an astounding 10.5° warmer than the previous December of 2010 which averaged 24.6°.
The most recent average temperature of 35.1° for December of 2011 was an astounding 10.5° warmer than the previous December of 2010 which averaged 24.6°.
Official 2011 Precipitation Record
It was the wettest year on record-- officially broken in late December--and it pushed Toledo nearly 1" above the previous record set back in 1950.
Highlights of the past year include:
Second wettest April on Record (6.33")
Ninth wettest May on Record ( 5.88")
Third driest June on Record ( 0.51")
Wettest November on Record (7.14")
Toledo was just one of several dozen cities across the Great Lakes an North East to set all time precipitation records in 2011.
Highlights of the past year include:
Second wettest April on Record (6.33")
Ninth wettest May on Record ( 5.88")
Third driest June on Record ( 0.51")
Wettest November on Record (7.14")
Toledo was just one of several dozen cities across the Great Lakes an North East to set all time precipitation records in 2011.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Quest For Annual Precipitation Record
Oh so close...despite the recent rains we fell 0.14" of rain short of a tie for the wettest year on record. No worries, over two weeks left in the month and I am nearly certain we will set the record by the middle of next week. Here is the latest precipitation total for this year and where we stand in respect to the top 5 wettest years on record.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Where's The Snow?
It's almost officially winter and you may be asking "Where's the snow?" Good question. Many have braced for a brutal winter, but it has certainly been quite a tame start to the season. How does this year stack up to last year up to this point? Check it out, the comparison from mid December 0f 10' to mid December of 11'.
December 13th of 2010:
December 13th, 2011
At Toledo specifically, the measurable snow for this season to date is 2.8" which is -1.4" below average up to this point. That may seem like an insignificant amount, and I'd agree with that. But the main message is the undeniable differences between this past winter and how this winter is unfolding. Here is a closer examination of the Great Lakes region.
Great Lakes Snowpack:
December 2010
December 2011
Winter will undoubtedly bite with vengeance bringing the snow and cold, But not any time soon. As I discussed in my winter weather outlook in my earlier posting, ouR winter would be controlled more so by shorter term atmospheric teleconnections, specifically the Arctic Oscillation (AO). A positive phase on the AO equates to mild weather for the eastern half of the Untied States while a negative phase equates to an intrusion of Arctic air that would be more favorable for a hearty and thicker snowpack. Here is the data backing this up...comparison of the AO from the past few Decembers.
The positive, warmer phase has been dominant, and looks to remain so through at least late December. This explains the lack of snow over the Northern Plains and Great Lakes region so far this season. The AO has dominated over all other factors including La Nina.
December 13th of 2010:
December 13th, 2011
At Toledo specifically, the measurable snow for this season to date is 2.8" which is -1.4" below average up to this point. That may seem like an insignificant amount, and I'd agree with that. But the main message is the undeniable differences between this past winter and how this winter is unfolding. Here is a closer examination of the Great Lakes region.
Great Lakes Snowpack:
December 2010
December 2011
Winter will undoubtedly bite with vengeance bringing the snow and cold, But not any time soon. As I discussed in my winter weather outlook in my earlier posting, ouR winter would be controlled more so by shorter term atmospheric teleconnections, specifically the Arctic Oscillation (AO). A positive phase on the AO equates to mild weather for the eastern half of the Untied States while a negative phase equates to an intrusion of Arctic air that would be more favorable for a hearty and thicker snowpack. Here is the data backing this up...comparison of the AO from the past few Decembers.
The positive, warmer phase has been dominant, and looks to remain so through at least late December. This explains the lack of snow over the Northern Plains and Great Lakes region so far this season. The AO has dominated over all other factors including La Nina.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Historic Bering Sea Storm
One of the strongest storms to impact the state of Alaska will rage across the state through tonight. This storm has a central pressure that would be equivalent to a category 3 hurricane in the tropics! As a result hurricane force will exist over an area about the size of the state of Colorado with winds in excess of 80 mph with some wind gust possibly up to 100 mph! Significant coastal flooding and ice shoves will be accompanied by heavy snow and blizzard-like conditions. This storm will rival if not surpass the strongest storm on record from back in the early 1970s!
[caption id="attachment_2440" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Historic Bering Sea Storm Surface Map"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_2453" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Surface Map"]
[/caption]Just how serious is this storm? It could be deadly. Here is a statement from the National Weather Service in Fairbanks, Alaska:
"THIS WILL BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING STORM OF AN EPIC MAGNITUDE RARELY EXPERIENCED. ALL PEOPLE IN THE AREA SHOULD TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO SAFEGUARD THEIR LIVES AND PROPERTY."
Wow. Imagine hearing those headlines.
Coastal areas will be especially hard hit. Here is the storm surge expected in Nome, AK:
[caption id="attachment_2441" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Storm surge 8-10' by tonight"]
[/caption]Storm intensity will peak today and conditions will improve by tomorrow, but likely not until after this historic storm re-writes the record books!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Oh, Oklahoma.
For the year 2011, Oklahoma has been breaking records left and right. This year the state has recorded its coldest temperature, the most snowfall within a 24 hour period, the highest wind speed, an EF5 tornado, some of the warmest summer time temperatures on record, the largest hail and now, the strongest earthquake.
Saturday evening, following a weaker 4.7 magnitude earthquake, a 5.6 rattled the state, and went in the record books as the strongest earthquake for Oklahoma. Centered in Pague, OK, this 5.6 earthquake broke a nearly 60 year old record of a 5.5 magnitude quake in 1952.
(Source: The Guardian, Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty)
Sending a handful of people to the hospital and damaging several roadways and structures, this historical earthquake was felt by people within a 300 mile radius, including residents of Kansas City, Wichita, and as far south as Dallas! Two large aftershocks sent tremors through a more immediate region following the large quake. Seismologists say there were at least 40 aftershocks recorded after the initial event.
Saturday evening, following a weaker 4.7 magnitude earthquake, a 5.6 rattled the state, and went in the record books as the strongest earthquake for Oklahoma. Centered in Pague, OK, this 5.6 earthquake broke a nearly 60 year old record of a 5.5 magnitude quake in 1952.
(Source: The Guardian, Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty)
Sending a handful of people to the hospital and damaging several roadways and structures, this historical earthquake was felt by people within a 300 mile radius, including residents of Kansas City, Wichita, and as far south as Dallas! Two large aftershocks sent tremors through a more immediate region following the large quake. Seismologists say there were at least 40 aftershocks recorded after the initial event.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
October: In Review
Above average rainfall totals, below freezing overnight lows, and unseasonable changes in temperature... These things can sum up the month of October.
Always a very transitional month, this October has provided our region with LOTS of variety. After a wet September, October broke the pattern with .05'' of rain on the first day of the month, then 10 straight days of sunshine and dry weather. Within those dry days, we saw temperatures jump way above average with 5 days in the 80s!
Once that was over, we skipped right over the 70s and landed in the 60s and 50s for the remainder of the month (save a few days in the upper 40s).
No worries, though! While we typically rely on cooler temperatures and less sunshine to help turn the color of the leaves, this year the process was delayed, but more vibrant that most years! Some significant rain showers blew through the region on the 19th (1.84'') and we saw temperatures dip below freezing on the 22nd.
No matter how you look at the development of the weather patterns this month, it still remains clear that things haven't quite leveled out. Into November, we'll look for a persistant cooling pattern and more consistent temperature changes.
Always a very transitional month, this October has provided our region with LOTS of variety. After a wet September, October broke the pattern with .05'' of rain on the first day of the month, then 10 straight days of sunshine and dry weather. Within those dry days, we saw temperatures jump way above average with 5 days in the 80s!
Once that was over, we skipped right over the 70s and landed in the 60s and 50s for the remainder of the month (save a few days in the upper 40s).
No worries, though! While we typically rely on cooler temperatures and less sunshine to help turn the color of the leaves, this year the process was delayed, but more vibrant that most years! Some significant rain showers blew through the region on the 19th (1.84'') and we saw temperatures dip below freezing on the 22nd.
No matter how you look at the development of the weather patterns this month, it still remains clear that things haven't quite leveled out. Into November, we'll look for a persistant cooling pattern and more consistent temperature changes.
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