Monday, December 31, 2007
How safe is the Ice?
There is nothing more New England than skating on a frozen pond. The fresh breeze and open air can make winter fun for the whole family. However, be careful. Ice develops strength from it's thickness. 4-inches of ice is the minimum thickness to safely skate on a pond. 5-inches will support a snowmobile or small ATV. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 8-12 inches of ice will support a car or small truck. Apparently they have a lot of ice fishermen who drive out on the lakes in the middle of winter. (That's a sport I'll leave to others.)
Always remember the ice can be different thickness in different areas of the pond. Currents under the water and shade from the sun can dramatically alter ice thickness.
If all else fails check out the Frog Pond on the Boston Common. No one has ever fallen through the ice on that one!
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB-TV
Always remember the ice can be different thickness in different areas of the pond. Currents under the water and shade from the sun can dramatically alter ice thickness.
If all else fails check out the Frog Pond on the Boston Common. No one has ever fallen through the ice on that one!
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB-TV
Posted at 4:09 PM by Storm Team 5
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Sunday, December 30, 2007
Ending a Snowy 2007
It’s been quite a while since we’ve experienced a snowy December like this one…1970 to be exact. December of 1970 stacked up 27.9 inches of snow. Boston had less than one inch of snow last December and only an inch of snow in January...quite a contrast to this year. Boston officially had 26.9 inches as of late last night. We’ll have to wait for the official totals today, but Boston needs just over an inch of snow to break that 38 year old record. This year is definitely ending on a wintry note, and 2008 is set to begin the same way. Arctic air will settle in behind this first storm, and another snowfall is expected late New Year’s Day into early Wednesday morning.
Joe Venuti
WCVB Meteorologist
Joe Venuti
WCVB Meteorologist
Posted at 1:59 PM by Storm Team 5
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Thursday, December 27, 2007
A Cold, Wet End to 2007
December has been a very active weather month for Boston. We've had only seven dry days so far with more storms on the way before the end of the year. We are setting records for greatest snowfall in Boston for December and temperatures are running two to four degrees below average. Boston's one day greatest snowfall came on December 13th when 10.1" of snow fell.
The new year starts off cold but only time will tell if January will follow December's lead and be a cold and wet month.
JC Monahan
Meteorologist, WCVB
The new year starts off cold but only time will tell if January will follow December's lead and be a cold and wet month.
JC Monahan
Meteorologist, WCVB
Posted at 6:34 AM by Storm Team 5
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Monday, December 24, 2007
The Effect Of Snow Cover On Our Future Weather
Snow Cover Can Influence Our Future Winter Weather
Even though last Sunday night's warm rain and wind event significantly diminished the snow cover across our area (which is now nonexistent on Cape Cod), there is still a good deal of snow on the ground north and west of Boston and through all of central and northern New England and up in Canada. Snow reflects a lot of the heat from the sun, so cold air masses out of Canada that pass over this snow cover remain very cold and do not modify as much on their way to our area.
This could become very important a bit down the road when we conclude this milder and occasionally wet pattern that has now moved in, as it may help borderline rain/snow situations turn out more on the icy or snowy side.
Harvey Leonard
Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
Even though last Sunday night's warm rain and wind event significantly diminished the snow cover across our area (which is now nonexistent on Cape Cod), there is still a good deal of snow on the ground north and west of Boston and through all of central and northern New England and up in Canada. Snow reflects a lot of the heat from the sun, so cold air masses out of Canada that pass over this snow cover remain very cold and do not modify as much on their way to our area.
This could become very important a bit down the road when we conclude this milder and occasionally wet pattern that has now moved in, as it may help borderline rain/snow situations turn out more on the icy or snowy side.
Harvey Leonard
Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
Posted at 8:51 PM by Storm Team 5
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Saturday, December 22, 2007
How much does snow weigh?
With all the recent winter storms, layers of ice and snow have built up. It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on roofs. So how much can the average roof take? The short answer is quite a bit. A one inch layer of solid ice weighs about 5-pounds per square foot. Most homes are designed to able to support a minimum of 35 pounds per square feet. That means the average roof can hold a layer of solid ice 7-inches thick. If it was snow the snow would have to be 6-feet deep to equal the weight of 7-inches of ice. On a 2000 square foot home that translates to an amazing 80,000 pounds! About the weight of a fully loaded 18-wheeler truck. It's a good idea to get any deep snow and ice off flat roofs as soon as it's safe. Flat roofs tend to leak and not shed water as easily, making for dangerous conditions then a steeply pitched roof.
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB-TV
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB-TV
Posted at 6:34 PM by Storm Team 5
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Thursday, December 20, 2007
Winter Solstice
Winter officially starts tomorrow morning. The Winter Solstice happens just after one in the morning Saturday. It is the time of year when the sun is lowest in the northern hemisphere sky, passing over the Tropic of Capricorn. Sunrise isn't until 7:10 with sunset occurring at an early 4:15.
While we're still technically in autumn, it certainly looks and feels like winter with two storms just this past week and more snow in Boston this month than we had all last year!
While we're still technically in autumn, it certainly looks and feels like winter with two storms just this past week and more snow in Boston this month than we had all last year!
Posted at 6:00 AM by Storm Team 5
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Wednesday, December 19, 2007
WHITE BLIZZARD
We've had more snowfall this December (20inches) than
we had all of last winter (17"). It appears that most of the area should
have a White Christmas. We will have a warm rain storm late in the
weekend that could melt quite a bit of the snow cover. However,
there should be enough snow left to qualify for a white Christmas.
The official definition of a White Christmas is 1 inch or more of snow on the ground
on Chrismas Day. There are some indications there could be an ocean
storm in the vicinity with additional rain or snow next Wednesday,
the day after Christmas.
Dick Albert
we had all of last winter (17"). It appears that most of the area should
have a White Christmas. We will have a warm rain storm late in the
weekend that could melt quite a bit of the snow cover. However,
there should be enough snow left to qualify for a white Christmas.
The official definition of a White Christmas is 1 inch or more of snow on the ground
on Chrismas Day. There are some indications there could be an ocean
storm in the vicinity with additional rain or snow next Wednesday,
the day after Christmas.
Dick Albert
Posted at 1:32 PM by Storm Team 5
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Is More Snow On The Way?
A very tricky weather situation may be developing for late Wednesday night and Thursday. Basically a weak storm will be approaching from the west, but then a secondary storm will form off the coast and slowly intensify. It may be just close enough as it intensifies to cause some accumulating snow Thursday, especially across northern Ma. and N.H. and Maine, before moving away Thursday night and Friday. Just to add another little complication to the forecast, temperatures will be borderline in terms of whether we receive rain or snow.
For the Boston area, the most likely scenario is that rain or rain mixed with wet snow begins later Wednesday or during Wednesday night, and then changes to snow Thursday, with some accumulation possible, especially north of Boston, where the most precipitation will fall. We will have furthe updates on this potential on our WCVB-TV Newscasts and on thebostonchannel.com
Harvey Leonard
Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
For the Boston area, the most likely scenario is that rain or rain mixed with wet snow begins later Wednesday or during Wednesday night, and then changes to snow Thursday, with some accumulation possible, especially north of Boston, where the most precipitation will fall. We will have furthe updates on this potential on our WCVB-TV Newscasts and on thebostonchannel.com
Harvey Leonard
Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
Posted at 1:42 PM by Storm Team 5
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The New Wind Chill
We were all too aware of the wind chill yesterday, which hovered near and just above zero all day. Wind chill is the combination of temperature and wind, but how is it calculated? Prior to 2001, the wind chill values were based on the effects wind had on bags of water as wind was forced across their surface. The new values have been calculated at a height of 5 feet (the avg. height of an adult), and based on a human face model. New theory in heat transfer and skin tissue resistance has also been used to simulate the true heat loss that takes place as the wind blows across your skin. The good news is that temperatures will rise a bit today and the winds will be much lighter. You can find an updated wind chill chart at the following link;
http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/index.shtml
http://www.weather.gov/os/windchill/index.shtml
Posted at 12:37 PM by Storm Team 5
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Saturday, December 15, 2007
What's in a Warning?
This time of year the National Weather Service will often issue Winter Storm Watches and Warnings. In the summer, we know a Watch or Warning means severe weather will be coming in the next few hours, but in the winter there’s a bit more lead time involved. Watches may be issued 2-3 days in advance and Warnings a day in advance, it all depends on forecasting confidence.
A Winter Storm Watch means keep an eye on the weather forecasts. It doesn’t mean it’s imminent, it just means there is a strong chance of nasty winter weather arriving.
A Winter Storm Warning is issued when there is a high confidence in the forecast that winter weather is on the way. Winter Storm Warning can be issued when forecasters expect heavy snow, snow and ice, snow and sleet, sleet and ice, or snow, sleet and ice. It doesn’t always mean heavy snow, because icy roads can be more treacherous than snow covered streets. The Winter Storm Warning can cover a lot of possible wintery combinations.
When a Heavy Snow Warning is issued it means you can expect 6” of snow in a 12-hour period or 8” of snow in a 24-hour period.
Watches and Warning can be confusing at times, but keep it tuned to StormTeam 5, we’ll let you know what to expect as winter returns to New England.
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
A Winter Storm Watch means keep an eye on the weather forecasts. It doesn’t mean it’s imminent, it just means there is a strong chance of nasty winter weather arriving.
A Winter Storm Warning is issued when there is a high confidence in the forecast that winter weather is on the way. Winter Storm Warning can be issued when forecasters expect heavy snow, snow and ice, snow and sleet, sleet and ice, or snow, sleet and ice. It doesn’t always mean heavy snow, because icy roads can be more treacherous than snow covered streets. The Winter Storm Warning can cover a lot of possible wintery combinations.
When a Heavy Snow Warning is issued it means you can expect 6” of snow in a 12-hour period or 8” of snow in a 24-hour period.
Watches and Warning can be confusing at times, but keep it tuned to StormTeam 5, we’ll let you know what to expect as winter returns to New England.
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
Posted at 6:26 AM by Storm Team 5
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Thursday, December 13, 2007
Weekend Nor'Easter
One storm down, another one on the way. This next storm, expected this weekend, will be a Nor'easter. Defined as an area of low pressure that moves up the Mid-Atlantic and New England coast, a Nor'easter brings strong northeasterly wind.
The track of the storm ultimately decides the type of precipitation we receive. The farther inland the storm tracks, the more warm air is able to wrap into the storm and therefore a better chance for a rain or mix. The farther south the storm remains, the colder we stay and the better chance for snow.
JC Monahan
Meteorologist, WCVB
The track of the storm ultimately decides the type of precipitation we receive. The farther inland the storm tracks, the more warm air is able to wrap into the storm and therefore a better chance for a rain or mix. The farther south the storm remains, the colder we stay and the better chance for snow.
JC Monahan
Meteorologist, WCVB
Posted at 4:53 AM by Storm Team 5
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Two Big Storms In Just A Few Days
Get set for a fast moving, but potent snowstorm Thursday afternoon and evening, with widespread 6-10" snow amounts likely. The snow should begin during the early afternoon and peak during the afternoon commute when snow could be falling at the rate of 1"-2" per hour, creating very poor visibility and driving conditions.
The snow should be over or just about over by 9 or 10 p.m. So, if you must travel Thursday, it is best to do so in the morning, or wait until the storm is over later tonight.
Storm number two will contain much more wind and heavier preicpitation, but it MAY not stay all snow. Snow should begin late Saturday night, but it may mix with or change to sleet and rain, especially along the coast Sunday morning. The storm should be ending Sunday afternoon, but very cold and windy weather will follow. Ski country should get a foot or more of snow from the second storm. Stay tuned for the latest from STORMTEAM5 on WCVB-TV, Channel 5 and on thebostonchannel.com
Harvey Leonard, Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
Get set for a fast moving, but potent snowstorm Thursday afternoon and evening, with widespread 6-10" snow amounts likely. The snow should begin during the early afternoon and peak during the afternoon commute when snow could be falling at the rate of 1"-2" per hour, creating very poor visibility and driving conditions.
The snow should be over or just about over by 9 or 10 p.m. So, if you must travel Thursday, it is best to do so in the morning, or wait until the storm is over later tonight.
Storm number two will contain much more wind and heavier preicpitation, but it MAY not stay all snow. Snow should begin late Saturday night, but it may mix with or change to sleet and rain, especially along the coast Sunday morning. The storm should be ending Sunday afternoon, but very cold and windy weather will follow. Ski country should get a foot or more of snow from the second storm. Stay tuned for the latest from STORMTEAM5 on WCVB-TV, Channel 5 and on thebostonchannel.com
Harvey Leonard, Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
Posted at 2:31 PM by Storm Team 5
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A Weekend Nor'easter
We are looking at a potential Nor'easter that could begin as early as Saturday Night.
All the ingredients are there for a potential major winter storm.
We never can be sure on a forecast that's three to four days away.
But here's what we see now. Cold air will be banked up in Canada
and well entrenched in New England.
A storm will form in the southest states and move northward
along the east coast will copius amounts of moisture.
Several hours of snow ,mixed precipitation and gusty
northeast winds are likely Saturday Night into Sunday .
A smaller storm could give us a few inches of snow Thursday evening.
StormTeam 5 will keep you posted.
Harvey Leonard,Co-Chief Meteorologist,WCVB-TV
All the ingredients are there for a potential major winter storm.
We never can be sure on a forecast that's three to four days away.
But here's what we see now. Cold air will be banked up in Canada
and well entrenched in New England.
A storm will form in the southest states and move northward
along the east coast will copius amounts of moisture.
Several hours of snow ,mixed precipitation and gusty
northeast winds are likely Saturday Night into Sunday .
A smaller storm could give us a few inches of snow Thursday evening.
StormTeam 5 will keep you posted.
Harvey Leonard,Co-Chief Meteorologist,WCVB-TV
Posted at 2:48 PM by Storm Team 5
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Monday, December 10, 2007
Where's the Snow?
Many of you woke up to a skating rink yesterday morning with temperatures never climbing above the freezing mark. So why then did we get ice instead of snow? Cold air is very dense and “hugs” close to the ground. However, during yesterday’s storm, warm and very buoyant air moved overhead where the moisture gathers in the clouds. Precipitation initially left the clouds as rain, but quickly turned to sleet and freezing rain as it fell into that densely, colder air. If the cold layer at the ground is thin, the precipitation remains rain until freezing on contact with the surfaces below (like your sidewalk and driveway). However, if the cold layer is a bit thicker, the rain drop will freeze before hitting the ground...this is called sleet. Several more storms this week will bring the chance for slippery weather.
Joe Venuti
WCVB Meteorologist
Joe Venuti
WCVB Meteorologist
Posted at 1:23 PM by Storm Team 5
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Saturday, December 8, 2007
What is Freezing Rain?
Freezing rain is probably the least understood of all the winter precipitation. It's also the most dangerous for drivers. Freezing rain occurs when objects on the ground are very cold. As a storm system moves in, warm air aloft creates rain instead of snow. So as the rain falls through the atmosphere it remains a liquid until it strikes a cold objects on the ground. The rain freezes instantly. This glaze can continue to build and freeze for several hours. Powerlines and trees will often collapse under the weight of the ice. For drivers, freezing rain is more difficult to maneuver in than snow. Snow provides some grip but freezing rain reduce roadways to ice skating rinks. It will often make the road appear wet and unsuspecting drivers will assume the road is merely wet, not a sheet of ice.
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB
Posted at 9:04 PM by Storm Team 5
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Thursday, December 6, 2007
December chill
It has been a very cold start to December. Once again, temperatures will be below average this afternoon. We've only reached the 40's one day this month and that came with Monday's storm.
This is quite a departure from the weather we had one year ago when Boston reached an unbelievable 76 degrees. That's an all-time record high for the month of December. Boston wasn't alone. Temperatures around the northeast were in the
70's. I don't see any significant warm-up for us in sight so I think it's best we get used to the chill.
JC Monahan
Meteorologist, WCVB
This is quite a departure from the weather we had one year ago when Boston reached an unbelievable 76 degrees. That's an all-time record high for the month of December. Boston wasn't alone. Temperatures around the northeast were in the
70's. I don't see any significant warm-up for us in sight so I think it's best we get used to the chill.
JC Monahan
Meteorologist, WCVB
Posted at 3:28 AM by Storm Team 5
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Nice Start For Skiers
The latest snow storm has left many inches of the white stuff
on ski country. The mountains of Northern Maine have
picked up 1 to 2 feet of new snow. The rest of Northern New England ski
country picked up 6 to 12 inches of the white stuff. This is the best start
for our ski season in several years.
The outlook is for plenty of cold weather for the rest of
this week. Lots of snowmaing will occur. There is a chance of some additional
snow on Friday.There will be more wintry weather on Monday.Please
check with the ski and board section on the bostonchannel.com
for the latest information on ski country.
Dick Albert
on ski country. The mountains of Northern Maine have
picked up 1 to 2 feet of new snow. The rest of Northern New England ski
country picked up 6 to 12 inches of the white stuff. This is the best start
for our ski season in several years.
The outlook is for plenty of cold weather for the rest of
this week. Lots of snowmaing will occur. There is a chance of some additional
snow on Friday.There will be more wintry weather on Monday.Please
check with the ski and board section on the bostonchannel.com
for the latest information on ski country.
Dick Albert
Posted at 12:45 PM by Storm Team 5
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Tuesday, December 4, 2007
A Very Cold Start To December
Is This Cold Normal For Early December?
Have you found this cold and wind a bit tough to take for just early December? Well, if you have, you have good reason. The first four days of December have averaged 12 degrees colder than normal in Boston, and an amazing 20 degrees colder than the first 4 days of December last year. Perhaps this is a bit of payback for the mild and often beautiful Fall we experienced. At least the wind won't be as strong the rest of the week. There are indications that next week we will be near the boundary of warm air to the south and cold air to the north, which could lead to big temperature swings and some precipitation at times.
Harvey Leonard
Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
Have you found this cold and wind a bit tough to take for just early December? Well, if you have, you have good reason. The first four days of December have averaged 12 degrees colder than normal in Boston, and an amazing 20 degrees colder than the first 4 days of December last year. Perhaps this is a bit of payback for the mild and often beautiful Fall we experienced. At least the wind won't be as strong the rest of the week. There are indications that next week we will be near the boundary of warm air to the south and cold air to the north, which could lead to big temperature swings and some precipitation at times.
Harvey Leonard
Co-Chief Meteorologist, WCVB-TV
Posted at 1:48 PM by Storm Team 5
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Saturday, December 1, 2007
What is sleet?
When a winter storm moves in, we can get almost any type of precipitation. Sleet is the "ice" part of a winter storm, but it's different from hail and freezing rain. If the column of air is below freezing from the ground to the cloud, the precipitation falls as snow. However, if the precipitation leaves the cloud as rain and falls into an area of cold air, the rain drops freeze into tiny ice pellets known as sleet. It can sometimes get so complicated in our atmosphere that snow flakes will fall from a cloud, melt on the way down and then re-freeze into sleet before hitting the ground. You can tell it's sleet when it hits the ground because it often bounces when it hit. It's also rather "noisy" when it hits, not the gentle quiet of a new fallen snow.
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB
Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB
Posted at 9:39 PM by Storm Team 5
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