Another nice day in the Valley!!! Hopefully all the snow will be gone after today!!

Today's forecast calls for a high of 79F. The current temperature is at 44F with clear suuny skies. Humidity is at 89% with a dew point of 44F. Winds will remain calm for the day coming from the S around 0-5 mph. Normally we would expect some form of precipitation with a south wind. However, because we have high pressure systems located near us and no merging jet streams over us we can expect clear skies for the day.

The high pressure system is allowing our region to warm up!!



It's been warmning up in our region the last couple days. Last week we experienced a pretty intense precipitation event in the form of wet, heavy snowfall. This was due to the jet stream pattern. Cold air was being brought down from north and warm air was being brought up from the south. The colliding of those two air masses proved wicked for our region.

As of yesterday, weather conditions have been warming up. Yesterday's high was 67F with partly cloudy skies.

Today is even warmer with the high reaching 73F and feeling like 73F. Todays humidity is at 23% with a dew point of 33F. Wind is coming from the WNW at 2mph. The barometric reading is at 33.05 in. Looking at the surface map below we can see conditions are due to the high pressure system located in MN. A high pressure system indicates clear skies and no forms of precipitation. This is creating clear skies that are allowing the solar raditation to warm us up.

 

Looking at the jet stream map we can see we are no longer in the midst of the colliding air masses we were under last week.



Tomorrow is forecasted to be another nice day with sunny skies and highs around 73F!

OMG!!! The weekend was soooo nice and has through today....but.....it's WI...soooo you never know what's around the corner

It's sure been warming up outside!! YIPPY!! Today's high is expected to reach 75F. The current temperature is at 70F and feels like 70F. Humidity is at 66%, with a dew point of 57F. The barometric pressure is at 29.51in. Well seems like a pretty nice day...right?  Well, looking at the barometric pressure we can see that's it's down in the 29's which indicates low pressure moving in, and as we know low pressure indicates stormy conditions.

Looking at the surface map we can see a low pressure system located in northern MN with a cold front moving in throught the center of MN. Also, looking at the wind map below the surface map we can see winds are moving into WI from the S. By looking at both of these we know we have precipitation moving in. This is because a cold front has cold air coming in from behind and warm air in front of it. We already know this will cause the warm air to rise and condense, creating precipitation of some sort. However, seeing that wind is coming in from the S, with some strenght might I add, we also know there is a lot of moisture being fed to the N. The two of these combined will create wet conditions for our region today.

Looking at the water vapor map below we can see where all of this moisture is located. By comparing the cold front line in the surface map with this map we can what is known as the squall line. This is the line where the moisture is located in relation to the cold front.

When looking at the jet stream map below we can also see how these conditions are being fed. We can see a trough located in the northwestern portion of the states. This bringing in cold air from the north. The rest of the states are being fed warm jet stream air from the tropics. These two components are contributing the the difference in wind temperature, which is playing a role in the precipipation and temperature conditions.

As we just stated the jet stream conditions, as well as the wind directions conditions are all playing a role in the severe temperature gradient we are seeing below. Notice that the change in temperature is taking place where the two jet streams are meeting, the cold front is located, and the wind directions are colliding. It's not a coincident...this is how it all works together.  

The rest of the afternoon is forecasted to be a windy day with early showers and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Later today winds will shift the SW leaving the evening with overcast conditions and rain showers.

By tomorrow all our nice weather is forecasted to go down the drain. Tomorrow's high is only forecasted for 45F with winds coming from the N and an 80% chance of rainshowers. BOOOOO!!!!  

YAYAY...A high pressure system is moving in to create nice conditions for warm temperatures later this week

We did end up receiving about 1 inch in snowfall accumulation last night.

Today's high was 43F. The current temperature is at 39F, but feels like 33F. Today's winds are coming from the NW around Humidity is at 46%, with a dew point of 20F, and a barometric pressure  mph.  Today's barometric reading is at 30.01. Looking at the surface map below we can see that the low pressure systems that were located in the west yesterday have worked their way to the Midwest. We can also see that there is a cold front associated with these fronts, as well as a line of thunderstorms.



Looking at the jet stream map we can see where the two air jet streams are merging. This matches quite well with both the cold front on the surface map, as well as the wind and temperature maps below. The jet  stream map shows where air masses with significant differences in temperature are colliding.  In the Midwest, especially, we can see where the polar and tropical jet stream air masses  are merging.

Again, looking at the wind map we can see where this cold fronts is located. We can determine this by looking at the line like feature that is associated with a change in wind direction.

Looking at the temperature map, again, we can see how the current temperatures correlate with both the high and low pressure systems, the wind map, and the jet stream. We can see where there is a dramatic difference in the temperature gradient change. When comparing this to the surface, jet stream, and wind map we can see the influences all these factors play on the temperature of a given area.

Tonight's forecast calls for a low of 25F, with winds continuing to come from the NW around 10 mph.

Dodie dodie dodie...still icky outside...sad...

Well the weather still isn't being nice to us :( It's the middle of April and everyone is getting a mad case of spring fever. Yesterday's high reached 48F at 4:45pm. Winds were coming from the SSE around 20 mph. Because of this we received a lot a snowfall in before noon. However, by the end of the afternoon most of the snow was melted due to warming temperatures.

Today's high reached 45F at noon, but the current temperature is at 41F and feels like 35F. Winds are coming from the NW around 10 mph. Today's humidity is at 93% with a dew point of 38F. These wind direction and humidity level are causing overcast and drizzly conditions.

The surface map shows a cold front in the upper midwest, going right through the middle of Wisconsin. This is bringing cold air into our region and is also a culprit for the rainy conditions were experiencing today.



 Looking at the wind map we can see right where this cold front is located with an extreme change in wind direction.

 This a also shows going in to the temperature map. we can see a line of a dramatic change in temperature right where the cold front is located.

For the remainder of the afternoon we are expecting precipitation in form of rainfall, with an accumlation between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. After 11 pm we are expecting a mix between rain and snow, with a possible snow accumulation of 1-3 inches. 

Tomorrow's forecast calls for a high around 43F and overcast skies. Winds will shift and will be coming from the NNW around 10-20 mph. 

Will spring ever come?!?!

Well the last two days have had decent weather compared to the rest of this season. Yesterday was exceptionally nice! Yesterday's high was 44F and everyone was outside walking their dogs!! Felt like spring was on it's way.

Today's high was 42F, with the current temperature at 41F. Humidity is at 65%, with a dew point of 30F. Here we can see a low pressure system located just north of Oklahoma. We can see a warm front moving up and a stationary front in northern Texas.

Looking at the jet stream map we can see where the two air masses are coming together. We can also see that this is where the precipitation is taking place.

With this we can see that winds are coming from the NE around 10-15 mph, with overcast. Today we experienced precipitation in the form light rain in the afternoon hours. This is to be expected as we know that winds coming from the east carry moist, warm air. Also the jet stream is colliding with adjacent air masses; all of which are causing precipitation.

Tonight's wind, as well as tomorrow's wind will continue to come from the NE around 10-15 mph. This will continue to being precipitation in the form of rain. Tonight we are forecasted to have rain with a possibility of thunderstorms before midnight, with a low around 36F. Tomorrow we are also forecasting rain with a high near 40F. 

What is it with all this snow?!?!?!

Well, Thursday night into Friday's snow fall accumulation was as bad as expected. I don't have exact snow fall totals, but I think Wednesday was ickier than Friday.

Yesterday's weather conditions were fair. We experienced some light snow fall in the am, with no snowfall accumulation reported. Yesterday's high was 36F, with winds coming from the WNW around 16 mph with gusting around 19 mph.

However, I can't say that today's weather conditions are as nice as yesterday's. Today we are experiencing another winter storm...boooooo! It's really nasty outside! Today's high 41F. The current temperature is at 31F, but feels like 21F. Humidity is at 88%, with a dew point of 27F. We can see that there is a very low dew point depression today. The barometer reading is at 29.53 inches. Taking a look at the surface map below we can see low pressure systems located all throughout the Midwest and west, with high pressure systems in the east. The low pressure system located in the center of the states is causing the winter storm we're experiencing today.

 Today's wind is coming from the E around 13 mph. These E winds are bring in a lot of warm, moist air from the ocean causing the precipitation and overcast conditions.

I provided a Doppler radar map to show areas experiencing precipitation, as well as the type of precipitation.





The snow is supposed to tapper of around 1:00 pm this afternoon turning into rain after that. Total snowfall accumulation for today is expected to be about 1 to 2 inches. I personally think we have more than that already.

Tonight's forecast call for rain and thunderstorms before midnight with winds shifting to the southeast. After midnight winds are expected to shift to the southwest. This shift in winds should produce dry conditions for tomorrow.

Winter Storm Wanda's moving in!!

Well, we definitely got the overnight precipitation we were expecting 2 nights ago. We got a total accumulation of about 2 inches that night. Road conditions were icky as there was a slushy mix under the snow.

Yesterday's high reached 40F around 1:45pm. Winds continued to come from the ENE around 17 mph with gusting around 29 mph...buuurrrrrr! Total snowfall accumulation was 1.4 inches.

Today's forecast calls for a high of 34F. The current temperature is at 34F, but feels like 23F at 7:00am. Winds shifted a bit and are coming from the E at 24 mph, and will be gusting around 33 mph. Buurrrrrr...another chilly day! The winds from the E are creating overcast conditions for the morning.

Today there is a 100% chance of precipitation in several forms. We will expect snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 2pm, then rain and sleet between 2pm and 3pm, then rain mixed with snow and freezing rain after 4pm. ICKY!!!!! As we can see from the surface map below the low pressure system located over Illinois is really sucking the moisture over to us; along with the help from the low pressure system on the east coast. We can also see the cold front in the south is creating a lot of precipitation that is coming all the way up to Michigan from Texas.

Again, we can see the jet stream shows were adjacent air masses with significant temperature differences are coming together. This steep gradient in the jet stream matches the cold front location on the surface map above where the precipitation is taking place from south to north. 

The temperature map is just another illustration of where these temperature differences are taking place.

Tonight's forecast calls for a 90% chance of precipitation in the form of rain and freezing rain with a possible mix of snow before 11pm, the snow possibly mixed with freezing rain between 11am and 2am, then just snow after 2am. Winds will be coming from the NE around 10-15 mph, with gusts around 25 mph. The low will be 28F. New snow accumulation is expected to be 1-3 inches.

What is this April nonsense!!

The past weekend spoiled us with nice weather. Highs were in the 40's and 50's and there was no precipitation. Yesterday high was 42F at 3:25pm. Winds were coming from the ENE at 12 mph. We experienced precipitation in the form rain in early morning hours, accumulating about 0.40 inches of precipitation.

But today and the next few day we won't be quite so lucky as we'll be experiencing precipitation of several forms....booooooo! Today's post gets a little messy as we moved around the board taking a look at a lot of information and maps. Stick with me!

Today reached a high of 43F at 4:25pm. The current temperature is at 40F, but feels like 34F. Humidity is at 73%, with a dew point of 33F. Winds are coming from the NE around 9 mph with overcast sky conditions. As we know, any wind direction associated with the E should automatically make you think precipitation. By observing the low pressure systems just south of Wisconsin and Minnesota, we again should always think precipitation. Especially with winds coming from the NE over the Great Lakes we can expect to experience some sort of moisture in the air from the Lake Effect. Current advisory for the spring season and current weather conditions include a flood warning, a flood watch, a winter weather advisory, and a hazardous weather outlook. 

This wind map shows fairly strong winds conditions, especially in the Midwest and Great Plains regions. When looking at the wind map we can see areas where different pressure systems are coming together.

Taking a look at the surface map we can compare this to the wind map above. Areas where the cold fronts are located are areas where differences in wind are coming together. With this surface map we can see the areas of high pressure that are moving towards areas of low pressure. This is defined by the cold fronts that are moving south from the north. We also know that air moves counterclockwise around low pressure systems. Although this isn't illustrated the best on this surface map we can see how moisture is moving into the states from the northern region of the Atlantic and moving it's way down southwest through the plains.

As much as tried to talk myself out of  adding a second surface map that doesn't match the previous surface map the best I couldn't help but do it. Overall, we can see similar patterns associated with the first surface map, the difference is that now we're seeing stationary fronts instead of cold front. Typically, stationary fronts act as a railroad track for storms. Stationary fronts tend to form when polar air masses are modified significantly so they lose their character. Basically, this is an example of when a cold air mass stalls. These fronts don't necessarily indicate a halt in weather conditions, as they can be associated with lots of precipitation due to a stuck system. Typically, stationary fronts tend to be associated with the jet stream.

So, I'm going to go out on a little bit of a limb right now. I'm thinking that the two surface maps above area indicating a Colorado Low. A Colorado Low happens when a low pressure system forms in southern Colorado of Northern New Mexico, typically in winter. From there the systems move across the Great Plains and produce heavy wintery snow/mix. They tend to move northeast. From what I'm observing I'm thinking this might be what have here.

While looking at the jet stream map we can see where adjacent air masses with significant temperature differences are coming into contact with one another. This map shows cold, dry continental polar air masses coming down into contact with the warm, moist air coming up from the south. We can see the association the jet stream has with the air masses in the surface maps. Ridges are associated with cold air masses and troughs are associated with warm air masses, due to uplift. This jet stream map illustrates an extreme trough in the west, with a strong ridge coming up through the Great Plains. This ridge is associated with the low pressure systems that are lining this area in the first surface map. This is because low pressure systems turn counterclockwise at the surface and slow the jet stream down.



I thought this temperature map would be fun to show since jet streams area associated with air masses with significant temperature differences. This difference in temperature gradient is very similar to the contact of the differing air masses in the jet stream map.



Tonight's forecast calls for a low of 32F. Winds will continue to come in from the NE around 17 mph. The chance for precipitation is 100%. Precipitation is expected to fall in the form of sleet with the potential for some rain mix. Thunderstorms are also possible for tonight.



A weak cold front moving into some SW winds will be the cause of light rain showers early in the day

As we forecasted from yesterday today is supposed to reach a high of 45F. The current temperature is at 39F. Humidity is  65%, with a dew point of 28F. The forecast for today calls for a chance of rain earlier in the day. Looking at the surface and wind map we can see that winds are coming in from the SW around 5-10 mph.

By looking at this sureface map we can see that the high pressure system that was located over we Wisconsin yesterday has moved towards the east coast. This is due in part because of the movement of the jet stream. We can also see a cold front that is moving in over northern Wisconsin. The cold front moving in and the warm, moist SW winds coming in are going to be the cause for the light showers we are expecting later this morning into early this afternoon.

By this afternoon winds are going to shift and will be coming in from the WNW and will speed up a bit to around 10-20 mph. Cloud cover will continue at this point to be partly cloudy.

Tonight's low is forecasted to reach a low of 25F. Winds will continue to shift and will be coming in from the N. At this point skies will clear up. This is due to all the moisture in the air being released then cold, dry air coming in for the rest of the evening.

Tomorrow's forecast calls for a high of 46F. Again, winds will be shifting coming in from the NNE in the morning with speeds around 5-10 mph. They will then shift and be coming in from the SSE in the afternoon. Due to winds coming from the E cloud cover is expected to increase throughout tomorrow. There is a 30% chance of precipitation in the form of rain mainly after 4pm. This is most likley associated with the SSE winds that will be coming through filled with warm, moist air.

Nice weather again today due to a high pressure system and south winds

As we predicted from yesterday's weather conditions, today will be a warm day with clear skies and sunshine! Today's high is expected to reach 45F.

By comparing the surface and jet stream map to yesterday's surface and jet stream map we can see that the high pressure system that was located in eastern North Dakota has moved over Wisconsin. This is due to two influences. First, we have the jet stream pushing in this direction. Second, there was  a low pressure system located over South Carolina. As we know areas of high pressure move to areas of low pressure. So the high pressure system located over us has shifted SE due to the jet stream and low pressure system on the east coast.

This morning got off to a chilly start with temperatures in the teens, but temperatures are rising with current weather conditions are sitting at 29F. The nice warming trend we will be experiencing throughout the day is due to the clear sky conditions from the high pressure system allowing sunshine to beat through and also from winds that are coming in from the S. South winds bring in warm temperature due to the them being warm from the Gulf. Winds are coming in around 5-10 mph. Humidity is currently at 54%, with a dew point of 14F.

Tonight's low is expected to reach 34F. Winds will continue to come in from the S around 15 mph. There is also a 30% chance of precipitation throughout the night hours.

As the front continues to push through tomorrow there is a chance for light showers in the am hours. Tomorrow's high is forecasted to reach a high of 46F. Winds will be shifting and will be coming in from the NW.



Continental polar winds are keeping morning temps chilly in the region

Well, we did end up getting precipitation in the form of rain over the weekend. Saturday morning and early afternoon were icky and drizzly outside. By the afternoon there wasn't too much rain fall. I only noticed precipitation once on Sunday. That happened in the late morning or early afternoon. It started fast, came down fairly hard, and was done in a short amount of time; maybe 10-20 mins or so. I didn't get a chance to hop online and check out air pressure systems or wind directions. I know we had discussed the reason for the precipitation was due to a low pressure system that was going to be moving in from the SW.

Yesterday was a cold day. Highs reached the 40s, but it was chilly all day due to cold winds coming in from the NW. The wind speed wasn't too fast, probably around 0-10 mph all day, but it made a difference.

Today's forecast calls for a high of around 35F. The current temperature is at 17F and feels like 17F. Humidity is at 74% with a dew point of 8F. Looking at the surface map below we can see high pressure systems located in the center of the states with low pressure systems more towards the edges, almost outlining, the states. With this, we can see cold fronts located in the SE and a stationary front in the west. As we've already discussed this stationary from is due to the Rocky Mountains acting like a barrier. The cold fronts are due to cold, continental polar air coming down into the warm, moist air of the low pressure systems. By comparing the surface map and jet stream map we can see this dipping down into the states more. It's these cold air masses that are responsible for the chilly temperatures we've been having since yesterday.

Again, we can take another look at wind speed and direction with the two maps below to iterate the wind speed and direction that are responsible for our cold temperatures. The surface map below illustrates mostly clear skies with winds coming from the W around 3-7 mph.

Tonight's forecast calls for a low around 16F. Winds will be coming from the NW around 5-10 mph.

Tomorrow is expected to be warmer than today. The forecasted high is 46F. Winds will be shifting to the S. This will be a cause for warming since air coming from this direction will be warm!