Local snow totals for the season are a little above normal.  The recent snow events have allowed us to make up the deficit we had built up the past couple of months.

However, some of the winter totals in other parts of the USA are just staggering.  Some places are running 60 to 70 inches ABOVE normal.

45″     Columbus OH  (24 inches above normal)

35″     Cincinnati (+19″)

64″     Pittsburgh (+37″)

72″     Philadelphia (+60″)

67″     Wilmington, DE (+53″)

50″     Atlantic City, NJ (+41″)

104″   Beckley, WV

80″     Baltimore (+67″)

56″     Washington DC  (+45″)

28″     Richmond, VA  (+18″)

20″     Oklahoma City  (+13″)

16″     Dallas/Fort Worth  (+13″)

1.7″    Birmingham, AL

0.1″   New Orleans

Trace - Tallahassee, FL  * The second time since 2001 that a trace of snow was reported.  The last measurable snow (more than a trace) was 1989.

A rare winter storm brought significant snow to the southern USA, from Texas through the Carolinas.  This recent snowfall has led to a staggering statistic from February 12:  Snow covers at least a part of all 50 States!  (There are patches of snow on the mountains of Hawaii)

Check out the latest snow cover analysis from Saturday, February 13th.  About 67% of the land area of the USA has snow cover.

Just how much snow fell within the city limits of Toledo?  No, not just in your back yard, your neighbors, or even downtown.  I am talking how much snow total, if it could all be put into one big pile!  After one incorrect crack at it, I gave it a try again and I think my calculations are right now.  See the graphic below and my math to support it. 

Okay, the Toledo city limits is 84 square miles, which I calculate to be 206,988,400 square yards.  The recent snowfall was just above 12″ which is 0.33 yards.

Multiply an area by a depth and Poof!  You have a volume…so 206,988,400 square yards multiplied by 0.33 yards equals 85,865,472 cubic yards!

WOW, that means this past storm dropped 85,865,472 cubic yards of snow just within the Toledo city limits.  Unbelievable!  Let me know your thoughts or comments.  cvickers@wtol.com

Storm total at Toledo Express:

10″  Tuesday Feb 9

 2.1″  Wednesday  Feb 10

12.1″  Total

February So Far:    15.3″          12.2″ above normal

Winter So Far:         30.3″          5.3″ above normal

We have received a lot of questions about how to properly measure snowfall.  Here are some guidelines:

The best thing to do is find an area that isn’t blocked by fences or buildings, etc.  You also don’t want to pick the windiest spot in your area.

Over a large area, measure the snow in many different spots.  Hit spots all throughout the area.  Then, combine all the measurements and take the average.  The more readings you can take the better.

With strong winds, getting a very accurate measurement is quite difficult.  However, if you get many readings and take the average, that should give you a basic idea of the overall snowfall.

It has been snowing for over 24 hours across the area and significant accumulations are piling up.  Reports are pouring into the station and many of you are reporting 6, 8 and even 10 inches or more!  Officially, Toledo Express Airport recorded 10.0″ of snow on Tuesday alone.  Light accumulations in the 1-3″ range through the first half of the day today will put over all storm totals near 12″ for Toledo.  Scattered light snow showers with a few pockets of moderate snow are possible early today, but the snow will become more scattered as this system exits to the east this afternoon. 

Gusty winds will pick up today from the northwest in the 20 to 30 mph range with gusts beyond that.  This will lead to the final punch of this storm…significant blowing and drifting snow.  By this afternoon snow drifts will be in the 1-3 foot range.   Travel, especially in open and outlying areas will be discouraged.  A winter storm warning continues for the blowing and drifting snow.

Snow is beginning to ease a little.  I just measured 7″ as of 9pm here in downtown Toledo.  Many other areas are coming in around the 7-9″ range.  Winds are calm now and will be throughout the early part of the overnight.   I expect winds to pick up around 5/6am to 15-20mph.  This means lots of blowing & drifting snow.  Snow will continue on your Wednesday – still thinking about storm totals in the 8-11″ range…although it’s going to be hard to measure due to the blowing and drifting tomorrow. 

Find out more & post your snowfall totals on our Facebook page – WTOL, Meteorologist Tara Hastings or Meteorologist Chris Vickers

We’re still on track for seeing 8-11″ total snowfall across most of the area.  Some of you may see a lull as there are small breaks in the radar but it will fill back in.  Snow overnight, tomorrow morning & tomorrow afternoon.  Winds not too bad right now but I do expect them to pick up later tonight & tomorrow.  This will blow & drift snow around & create low visibilities.  The snow has a low water ratio which means it’s very fine & powdery. 

We would love to hear how much snow has fallen in your area.  Try to find an open spot to avoid blowing & drifting…this will give you the best measurement.  Head over to our WTOL facebook page or post your amounts along with city & time you took your measurements on our FACEBOOK FAN PAGES – Meteorologist Tara Hastings or Meteorologist Chris Vickers. 

Tara

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE ENTIRE AREA

A strong storm system will track through the area today into Wednesday.   Some 3-5″ accumulations were reported as of noon near and west of I-75 in NW Ohio. 

We may see a lull later this evening to around midnight, but the snow will fill back in by Wednesday morning.

Snow will begin to taper to scattered snow showers by midday Wednesday.

Most of the area should see at least 6″ of snow.  Parts of NW Ohio and SE Michigan could see 8-12″+ in spots.

Winds will increase today and strengthen a bit more Wednesday with some 30 mph gusts.  This will create blowing and drifting snow.

Stay tuned for updated forecasts here at wtol.com

In the past few years, January 2009 was the most productive in terms of snow.

January 27:  1.9″

January 28:  8.9″          Storm total:  10.8″

January 9:     4.3″

January 10:  7.6″      Storm total 11.9″