August Review, September Outlook

August 2012 Summary
Avg High (°F)	Avg Low (°F)	Total Precip (in)
79	60	3.11
Average Values
Avg High (°F)	Avg Low (°F)	Total Precip (in)
78	59	3.6
Difference
Avg High (°F)	Avg Low (°F)	Total Precip (in)
1	1	-0.49

We were one degree warmer for the average high and low for August and 0.49 inches below the average for precipitation. 

September Outlook: 

According tot he CPC, we have a good chance of being above average for temperatures and about normal for precipitation. 

September Averages

High Temp: 72°
Low Temp: 52°
Precip:  4.26"

Add caption

Temperature outlook for September.
Image: CPC

Precipitation Outlook for September.
Image: CPC

8/31 Kickoff Forecast

Once In A Blue Moon....

August 31st will host a "Blue Moon", an occurrence that actually isn't that rare. Blue Moon's occur just about every three years with the next one expected in 2015.  So you are probably thinking, if they aren't that rare then why have I never seen a "Blue" moon. Well a "Blue" moon actually doesn't refer to color. A Blue Moon is the 2nd full moon in a month and there is the old saying....Once In A Blue Moon. Normally each month has one full moon. August 1st displayed the first full moon of the month and now August 31st will display the second full moon which is considered the Blue Moon. However, the moon can take on many colors including blue but it all depends on the particles int he air and how light is being reflected. So even though you probably won't see a "Blue" moon this Friday, you will be witnessing a "Blue Moon".  Maybe someday you will get the chance to see a moon that is actually Blue.

Winter Outlooks Being Released

Yes. It is getting there. The snow season is approaching whether you like it or not. The recent weather pattern is starting to give the air a more Autumn feel and the snow will start flying sooner than later. So to send your summer off on a good note, one of AccuWeather's Meteorologists has released a winter outlook so you can begin preparing for the upcoming winter.  Enough of the warm sunny days, it's time to dust off the snow blower that you barely used last year and start prepping for the good ole NW PA winter season.

Typical winter weather due to weak to moderate
El Nino conditions.
Image: AccuWeather

One of the main features that will be affecting our winter here will be El Nino/La Nina. Both have to do with the temperature of the water in the equatorial Pacific and  with El Nino referring to warmer than average water temperatures and La Nina referring to cooler than average water temperatures.  Both have an impact here in the U.S. because the temperature of the water ultimately affects the jet stream and weather patterns.  It is expected that a weak to moderate El Nino will be in effect in the Fall and will continue into the winter. 

AccuWeather's recent winter outlook.
Image: AccuWeather.

Typically, a weak El Nino weather pattern brings slightly below average temperatures here in our region with near average precipitation.  The temperature and precipitation anomalies for a weak El Nino are pictured below. AccuWeather has left us out of any "forecast" so I'm assuming they are predicting near average for precipitation and temperature for our area. 

Our area is slightly below average in temperature from
Nov to Mar during a "weak El Nino".
Image: NOAA

Our area is near average in precipitation from
Nov to Mar during a "weak El Nino".
Image: NOAA

Area Snowfall totals from 2011-2012.

This is the first winter outlook that I've seen so far. I'll keep checking.  Usually the Farmers Almanac and Weather Channel release winter outlooks. Also, I'm sure AccuWeather will release another one as well.  Here is last year's weak snowfall totals around the area: 

Fair Forecast

CrawfordWeather.com is pleased to announce that it will be doing Weather Forecasts for the week of the Crawford County Fair.  Make sure to check out these daily forecasts at our Fair Forecast Page.

You will also find current conditions near the fairgrounds as well as other valuable weather information regarding the fair.

I've also compiled a spreadsheet that has 10 years worth of weather data from Meadville during Fair weeks.  It is definitely worth checking out. See what the average temperature and precipitation is for the week, and even for each day.  Here is a summary:

The full spreadsheet can be downloaded HERE. 

Thursday's Storm Pictures

Thursday turned out to be a fairly eventful day as some storms rolled through the area again.  Many users sent in pictures of shelf clouds on Facebook and through e-mail. I will share them with you on here.  Thanks for all the pictures!  CrawfordWeather.com loves pictures so if you have any type of weather related picture, don't hesitate to send it to jordan@crawfordweather.com or post it on our Facebook or Twitter pages.  Please include the location and date of the picture.  These pictures are from Thursday August 9th.

Fran Myers-Morris
Woodcock Township
Taken in the evening

Laural Taylor Orosz
Conneautville, PA

Erin Fisher
Cherrytree, PA

Fran Myers-Morris
Woodcock Township
10:15 AM

 

Matt Dailey
Townville, PA

Julie Barton
Saegertown, PA

Julie Barton
Saegertown, PA

Sent in by Jenna Schelenberger
H&H Hardware Saegertown, PA

Tristen Jean Grindstaff
Baldwin Street Meadville, PA

Tristen Jean Grindstaff
Baldwin Street Meadville, PA

Townville, PA

Shelf Cloud Pictures 8/8

Wednesday saw a few storms roll through the area. One in particular prompted a severe thunderstorm warning for Western Crawford, a flood warning for much of Crawford County, and even produced some neat clouds including a shelf cloud. Here are some shelf cloud pictures. 

Shelf cloud approaching Townville in Eastern Crawford County.

E Lisa Froncillo-Bower
East of Meadville
8/8

Shelf cloud before reaching Townville. Taken near
Lyona Rd/Rt. 408.
Photo taken by Erica Meabon.

If you have any weather pictures, please send them to jordan@crawfordweather.com and I'll post them on my blog, facebook, and/or twitter!