Beware the Month of March

Today officially marks the last day of meteorological Winter. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that Winter ends at the stroke of midnight. There is a difference between meteorological Winter and astronomical Winter. Astronomical Winter began on December 21 when the Sun was the farthest from the Earth in the Northern Hemisphere. Meteorological Winter, on the other hand, is simply the period of the year when the Northern Hemisphere is the coldest. That lasts from December 1 through the end of February.

Tomorrow is the first day of March, and although it will feel good to turn the calendar page, the month is anything but serene. March is a transition month as Winter slowly yields to Spring. As for our weather, just about anything goes during the month. The best example of the unpredictable nature of March weather is illustrated on the 13th of the month. That's the date when the mercury reached 84 degrees in 1990, establishing records for the season, month, and date.

Just three years later, though, on the same date, the so-called Storm of the Century dumped over a foot of snow to the region, making it the second snowiest date on record for March at the time. Winds gusted over 40 miles an hour and wind chills were at or below zero. Most of the eastern third of the nation was affected by the massive storm, which stretched from Maine to Florida, including hurricane force winds, tornadoes, strong thunderstorms, and blizzard conditions.

And, three years ago, on March 13, 2010, we experienced an unforgettable Nor'easter which brought flooding rains, damaging winds, massive power outages, and two local fatalities. Peak wind gusts reached 50 to 60 miles an hour in most communities, resulting in downed trees and power lines. Many local roads were impassable, and rainfall rates of up to one-half inch per hour were reported across southwestern Connecticut.

So, what can we expect in March? Basically, anything and everything. Based on local climatology, the normal average daily temperature climbs eight degrees from 36 to 44. The average high temperature increases from 43 degrees at the start of March to 52 degrees by the last day of the month. The record high temperature is 84 degrees set on March 13, 1990, while the record low is four degrees established on March 19, 1967.

As far as precipitation is concerned, the average monthly total is 4.15 inches, making it the wettest month of the year. The wettest March on record occurred in 2010 when several storms brought 10.19" of rain, breaking the previous mark of 9.40" in 1953. The March 13, 2010, storm delivered 3.31" of rain. You may even recall the second wettest March day on record when 3.59 inches of rain fell on March 2, 2007. The average monthly snowfall is 4.3 inches, but there have been some memorable snowstorms. As late as March 22 nearly a foot of snow (11.1") fell in 1967.

The amount of daylight continues to grow during March, but this year we Spring ahead to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 10, so the evening hours will be much brighter than usual. Sunrise on March 1 happens at 6:27, and by the end of the month it will rise at 6:37, due in so small part to the start of DST. Believe it or not, the Sun sets at 5:41 this evening, but by March 31 it will set at 7:17. Personally, it will feel odd to have brighter evenings so early in the year. Not that I mind, of course.

The Vernal Equinox is less than three weeks away. Spring officially arrives Thursday, March 20, at 7:02 a.m. EDT. That's the when the direct rays of the Sun are above the Equator, technically marking "equal day and equal night" over the face of the Earth. We'll enjoy about 12 hours of daylight on the first day of Spring, and the amount of daylight will continue to increase through late June.The Full Worm Moon happens March 27 at 5:27 a.m. I'm ready for March!

Paul

Full Snow Moon Happens Monday Evening

You may have noticed how the Moon has been growing --- or waxing --- over the last two weeks. We didn't see much of the Moon the last two nights, but we will be able to see when it reaches Full Moon stage. That happens at 4:26 EST Monday afternoon. The Moon will rise at 4:46 local time this afternoon and sets at 6:01 tomorrow morning.

So, how did the February Full Moon get its name, anyway? Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the North and East most often called February's Full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult.

Remember, Full Moon names date back to the days of the Native Americans, who lived in what is now the Northern and Eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring Full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

This Moon has also been known as the Full Storm Moon and Full Candles Moon. A Full Moon rises at about the same time the Sun is setting. Since the length of daylight continues to grow each day through the Summer Solstice, today's Full Moon will rise a little later than it did in December or January. In addition, this Full Moon will appear still fairly high in the sky since we're still in Winter.

Paul

This Weekend Marks 10th Anniversary of Presidents Day Blizzard

We'll enjoy another mild day under partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 40s this afternoon. That will certainly allow for more snow melt following last weekend's blizzard. The holiday weekend is just about here, and a potential snowstorm Saturday night into Sunday looks as though it will pass just to the East. However, that wasn't the case ten years ago.

This weekend marks the tenth anniversary of the unforgettable Presidents Day Blizzard of 2003. It ranked as the snowiest day on record at the time at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, tying the previous mark of 16 inches established on December 19, 1948, over a half-century ago. In New York's Central Park, where records date back well over a century, the 19.8 inches ranked as the fifth snowiest single day total. The weather map below is from midday February 17, 2003.

The snowfall totals across southwestern Connecticut were impressive. Darien and New Canaan measured the most snow (20 inches), while Westport (19"), Bridgeport (17"), Norwalk (16"), and Milford (15") also posted impressive totals. New Fairfield, in Northern Fairfield County, led the way locally with exactly two feet of snow. Here is the satellite image of the massive storm.

The magnitude of the storm was quite impressive. It spread heavy snow across the major cities in the Northeast from Washington to Boston. In fact, it was the biggest snowstorm on record in Baltimore (28.2") and Boston (27.5"). The storm actually developed in the southern Rockies on February 14 and moved through southern Missouri and the lower Tennessee Valley over the next two days. Eventually, the storm brought heavy rain and severe weather to the deep South.

In the Northeast, Arctic air helped slow down the storm and kept all of the precipitation in the form of snow and some sleet. By late Sunday evening, February 16, the snow reached the New York City area, and by midnight, it was snowing across all of southwestern Connecticut. A secondary area of low pressure developed off the Virginia coast the morning of February 17, turning the Nor'easter into a full-blown blizzard.

I'm often asked how it feels to work during a major storm, from driving into work in the middle of the night to staying on the air for hours at a time. I tell people it's kind of like my version of the Super Bowl or the World Series. I'm on the main stage, and my adreline is flowing all day long. The viewers play a vital role by sending me their weather observations, current conditions, and photos which I use all the time. During a big storm, give me the ball or, in this case, clicker! It's the "big time" for me.

We are watching a coastal storm developing later this weekend, but it appears it will pass to the East Saturday night and Sunday. However, it will become windy and much colder Sunday and Monday. At least we won't have to worry about another blizzard this Presidents Day holiday weekend.

Paul

Despite Deep Snowpack, Subtle Signs of Spring Appear

The Vernal Equinox, or the start of Spring, is less than five weeks away. Spring officially arrives Wednesday, March 20, at 7:02 a.m. EDT. I'm sure just about everybody is ready for a change of seasons after what we've experienced over the last two weeks. The blizzard was the breaking point for many. However, we'll enjoy a couple of fairly nice days before another storm system arrives Saturday, bringing periods of snow and the potential for two-to-four inches of accumulation by Saturday night.

In case you're wondering, we've received over four feet of snow this Winter. Officially, 51.2" of snow has fallen at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford this season. The seasonal snowfall is just about three times the normal (17.1") and well above the 11.6" total through this date last year. Unfortunately, more snow is on the way early this weekend. Here is a photo taken just after sunrise in Bethel this morning.
                                  


However, there are subtle signs that Winter's grip is beginning to lighten its hold on us, albeit slightly. For one, the days are getting longer. In fact, sunrise happened at 6:49 this morning, a half-hour earlier than the 7:19 sunrise on New Year's Day. Sunset is at 5:26 this evening, exactly one hour later than the 4:26 sunset on the first day of Winter. If you're doing the Math, daily sunlight has increased by an hour-and-a-half over the last eight weeks.

Average daily temperatures are slowly beginning to climb, too. Although today's average daytime high (38) and nighttime low (25) are actually one degree colder than the first day of Winter, the mercury will be on the rebound in a hurry. In two weeks, on the last day of February, the average high and low temperatures are 41 and 26 degrees, respectively. Three weeks later, on the first day of Spring, the average high and low are 49 and 34 degrees, respectively.

Believe it or not, Daylight Saving Time starts three weeks from this Sunday. We Spring ahead Sunday morning, March 10, at 2 o'clock. Although an hour of sleep will be lost, the Sun won't set until close to 7 o'clock (6:54 p.m.) that evening. Pitchers and catchers have already reported to Spring training camps in Florida and Arizona. We're slowly getting there.

The countdown is on!

Paul

Comparing the Consequences of the Blizzard of 1978 to the Blizzard of 2013

The blizzards of 1978 and 2013 were historic events which will be remembered by everyone who experienced them. I clearly remember the February blizzard in 1978 when I was a young radio announcer at WNAB in Bridgeport. I was the overnight host and was stranded at the radio station for two days. By contrast, this year, I think the public was much better-prepared for the blizzard due to advanced warnings and ample preparation time.

Although the recent blizzard delivered much more snow to my hometown, the blizzard of 1978 was a far more crippling storm. The blizzard of 1978 brought high-speed winds and 33 straight hours of snowfall, accumulating to almost two feet of snow in Fairfield and the rest of the Northeast. Last Friday’s storm buried Fairfield in 35 inches of snow by Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. By the time the storm arrived Friday morning, most schools had closed and businesses were shutting down early. People were well-prepared and safely arrived at their destinations well before the peak of the storm.

However, 35 years ago, the blizzard hit on a Monday and Tuesday, and the overall impact was much more serious. The dire forecast was deemed unlikely by much of the skeptical public since its arrival was late. Many people went to work and found it almost impossible to get home. The blizzard of 1978 was much more than a paralyzing inconvenience. Ninety-nine people died. Fatalities can happen in any ­disaster, but it is important to learn how and why they happened and then apply the lessons learned to the next storm.

The 1978 blizzard has been studied for decades to determine whether those 99 deaths could have been prevented. Many of the victims were overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning while waiting in their stranded cars. David Stackpole, a police officer at Groton Long Point, said that people "had less warning, and more people/cars (got) stuck. We were isolated a lot longer."

Stackpole added, "So I still feel that although we had less snow (in 1978) than this year, it was more of a crippler for the region in 1978. This year we had tons of warning, and people were prepared. In 1978, we didn't know much, except it was going to snow maybe five inches or so, but no biggie, we thought."

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Further, we didn't have the technology to easily communicate with family, friends, and neighbors 35 years ago. If someone was stranded, it was almost impossible to get help. Nobody had cell phones, the Internet did not exist, and pay phones were the only outlet on the street. People felt isolated and, ultimately, helpless and more fearful.

As a result, I believe the blizzard of 1978 was more deadly and more paralyzing than this year's blizzard. Unfortunately, many streets across the region still remain unplowed as of this morning, and one gentleman in Bridgeport died from an asthma attack when an ambulance couldn't make it through the snow in time to save him. But, when comparing the two historic blizzards, the consequences were much greater in 1978.

Paul

Record-Setting Snowstorm Happened Seven Years Ago Today

Today marks the seventh anniversary of what was a
record-setting snowstorm, Sunday, February 12, 2006. New York City's largest snowstorm ever at the time was classified as a category three major storm. Low pressure formed over the Southeastern United States and moved Northeast off the mid Atlantic coast by Saturday evening, February 11.

The storm then intensified as it moved to the East-Northeast, passing South of Long Island on Sunday morning, February 12. A very intense band of heavy snow developed, producing snowfall rates as high as two-to-four inches an hour across extreme Southeastern New York and across much of Southern New England. Here is a sampling of the official snowfall totals from across southwestern Connecticut following that memorable snowstorm:

• West Redding: 28"
• Easton: 27"
• Stamford: 24.5"
• Darien: 22.5"
• Norwalk: 22"
• New Canaan: 21.5"
• Fairfield: 18"
• Stratford: 13"
• Bridgeport: 12.5"

Here is video of the storm taken in Stamford where two feet of snow fell:



The storm closed regional airports, canceling hundreds of flights and for several hours virtually paralyzing normal traffic for city residents who took to the snow-caked streets in snowshoes and skis. New York municipal authorities had braced for the onslaught. Five-thousand workers at the New York City Department of Sanitation were put in place to use about 2,000 pieces of heavy equipment, including 350 salt spreaders and 20 snow-melting machines.

The National Weather Service said 26.9 inches of snowfall was measured in Central Park, exceeding the previous record of 26.4 inches, set in December 1947. The Winter storm's high winds, icy snow, thunder and lightning hit much of the mid-Atlantic and New England region, with parts of Arkansas and Tennessee also feeling the brunt of the storm.

"It's certainly the strongest storm this winter season," said Bruce Sullivan, an official with the National Weather Service. It hit a fairly large area, with accumulations of more than 20 inches of snow throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Power also was out at thousands of homes and businesses in the New York City metropolitan area, including southwestern Connecticut.

This Sunday, February 17, marks the tenth anniversary of the Presidents Day snowstorm of 2003. That was one of the largest snowstorms in New York City's weather record books, too. I'll take a closer look at that storm later this week. For now, though, enough about snow! We're still digging out from last weekend's blizzard and three feet of snow in some communities across southwestern Connecticut. I think we've had more than enough!

Paul

Historic Snowstorm Delivers Nearly Three Feet to Fairfield

A historic snowstorm dumped nearly three feet of snow in Fairfield and snow drifts of four-to-five feet from Friday, February 8, through Saturday, February 9. The snow began falling just after 7 o'clock Friday morning and became steadier and heavier throughout the day and night. A Blizzard Warning was issued for the entire state, and heavy snow combined with gusty winds to produce near-whiteout conditions Friday night.

By the time all was said and done, it was almost impossible to open my kitchen door and go outside. The snow-level was so high that the door would not open easily. The daunting task of shoveling the snow off the steps, sidewalk, and driveway almost seemed impossible when I stepped outside. I knew that I had to take my time due to the 40-plus mile-an-hour wind gusts, wind chill values in the teens, and my advancing age. After about an hour, I began making progress.

According to the National Weather Service, Fairfield hit the jackpot with the most snow in Fairfield County with 35 inches. However, regionally, Milford topped the list with 38 inches. That's more than the normal amount of snow for the entire Winter season, and nearly twice as much as what we received this season prior to the storm. Last year, less than a foot (11") of snow fell through February 8. The snowiest Winter on record, however, happened 17 years ago when Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford reported 78" from 1995-96. Here's a view of my street from this afternoon.

Here are the totals from the National Weather Service:

• Milford: 38"
• Fairfield: 35"
• Stratford: 33"
• Monroe: 30"
• Bridgeport: 30"
• Weston: 26.5"
• Shelton: 26.5"
• Westport: 24.5"
• Greenwich: 22.5"
• Darien: 22.1"
• Norwalk: 22"
• New Canaan: 22"
• Danbury: 21.5"
• Stamford: 19"
• Newtown: 17.1"
• Bethel: 16"
• Ridgefield: 12"

The storm was the result of a combination of a strong coastal low which moved up the Atlantic seaboard and an approaching front to the North and West. The two systems merged and the storm exploded Friday night. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy closed the state roads, much like the late-Gov. Ella Grasso 35 years earlier during the Blizzard of 1978. A snowplow driver got stuck in the snow in front of my house and abandoned his vehicle Saturday morning. It has been sitting there ever since.

The second part of the storm entered into a colder environment late Friday night and with plenty of moisture it resulted in intense banding and a powdery, wind-driven snow between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. That resulted in snow totals which were much greater than expected. Fortunately, damaging winds and severe coastal flooding issues were not as severe and certainly not as widespread as feared. However, many people lost power.

Meteorologist Geoff Fox took a time-lapse video of the snowstorm from inside looking out at his deck. He wrote, "This time lapse starts just after 6:00 AM and goes past 11:00 PM. It stops because there’s nothing left to see! There are a bunch of web postings saying the GoPro’s battery is only good for 2.5 hours of time lapse. That’s why I plugged it into an AC adapter and propped it up against a glass paneled door to the deck."

 

Looking ahead, milder air will bring rain into the region Monday, and that means flooding concerns. Another system will bring more snow to the region later Wednesday into Thursday, but at this point it doesn't look to be too significant. As for now, I'm still waiting to get my street plowed. Fortunately, I never lost power, so my sons have been able to play their video games and watch television. Stay safe, and try to enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Paul

Today Marks 35th Anniversary of Blizzard of 1978

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Blizzard of 1978. The unforgettable storm was "born" on February 5, 1978, with the merger of a Canadian high-pressure system to the North and a dense mass of low pressure off the Carolina coast. It will be remembered as one of the most destructive storms in recent memory.

What do I most remember about the blizzard? Connecticut's late Governor Ella Grasso closed all state highways due to the heavy snow; local schools were closed for several days; my next-door neighbor lost his car keys in a snow drift and didn't find them until the Spring; and I worked two straight days at WNAB where I had just landed my first radio job as the overnight announcer a half-year earlier.

The station program director, the late Tiny Markle, called me early in the day and asked me to prepare to work a 24-hour shift. Naturally, I was thrilled, but it took awhile packing my belongings for the trip to East Washington Avenue in Bridgeport. I watched as over two feet of snow fell, and the experience punctuated my fascination for weather.



As for the powerful storm, during its peak, strong winds reached speeds of 86 miles per hour with gusts of 111 miles per hour during its peak. The lowest central air pressure was 980 millibars, which made the storm comparable to a strong Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.



Arriving at the time of a new Moon, the storm produced heavy coastal flooding along the New England shoreline. Beachfront homes were washed away due to strong winds and coastal flooding. More than 1,700 homes suffered major damage or were destroyed, and 39,000 people took refuge in emergency shelters. Federal disaster assistance totaled $202 million.

Snow fell at a rate of four inches an hour at times during the storm, which lasted for 36 hours. The unusual duration of the 1978 Nor’easter was caused by the Canadian high, which forced the storm to loop East and then back toward the North. Thunder, lightning, and hail were seen in the blizzard as it blanketed the Northeast with over three feet of snow. Drifts in parts of New England were reported to be 15 feet deep.

Traffic came to a standstill as major corridors like I-95 shut down. During the storm several people died on Route 128 around Boston from asphyxiation, since snow had blocked the tailpipes of their idling automobiles. In New York City, skiers could be seen sliding up Fifth Avenue.



So today, as we look ahead to what could be a significant storm by the end of the week, I'll think back 35 years ago to the most destructive storm in recent memory. I will never forget the Blizzard of 1978.

Paul

Happy National Weatherperson's Day

Although I've never been an umpire or referee, I think I know what it must feel like. It's been said that nobody ever notices the umpire when he does a fine job. However, when the ump makes a bad call, everybody's on his back. You see, I have been forecasting the weather for southwestern Connecticut on television and radio over the last 20-plus years. I never hear a word from anybody when the forecast is "right on the money." But, if my forecast is off the mark, the phone doesn't stop ringing and the emails keep coming.

Today is National Weatherperson's Day. It's the one day during the year to acknowledge the work of weather forecasters across our country. The day commemorates the birth of John Jeffries in 1744. Jeffries was one of America's first weather observers. He actually began taking daily weather observations in Boston in 1774, and he took the first balloon observation in 1784.
 

Jeffries was an American physician and scientist who pioneered the use of balloons in scientific observation. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge in 1763 and studied medicine in Boston and abroad. After receiving his medical degree from Marischal College in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1769, Jeffries returned to Boston and practiced medicine there until 1771.

Much to the chagrin of this modern-day weather forecaster, Jeffries supported England during the American Revolution. He served on British naval vessels and in British military hospitals, and he fought alongside British troops in the final campaign of the war. After the war, he moved to England and resumed practicing medicine.

Jeffries became interested in the possibility of using balloons to observe the upper winds and the atmosphere at various altitudes. On November 30, 1784, Jeffries and French aeronaut Jean Pierre Blanchard made an ascent from London, reaching a height of 9309 feet and taking a series of air samples.

A few weeks later, on January 7, 1785, they made the first aerial crossing of the English Channel, traveling in a balloon from Dover to the Forest of Guines, near Calais. Jeffries paid all expenses for the two ascents and provided a number of the best available observational instruments, including a thermometer, a barometer, an electrometer, a hygrometer, and containers of distilled water. The air samples taken on the first ascent were the first scientific data ever obtained from these altitudes.

Many of us take weather information for granted. Turn on a light switch, you get light. Turn on your television or radio, or check a web site, and you get the weather forecast. It’s easy to forget that around the clock, dedicated meteorologists and weathercasters are creating forecasts to help you plan your day and issuing warnings to help keep you safe.

I wake up at 2:15 every morning, and I'm generally in the office by 3:15. People always ask me why I arrive so early if we don't go on the air until 5:00. Believe me, it takes at least two hours to pour over the meteorological data, create customized graphics, write a weather discussion for the News 12 Connecticut Web site, begin working on a blog entry, and type the forecast for the info bar on the bottom of the screen. Despite what many people think, I just can't "look out the window."

For me, though, it's a labor of love. I often tell people, when you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Happy National Weatherperson's Day!

Paul

Phil Predicts Early Spring, but February Weather Can Be Brutal

Another huge crowd gathered at Gobbler's Nob this morning awaiting word from Punxsutawney Phil as to whether or not there will be six more weeks of Winter. Phil didn't disappoint. He did not see his shadow, meaning that we'll have an early Spring. This has been an active Winter season thus far, punctuated by the violent weather which arrived early Thursday morning. The midpoint of Winter, by the way, is this Monday, February 4, marking 45 days since the Winter Solstice and 45 days until the Vernal Equinox.



As for February, it brings an average of 7.2 inches of snow locally, trailing only January as the snowiest month of the year based on 40 years of climatology. There have been a couple of memorable snowstorms in February, including the 16-inch President's Day blizzard, Monday, February 17, 2003. That still stands as the snowiest February day on record. Other impressive snowstorms next month include the 15.9 inch storm on February 9, 1969, and 13 inches of snow on February 16, 1958. There were three other snowstorms with at least a foot of snow, most recently the 12.5 inches which fell on February 12, 2006.

The average daily temperatures begin to slowly climb during February, from a mean of 30 on February 1 to a mean of 35 by the end of the month. The average daily high temperature jumps from 37 to 41 degrees, and the average overnight low temperature increases from 23 to 28. The coldest February day on record across southwestern Connecticut was five degrees below zero on February 8, 1963. The mercury fell to three degrees below zero on February 2, 1961.

There have been several mild days in February, too. The warmest temperature ever recorded during the month was 67 degrees, established three times, most recently on February 27, 1997. There have been 12 dates in February on which the mercury reached at least 60 degrees, including 62 degrees, February 1, 2012. The warmest February on record locally happened in 1997 when the average temperature was 37.3 degrees.

On the flip side, the coldest February on record happened in 1978 when the average temperature was only 24.1 degrees. That was also the year of the famous blizzard when nearly a foot of snow fell on February 6, and the late-Governor Ella Grasso effectively "closed the state" due to the heavy snow and icy roadways.

The amount of daily sunshine continues to increase throughout the month. Today, for example, we enjoy a little more than 10 hours of daylight. However, by the last day of the month, the Sun is out for 11 hours and 16 minutes. That's an increase of one hour and 12 minutes! In fact, the Sun sets at 5:09 tomorrow afternoon, but it doesn't drop below the horizon until 5:42 on February 28. Sunrise also happens earlier throughout the month. The Sun appeared at 7:04 this morning, but it rises over a half-hour earlier (6:27) by the last day of the month!

Can Spring be far behind?

Paul

Warmer & Drier-Than-Normal January

Despite some brutally cold weather during the latter half of the month, January was warmer and drier-than-normal in southwestern Connecticut. The average temperature last month was 32.8 degrees, which is 2.7 degrees above normal. We received exactly two inches of precipitation, well below the 3.10" normal. Nearly five inches of snow (4.7") fell last month.

All but one of the last 24 months have been warmer-than-normal at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. The only month which was colder-than-normal was last November, when the average temperature of 42.7 degrees was 2.8 degrees below the normal average. Last month, only two of the first 17 days featured temperatures below normal. In fact, during one five-day stretch from January 10 through January 14, the average daily temperature each day was 11, 7, 14, 13, and 17 degrees above normal, respectively.

It was a different story the second half of the month, however. Much colder air arrived by January 22, and the average daily temperature was 10 to 14 degrees below normal from January 22 through January 25. In fact, the average daily temperature was below normal for eight straight days from January 21 through January 28. The last three days, however, were featured average daily temperatures of 5, 16, and 14 degrees above normal, respectively.

The warmest temperature last month was 58 degrees on January 31, which happened at 4:36 a.m.prior to the arrival of a powerful cold front. That brought near-hurricane force winds winds, a 61-mph gust, power outages, and damage to buildings, including the roof at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. The coldest temperature last month was eight degrees exactly one week earlier, January 24. There were eight days with a maximum temperature of of 32 degrees or below and 26 days with a minimum temperature of 32 degrees or below.

There were just nine days with measured precipitation last month. The first 10 days only had a trace of precipitation (January 6). Five of the next six days, though, delivered measured precipitation, including 0.56" of liquid precipitation and 3.5" of snow January 16. The next eight days didn't have any measured precipitation, save for a trace of snow on January 21. Then, four of the last eight days of January had precipitation, including a half-inch of snow January 25 and 0.7" of snow January 28.

February is beginning on a chilly note. Daytime temperatures should stay in the 30s through the middle of next week. Nighttime lows will drop close to 20 degrees. Snow is expected to develop Saturday night and continue into Sunday, possibly mixing with rain along the immediate shoreline. Two-to-three inches are possible by Sunday night. More snow is possible later Tuesday into Wednesday.

Have a good weekend.

Paul