StormTrack Blog

I’ve been keeping tabs on it, and yes we are 0.1° off of a tie for the warmest July on Record!  As it stands now, we are 2nd all  time with a monthly average temperature of 78.9°.

I’ll keep you updated as July comes to a close!

The record heat wave has come to and end…for now at least! More on when it will return in just a minute. We did rack up 9 consecutive days of 90° or warmer that covered a stretch from Saturday July 16th through Sunday July 24th. While it was a persistent and impressive heat wave it did fall 2 days short of a tie for 11 consecutive days at 90° or warmer in August of 1959.

What remains amazing is that the total 90° days this month now stands at 17 (with several more in the forecast!). This means that roughly 70% of days so far this month have been 90° or warmer! In fact, July of 2011 will likely be one of the warmest on record.

1. 79.0 1921
78.9 2011* unofficial
2. 78.6 1916
3. 78.3 1955
4. 77.8 1931
5. 77.6 2002
6. 77.6 1949
7. 77.6 1935
8. 77.5 1901
9. 77.4 1934
10. 77.3 1999

We currently rank 2nd on the list for all time warmest July’s and I expect more heat is in store later this week. Here’s why. The recent heat wave has not “moved on” it has only been suppressed back south for a short time. The dominant ridge anchored over the southern plains and the southeast will hold its ground sending the jet stream back north into Canada allowing a hot, humid zonal flow in the atmosphere (Generally a west to east flow). This should bring temperatures back into the 90s by Wednesday and remain there until at least the beginning of the weekend.

The recent heat wave and dry streak are both being washed away with thunderstorms and heavy rains. The past two days have brought almost 2″ of rain to the toledo area (officially 1.83″). This has nearly erased the monthly rainfall deficit for July and helped ease persistent dry weather from June.

The recent rain has not dampened the fact that July may end as one of the warmest on record (currently tied for the 2nd warmest all time). The monthly average temperature up to this point is 78.6°. This is +5.6° Above Normal! In addition, we are on a streak of 8 consecutive days of high temperatures 90° or warmer. The all time record for consecutive 90° days is 11 set in August of 1959.

Thursday was the warmest day in over 16 years for Toledo setting a new record record high…102 degrees!

We weren’t alone with record highs either:
Detroit: 100 degrees
Cleveland: 97 degrees

The final total had 55 cities breaking records and nearly 60 additional cities registering a tie for a record high across the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley. Today the ridge of high pressure, or “heat dome”, begins to shift up the eastern seaboard.

Highs today will soar into record highs for many areas in the Great Lakes Region. An impressive ridge in the jet stream has brought a persistent heat and muggy conditions across much of the United States. The weak atmospheric flow has allowed this pattern not only to develop, but intensify and remain anchored in place.

Slowly this ridge shifts the heat to the east, but until then dangerous heat will remain for our area through Friday. Up to this point in the month, the average temperature has been 77.8 degrees which is 4.8 degrees above normal. The number of 90 degree days or warmer continue to stack up, so far 14 days have been recorded so far! Stay Cool!

We are in the midst of a major heat wave, scorching the area with what soon could be temperatures that top 100 degrees! The dangerous combination of heat and humidity will push heat index values to 110 degrees and beyond. So when was the last time the Glass City had a temperature of 100 degrees or warmer? Try over a decade ago!

Here are some tips to help you try and beat the heat:

I am expecting more record highs this week, especially on Thursday. The old record, of 99 degrees will likely be eclipsed by tomorrow’s expected high which will exceed 100 degrees! Stay cool everyone!

A major winter storm is set to paralyze the area with significant snow, sleet and ice all followed by a blast of strong winds. This storm is still going to arrive in two parts. The first is on track for tonight and into tomorrow morning as a steady light snow passes over the area. Snow begins late this evening and will last into Tuesday morning with 1-3″ of fresh snow. A brief lull in the activity through the early afternoon will be followed by the onslaught of heavy snow and ice by Tuesday evening. The most significant snow totals will be north and west of Toledo and across southern Michigan where 12 “+ of snow is possible by later Wednesday.

Much of northwest Ohio will moderate snowfall with a period of sleet and freezing rain late Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. Icing and/or sleet totals may exceed 1/2 and inch. Our southern counties will see the least snow with significant icing and sleet possible.

The potential for ice and sleet will limit snow totals across northwest Ohio.  The combination of snow, ice and strong winds will create extremely hazardous travel at times and the potential for power loss.

Visible Satellite pictures of the progression of the ice cover on Lake Erie this month. The average January temperature is running -3.4° below normal. The colder winter month has meant an extensive progression of the ice coverage. Check it out!

January 23rd

January 17th

January 10th

Every State, with the exception of Florida, currently has snow on the ground. This includes Hawaii where about seven inches of snow is atop Mauna Kea. As of Jan. 11, 69.4 percent of the contiguous United States is covered by snow – this is more than double the snow cover from last month. This week’s snow storm in Southern states has allowed for this unusual occurrence. Take a look…

Storm Update: 11 AM

A steady snow has spread across the area which looks to last through the afternoon and evening. Cold temperatures will allow for a very light and fluffy snow to accumulate in the 3 to 5 inch range by this evening. An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow is expected late this evening and into the overnight tonight. This could put several areas around 6 inches or more of snow by Wednesday morning.

Many of the area roads will likely see hazardous travel conditions especially during the peak of rush hour this evening. We will have the latest information on cancellations this evening and up to the minute information on any school closings or delays on WTOL or www.wtol.com

Also, don’t forget to check out our new Interactive Radar!