A winter storm is bearing down on Northeast Ohio that could bring the possibility of some dangerous travel conditions along with significant icing in some area locations.

According to forecasters at the National Weather Service forecast office in Cleveland, Stark County and surrounding counties could get a mixed bag of winter precipitation beginning this evening. Two waves of precipitation will affect the region through Wednesday night.

The first wave of precipitation ahead of the a warm front will begin Monday evening. This initial shot of warm are will provide the energy that has the potential to produce periods of heavy snowfall over the area. The best chances for this to occur will be central and southern Stark County. Tuscarawas County residents could also see moderate to heavy snowfall this evening into the nighttime hours.

Later Tuesday morning, warming temperatures could set the stage for some freezing rain. Amounts should be moderate to light as we wait for the main portion of this storm to move into our area.

By daybreak Wednesday, Stark County should see temperatures beginning to fall with freezing rain being the main type of precipitation. Forecasters warn that amounts as much as a quarter inch of ice could accumulate on cold surfaces - including roadways, sidewalks, stairs, and other outdoor areas.

North Central Ohio will see mainly freezing rain and sleet with accumulations well over a quarter inch.

Winds will also be increasing as the storm passes over the region raising the possibility of downed trees and power lines because of icing on these surfaces.

The best chance of the most snow will be extreme northwest Ohio around Toledo.

More concern comes Wednesday morning with gusty winds producing near-blizzard conditions in some areas of Northeast Ohio. The strongest winds will occur during the Wednesday morning commute. Winter weather warnings will likely be issued later today

As the storm system pulls away from the area Wednesday afternoon, precipitation will change over to mostly snow with some lake effect snow persisting through Thursday morning.

High pressure will build in over the region Thursday afternoon/evening bringing an end to the winter precipitation. Temperatures will plummet, however, with lows expected in the single digits going into the weekend.

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohioans are reminded to use extreme caution during winter while venturing onto frozen waterways and to be prepared to handle an emergency should someone fall through the ice, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

As some of the lowest temperatures of the season arrive, some people may be tempted to venture out onto the ice and should be aware of basic safety tips, including being prepared for an emergency. ODNR offers these ice safety tips; additional tips can be found online at www.ohiodnr.com and through various other Internet web resources.

Ice Safety Tips:

• Always remember that ice-covered water is never completely safe.
• Anyone new to ice fishing, or interested in learning how to safely ice fish, should seek out a licensed ice-fishing guide. A list of certified guides is available at www.wildohio.com or by calling the ODNR Division of Wildlife, Sandusky office at (419) 625-8062. Ask at local bait shops about known areas of thin or dangerous ice.
• Always go out with friends, letting others know when you will be on the ice and when you will return. Whenever possible, wrap a mobile phone in a plastic bag and take it with you.
• Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or float coat. Life vests provide excellent flotation and protection from hypothermia.
• Use safe alternatives to local streams or lakes for skating or sledding. Check with your local, state or metro park district to see where conditions are suitable for skating. Some state parks, including Delaware State Park in Delaware County and Dillon State Park in Muskingum County, offer free access to designated ice-skating areas.
• Understand wind chill factors are relative temperature guides. Although a thermometer may read 40 degrees, a wind speed of 20 miles per hour can cause a body to lose heat as if the temperature was actually 18 degrees.
• Carry two ice picks, screwdrivers or large nails to create leverage for pulling yourself out of the water. They are much more effective than bare hands. Also, carry a whistle or other noisemaker to alert people that you are in distress.
• Dress in layers and add extra clothing for the head, neck, sides and groin, which are the primary heat-loss areas. Wool and modern synthetics are good fabric choices for clothing; cotton is slow to dry when wet.
• Keep an extra set of clothes in your car in case you need dry clothing.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages. In addition to reducing reaction times, alcohol lowers your internal temperature and increases your chance of suffering hypothermia.
• Never drive a vehicle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle onto ice. Leave this to professional guides. This is extremely dangerous and most insurance policies will not cover the vehicles of ice fishermen that have dropped through the ice.

The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers Ohio’s boating programs. The agency oversees watercraft registration and titling operations, provides funding to local communities for education, enforcement and boating access facilities, educates the public, and enforces boating laws on Ohio’s waterways. More information may be found online at www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft or by following the Division of Watercraft on Facebook or Twitter.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Normally, when a winter storm is expected, the National Weather Service will issue a Winter Storm Watch 12 to 36 hours in advance. A Winter Storm Watch means that conditions exist for the possible occurrence of severe winter weather such as blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall, significant freezing rain, or heavy sleet.

The issuance of a Winter Storm Watch is your signal to prepare for the storm NOW. Once the storm begins, travel may be to dangerous or even impossible.

Preparing for a winter storm at home and work
Remaining indoors and protected from the elements is the safest place during a winter storm. The primary concern of indoor shelter is the potential loss of heat, power, telephone service, and a shortage of supplies if the storm persists for more than a day.

Every home should have a winter storm kit containing the following:

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Batter powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio
• Extra food and water, especially high-energy foods that require no cooking or refrigeration such as dried fruit and canned goods. Don’t forget a non-electric can opener.
• Medicine, first aid supplies, and ample baby supplies if required
• An emergency heating source, such as a stocked fireplace, wood stove, or space heater
• A working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
• A working fore extinguisher. The chance of fire increases dramatically when using alternate heating sources

Don’t forget - you may not be at home when the storm strikes. Also have winter storm emergency supplies on hand at your place at work.

Preparing your car or truck
About 70 percent of deaths during an ice or snow storm occur in a vehicle! If you wonder if you should attempt to travel, simply don’t. If you find that you MUST travel, allow for plenty of extra time, reduce your speed, and and do not attempt sudden turns or stops.

Winterize your vehicle so it is reliable and safe. This includes good tires.

Include an emergency kit in your vehicles that contain:

• Dry blanket or a sleeping bag
• Extra dry clothing
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• High calorie non-perishable food
• Snow shovel, window scraper, and a brush or broom
• A bag of sand, rock salt, or kitty litter for traction
• Battery booster cables
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Maps, compass, knife, and a lighter or water-proof matches

On the farm
Animals should be moved to sheltered areas and extra feed should be moved nearby for easy access. Have plenty of water available and assure that it does not freeze. Most animal deaths occur during winter storms due to dehydration.

Keep informed of events through radio or other media and listen to the latest forecasts, and weather warnings issued by your local National Weather Service office. NOAA Weather Radio and local radio and television stations will broadcast updated storm information as it becomes available.

Being prepared BEFORE the storm strikes will keep you and your family safe and keep you from any unnecessary risk.

Thanks to Gary Garnet, Warning and Coordination Meteorologist of the National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio.

Winter weather in Northeast Ohio is quickly approaching During Winter Safety Week you are encouraged to read and review winter weather topics and prepare for the upcoming season.

As we more into late autumn, it is once again time to refresh our memory about winter weather hazards and how we can plan for the life-threatening situations that winter weather in Northeast Ohio can bring.

Each year many Northeast Ohioans take winter weather conditions to lightly which can sometimes result in serious injury or even death. During this week of Winter Weather Safety, please take a few moments each day to refresh your knowledge of winter weather terms and weather conditions in Ohio. More importantly, learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from extreme cold, snow, and other winter weather hazards.

Today we will review how snow and winter storms form over Northeast Ohio and where you can get continuously updated and reliable weather information.

Snow across northeast Ohio generally occurs in two ways:

1. From organized weather systems that cross over or near the region. During a typical winter, these weather systems bring a number of small snowfalls of 2 inches or less. Several times each year the region may be threatened by well-developed storm systems that have the potential to produce heavier snowfall of 6 inches or more. storm systems can be difficult to predict at times. A small shift in the storm track can mean the difference between shovelling and partly cloudy skies.
2. Lake effect snow occurs when very cold air flows across the Great Lakesduring the winter months and absorb moisture from the lakes. The moisture is then condenced out east and south of the Great Lakes. The result is cloudiness and snow showers. This  Lake Effect snow adds substantially to the total winter snowfall across portions of Northeast Ohio and Stark County.

Over the greater Stark County region, heavy amounts of lake effect snowfall can occur. The close proximity to Lake Erie and our higher terrain causes substantial lake effect snow during cold outbreaks. Much of Northeast Ohio receives over 40 inches of snow during a typical winter. Parts of the snowbelt in extreme northeast Ohio receive over 100 inches of snowfall each year.

How to get updated weather information:
Daily weather information is available 24 hours a day from the National Weather Service. Forecasts for Stark County communities and all of northeast Ohio are regularly issued 4 times each day and continuously updated as often as necessary.

NOAA Weather Radio is produced and generated at weather offices all across Ohio. Weather information is distributed on special FM radio frequencies from several transmitter sites all around the region. For Stark County residents and businesses, the frequency is 162.400 Mhz, station KDO 94 from Akron.

Specially designed weather radio receivers are automatically alarmed and activated by the local National Weather Service office when a severe weather warning is issued. Having a weather radio in your home and/or businesses assures you receive important weather alerts and warnings almost immediately as they are issued.

Weather radio receivers are available in a variety of preice ranges from  local electronics retailers and online. Some portable AM/FM radios also have a special NOAA Weather Radio band and are capable of receiving these signals.

National Weather Service forecasts are also available on cable television on the Weather Channel and various other outlets. Some towns and cities also provide National Weather Service forecasts via telephone. StarkCountyWeather.com also provides NWS forecasts and warnings on this website.

Thanks to Gary Garnett, Warning and Coordinating Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Cleveland, Ohio.

Winter weather is quickly approaching and FEME officials incourage residents to begin preparing for freezing temperatures, snow, and ice.

As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2010 U.S. Winter Outlook predicting extreme weather patterns for different regions of the country this winter, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding individuals to get ready for winter storms and extreme cold.

Among other things, NOAA’s outlook forecast that the Pacific Northwest could have a colder and wetter than average winter, while the South may be warmer and drier than usual.  While the threats vary across different parts of the country, almost everyone, regardless of where they live, is likely to experience some type of severe winter weather at some point in their lives.

 ”With winter right around the corner, it’s never too early to start preparing for snowstorms, icy roads, and other types of severe weather,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “Whether you live in an area that is used to severe winters or not, there are three simple steps all Americans should take to get ready: put together an emergency supply kit, develop a family communications plan, and stay informed about the risks and emergencies in your community.”

“Besides severe winter weather, disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, which is why it’s important to be prepared wherever you live,” Fugate continued. “I urge everyone to visit http://www.ready.gov/ for more helpful tips.”

Severe winter weather can include snow or subfreezing temperatures, strong winds and ice or heavy rain storms.  An emergency supply kit both at home and in the car will help prepare people for winter power outages and icy or impassable roads.

An emergency supply kit should include a three-day supply of food and water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and extra flashlights and batteries.  Thoroughly check and update your family’s emergency supply kit and add the following supplies in preparation for winter weather:

• Rock salt to melt ice on walkways;
• Sand to improve traction;
• Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment;
• And adequate clothing and blankets to help keep you warm.

Ensure your family preparedness plan and contacts are up to date and exercise your plan.  Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government, and ensure your home and car are prepared for the winter weather.

Finally, everyone should get familiar with the terms that are used to identify a winter storm hazard and discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Terms used to describe a winter storm hazard include the following:

• Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
• Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes roads to freeze and become slippery.
• Winter Weather Advisory means cold, ice and snow are expected.
• Winter Storm Watch means severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two.
• Winter Storm Warning means severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon.

For more information and winter prearedness tips, please visit: www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/winter.html.

Parts of Ohio could be warmer and wetter this winter according to the 2010 winter outlook released by NOAA. Northeast Ohio may see above-average snowfall for the season.

A moderate to strong La Niña will be the dominant climate factor influencing weather across most of the U.S. this winter according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their winter forecast for 2010.

La Niña is associated with cooler than normal water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean, unlike El Niño which is associated with warmer than normal water temperatures. Both of these climate phenomena, which typically occur every 2-5 years, influence weather patterns throughout the world and often lead to extreme weather events. Last winter’s El Niño contributed to record-breaking rain and snowfall leading to severe flooding in some parts of the country, with record heat and drought in other parts of the country.

Although La Niña is the opposite of El Niño, it also has the potential to bring weather extremes to parts of the nation.

“La Niña is in place and will strengthen and persist through the winter months, giving us a better understanding of what to expect between December and February,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. “This is a good time for people to review the outlook and begin preparing for what winter may have in store.”

“Other climate factors will play a role in the winter weather at times across the country,” added Halpert. “Some of these factors, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, are difficult to predict more than one to two weeks in advance. The NAO adds uncertainty to the forecast in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic portions of the country.”

The Ohio and Tennessee Valleys could see warmer and wetter than average weather for the upcoming winter season. Conditions also are likely to bring increased storminess and flooding. Current patterns indicate equal chances for above, near, or below-normal temperatures and precipitation for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Winter weather for these areas is often driven not by La Niña but by weather patterns over the northern Atlantic Ocean and Arctic. These are often more short-term, and are generally predictable only a week or so in advance. If enough cold air and moisture are in place, areas north of the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast could see above-average snowfall.

This seasonal outlook does not project where and when snowstorms may hit or total seasonal snowfall accumulations. Snow forecasts are dependent upon winter storms, which are generally not predictable more than several days in advance.

Cool and pleasant weather conditions will be with us through mid week. Warm and muggy weather will return to Stark County going into the weekend.

Much cooler and a lot less humid conditions have settled in over the region. Higher temperatures and increasing moisture will return as we get closer to the weekend.
 
Get ready for a few very pleasant days and cooler nights in Stark County. Much cooler and drier air has migrated in over the region for Monday, lowering temperatures and humidity levels. Coupled with abundant sunshine, the next few days will be nearly perfect.
 
After daytime highs Monday afternoon in the low 80s, temperatures tonight will seem downright cool. With clear skies in place over the area, temperatures tonight will dip into the mid 50s.
 
Tuesday promises to be nearly a carbon-copy of today with abundant sunshine and highs in the mid 80s.
 
A few clouds begin to move in for Tuesday night, otherwise, skies will become partly cloudy. Lows Tuesday night will be a little warmer with lows around 60.
 
An upper level disturbance will bring an increased chance of some showers to the area on Wednesday. Otherwise, skies will be mostly cloudy with highs in the low 80s.
 
Moisture and temperatures will begin to increase over Stark County beginning Wednesday night. Thursday will bring a return to warm, humid conditions for the end of the week. Temperatures will return to the mid to upper 80s for Thursday and Friday with a better chance of a shower or thunderstorm Friday night.

Severe thunderstorms are possible over all of Ohio for Sunday. The primary threat will be damaging winds, hail, and heavy downpours. Localized flooding could also be a factor in some areas today.

A cold front will bring the chance for thunderstorms to Stark County Sunday afternoon and evening. Cooler and less humid to start the work week.

Sunday will bring yet another day of hot and humid weather conditions for Stark County. However, relief is on the way in the form of cooler and drier air moving in over the region thanks to a cold front just to our east.

The front will travel over Northeast Ohio through the day today and bring the threat of thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. The National Weather Service warns that some of the storms could become severe with damaging winds and hail. Some areas may also see some heavy downpours in these storms.

Once the front and associated storms pass late tonight, temperatures will begin to decrease around the area with Monday’s high temperatures in the low 80s.

For Sunday, warm humid conditions will continue into the afternoon hours with highs in the upper 80s to near 90. Expect showers and thunderstorms to develop over the area in the late afternoon and early evening. Lows Sunday night will be in the mid 60s.

The work week begins with partly cloudy skies and more bearable temperatures. Highs Monday will be in the low 80s.

Our weather really cools off Monday night with lows in the upper 50s. Skies will remain partly cloudy.

Tuesday brings sunny skies and highs around 82.

Expect highs in the low 80s and lows in the low 60s for the remainder of the week. Our next chance of rain will be Thursday and Friday.

Ice cream sales may soar Saturday in Stark County. It will be hot and muggy around the county with thunderstorms possible during the afternoon and evening.

High pressure will be in place over the greater Stark County area for Friday allowing for mostly sunny skies through the daytime hours. Temperatures will also remain above normal to wrap up the work week.

Stark County is in store for another warm and muggy night Friday night. Skies for this evening will remain mostly clear to partly cloudy with a low tonight around 68 to 70.
 
Southerly winds will be in place Saturday ahead of a slow-moving cold front due to arrive Saturday night through Sunday. The front will affect our weather patterns through the weekend with hot and humid weather conditions during the daytime hours. Temperatures are expected to reach, and in some areas, exceed 90 degrees.

It will also be humid, making those afternnon temperatures feel more like the upper 90s. Some areas in Ohio may even see indices around 100 and heat advisories will be issued for those.
 
The front will also increase our chances for showers and thunderstorms during the late afternoon hours Saturday and into Saturday night. Some areas in Northeast Ohio may see some heavy downpours in those thunderstorms, so remain aware of changing weather conditions in the area and the possibility of some flooding issues that may occur.

Clouds and lingering showers and a few storms will help keep temperatures a bit cooler for Sunday. However, it will remain quite humid, keeping those heat indices up there in the 90s.
 
Cooler and dryer air moves in behind the front Sunday night bringing temperatures to the lower 60s Sunday night.

Monday will bring more comfortable weather conditions with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low 80s and lower humidity.

Looking northeast around midnight on August 12th-13th. The red dot is the Perseid radiant. Although Perseid meteors can appear in any part of the sky, all of their tails will point back to the radiant.

You know it’s a good night when a beautiful alignment of planets is the second best thing that’s going to happen.

The show begins at sundown when Venus, Saturn, Mars and the crescent Moon pop out of the western twilight in tight conjunction. All four heavenly objects will fit within a circle about 10 degrees in diameter, beaming together through the dusky colors of sunset. No telescope is required to enjoy this naked-eye event: (Click for map)

The planets will hang together in the western sky until 10 pm or so. When they leave, following the sun below the horizon, you should stay, because that is when the Perseid meteor shower begins. From 10 pm until dawn, meteors will flit across the starry sky in a display that’s even more exciting than a planetary get-together.

The Perseid meteor shower is caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle. Every 133 years the huge comet swings through the inner solar system and leaves behind a trail of dust and gravel. When Earth passes through the debris, specks of comet-stuff hit the atmosphere at 140,000 mph and disintegrate in flashes of light. These meteors are called Perseids because they fly out of the constellation Perseus.

Swift-Tuttle’s debris zone is so wide, Earth spends weeks inside it. Indeed, we are in the outskirts now, and sky watchers are already reporting a trickle of late-night Perseids. The trickle could turn into a torrent between August 11th and 13th when Earth passes through the heart of the debris trail.

2010 is a good year for Perseids because the Moon won’t be up during the midnight-to-dawn hours of greatest activity. Lunar glare can wipe out a good meteor shower, but that won’t be the case this time.

As Perseus rises and the night deepens, meteor rates will increase. For sheer numbers, the best time to look is during the darkest hours before dawn on Friday morning, Aug. 13th, when most observers will see dozens of Perseids per hour.

For best results, get away from city lights. The darkness of the countryside multiplies the visible meteor rate 3- to 10-fold. A good dark sky will even improve the planetary alignment, allowing faint Mars and Saturn to make their full contribution to the display. Many families plan camping trips to coincide with the Perseids. The Milky Way arching over a mountain campground provides the perfect backdrop for a meteor shower.

Then, if you still can’t sleep, catch the ISS flyover early Friday morning over the Canton area. Look NNW around 4:22 AM for a fast-moving bright point of light. That will be the International Space Station.

Enjoy the show!

Courtesy Science@NASA