Tuesday, February 28, 2012
storm update
its 9:17 and its snowing hard one again. After extremely heavy snow fall this afternoon it switched to rain then sleet now its back to thick wet snow. there about 2.5" on the ground and its still coming down hard. It's 33°F but the snow is falling. The main low pressure system is about to hit us and will probably bring the strongest precipitation of the night. were only about 20 miles from the snow/ wintery mix line so its likely to switch back to sleet ding the night depending on how the air mixes. The wind is out of the east right now indicating colder air that will produce snow.
Tuesdays Weather
Today's Conditions
Temperature: 28°F
Wind: SSE 10 mph gust 13 mph
Dew Point: 26°F
Humidity 93%
Pressure: 28.00" dropping
Well the big one is finally here. The snow started at about 2:30 and began coming down hard for the last two hours. However it's currently not snowing at 4:30. The wind is still coming out of the south east and its bringing warmer moisture rich air with it. the radar maps is indicating the line between snow and sleet is approaching quickly indicating that warm air is almost here and the precipitation will switch shortly.
Theres only about an inch or so of snow and that will probably melt in the next few hours. overall this storm system is quite large and its gaining strenght as the warm air from the south and the moist air to the north swirl together the surface map shows how the wind is interacting with this front. The majority of the precipitation associated with this storm is rain, much of it is south of us where the center of the storm seems to be concentrated. I would say the forecast from yesterday missed the mark. it's not much of a winter storm, and the snow accumulations are not that significant. its become more of an early spring rain shower for Illinois than any thing else. the warm air from the south pushed pretty far north causing this to turn into rain.
Temperature: 28°F
Wind: SSE 10 mph gust 13 mph
Dew Point: 26°F
Humidity 93%
Pressure: 28.00" dropping
Well the big one is finally here. The snow started at about 2:30 and began coming down hard for the last two hours. However it's currently not snowing at 4:30. The wind is still coming out of the south east and its bringing warmer moisture rich air with it. the radar maps is indicating the line between snow and sleet is approaching quickly indicating that warm air is almost here and the precipitation will switch shortly.
Theres only about an inch or so of snow and that will probably melt in the next few hours. overall this storm system is quite large and its gaining strenght as the warm air from the south and the moist air to the north swirl together the surface map shows how the wind is interacting with this front. The majority of the precipitation associated with this storm is rain, much of it is south of us where the center of the storm seems to be concentrated. I would say the forecast from yesterday missed the mark. it's not much of a winter storm, and the snow accumulations are not that significant. its become more of an early spring rain shower for Illinois than any thing else. the warm air from the south pushed pretty far north causing this to turn into rain.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday's Weather
Today’s Conditions
Temperature: 24F
Wind: 14 mph NW gusts 30 mph
Dew Point: 12F
Humidity 62%
Pressure: 30.32" rising
The small area of low pressure that has been sitting over Wisconsin moved out last night and is now over the eastern great lakes area. The pressure continues to rise and give way to a high pressure system coming out of the North West. The skies are beginning to clear there's cumulous nimbus clouds replacing the stratus clouds that contributed to the gloom of yesterday. The satellite shows nice clear skies on the way for the rest of the day.
However there is a huge low pressure system building in the Rocky’s at the moment and will quickly push out the high pressure. This low pressure may turn out to be an exceptionally powerful storm and will be watched closely for the next few days.
The surface data shows what is now a stationary front in the northern Rockys that front is expected to gain strength and move towards us. The data also shows the North West wind pushing out the clouds and keeping the temps relatively cool today.
This forecast model shows the predicted amount of precipitation that can be expected in the next 48 hours. As you can see we are right in the path a significant storm.
This map shows the forecasted pressure systems for the next 48 hours. It's projecting a very intense low pressure system to break away from the Rocky’s and gain strength as it moves toward Minnesota. This low pressure is defiantly going to produce precipitation. It’s course and development will determine just how hard we get hit in Eau Claire. The surface data is showing the driving mechanism behind this storm. If you look at the wind coming out of the gulf it's heading north east, then getting pulled west over the great lakes and in to Canada, then its swirling back though Wisconsin. This air contains a lot of moisture that will provide energy to coming storm. The current relative humidity map also show this. There is very moist air to our north east and west that’s starting to get pulled down towards us. The amount of moisture and the speed at with this happens will have a serious effect on how the storm will develop. We'll have to keep a close eye on all of these factors as this is expected to be the most intense storm of the winter.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday's Weather
Todays Conditions
Temperature: 33°F
Wind: 0 mph SW 18 mph
Dew Point -32°F
Humidity: 5%
Pressure: 29.86" rising
Right now were seeing a rapid pressure change as the pocket of low pressure that has hung out over the state get pushed out by high winds. On the edge of the high pressure system there's a line of snow storms that are developing. The surface data shows swirling wind patterns around the edge of the low pressure. A thick layer of clouds has moved in around the edge of this system as well. It looks like well get a dusting of snow in the next few hours and possibly through the next few days. It almost looks like this low pressure is gaining strenght and might stick around for a while.
Temperature: 33°F
Wind: 0 mph SW 18 mph
Dew Point -32°F
Humidity: 5%
Pressure: 29.86" rising
Right now were seeing a rapid pressure change as the pocket of low pressure that has hung out over the state get pushed out by high winds. On the edge of the high pressure system there's a line of snow storms that are developing. The surface data shows swirling wind patterns around the edge of the low pressure. A thick layer of clouds has moved in around the edge of this system as well. It looks like well get a dusting of snow in the next few hours and possibly through the next few days. It almost looks like this low pressure is gaining strenght and might stick around for a while.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday's Weather
Today’s Conditions
Temperature: 25F
Wind: 0mph Gusts 19mph NNW
Dew Point: 13F
Humidity 63%
Pressure: 30.14"
Today actually felt like a winter day for once. The temps were well below freezing all day. That hasn’t happened in a week or two. The skies were completely cloudless and the flag was dead calm. We’re under a pretty strong high pressure system right now causing the clear skies. However there is a big low pressure system just to our west that will probably bring clouds and precipitation.
Temperature: 25F
Wind: 0mph Gusts 19mph NNW
Dew Point: 13F
Humidity 63%
Pressure: 30.14"
Today actually felt like a winter day for once. The temps were well below freezing all day. That hasn’t happened in a week or two. The skies were completely cloudless and the flag was dead calm. We’re under a pretty strong high pressure system right now causing the clear skies. However there is a big low pressure system just to our west that will probably bring clouds and precipitation.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday's Weather
Temperature: 33F
Wind: 7mph WNW gusts 14 mph
Dew Point: 16F
Humidity: 49%
Pressure: 29.41"
Todays another beautiful warm day, the suns out and the winds are calm making it feel very comfortable in the sun. This morning the skies were completely clear, but cumulous nimbus clouds have begun to move in indicating a low pressure system is coming and probably bringing more clouds with it. As the jet stream continues to push air down from the North West are chances for precipitation increase. Tomorrow we could see some light scattered snow as temps will hover around freezing for the high.
The map of current snow cover does not seem right for February 22nd. Half of Wisconsin and Michigan don’t have snow and large swaths for the northern prairie doesn’t either. This has to be one of the strangest winters in recent memory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)