Article source for : Possibly an ugly weather event this weekend
Sat, Dec 8, 2007, 10:20 a.m. : Snow and cold are fine, but heavy ice accumulation combined with some wind is definitely not good, especially when a house is surrounded by beautiful, towering oak trees. Limb-breaking, power-outage, road-blocking, property-damaging, destructive weather. Hopefully, something changes, like we get more snow or all rain.
bq. -4:00 a.m. Dec 8, 2007 : %{color:#e06000}*Winter Storm Watch in effect from 10 PM EST Saturday evening through Sunday evening*%-
bq. -3:48 p.m. Dec 8, 2007 : %{color:green}*Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 10 PM Saturday to 9 PM Sunday*%-
bq. -4:15 a.m. Dec 9, 2007 : %{color:c02020}*Ice Storm Warning in effect until 9 PM EST Sunday evening.*%-
bq. -2:44 p.m. Dec 9, 2007 : %{color:purple}*Freezing Rain Advisory in effect until 9 PM Sunday evening.*%-
bq. -3:52 a.m. Dec 10, 2007 : %{color:purple}*Freezing Rain Advisory in effect until 7 AM Monday morning.*%-
bq. 6:53 a.m. Dec 10, 2007 : *No Active Advisories*
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"Forecast":http://www.wunderground.com/US/OH/Toledo/KTDZ.html as of 6:53 a.m. Dec 10, 2007 :
bq. *Monday:* Cloudy. Areas of drizzle or freezing drizzle this morning. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
bq. *Monday Night:* Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain...sleet and freezing rain after midnight. Temperatures steady in the lower 30s. West winds around 5 mph...becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
bq. *Tuesday:* Rain. Highs around 40. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain 80 percent.
* Toledo area temps at 10:00 a.m. Dec 9 range from 28 at Toledo Express to 31 at Toledo Metcalf. Light rain/drizzle began falling in West Toledo around 10:00 a.m. The good news is we're not going into a major deep freeze after this, since Monday's temps are forecast to be above freezing.
* Temperatures at 3:00 p.m. Dec 9 are 30 to 32 degrees. Trees and bushes look a little glassy, but not much if any drooping or bending of the branches and wires is occurring. Ice accumulation is around 1/16 to 1/8 inch. Most of the rain is south and east of Toledo at the moment.
* Temperatures at 5:00 a.m. Dec 10 are 28 to 30 degrees with some fog / mist.
** -Toledo Public and Catholic are on a two-hour delay for Mon, Dec 10 as of 5:27 a.m.-
** Toledo Public and Catholic and many other schools are now closed as of 7:48 a.m.
*** WTOL's short list of about 15 "closings and delays":http://www.wtol.com/Global/link.asp?L=2217 around 5:00 a.m. grew quite large over the next couple hours.
h2. NWS message 4:00am Dec 8
It's just a "watch" right now and not a warning, which means the meteorologists are not sure yet what will happen, which means a chance exists that it won't be as bad as the forecast sounds.
br. "National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=OHZ003 statement at 4:06 a.m. EST, Dec 8, 2007 :
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A Winter Storm Watch means that significant freezing rain and sleet is *possible*.
Low pressure will track towards the area Saturday night into early Sunday morning. As the low pressure tracks towards the area... warmer air aloft will move over cooler air at the surface. At the onset of the precipitation... snow and sleet is expected. However... by daybreak precipitation is expected to become a mix of sleet and freezing rain.
At this time the center of low pressure is expected to track across north central Ohio. With this expected track... temperatures at the surface will have a hard time climbing above freezing during the day Sunday. As a result... there is the *possibility of a prolonged period of freezing rain* across the area during the day Sunday and Sunday evening. Any precipitation across the area is expected to taper off Sunday night as low pressure departs the area.
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h2. NWS message 10:45am Dec 8
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=OHZ003&warncounty=OHC095&firewxzone=OHZ003&local_place1=Monclova+OH&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch statement at 10:45 a.m. EST, Dec 8, 2007 :
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A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from 10 PM EST this evening through Sunday evening for Lucas... wood... Ottawa and Sandusky counties in Northwest Ohio.
Freezing rain and sleet will develop tonight across Northwest Ohio. Some snow is also possible for a while. Eventually the precipitation will become mainly freezing rain. The freezing rain will continue into Sunday. Temperatures will be below freezing tonight into Sunday morning and the Mercury will struggle to climb above freezing on Sunday. The longer the temperature stays below freezing the greater the potential for ice accumulation. *A significant glaze of ice is possible*.
If you have to go out late tonight and Sunday be prepared for icy travel conditions. If enough ice accumulates... *trees and power lines could come down*. Stay tuned to the latest forecasts for the latest information.
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If temperatures on Sunday warm two or three degrees more than expected, then we may not get the significant ice accumulation.
h2. NWS message 3:48pm Dec 8
Weather outlook downgraded from a Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Weather Advisory.
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=OHZ003&warncounty=OHC095&firewxzone=OHZ003&local_place1=Monclova+OH&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch statement at 3:48 p.m. EST, Dec 8, 2007 :
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Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 10 PM this evening to 9 PM EST Sunday...
The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a Winter Weather Advisory... which is in effect from 10 PM this evening to 9 PM EST Sunday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.
A mix of freezing rain and sleet will develop tonight across Northwest Ohio... possibly mixing with snow at times this evening. Precipitation will gradually transition to all freezing rain toward daybreak and will continue through much of the day on Sunday.
Temperatures tonight and through much of tomorrow will be at or slightly below freezing... meaning there will be a prolonged opportunity for ice to accumulate. While precipitation rates should not be heavy... ice will likely accumulate on untreated surfaces. If travel is planned late tonight or tomorrow... be prepared for wintry travel conditions.
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h2. NWS message 10:01pm Dec 8
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=OHZ003&warncounty=OHC095&firewxzone=OHZ003&local_place1=Monclova+OH&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch statement at 10:01 p.m. EST, Dec 8, 2007 :
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A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 9 PM EST Sunday.
Periods of freezing rain... occasionally mixing with sleet... will continue across Northwest Ohio through the overnight hours. The precipitation will transition to all freezing rain by daybreak and will linger through much of the day on Sunday as temperatures remain at or slightly below freezing. There will be a prolonged period of frozen precipitation overnight through Sunday and as a result... a glaze of ice on untreated surfaces is likely by early Sunday morning. Minor ice accumulations on trees and power lines are also possible.
Freezing rain will gradually transition to all rain by mid day as temperatures rise into the mid 30s. If travel is planned overnight through Sunday... be prepared for wintry travel conditions.
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h2. NWS message 4:50am Dec 9
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=OHZ003 statement at 4:50 a.m. EST, Dec 9, 2007 :
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The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued an Ice Storm Warning... which is in effect until 9 PM EST this evening. The Winter Weather Advisory is no longer in effect.
Freezing rain will develop over the area this morning and likely continue into this evening. Around a quarter inch of freezing rain may accumulate on surfaces. This could be heavy enough to cause some damage to power lines and trees besides making untreated roads... sidewalks and other surfaces extremely icy.
An Ice Storm Warning is issued when a heavy accumulation of ice will cause hazardous and dangerous driving conditions. You should consider postponing any travel. If driving is unavoidable, use extreme caution, and carry a winter emergency kit in case you are stranded. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio and other radio and TV stations for further details or updates.
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h2. NWS message 8:55am Dec 9
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=OHZ003 statement at 8:55 a.m. EST, Dec 9, 2007 :
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Freezing rain moving into northwest Ohio will spread into the Toledo and Findlay areas between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The freezing rain should be light at first but become more intense as the morning progresses.
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h2. NWS message 11:26am Dec 9
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=OHZ003 statement at 11:26 a.m. EST, Dec 9, 2007 :
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An Ice Storm Warning remains in effect until 9 pm EST this evening. An Ice Storm Warning is issued when a heavy accumulation of ice will cause hazardous and dangerous driving conditions. You should consider postponing any travel.
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h2. NWS message 2:44pm Dec 9
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=OHZ003 statement at 2:44 p.m. EST, Dec 9, 2007 :
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... Freezing Rain Advisory in effect until 9 PM EST this evening...
... Ice Storm Warning is cancelled...
The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a Freezing Rain Advisory... which is in effect until 9 PM EST this evening. The Ice Storm Warning has been canceled.
A Freezing Rain Advisory is issued when icing is expected in the affected areas, but not enough to disrupt travel or damage trees and power lines. Instead, patches of ice will cause slick spots on roadways and sidewalks. Walking and driving could therefore be difficult, but not impossible.
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h2. NWS message 5:01am Dec 10
"National Weather Service":http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=OHZ003 statement at 5:01 a.m. EST, Dec 10, 2007 :
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A Freezing Rain Advisory remains in effect until 7 am EST this morning. Areas of freezing drizzle will continue early this morning across Northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania. Some slick spots on elevated and untreated surfaces will be possible through early this morning. The freezing drizzle will taper off by mid morning.
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h2. LC Small-scale Crisis Team
Last month, Lucas County "created":http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20071115%2FNEWS33%2F711150361a a 'small-scale crisis team.' :
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Following a debriefing about flash floods that damaged homes in the Old West End last summer, Tina Skeldon Wozniak, president of the Lucas County commissioners, felt more could be done to respond quickly to disasters that affect small numbers of people. When a particular neighborhood or a township is damaged by inclement weather or other forces, services are often slow to reach those areas because of a lack of a coordinated effort among elected leaders and first responders.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland will participate as needed, and Ms. Wozniak said City of Toledo officials often will be involved. Ms. Wozniak said each of the county's political jurisdictions has been contacted about the incident assessment team, which she said is an extension of the county's disaster-response protocol.
Ms. Wozniak said the assessment team not only will provide affected residents with more rapid relief, but also will be able to produce correct information to media outlets on where people should go or call for additional help.
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A major ice event, of course, affects a large area, so maybe the above would not apply if this weekend's weather turns sour. And chances are we'll get only a small amount of ice accumulation this weekend that will result in nothing serious happening.
h2. Amateur Radio Operators
A few years ago, a major ice storm slammed parts of Arkansas, and it was the amateur radio operators who enabled communications to continue in the affected areas.
"From":http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=7595 the FEMA Web site :
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"When all the phone service, cell phone and radio networks were not working, amateur radio operators came to the rescue providing emergency communications," said Jerry Roberts, county coordinator for Sebastian County. "They assisted in restoring communication to the county sheriff and the emergency medical services. Radio-operators even rode with sheriff's deputies to provide radio communications."
All communications in Garland County, including the eight radio stations, were out of commission as a result of the ice storm. "Had it not been for the amateur radio clubs and the ham radio operators, I don't know how we could have done it," said Joy Sanders, emergency management coordinator for Garland County. "They supplied us with the equipment and operators that allowed us to keep communications open and to shuttle messages to Little River, Hot Spring and Montgomery counties."
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* "Toledo Mobile Radio Association":http://www.tmrahamradio.org/
* "Lucas County Skywarn":http://www.lucascoskywarn.org/
* "Lucas County Amateur Radio Emergency Service":http://www.lucascountyares.org/ - --(A bit lacking of info)--
* "Wood County Amateur Radio Emergency Service":http://www.woodcountyares.org/
h2. LC Emergency Vehicle
"From":http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/EMA/EMAVehicles.asp an undated posting at the Lucas County Web site that is a few years old, anyway :
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The Lucas County Emergency Communications vehicle and trailer are a cooperative venture between Lucas County EMA and the Lucas County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (LCARES). The communications vehicle is a retrofitted Life Squad ambulance that was retired from service. The trailer was purchased with a grant from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and matching funds from Lucas County.
LCARES operates both emergency communications units. Each unit is equipped with amateur radio frequencies and is capable of radio communication with most public safety forces in Lucas County. These vehicles can be used as a command post or communications center for emergency response incidents, or as an interface between amateur communications and public safety. Amateur radio volunteers from LCARES make the units available 24 hours per day, seven days per week for any department.
“In the post-September 11th world, it is good to know we can count on amateur radio operators from LCARES in the event we lose our traditional means of communication, or our systems need backup in times of critical emergency,” said Lucas County Commissioner Harry Barlos. “Amateur radio operators worldwide have a reputation as dedicated volunteers who serve their communities as unsung heroes, and our volunteers certainly fit that description.”
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h2. Ice Storm Fun Facts
I don't know about fun.
"Wikipedia":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_storm :
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Damage from ice storms is highly capable of shutting down entire metropolitan areas. According to most meteorologists, just *one quarter of an inch* of ice accumulation can add about 500 pounds of weight per line span.
In addition to hazardous driving/walking conditions, branches or even whole trees may break from the weight of ice. Falling branches can block roads, tear down power and telephone lines and cause other damage.
Even without overhead tree branches, the weight of the ice itself can snap power lines, and power poles as well (even the big steel frame electrical pylons have crumbled under the weight of ice before). This can leave people without power for as long as several days to even weeks.
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"Ice Storms: Hazardous Beauty":http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/elements/icestorm.htm :
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Ice storms may be comprised of either +glaze ice+ or +rime ice+. Meteorologists classify transparent and homogeneous ice forming on vertical and horizontal surfaces as glaze. Glaze ice resembles ice-cube ice in apperance. Its amorphous, dense structure helps it cling tenaciously to any surface on which it forms. In contrast, if the ice is milky and crystalline, like sugar, it is termed rime. Rime ice is less dense than glaze ice and clings less tenaciously, therefore damage due to rime is generally minor compared to glaze ice.
For heavy glaze ice formation, the rain should fall rapidly as large, slightly supercooled drops, and the rate of freezing on the surface must be slower than the rainfall rate. With small drops and rapid freezing, the resulting ice is rime ice having a more crystalline, sugar-like texture and lacking the transparency of glaze.
Power and communication systems using overhead lines are perhaps hardest hit by ice storms. Freezing rain, however, affects more than just human technology. Animals and plants -- both wild and domestic -- may be killed or injured by ice accumulation. Ice damage to trees rivals disease and insects as destructive agents. Like power cables, tree branches and trunks collect ice in vast quantities.
While a walk through a forest after an ice storm may give the impression of large-scale destruction amid crystalline beauty, an ice storm also provides several vital functions. The same mechanical action that downs branches also releases seeds, promotes regeneration, prunes dead or dying branches, and indirectly provides nesting and sleeping cavities for birds and other animals.
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tag=weather
tag=storm
tag=communications
tag=emergency
