Happy Meteorological Spring 2021! Meteorological Versus Astronomical Seasons. Why it matters.

Spring: March 1-May 31; Summer: June 1-August 31; Fall: September 1-November 30; Winter: December 1-February 28 (29)

 

You may have noticed that Arbor Doctor, meteorologists and climatologists define seasons differently from “regular” or astronomical spring, summer, fall, and winter. So, why do  meteorological and astronomical seasons begin and end at different times? Climatologically, the period July 14-21, the mid-point of meteorological summer, is the hottest week of the year and the period January 14-21, the mid-point of meteorological winter, is the coldest week of the year over much of the continental US including the Ohio valley.

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Nearly half the country has had its coldest day by the first day of calendar winter. That is why meteorological winter makes the most sense.

February 2021 Weather Summary for Cheviot OH 3.4W and Ohio Valley. Very cold and snowy month which ended warm and wet.

While February ended warm, the first 3 weeks of the month constituted the coldest and snowiest stretch of weather we have seen in some time. Snowfall of 15.2 inches was 3 times average. The 3 week temperature departure was -10 degrees. The month ended with a departure or -5.2 degrees thanks to a very warm surge in the last week with several 60 degree days and 20 growing degree days. Snow depth peaked at 9 inches on 3 days which was the most in a number of years. An anticipated mega-snowstorm on 15-16 turned into a sleet/snow mix event but with 0.7 inches of sleet and several inches of snow the clean up was about the same. The landscape was a winter wonderland
for several weeks. The month ended warm and wet with heavy rain on the last day of the month.

NWS Wilmington February Climate Summary>>>

Soil Moisture, Drought, and Condition Monitoring. Moderately wet at Cheviot OH 3W. Expansive snow melt. Western drought , moderate drought in central Illinois and northwest Indiana, dry conditions in northern Ohio, lingering drought in parts of the northeast>>>

February 20, 2021 Soil Moisture, Drought, and Condition Monitoring. Mildly wet at Cheviot OH 3W. Expansive snow cover. Expansive western drought , moderate drought in central Illinois and northwest Indiana, dry conditions in northern Ohio, lingering drought in parts of the northeast. Widespread snow cover>>>

February 18, 2021 — Light Snow>>>

February 15-16, 2021 — Winter Storm>>>

February 13, 2021 Soil Moisture, Drought, and Condition Monitoring Report. Mildly wet at Cheviot OH 3W. Expansive western drought , moderate drought in central Illinois and northwest Indiana, dry conditions in northern Ohio, lingering drought in parts of the northeast. Widespread snow cover>>>

February 10-11, 2021 — Winter Storm>>>

February 8-9, 2021 — Winter Storm>>>

Soil Moisture, Drought, and Condition Monitoring. Mildly wet at Cheviot OH 3W. Western drought eases a bit in some areas, drought in central Illinois and northwest Indiana, dry conditions in northern Ohio, lingering drought in parts of the northeast>>>