Weather Outside Your Window: February 2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

UK: Record warmth to be washed away by weekend downpours

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Several all-time records were scattered across the United Kingdom in the past week as unprecedented warmth dominated the country.

Scotland set a new record for highest February high temperature and highest daily minimum temperature during the recent warm spell.

The records continued to fall on Monday and Tuesday as the U.K. set a new February maximum temperature both days.

The new record is 21.2 C (70.2 F), which was set in Kew Gardens in southwestern London on Tuesday afternoon.

The recent warm weather has helped fuel multiple wildfires, including a blaze that damaged parts of East Sussex’s Ashdown Forest, which is the inspiration for the fictional Hundred Acre Wood in the classic "Winnie the Pooh" books, according to the Associated Press.

Big changes are on the way as the warmth will be replaced by cooler, wet and windy weather in the coming days.

Even as cooler air arrives, temperatures in most places will remain above average through the weekend.

The weather will continue to turn more unsettled for the weekend as a pair of storms bring rounds of rain, strong winds and another push of cool air to the entire U.K.

Rain will spread into Northern Ireland Friday afternoon before dampening the rest of the country Friday night.

Rain will continue to fall, heavy at times on Saturday. The rain will be accompanied by cold winds on Saturday with widespread wind gusts of 40-50 mph (65-80 km/h). In some locations in Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, wind gusts could exceed 60 mph (97 km/h) from midday into the evening.

Rain and wind will continue to be a concern across Wales and southern England on Sunday as another storm system strikes the region.

The heaviest rain is expected during the afternoon and continue into Sunday night, when another round of strong winds will batter parts of southern England and Wales.

Wind gusts with this second storm later Sunday and Sunday night will likely be stronger than the first storm.

Chilly, showery weather will prevail elsewhere across the U.K. In fact, it will be cold enough for snow to fall across the higher terrain of Scotland and far northern England on Saturday night and Sunday.

The potential exists for either of these storms to strengthen into a named windstorm, bringing significant impacts to the region.

Impacts ranging from travel disruptions to power outages and tree damage are possible.

The change to cooler and unsettled weather will continue into next week across the U.K. Another potential windstorm will bring another round of wind and rain from Tuesday into Wednesday.

Download the free AccuWeather app to see when rainy conditions are next expected in your area.

Family opens up for 1st time about popular TV meteorologist's suicide and what they believe led to the tragedy

By John Roach, AccuWeather staff writer

The family of popular Detroit meteorologist Jessica Starr blames her December suicide on complications from corrective laser eye surgery.

The Fox 2 meteorologist’s husband Dan Rose and mother Carol Starr spoke to Good Morning America Wednesday -- the first time the family has spoken publicly since her tragic death.

“There was nothing else that we can attribute it to,” Rose told ABC News’ Paula Faris.

“She really knew something was not right within a matter of days,” Rose said. “She started to complain of incredibly dry eyes. She had almost no night vision. She had starbursts that she was seeing during the day and at night."

In a separate interview with Fox 2 Detroit that aired on Wednesday, Rose elaborated on the aftermath of Starr's death and how he's handled explaining the tragedy to his young children. "They're trying to figure out what happened and where she's at. She was here one day and she was gone the next," Rose explained to Fox 2 anchor Roop Rajh. "We've had conversations about Jessica being in heaven and no longer being with us."

Starr, 35, underwent a procedure called small incision lenticule extraction, or SMILE. Doctors use a laser to make a very small opening on the eye to remove a layer of tissue within the cornea to change its shape and correct nearsightedness, Good Morning America noted.

More than 1.5 million people have undergone the procedure, which the FDA approved in 2016.

Starr herself had posted several videos in the weeks following her mid-October operation, complaining about her post-surgery difficulties. In one video, Starr said, “I just want to get back to my normal life. Right now, I’m not living my normal life.”

(Photo/Fox 2)

Her post-surgery absence from the air was noticed by Detroit viewers. “She was so blown away at the reaction by fans on social media on where she was,” said Fox 2 anchor Jay Towers on air following her suicide. “One of the things about television, sometimes the reaction is a little delayed, it takes you a couple days to realize something has changed, something is different. But I remember her standing at the desk with us before we went on the air and she said, ‘I cannot believe how many people are asking where I am.’ And I know that she felt love from this audience in Detroit.”

Starr, the mother of two young children, confided her concerns to her mother. “I kept saying, ‘Are you eating? Are you OK?’” recalled Carol Starr, who said her daughter lost 25 pounds. “And she said, ‘I’m not eating and I’m not sleeping, Mom. This is worrying me. I don’t think it’s gonna get better.’”

In mid-November, Starr posted a video in which she said, “I am back, but I’m still struggling a little bit…. I had the surgery four weeks ago … and the vision is getting there. I have a tad side of dry eyes, so I have to use a lot of (eye) drops. When the drops are in, I can see pretty clearly, but then they fade pretty quickly.

“But I’m happy to be back at work because I’ve been home and I’m ready to get back to my life…. I’ll be on the 9 (o’clock show) doing the weather today…. I am struggling still a little bit so I do need all the prayers and the well wishes because it’s a hard go and the doctors say it could take up to three months or so before I feel 100 percent again.”

However, the next day, Nov. 14, Starr tweeted, “Update; yesterday was a struggle for me. I really wanted to come back but I need more time to recover. Please keep me in your thoughts during this challenging time. Will keep you updated.”

It was Starr’s last tweet. She took her own life on Dec. 12, two months after the surgery.

Less than a month later, Starr was gone, a tragedy that jolted TV viewers in the Detroit area, left colleagues heartbroken and sent shockwaves through the TV meteorology world. In the days following Starr's death, Fox 2 posted a video tribute to the beloved broadcasteron social media, a memorial that has amassed more than 1.1 million views. Below, watch the full report on Starr and her family from Good Morning America.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.

Pair of storms to lash western Europe with rain and wind from Sunday into next week

By Brian Thompson , AccuWeather meteorologist

Following a largely dry and warm weather pattern across western Europe over the past couple of weeks, a few rounds of rain and wind will move through from Sunday into next week.

Clear skies over Europe this week ahead of the active weather pattern. (Photo/NOAA)

On the heels of a storm that will bring heavy rain and strong winds to the United Kingdom on Saturday, another storm will track farther south from late Sunday into Monday, spreading the rain and wind threat more to the south and east.

Despite the storm track shifting to the south, southern England and Wales will still be impacted by rain and wind by this storm.

The highest wind gusts from Sunday night into Monday are expected to be across northern France, northwestern Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Peak wind gusts will largely be in the 40-60 mph (65-95 km/h) range.

Wind gusts of this intensity will have the potential to bring down trees and cause power outages. Transportation delays are also possible.

“Those planning to travel across the English Channel by ferry should prepare for delays due to strong winds and rough seas,” AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Roys said.

The storm’s track will stir up the North Sea and could have impacts downstream into Denmark and Germany, especially along west-facing shores.

“Flooding in Hamburg will be a concern on Monday as strong westerly winds push water from the North Sea eastward toward the city,” Roys said.

After a brief break with scattered showers and less wind on Tuesday, yet another storm will move into the British Isles on Tuesday night, and it is expected to follow a similar track northeastward into the North Sea from Wednesday night into Thursday.

The same areas impacted by the storm on Sunday and Monday will likely see more rain and wind by midweek. Wind gusts over 50 mph are possible.

Between the two storms, rainfall amounts from France northeastward through Germany and Denmark will mostly be between 1 and 3 inches (25 and 75 mm), with locally higher amounts possible. The heaviest rain will fall across the higher elevations.

While this rain will be spread out over a period of several days, some localized flooding is possible, especially in areas of poor drainage.

The stormy pattern may continue through the end of next week.

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay up-to-date on when the heaviest rain and strongest winds might next impact your area.

Snowy episodes, slippery travel to precede major Sunday to Monday storm in northeastern US

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Before a large wintry storm ends the weekend and starts the new week, episodes of snow are likely to pester travelers from late Thursday night to Saturday in part of the northeastern United States.

Motorists venturing along portions of Interstate highways 64, 68, 70, 78, 79, 80, 81 and 95 should monitor the forecast at various points along their journey for periodic adverse weather conditions through this weekend.

Download the free AccuWeather app to see whether wintry weather or rain is predicted for your location.

Police attend to a multiple vehicle accident on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C., as a winter snow storm hit the nation's capital on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

As many as three weak storms may drift across the Northeast through Saturday night.

While the storms into Saturday night may be weak, the air may be cold enough to squeeze out a moderate amount of snow or enough to shovel and plow. However, even a half an inch of snow that occurs during the nighttime and early morning hours can be enough to coat roads and sidewalks and create slippery conditions.

In some cases, precipitation from one storm may blend with the next, due to the close proximity to each other.

First storm to track from Ohio Valley to mid-Atlantic coast

AccuWeather meteorologists predict that a swath of accumulating snow and some sleet will continue to progress eastward across the Ohio Valley into Thursday evening. Areas from central and southern Missouri to the central and southern portions of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, as well as northern Kentucky and northwestern West Virginia can expect a coating to an inch or two.

As this weak storm encounters the central Appalachians and eventually some moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, snowfall amounts are likely to trend upward and the overall swath of snow may broaden over northeastern West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, northern Virginia, northern Delaware, New Jersey and southeastern New York state late Thursday night to Friday night.

"In this swath that covers part of the central Appalachians and the upper mid-Atlantic coast, a zone of 2-4 inches of snow is forecast, where little or no sleet mixes in," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.

A few spots near the Mason-Dixon Line have the potential to receive an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 6 inches.

"At this time, it appears this first batch of accumulating snow is not likely to reach much of southern New England," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brian Wimer.

Second storm to sneak in Friday night; Exit on Saturday

The second batch of snow is likely to develop over the mountains of West Virginia and western Virginia late Friday and Friday night and extend east-northeastward across the upper mid-Atlantic coast and southeastern New England on Saturday.

While up to a few inches of snow may accumulate as far to the north as southern and eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, the amount of accumulation may be negated by near- or above-freezing temperatures along the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coasts.

Some paved surfaces that have been treated with ice-melting compounds may be just wet as a result.

However, during early March, where snow falls at night or a moderate to heavy pace during the day, road surface temperatures cool enough to allow snow and slush to accumulate.

"There is a chance this second feature may strengthen at the last minute and try to produce a period of moderate snow from coastal New Jersey and Long Island, New York, to the immediate southern coast of New England for a time, before the storm heads out to sea on Saturday," Wimer said.

Third storm to fade over northern tier

The third storm may only be a mere ripple in the atmosphere across the northern tier.

However, as this feature drifts eastward from the Great Lakes on Saturday to the interior Northeast during Saturday night, a few places from Michigan to upstate New York to central and northern New England may receive a coating to an inch of snow.

This same feature is forecast to bring a light to moderate snowfall over the Upper Midwest during Friday and Friday night.

Major storm waits in the wings to end the weekend, start new week

The large storm scheduled to affect the Ohio Valley on Sunday and the Northeast during Sunday night to early Monday will move along at a fast pace.

However, a heavy snowfall on the order of 6-12 inches is likely north and west of the storm track with major travel disruptions. For parts of the Midwest and central Appalachians, this may end up being the biggest snowfall of the winter.

How cold weather affects your car's battery

By Amanda Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Winter temperatures can take a toll on your car’s battery, forcing it to work overtime during cold conditions.

Your car’s battery is essential to getting you moving, making care and preservation imperative for ensuring no one gets stranded in a car that won’t start during winter.

The battery is responsible for powering all electrical elements of a vehicle, with the primary role of sending power to the starter motor to start the engine.

According to NAPA Auto Parts, a car battery gets drastically more worn from winter temperatures. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a car battery loses about 35 percent of its strength. At 0 F, a car battery loses about 60 percent of its strength.

Operating at reduced strength, a car’s battery is tasked with powering the car’s entire electrical system, this including vital electrical engine control systems. During the winter, the engine’s motor oil becomes thicker, thus the battery needs to supply enough power to the starter motor to turn the engine over in that thicker, heavier environment.

A car’s engine is already daunting enough for a cold battery, although when adding up all other accessories that are being run by the car throughout the winter it’s more likely to send the battery over the edge.

Consider the constant need to blast the heat, the increased use of headlights during shorter winter days, a greater use in windshield wipers fighting road grim and the extended use of car chargers from accelerated phone battery loss. Failure to power these things down then tasks the battery with powering them on again.

Firestone Complete Auto Care helped to provide AccuWeather with a comprehensive list of simple and inexpensive measures to take during the winter to better protect your battery and yourself:

Eliminate human error

Power off all car accessories when the engine is not running.
Ensure interior car lights are all off before exiting the vehicle.

Keep battery clean

Perform periodic corrosion checks, and if you see corrosion, scrub it off with a baking soda and water solution.
Make sure the battery is tightly fastened, especially if you drive on bumpy roads.

Maintain a warm battery

When possible, store a car in a garage.
Consider purchasing a Battery Blanket that you can install around your car battery to provide extra warmth.

Get routine maintenance in the fall

The heat of the summer can also negatively affect your battery and alternator, making you more vulnerable to problems during the winter.

When it becomes time to replace your battery, make sure that you are installing a new battery with a cold cranking amp (CCA) rating that matches your vehicle manufacturer's suggested rating. It is also important to get your battery replaced every three to five years.

For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready.

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