This weekend's wacky weather involves snow and wind

4:48 a.m. Dec 16, 2007 : Winter Storm Warning in remains in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday

Snow Emergencies as of 10:50 a.m. Dec 16, 2007 :

Fulton County -- Level 2 Emergency.
Hancock County -- Level 2 Emergency.
Henry County -- Level 1 Emergency.
Lucas County -- Level 2 Emergency.
Sandusky County -- Level 2 Emergency.
Seneca County -- Level 2 Emergency.
Williams County -- Level 2 Emergency.
Wood County -- Level 2 Emergency.

Dec 15, 2007 :

As of 1:45 p.m., no snow has fallen in West Toledo.
Light snow began to fall in West Toledo around 2:10 p.m.
Toledo Metcalf Airport conditions at 5:15 p.m. : Light Snow Mist, 30 F, E-NE/10 mph.
Light snow still falling in West Toledo as of 5:25 p.m. Ground covered with a dusting.
Radar at 5:30 p.m. seems to indicate the heavier snow is east and south of Toledo.
The Weather Channel snowfall forecast map at 5:19 p.m. shows Toledo in the 6-12 inch range with heavier amounts expected north and west of Toledo.
Snow ended in West Toledo around 6:30 p.m. Less than a half inch has accumulated thus far.
Radar at 7:26 p.m. continues to show Toledo in the clear between snow areas. Heavier snow is in Michigan.
AccuWeather Toledo forecast :
- Saturday: Snow, accumulating a coating to an inch.
- Saturday Night: Breezy and cold with snow much of the time, accumulating 2-4 inches.
- Sunday: Windy and cold with 2-4 inches of snow.
National Weather Service is forecasting for Toledo 4-6 inches of snow Saturday night and 3-5 on Sunday.
- NWS predicted 2-4 inches during the day on Saturday, and that did not come close to happening, at least not in West Toledo.
Light snow began falling again in West Toledo between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Snow has temporarily ended again in West Toledo a little before 11:00 p.m. The grand total snow accumulation thus far is maybe a whopping one inch. But the roads around Toledo between 10:00 and 11:00 p.m. ranged from just wet to really snow covered and slippery.
As of 11:00 p.m., the total snow accumulation prediction is now down to 4 to 8 inches. On Saturday morning, it started out as 9-15 inches. During the day Saturday and into the evening, the predicted accumulation range kept decreasing, dropping to 8-12, then 6-12, then 5-10, and now 4-8.
Late Saturday night, the NWS dropped the words "near blizzard conditions" from its latest weather statement.
The Toledo area will probably end up with only 4 to 6 inches of snow by Sunday evening, but the 20 to 30 mph winds on Sunday may keep the roads in open country mostly snow covered.

Dec 16, 2007

At 7:20 a.m., the total "precip" accumulation on the ground in West Toledo was 2 to 2.5 inches. About a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of that was a layer of ice under about 1.5 inches of snow. Around 1:45 a.m., I woke up from the sound of sleet pounding against the house and windows. The goop made for some heavier than expected shoveling this morning.
AccuWeather calls for 2 to 4 inches of snow today for Toledo. The National Weather Service says 3 to 5.
Toledo Express Airport weather at 7:52 a.m. : Light Snow Fog/Mist, 24 F, N 18mph Gust 24mph, Wind Chill=10 F.
At 8:30 a.m. in West Toledo, light snow is falling, and temp is 26. Over 40 juncos in the backyard.
A hardy snow shower between and 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Snow depths around our West Toledo home range from 2.75 inches in the back driveway to 3 to 4 inches in the front yard and front walk. Wind is blowing the snow around, so I'll wait for the pros to give us snowfall amounts.
It's certainly looked and acted like a real snowstorm between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Light to moderate snow, growling winds, snow moving nearly horizontally, low visibility, neighbor in love with his snowblower clearing out our driveway, Seinfeld season 9 on our DVD player, backyard birds in full panic mode in search of food. Will have to scatter more seed on the ground.
Radar at 12:30 p.m. indicates our snow should probably end by 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Latest Statement

National Weather Statement as of 10:50 a.m. Dec 16, 2007 :

Afternoon snow accumulations will range from 3 to 5 inches. This will bring storm total snow accumulations to 6 to 12 inches for Northwest Ohio and the Toledo area where the snow has been falling for most of the morning. Gusts up to 45 mph are possible this afternoon.

Latest Forecast

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National Weather Service forecast as of 12:43 p.m. Sat Dec 16, 2007 :

Sunday Afternoon: Snow. Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Considerable blowing and drifting snow. Windy with highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 50 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.

Sunday Night: Cloudy. A chance of snow showers in the evening. Blowing and drifting snow. Windy with lows around 18. West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Chance of snow 40 percent.

Monday: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

NWS msg 11:08am Dec 14

National Weather Service statement at 11:08 a.m. Dec 14, 2007 :

The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in [northwest] Ohio :

Portage River at Woodville
Maumee River at Waterville

The Flood Warning continues for the Maumee River at Waterville until further notice.

At 10 am Friday the stage was 10.0 feet and steady.
Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.
Flood stage is 9.0 feet.
The river will fluctuate around 10.0 feet through Saturday morning... then begin a slow fall.
At 9.0 feet... flooding occurs in lowland areas near the river.

NWS msg 3:44pm Dec 14

National Weather Service statement at 3:44 p.m. Dec 14, 2007 :

Winter storm to affect Ohio and Pennsylvania this weekend.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a Winter Storm Warning... which is in effect from 12 PM Saturday to 4 PM EST Sunday.

Snow will develop across northwest and north central Ohio around midday Saturday. Precipitation will begin as snow but may mix with sleet and freezing rain Saturday night especially near Mansfield... Ashland... and Mount Vernon. Precipitation will change back to all snow Sunday morning before tapering off Sunday afternoon. Ice accumulations should generally be less than a quarter of an inch. Storm total snowfall accumulations are expected to range from 6 to 12 inches through midday Sunday in spots where sleet and freezing rain do not occur. Winds will increase Sunday and produce considerable blowing and drifting snow Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening.

A Winter Storm Warning is issued when severe winter weather is expected. Heavy snow and/or ice will cause hazardous driving conditions. If you will be traveling in the warning area you should choose an alternate Route if possible, or you should use extreme caution if travel is unavoidable. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio and other radio and TV stations for further details or updates.

NWS msg 9:13pm Dec 14

National Weather Service statement at 9:13 p.m. Dec 14, 2007 :

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 12 PM Saturday to 4 PM EST Sunday for northwest and north central Ohio.

Snow will develop across northwest and north central Ohio around midday Saturday and become heavy by Saturday night. The snow may mix with sleet and freezing rain Saturday night especially near the Interstate 71 corridor... near Mansfield... Ashland... and Mount Vernon. Storm total snow accumulations are expected to range from 6 to 12 inches through midday Sunday with somewhat less snow where sleet and freezing rain occur. Winds will increase Sunday and produce considerable blowing and drifting snow by Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening... especially across the open Countryside. North winds will become northwest with gusts of 35 to 40 mph.

If you have to go out Saturday night into Sunday... stay up to date on the latest winter storm warnings. Be aware that dangerous winter travel conditions are likely.

NWS msg 4:30am Dec 15

National Weather Service statement at 4:30 a.m. Dec 15, 2007 :

The Winter Storm Warning is now in effect until 7 PM EST Sunday.

Snow will develop across northwest and north central Ohio this morning and could be heavy at times tonight and Sunday. The snow may mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain tonight. Storm total snow accumulations are expected to range from 6 to 12 inches through Sunday evening with somewhat less snow where sleet and freezing rain occur. Some locations near Toledo and Bowling Green could have over a foot of snow from this storm. Winds will increase Sunday and produce considerable blowing and drifting snow... especially across the open Countryside. North winds will become northwest with gusts of 35 to 40 mph. Near blizzard conditions may occur at times Sunday.

If you have to go out Saturday night into Sunday... stay up to date on the latest winter storm warnings. Be aware that dangerous winter travel conditions are likely.

NWS msg 11:50am Dec 15

National Weather Service statement at 11:50 a.m. Dec 15, 2007 :

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 PM EST Sunday.

Occasional snow will fall this afternoon and could be heavy at times tonight and Sunday. The snow may mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain tonight. Storm total snow accumulations are expected to range from 6 to 12 inches through Sunday evening with somewhat less snow where sleet and freezing rain occur.

Winds will increase Sunday and produce considerable blowing and drifting snow... especially across the open Countryside. North winds will become northwest with gusts of 35 to 40 mph. Near blizzard conditions may occur at times Sunday.

NWS msg 3:45pm Dec 15

National Weather Service statement at 3:45 p.m. Dec 15, 2007 :

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 PM EST Sunday.

Occasional snow tonight will mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain. Any mixed precipitation will change back to all snow on Sunday. Storm total accumulations are expected to range from 6 to 12 inches through Sunday evening with somewhat less snow where sleet and freezing rain occur.

If you have to go out Saturday night into Sunday... stay up to date on the latest winter storm warnings. Be aware that dangerous winter travel conditions are likely.

NWS msg 10:24pm Dec 15

National Weather Service statement at 10:24 p.m. Dec 15, 2007 :

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 PM EST Sunday.

Occasional snow tonight will mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain... especially east of Interstate 75. Precipitation may be light for a while overnight. Heavier precipitation will develop early Sunday morning and mixed precipitation will change back to all snow Sunday morning.

Storm total accumulations are expected to range from 4 to 8 inches by Sunday evening. Winds will increase Sunday and produce considerable blowing and drifting snow... especially across the open Countryside. North winds will become northwest with gusts of 35 to 40 mph.

The snow will taper off by Sunday evening.

NWS msg 4:48am Dec 16

National Weather Service statement at 4:48 a.m. Dec 16, 2007 :

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 PM EST this
evening.

Any mix precipitation early this morning will rapidly change to just snow. Snow accumulations will range from 2 to 5 inches. The winds will also start to increase by late morning with gusts up to 45 mph possible. This will cause considerable blowing and drifting snow... especially across the open Countryside.

Motorists will need to use caution as visibilities will be low at times... travel could be difficult. The snow will taper off Sunday evening. Some blowing and drifting snow will continue into the nighttime hours.

NWS msg 10:50am Dec 16

National Weather Service statement at 10:50 a.m. Dec 16, 2007 :

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 PM EST this evening.

Gusts up to 45 mph are possible this afternoon. This will cause considerable blowing and drifting snow... especially across the open Countryside. Motorists will need to use caution as visibilities will be low at times... and travel could be difficult.

The snow will taper off Sunday evening. Some blowing and drifting snow will continue into the nighttime hours.