Temperature extremes

Record high temperatures in Akron, Ohio after 126 years

the Watchers,

4 February, 2016

While other parts of US are covered in a thick snow blanket, record warmth wrapped the city of Akron in Ohio. The winter, in general, appears to be milder than usual with thinner layers of snow making it seem rather wet, according to local residents.

Temperatures of 16.7 °C (62 °F) have been reported in the afternoon hours of February 3, 2016, setting a new record after 126 years. An old record measured 13.9 °C (57 °F) on February 3, 1890.

"This whole winter has just been wet," said Colin Batu, a local worker whose job is to watch over people skating on ice. Instead of wearing the usual skates, on the record warm day he chose thick-soled sneakers to keep his toes dry, instead.

Despite the weather the ski conditions are still pretty good, according to Batu, as a deep snow base covers the slopes while the warm temperatures create a smooth, although wet, surface.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), during an average winter 59.4 cm (23.4 inches) of snowfall would blanket Akron by February. However, this year, the area is 43.3 cm (17.1 inches) of snow off that mark.

NWS has forecast snow wind gusts for February 4 with highest temperatures only around -1 °C (30 °F), warmer conditions are expected to settle in by the end of the coming weekend with temperatures of about 4.4 °C (40 °F) accompanied by some occasional sunshine