Mild winter likely to follow Valley’s warm November

By David Skolnick

Only 0.2 of an inch of snow fell on the Valley last month, but we could see more later this week.

YOUNGSTOWN — When it comes to weather, it was a November to remember.

Last month was the third- warmest November in terms of high temperature and the sixth-driest in the Mahoning Valley’s weather history dating to 1897.

“It’s not been a typical Northeast Ohio winter by any stretch of the imagination,” said Martin Thompson, a hydrometeorlogical technician with the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

The average temperature last month was 46.5 degrees, the third-highest temperature for a November in the Valley. The highest was 51.1 degrees in 1931 followed by 47.7 degrees in 2001.

Last month’s average temperature was 5.8 degrees higher than a typical November, according to National Weather Service statistics.

“The cold air’s been avoiding our area,” Thompson said. “We’ve had little glancing blows, but that’s kept the temperature high and the snowfall to a minimum.”

There was only 0.2 of an inch of snow accumulation last month. A typical November in the Valley averages 4.6 inches of snow.

Overall, there was 0.92 of an inch of precipitation last month, making it the sixth-driest November on record in the Valley.

The long-term winter forecast for the area is a little warmer than average and looks for less snow than average, Thompson said.

Average total winter snowfall in the Valley is 54.4 inches.

But the short-term forecast may not be as pleasant.

There is a “near-100-percent” chance of rain today with temperatures dropping into the upper 30s, Thompson said.

There is the possibility that accumulated snow could fall on the Valley on Thursday and/or Friday, he said.

It might be enough that Valley residents may have to shovel — or there can be no snow at all, Thompson said.

It depends on winds and temperatures, he said.

The high temperature Thursday is supposed to reach only the upper 30s and drop to the upper 20s at night.

The temperatures just get lower as the week goes on.

The high Friday is supposed to be in the lower 30s, and Saturday’s high is to be around 30 degrees Saturday.

The area’s average high temperature for this time of the year is 41 to 42 degrees.

skolnick@vindy.com

NOVEMBER

High temperatures

Last month was the third-warmest November in the Mahoning Valley. Valley temperature records date back to 1897.

1. 51.1 degrees, 1931.

2. 47.7, 2001.

3. 46.5, 2009.

4. 46.1, 1975.

5. 45.5, 1982.

6. 45.4, 1994.

7. 45.2, 1985.

8. 45.2, 1948. (tie)

9. 44.9, 1934.

10. 44.9, 2003. (tie)

Source: National Weather Service