Weather Watchers

Ben’s Weather Blog

The blast of wintry weather that turned rain to snow Saturday afternoon is only the initial volley of cold air heading south from Canada. Lake-effect and lake enahnced snow showers are numerous but not a threat to accumulate in Central Ohio. However, areas to the northwest had their first measurable snow Saturday as low pressure tracked up the spine of the Appalachians. Brisk winds knocked wind chills into the 20s, making it feel more like December.

A northwest flow is usually relatively dry away from the lakes, so this pattern will not result in any significant storms this week. Swings in the temperature will reflect a smoothing of the jet stream flow that should become more westerly for a time in the middle part of the week. Mid-November is also the start of the cloudiest portion of our year, so get ready to start longing for the warm rays of sunshine we enjoyed the first week of th month. Cold air crossing over the warmer lakes is responsible for much of the cloudiness.

Dear Ben,

My classmates and I are doing research for this year’s First LEGO League project. This year’s theme is Climate Connections.

My team has decided to gather information about how the climate affects the growing season in Ohio. It seems to us that both temperature and precipitation factors are changing and we think this is causing farmers and growers a problem. Now we need the information to either verify what we think or prove us wrong.

Can you give us some direction or put us in contact with someone who can. We are require to do research and talk to experts. If you can help us, we would love to talk to you.

Sincerely,
Abbey

Good Morning Ben,
I’m hoping you can help us with a question we have.  Currently we are planning to visit our son and his family in Atlanta for Thanksgiving.  Our concern is that we are planning to drive our RV ( a 39 ft. diesel pusher).  I am very concerned about driving through the mountains in Kentucky and Tennessee.  Are there any predictions of snow for Rt. 75 South for next week.  I really don’t want to drive that thing in deep snow in the mountains.
Thanks,
Jim Cooper

Hi Ben!  I am getting married on the 29th of November, and I am increasingly getting concerned about the forecast, can you give me any of your expert advice as to what I should plan for?  Thanks!! :) -Stephanie Frantz