Aaron Mentkowski's Blog
The Lockport native grew up in North Tonawanda and, for as long as he can remember, has been fascinated with weather. Growing up in Western New York meant he saw his share of snow storms - and his passion for weather prompted him to pursue a career in meteorology. After graduating from North Tonawanda High School, he attended the University of Buffalo and went on to SUNY Oswego, where he studied Lake Effect Snow patterns and earned a BS in Meteorology.
In his spare time Aaron enjoys playing soccer and ice hockey, and is a First Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. Aaron and his wife Sharon are the proud parents of three young boys.
Fall officially begins on Saturday at 10:49 a.m. and that means the end of one of the warmest summers on record.
In a normal year Buffalo reaches the 80 degree mark 54 times. This year we have hit the 80 degree mark an amazing 79 times. Right now we sit in 3rd place all-time for amount of 80 degree days in a year. The record is 83 times set back in 1949. There is still time we could break or tie the record.
BUFFALO (SINCE 1944)
1 83 1949
2 82 1959
3 79 2012
AVG: 54 DAYS
In a normal year Buffalo reaches the 80 degree mark 54 times. This year we have hit the 80 degree mark an amazing 79 times. Right now we sit in 3rd place all-time for amount of 80 degree days in a year. The record is 83 times set back in 1949. There is still time we could break or tie the record.
BUFFALO (SINCE 1944)
1 83 1949
2 82 1959
3 79 2012
AVG: 54 DAYS
STATS COMPILED FROM THE BUFFALO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETAILING OUR MILD WINTER. THE RECORDS GO BACK 141 YEARS.
SNOWFALL FOR THE SEASON THROUGH FEB 5TH STANDS AT 24.6 INCHES.
NORMAL TO DATE WOULD BE 65.0 INCHES. THIS RANKS AS THE 12TH LEAST ON
RECORD. THE LEAST SNOWY SEASON ON RECORD THROUGH FEB 5TH WAS
1889-1890 WITH 11.9 INCHES. A MORE RECENT YEAR WITH VERY LOW SNOW
WAS 1988-1989 WITH 20.9 INCHES THROUGH FEB 5TH...WHICH RANKS AS 5TH
LEAST ON RECORD.
NUMBER OF DAYS WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND IS A VERY TELLING METRIC ON
WINTER SEVERITY SINCE IT RELATES TO BOTH SNOWFALL AND TEMPERATURE.
THIS YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN 15 DAYS WITH AN INCH OR MORE OF SNOW ON
THE GROUND. THE NORMAL FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON IS 72 DAYS...AND THE
RECORD LOW NUMBER IS 29 DAYS SET BACK IN 1918-19. IF THE PATTERN
CONTINUES THROUGH THE REST OF WINTER AND EARLY SPRING...THE ALL TIME
RECORD MAY BE IN REACH. NOTE THAT SNOW DEPTH DATA IS NOT COMPLETE IN
THE EARLY YEARS OF RECORD...SO THE SNOW DEPTH DATA WAS ANALYZED
SINCE THE WINTER OF 1893-94.
TEMPERATURES HAVE ALSO BEEN VERY MILD MOST OF THE TIME FROM LATE
FALL THROUGH WINTER TO THIS POINT. THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FROM
NOVEMBER 1ST THROUGH FEBRUARY 5TH IS 37.2 DEGREES...WHICH IS ABOUT 6
DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE. THIS RANKS AS THE 2ND WARMEST ON RECORD FOR
THAT STRETCH. THE RECORD WARMEST DURING THAT PERIOD WAS 37.4 DEGREES
SET IN 2001-2002.
SNOWFALL FOR THE SEASON THROUGH FEB 5TH STANDS AT 24.6 INCHES.
NORMAL TO DATE WOULD BE 65.0 INCHES. THIS RANKS AS THE 12TH LEAST ON
RECORD. THE LEAST SNOWY SEASON ON RECORD THROUGH FEB 5TH WAS
1889-1890 WITH 11.9 INCHES. A MORE RECENT YEAR WITH VERY LOW SNOW
WAS 1988-1989 WITH 20.9 INCHES THROUGH FEB 5TH...WHICH RANKS AS 5TH
LEAST ON RECORD.
NUMBER OF DAYS WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND IS A VERY TELLING METRIC ON
WINTER SEVERITY SINCE IT RELATES TO BOTH SNOWFALL AND TEMPERATURE.
THIS YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN 15 DAYS WITH AN INCH OR MORE OF SNOW ON
THE GROUND. THE NORMAL FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON IS 72 DAYS...AND THE
RECORD LOW NUMBER IS 29 DAYS SET BACK IN 1918-19. IF THE PATTERN
CONTINUES THROUGH THE REST OF WINTER AND EARLY SPRING...THE ALL TIME
RECORD MAY BE IN REACH. NOTE THAT SNOW DEPTH DATA IS NOT COMPLETE IN
THE EARLY YEARS OF RECORD...SO THE SNOW DEPTH DATA WAS ANALYZED
SINCE THE WINTER OF 1893-94.
TEMPERATURES HAVE ALSO BEEN VERY MILD MOST OF THE TIME FROM LATE
FALL THROUGH WINTER TO THIS POINT. THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE FROM
NOVEMBER 1ST THROUGH FEBRUARY 5TH IS 37.2 DEGREES...WHICH IS ABOUT 6
DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE. THIS RANKS AS THE 2ND WARMEST ON RECORD FOR
THAT STRETCH. THE RECORD WARMEST DURING THAT PERIOD WAS 37.4 DEGREES
SET IN 2001-2002.
The month of August has been a crazy one. I spent 4 days with the kids on a camping trip at Camp Scouthaven in Allegany County. We had a blast spending time in the woods just enjoying nature. The kids survived the entire trip with no DS or Wii.
After our camping trip it was time for the Erie County Fair. I had the chance to introduce the band Big Time Rush and that was quite an experience. I've been to the Ralph and the HSBC Arena(I mean First Niagara Center) for games and concerts but that was one of the loudest crowds I've ever heard. I was standing on stage and I heard almost nine thousand people screaming and it was LOUD! I spent another week at the fair giving the weather forecast live for the 5 and 6pm news. It's great to meet all the people and I always enjoy my time there. I brought my kids a few times and they fell in love with "I got it". My son one twice, I could not believe it.
After the fair it was to the Kids Day football game. Next I get my stomach ready for Wing Fest and then the kids go back to school. Wow, this summer went by quickly.
After our camping trip it was time for the Erie County Fair. I had the chance to introduce the band Big Time Rush and that was quite an experience. I've been to the Ralph and the HSBC Arena(I mean First Niagara Center) for games and concerts but that was one of the loudest crowds I've ever heard. I was standing on stage and I heard almost nine thousand people screaming and it was LOUD! I spent another week at the fair giving the weather forecast live for the 5 and 6pm news. It's great to meet all the people and I always enjoy my time there. I brought my kids a few times and they fell in love with "I got it". My son one twice, I could not believe it.
After the fair it was to the Kids Day football game. Next I get my stomach ready for Wing Fest and then the kids go back to school. Wow, this summer went by quickly.
What a great summer so far. Plenty of sunshine and temperatures that have been well above normal. After such a soggy spring we're now having to water our lawns and gardens.
For me the summer started with a family vacation. We packed up the minivan and made our way, with friends and family, to the Outer Banks. Had a great time, weather was perfect, water was clear and there was no answering the cell phone or e-mails!
Upon arrival back in Western New York I learned of all of the Sabres free agent signings. Wow, the team I have cheered on for almost 40 years is spending big money and trying to win a Stanley Cup in my lifetime. I know it's 90 degrees outside but I can't wait for hockey.
Before hockey though we have football. When I came to work after vacation I had a new Bills jersey waiting for me on my desk. It was so awesome to have my own jersey with my name on the back. So far this summer has been great, no complaints here. Hope you're enjoying it as well.
For me the summer started with a family vacation. We packed up the minivan and made our way, with friends and family, to the Outer Banks. Had a great time, weather was perfect, water was clear and there was no answering the cell phone or e-mails!
Upon arrival back in Western New York I learned of all of the Sabres free agent signings. Wow, the team I have cheered on for almost 40 years is spending big money and trying to win a Stanley Cup in my lifetime. I know it's 90 degrees outside but I can't wait for hockey.
Before hockey though we have football. When I came to work after vacation I had a new Bills jersey waiting for me on my desk. It was so awesome to have my own jersey with my name on the back. So far this summer has been great, no complaints here. Hope you're enjoying it as well.
I am very blessed to be the father of three wonderful sons. My favorite title in the world is being called dad. I am called many things, meteorologist, professor, coach, but being called dad is the best. In life there are events which you remember that will stay with you forever. One of the best moments of my life was when I first saw the sonogram of our son. I was so nervous to find out if we'd be expecting a boy or a girl. The big moment came and I'll never forget seeing his little fingers and toes on the screen. It was unbelievable the emotions that swept over me when I first met saw my son on that monitor. Several months and an emergency C-section later I held him for the first time. My first son, second son and third son all bring me such joy. I have the pleasure of coaching my sons soccer team, and my other sons hockey team. On this Father's Day I am going to do what I enjoy most, hang out with my three sons. We have a hockey game in the morning followed by two soccer games, maybe a stop for ice cream and I wouldn't have it any other way!
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