StormTrack Blog

An overall change to the upper air pattern will allow warm air to surge into the area the rest of the week.  Gusty southwesterly breezes will cause temps to soar to the year’s highest levels thus far.  Normal highs for the days ahead are in the lower 50s. 

Previous Warm Days:

• 68°  March 11
• 71°  November 8
• 75°  October 30
• 80°  September 23
• 81°  September 22
• 83°  September 14

Here are the record highs:

• 79° in 1986  —-  Thursday, April 1
• 83° in 1963  —-  Friday, April 2
• 79° in 2007 —-  Saturday, April 3

Many people don’t realize the real danger associated with lightning and just how deadly it can be.  Spring severe weather awareness week is a good time to review what to do when a thunderstorm is approaching.  Remember, if you can hear thunder you are close enough to be struck by a deadly bolt of lightning.  Here are some safety tips:

It is the most deadly severe weather hazard…Flash Flooding.   More fatalaties are attributed each year to flash flooding than hurricanes and tornadoes combined.  Interestingly, while it is the most deadly, many experts regard it as one of the most preventable.  Here is what you need to know to be safe:

Most of the deaths from flash flooding occur in vehicles.  Many people will attempt to drive through roads that are covered in water.   A simple rule can save your life.  If a roadway is covered with water, no matter the depth, turn around and find an alternate route.   Less than two feet of water will sweep most vehicles off the road and some vehicles may become buoyant in one foot or less.  Those attempting to walk through flowing water often underestimate the power of flowing water.  Moving water can knock an adult off their feet if it is much deeper than their ankles.  Some simple safety tips and common sense can keep you safe when flooding occurs.

On a sunny Wednesday morning at 9:50 AM EDT the roar of the tornado sirens screamed across the state of Ohio.  This time it was only a drill, but next time it may be the real deal.  As part of spring severe weather awareness week, implementing a disaster plan, such as a tornado drill at work, home or school could save lives when the real danger threatens. 

Keep in mind that when a tornado watch is issued, that means conditions are favorable for strong storms capable of producing tornadoes.  When a warning is issued, that means a tornado has either been spotted or indicated by Doppler radar.  It is necessary to take cover immediately when a warning is issued. 

If you are indoors, go to the lowest level of the building, like a basement.  If there is no basement, a closet or bathroom without window in the center of the building will do.   If you are outside, seek shelter in the nearest sturdy building.  If no shelter is available, lie down in a low area such as a ditch and cover your head.  If inside a vehicle or mobile home, these are not sufficient shelter even for the weakest of tornadoes.  Vacate either location and find a fixed building that would provide the necessary shelter from the potential tornado.

This week, March 21-27,  is Spring Severe Weather Awareness week across Ohio.  This means it is time to review your severe weather action plan for home, work and school.  Also know the difference between a WATCH and a WARNING so you know what to do when one is issued for your area. 

For more information about severe weather safety in Ohio click here: http://www.weathersafety.ohio.gov/

For more information about severe weather safety in Michigan click here: http://michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-25488-232495–,00.html

Spring officially begins Saturday at 1:32 pm.  This is the vernal equinox, marking when the direct rays of the sun are over the equator.

The direct sun rays will travel northward into the Northern Hemisphere, hitting its most northern point on June 21st (the summer solstice).

Our last full day of winter will be the warmest of 2010 for much of the area.  A cold front will pass through the area tonight, and bring in sharply colder temps this weekend (especially northern half counties).

The warmest of the 2010 prior to today was 68° on March 11.  The last time we had a temp higher than that was on November 8 when it was 71°.

While we saw minor flooding on a few area rivers the past few days, it is a quite different story in North Dakota.  The Red River is experiencing a major flood.

The river will crest about 20 feet above flood stage in Fargo & Grand Forks.

Here is a link to the latest river reports in North Dakota.

Here is a link to some live webcams on the river.

These are pictures from a webcam in Grand Forks.  Notice the major difference between Sunday & Tuesday.

The river’s record high in Fargo occurred just last year.

A sunny and warm day isn’t always the case when it comes to St Patty’s Day weather.  Last year and this year were some of the nicer weather days.

2009 –  AM low 29°, High 70° — dry

2008 –  AM low 24°, High 36°  –  0.2″ of snow, periods of freezing rain

2007 –  AM low 24°, High 39° — dry day, but a trace of snow before daybreak

2006 — AM low 26°, High 43°  — dry

2005 — AM low 26°, High 42°  — dry

2004 — AM low 23°, High 30°  — 0.2″ snow

2003 — AM low 36°, High 72°  — dry & warm

2002 — AM low 32°, High 43°  — dry

2001 — AM low 24°, High 35°  — Light snow

2000 — AM low 34°, High 65° – dry

Precipitation (rain, melted down ice & snow):

March:     1.05″   (-0.03″ below normal)

Year:        4.01″  (-0.88″ below normal)

Snowfall:

March:     Trace  (-3.0″ below normal)

Season:    39.1″  (+5.7″ above normal)