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Tracking the winter ahead

Winter is on the way and if you're already thinking about what could be on the way, the Storm Center 7 team is thinking about it too and forming our winter outlook. This means looking at winters of the past, global patterns and how active our hurricane season was this year.

"When we had that real active hurricane season with Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Wilma, we were actually progressing into a La Nina," said Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs.

WATCH NOW: How to prepare for winter weather

Tracking storms or snow is important and we are the only Miami Valley television station with our own Doppler radar. Live Doppler 7 Radar is a powerful tool that can scan the skies in about a minute. A microwave on average emits about 1000 watts of power but our Baron's radar emits about 350,000 watts. It is located in the center of our area to help the radar beam cover our communities.

Another important tool used during any season is our Weather Camera Network. There are currently 10 cameras placed around the Miami Valley with two more being installed this year.

"They help me verify what I am seeing on radar. They give me ground truth," Vrydaghs said.

During the winter season, traffic problems can pop up at any moment. WHIO-TV and WHIO radio dedicate resources to cover breaking traffic news no matter what time of the year. Sgt. Mark Bowron, a retired Dayton Police Officer, has been covering traffic on the radio and on television for 33 years.

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"When I was on the police department as a uniformed officer, I investigated hundreds of accidents," Bowron explained.

Understanding the law and the area roads are big factors, including the latest technology he uses to monitor emergency traffic. "Rangecast" is the system of police and fire scanners that give real time information he uses for traffic reports.

"I am able to sit here in this chair and listen to almost 10 percent of the police and fire departments in the state of Ohio," said Bowron.

Sgt. Bowron also has access to over 60 ODOT cameras and real time maps. Traffic and weather go together and updating the tools and technology to track each season is a priority and helps the Storm Center 7 team watch our ever-changing Ohio weather.

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