Another strong (winter) storm

After a weak weather system on Saturday, another strong winter storm will move into the area. 

This strong low pressure system will produce up to a foot of snow.  However, the track of the low is forecast to move right over Cincinnati.  This would move the heavy snow into central and northern Indiana and Ohio with heavy rain possible in Cincinnati. 

Such a weather system will likely melt some snow.  However, with streets and gutters clogged with ice and snow, this much water could lead to street flooding and home water damage.  Colder air will rush in on the back side of this storm with snow showers into midweek.

As predicted for an El Nino winter, water equivalent precipitation has actually been below normal this year.  Here is how 2010 compares to the previous two years:

Jan./Feb. 2008:  6.20

Jan/Feb 2009:  5.31

Jan/Feb 2010 to date:   3.51

Normal Jan/Feb liquid precipitation:  5.98

Due to the low amount of water equivalent precipitation this year, we actually needed the moisture.  However, with nearly two inches of water in the current snow pack and up to an inch of rainfall possible in the coming storm, we may end up with too much of a good thing.  Saturday may be a good day to clear out storm drains…and build an ark!

Ice dams and water damage:  click here

Rainfall potential:  Click here

Update 2.20.2010… 2130 hours:  The track of the storm system will be even farther to the northwest.  This will result in less rain in the Ohio Valley, although some rain and melting will still occur.

Mount Washington’s World Record Wind Speed Toppled

On Friday, January 22, 2010, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report stating that a new world record wind speed was recorded on April 10, 1996 in Barrow Island, Australia during Typhoon Olivia. According to the report, the new record stands at 253 mph, far surpassing the Mount Washington, New Hampshire, Observatory’s record of 231 mph recorded on April 12, 1934.  Read more here.

Meteorological mid-winter

On January 18, 1977, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Cincinnati of -25F occurred.  It is noteworthy that the coldest records of the year correspond to the coldest average week of the year.  This is, on average, the coldest week of the year.  It follows the shortest day of the year by one month.  The hottest week of the year follows the longest day of the year by one month.  Hence, the hottest average temperature and the highest records are in the third week of July.

The months on either side of January, December and February, are correspondingly cold, as are June and August correspondingly warm.  Hence the idea of meteorological winter (December-February) and meteorological summer (June -August).

After this week, it starts to get warmer!