OHIO, USA —
Outlook
Following one of the warmest winters in northwest Ohio history, you might be getting the itch for spring to arrive. The warmer air, sunny skies and all that goes along with it can often take a frustratingly long time to arrive. That will be the case again this year if you’ve got the spring itch. A weather pattern switch will push highs back below normal for at least the next two weeks.
During the month of February, constant winter storms battered the west coast, causing the jet stream to dip across the western U.S. This allows for generally warmer weather for the eastern U.S. during the month, which makes sense given we have had one of the warmest and least snowy February’s on record in our area. That west coast pattern has now broken down and a more traditional flow of air from central Canada has returned to the mid-section of the U.S.
For the next few weeks, avid weather watchers should be watching for frequent breakouts of weak & fast-moving storms crossing the Great Lakes along with generally cool air. When the pattern briefly allows, brighter and more sunny days will likely overachieve on highs as the solar angle reaches higher and higher in the sky each day.
Typical March snow
By March, we’re reaching the tail end of our snow season but that doesn’t mean the month hasn’t been filled with its share of surprises before. In 1993, a 9.3” March snow walloped Toledo with it’s biggest one-day snowstorm in the month’s history. That is far from the normal with the average March reporting only around five inches of snow. Six times in history, Toledo hasn’t reported another measurable snow in March.
Keep in mind this year is still running as the least snowy in our area’s history, especially south of the state border. Through all of last fall and this winter Toledo has only measured 10.7” of snowfall which would be the least recorded in a cold season if no more falls. Right now, the record sits at just over one foot set over 100 years ago in 1919.
Change in daylight
It’s almost time to spring forward! This Sunday, clocks will be adjusted one-hour forward as daylight saving time begins. If you’re one that enjoys rising to the sun, you’ll be frustrated as sunrise will be pushed back an hour from near 6:50 a.m. to near 7:50 a.m.
On the flip side, daylight will last longer into the evening with sunsets next week not happening until after 7:30 p.m. Of course, light can still be seen following the sunset as twilight extends almost another half-hour past 8 p.m. Despite the time change, we’re still quickly gaining daylight each day to the tune of nearly three minutes each day. In just one months time, our sunset will be well past 8 p.m. with a sunrise before 7 a.m. once again.
March is a month of transitions and this year its no different. Between a cooler pattern ahead of the next 1-2 weeks and the time change, we will be feeling lots of variations ahead. Don’t be surprised if you’re body and attitude react in strange ways along with these changes the next few weeks. Take in the sunshine and brighter skies if you’re able when they appear.