Cold high pressure has settled in from the north, keeping skies generally clear during our Christmas Eve last night and still bright and sunny for today as well.  The sunshine won’t help much with our temperatures, however, as high temperatures will be the coldest of the season so far.  Most locations will top out around 10° which is about 15° colder than normal for this time of the year.  It’s also going to be officially the coldest Christmas Day since 2000 when Rochester set records for the coldest low with a reading of -25° that morning.  By the way, speaking of cold statistics, our stretch of days with non subzero temperatures continues thanks to a couple of thin clouds last night and perhaps just a little too much wind as Rochester’s official airport temperature was stuck at 2° for about four hours and then ended up bottoming out at 1° just before sunrise.  We’re up to 339 days now without dropping below zero, a record length of time for the city.  We’ll be close again tonight, so we’ll have to closely watch the thermometer again.  Otherwise it may be early next week before the next opportunity for subzero temperatures comes around.  Below is a look at some of the local and regional overnight lows from Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve proved to be one of the coldest nights of the season so far locally.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
805 AM CST TUE DEC 25 2012

…MINIMUM TEMPERATURES AROUND THE AREA THIS MORNING…

…LOCATION…                             …TIME…      …MIN…
BLACK RIVER FALLS AREA AIRPORT             715 AM DEC 25        -9 F
SPARTA/FORT MC COY AIRPORT (MONROE WI)     735 AM DEC 25        -9 F
STOCKTON (WINONA MN) (APRSWXNET)           713 AM DEC 25        -6 F
3 NW BUFFALO (WABASHA MN) (676 FT)(AWS)    739 AM DEC 25        -4 F
SAINT CHARLES (WINONA MN) (AWS)            745 AM DEC 25        -3 F
4 SSE MOUND PRAIRIE (HOUSTON MN)           746 AM DEC 25        -3 F
ZUMBRO FALLS (WABASHA MN) (APRSWXNET)      734 AM DEC 25        -3 F
3 NE LUBLIN (TAYLOR WI) (1316 FT)(RAWS)    714 AM DEC 25        -3 F
SAINT ANSGAR (MITCHELL IA) (APRSWXNET)     752 AM DEC 25        -3 F
1 ENE CRESCO (HOWARD IA) (1279 FT)(IEM)    638 AM DEC 25        -2 F
4 E GRAND MEADOW (MOWER MN) (IEM)          659 AM DEC 25        -2 F
1 E ROCKFORD (FLOYD IA) (1036 FT)(IEM)     654 AM DEC 25        -2 F
1 ENE DEXTER (MOWER MN) (MNDOT)            716 AM DEC 25        -2 F
2 E KASSON (DODGE MN) (1283 FT)(MNDOT)     649 AM DEC 25        -2 F
3 SE ROCHESTER (OLMSTED MN) (IEM)          745 AM DEC 25        -2 F
4 SSW LANESBORO (FILLMORE MN) (IEM)        744 AM DEC 25        -2 F
SAINT ANSGAR (MITCHELL IA) (IEM)           640 AM DEC 25        -2 F
COCHRANE (BUFFALO WI) (1083 FT)(AWS)       635 AM DEC 25        -1 F
2 SE EYOTA (OLMSTED MN) (MNDOT)            701 AM DEC 25        -1 F
1 WSW ROCHESTER (OLMSTED MN)               733 AM DEC 25        -1 F
BOSCOBEL AIRPORT (GRANT WI) (ASOS)         753 AM DEC 25        -1 F
PRESTON FILLMORE COUNTY AIRPORT            710 AM DEC 25         0 F
1 ESE ROCHESTER (OLMSTED MN) (IEM)         640 AM DEC 25         0 F
NECEDAH 1W (JUNEAU WI) (920 FT)(GOES)      748 AM DEC 25         0 F
AUSTIN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (MOWER MN)        735 AM DEC 25         0 F
3 NW DELLWOOD (JUNEAU WI) (APRSWXNET)      730 AM DEC 25         0 F
3 S ROCHESTER (OLMSTED MN) (APRSWXNET)     612 AM DEC 25         0 F
1 WNW SIDNEY (CLARK WI) (APRSWXNET)        541 AM DEC 25         0 F
2 E PERKINSTOWN (TAYLOR WI) (AIRNOW)       600 AM DEC 25         0 F
4 NW ROCHESTER (OLMSTED MN) (APRSWXNET)    720 AM DEC 25         0 F
MAZEPPA (WABASHA MN) (APRSWXNET)           531 AM DEC 25         0 F
2 ESE CANTON (FILLMORE MN) (MNDOT)         609 AM DEC 25         0 F
3 SE GRAND MARSH (ADAMS WI) (MESOWEST)     620 AM DEC 25         0 F
MAYO HELIPAD (OLMSTED MN) (AWOS)           753 AM DEC 25         0 F
1 SSE STEWARTVILLE (OLMSTED MN)            653 AM DEC 25         0 F
3 NE ROCHESTER (OLMSTED MN) (APRSWXNET)    714 AM DEC 25         0 F
DODGE CENTER AIRPORT (DODGE MN) (AWOS)     714 AM DEC 25         0 F
1 E RIDGEWAY (WINONA MN) (MNDOT)           732 AM DEC 25         1 F
ROCHESTER -37TH STREET (OLMSTED MN)        600 AM DEC 25         1 F
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN  AIRPORT (CRAWFORD WI)    755 AM DEC 25         1 F
2 SSW COUNCIL BAY (LA CROSSE WI)           734 AM DEC 25         1 F
1 E CRESCO (HOWARD IA) (1272 FT)(AWS)      637 AM DEC 25         1 F
FRIENDSHIP (ADAMS WI) (958 FT)(AWS)        654 AM DEC 25         1 F
CHARLES CITY (FLOYD IA) (993 FT)(AWOS)     715 AM DEC 25         1 F
RICHLAND CENTER (RICHLAND WI) (AWS)        709 AM DEC 25         1 F
PLAINVIEW (WABASHA MN) (1150 FT)(AWS)      524 AM DEC 25         1 F
4 SSE ARLINGTON (FAYETTE IA) (AWS)         749 AM DEC 25         1 F
1 ENE WABASHA (WABASHA MN) (APRSWXNET)     734 AM DEC 25         1 F
2 SSE KELLOGG (WABASHA MN) (MNDOT)         604 AM DEC 25         1 F
4 WNW BLACK RIVER FALLS (JACKSON WI)       636 AM DEC 25         1 F
WINONA MUNICPAL AIRPORT (WINONA MN)        713 AM DEC 25         1 F
MEDFORD TAYLOR COUNTY AIRPORT              715 AM DEC 25         1 F
ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT            454 AM DEC 25         1 F
DECORAH (WINNESHIEK IA) (982 FT)(AWS)      739 AM DEC 25         2 F
FENNIMORE (GRANT WI) (1175 FT)(AWS)        735 AM DEC 25         2 F
WEST UNION (FAYETTE IA) (1178 FT)(AWS)     654 AM DEC 25         2 F
MUSCODA (GRANT WI) (665 FT)(AWS)           734 AM DEC 25         2 F
MONONA (CLAYTON IA) (1182 FT)(AWS)         745 AM DEC 25         2 F
4 NNW RIDGEVILLE (MONROE WI) (WIDOT)       635 AM DEC 25         2 F
1 E LAKE CITY (WABASHA MN) (APRSWXNET)     753 AM DEC 25         2 F
4 E NORDNESS (WINNESHIEK IA) (IADOT)       653 AM DEC 25         2 F
2 N IONIA (CHICKASAW IA) (IADOT)           255 AM DEC 25         2 F
1 ENE BOSCOBEL (GRANT WI) (RAWS)           703 AM DEC 25         2 F
DE SOTO (CRAWFORD WI) (APRSWXNET)          631 AM DEC 25         2 F
2 WSW GALESVILLE (TREMPEALEAU WI)          742 AM DEC 25         2 F
2 NW HUMBIRD (JACKSON WI) (MESOWEST)       725 AM DEC 25         2 F
DECORAH MUNICIPAL AIPRORT                  735 AM DEC 25         3 F
3 SW RICHFIELD (CHICKASAW IA)              705 AM DEC 25         3 F
3 SW BARRE MILLS (LA CROSSE WI)            459 AM DEC 25         3 F
1 SW MOUNT STERLING (CRAWFORD WI)          634 AM DEC 25         3 F
1 E BLACK RIVER FALLS (JACKSON WI)         715 AM DEC 25         3 F
OELWEIN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (FAYETTE IA)     755 AM DEC 25         3 F
VIROQUA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (VERNON WI)      715 AM DEC 25         3 F
LA CROSSE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT                653 AM DEC 25         3 F
MCGREGOR (CLAYTON IA) (992 FT)(AWS)        744 AM DEC 25         4 F
1 SSE RICHLAND CENTER (RICHLAND WI)        739 AM DEC 25         4 F
MAUSTON (JUNEAU WI) (872 FT)(APRSWXNET)    714 AM DEC 25         4 F
2 N TOMAH (MONROE WI) (990 FT)(WIDOT)      431 AM DEC 25         5 F
1 SW LA CROSSE (LA CROSSE WI)              736 AM DEC 25         5 F
MONONA (CLAYTON IA) (APRSWXNET)            648 AM DEC 25         5 F
3 SE LYNDON STATION (JUNEAU WI)            502 AM DEC 25         5 F
3 NW VALLEY JUNCTION (MONROE WI)           650 AM DEC 25         5 F
1 W FRENCH ISLAND (LA CROSSE WI)           630 AM DEC 25         6 F
3 S LA CROSSE (LA CROSSE WI) (AIRNOW)      600 AM DEC 25         6 F
1 WNW TENNYSON (GRANT WI) (AIRNOW)         600 AM DEC 25         8 F

Posted under Cold, Holidays, Lows

We woke up to the coldest morning of the season today as strong high pressure set the stage for a clear, frosty, winter-like morning across the area.  Under the cloud-free skies and with nearly calm winds, our temperatures took a nose dive overnight into our Tuesday morning as the vast majority of the local area found itself in the teens for the first time since the first week of March.  While it certainly was a little cooler than normal for today’s date, Rochester’s morning low of 17° certainly wasn’t anywhere near the record of -4° set in 1986, but it definitely was a reminder of what late fall can bring in this climate.  If you’re not quite ready for this type of temperatures scheme, there is good news for you, however.  Slightly milder, more seasonal weather is expected for the remainder of the week and likely next week as well, so 20s and 30s will be more common than teens. 

The coldest low temps of the season so far for just about everybody today.

Some more local morning temperatures.

Posted under Lows

After a fairly gray and blustery, fall-like Thursday, high pressure managed to calm the winds and scour out our clouds overnight, allowing temperatures to drop like a rock in most of the area.  Many spots were 10 to 15 degrees cooler than normal and some of us flirted with record low temperatures early this morning.  Rochester came within two degrees of tying the record low of 45° that was set in 1962 and Mason City came within one degree of tying its record of 43°.  We’ll have another cool night tonight with temperatures that will be just slightly warmer than Thursday night’s and then the weekend will feature some more of this comfortable weather with highs in the 70s and lows Saturday night and Sunday night in the low 50s.

The coolest morning of the season in the local area. The last time we were this cool was the first of June.

Posted under Lows, Mason City

As promised, our week of more temperate, comfortable weather led up to the coolest night of the season to date as Friday night’s clear skies, dry air and light winds yielded temperatures mainly in the 40s across the area.  Some spots were closer to the 30s than the 50s!  That strong Canadian high pressure that brought us a cool night and a gorgeous Saturday is gliding peacefully to the east and on its heels is a storm system that will bring clouds and rain to the area for Sunday and will be followed by a warming pattern that will lead to the first widespread 80s in what will have been nearly a week this Wednesday as that warm surges northward ahead of yet another potent cold front.  Anyway, let’s look at some of those morning temperatures across our local area:

Saturday morning felt like September. We may weather like this again at the end of next week.

Posted under Lows

After a couple of turbulent, rainy days in the area, we’re looking at a stellar weather picture as we head into the weekend.  Cool, dry high pressure of Canadian origin is settling into the western Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi Valley, feeding us some crisp, fall-like air for our “Finally Friday” with temperatures that are cooler than normal and more typical of September.  We’ve been seeing 70 degree weather a little more often in recent days with a change in the weather pattern from the July weather pattern that just about cooked us and led to the fourth warmest July in Rochester history.  Our current cool, dry spell comes on the heels of a couple of fairly minor storm systems that brought showers and thunderstorms and even a little severe weather to the local area.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT…SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
933 PM CDT THU AUG 09 2012

..TIME… …EVENT… …CITY LOCATION… …LAT.LON…
..DATE… ….MAG…. ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. …SOURCE….
..REMARKS..

0223 PM HAIL 3 SE LAKE CITY 44.42N 92.24W
08/09/2012 E0.50 INCH WABASHA MN PUBLIC

PEA TO MARBLE SIZE HAIL COVERED LAKE PEPIN GOLF COURSE

0227 PM HAIL 4 WSW WABASHA 44.35N 92.12W
08/09/2012 E0.88 INCH WABASHA MN PUBLIC

0240 PM HAIL 6 WSW WABASHA 44.34N 92.16W
08/09/2012 E0.50 INCH WABASHA MN PUBLIC

0258 PM HAIL 4 NNE PLAINVIEW 44.22N 92.14W
08/09/2012 E0.88 INCH WABASHA MN TRAINED SPOTTER

0320 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 N ST. CHARLES 44.04N 92.06W
08/09/2012 WINONA MN AMATEUR RADIO

15 INCH DIAMETER WALNUT TREE SNAPPED 30 FEET ABOVE
GROUND. CORN PUSHED OVER 45 DEGREES. SOME CORN SNAPPED ON
TOP. OTHER TREES PUSHED OVER.

0320 PM HAIL 5 N ST. CHARLES 44.04N 92.06W
08/09/2012 E0.50 INCH WINONA MN AMATEUR RADIO

0455 PM HAIL 4 E RIDGEWAY 43.30N 91.91W
08/09/2012 E1.00 INCH WINNESHIEK IA PUBLIC

DIME TO QUARTER SIZED. ALSO SOME SMALL BRANCHES DOWNED
FROM WIND.

0456 PM HAIL 4 E RIDGEWAY 43.30N 91.91W
08/09/2012 E1.75 INCH WINNESHIEK IA PUBLIC

QUARTER TO GOLFBALL. DENTED CAMPER. WIND ESTIMATED AT 50
MPH WITH LEAVES SPRAYED ONTO SIDE OF HOUSE. NO DAMAGE TO
HOME SIDING.

0456 PM HAIL 2 W DECORAH 43.31N 91.83W
08/09/2012 M2.00 INCH WINNESHIEK IA PUBLIC

COURTESY KWWL MEDIA. VERIFIED WITH PICTURE.

0505 PM TSTM WND GST CONOVER 43.21N 91.92W
08/09/2012 E70.00 MPH WINNESHIEK IA LAW ENFORCEMENT

0510 PM TSTM WND GST CALMAR 43.18N 91.87W
08/09/2012 E70.00 MPH WINNESHIEK IA FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

CALMAR FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A WIND GUST OF 70 MILES
PER HOUR.

0510 PM HAIL 2 NE CALMAR 43.20N 91.84W
08/09/2012 M1.00 INCH WINNESHIEK IA CO-OP OBSERVER

COOPERATIVE OBSERVER MEASURED UP TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL.
DRIFTS OF HAIL IN ROAD DITCH AND THE CORN WAS STRIPPED OF
THE LEAVES WITH STALKS AND EARS LEFT.

Rainfall ReportsPUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
738 AM CDT FRI AUG 10 2012

…24 HOUR RAINFALL TOTALS ACROSS THE AREA…

LOCATION RAINFALL TIME LAT/LON

IOWA

…ALLAMAKEE COUNTY…
WAUKON 0.16 0700 AM 43.27N 91.47W
DORCHESTER HIGHWAY 76 0.07 0700 AM 43.42N 91.51W
LANSING 4SE 0.06 0700 AM 43.32N 91.16W
HARPERS FERRY 0.05 0700 AM 43.17N 91.24W
ION 0.04 0700 AM 43.11N 91.27W

…CHICKASAW COUNTY…
IONIA 0.52 0700 AM 43.03N 92.50W

…CLAYTON COUNTY…
VOLGA 0.23 0700 AM 42.81N 91.52W
ELKADER 6SSW 0.14 0700 AM 42.79N 91.45W
GUTTENBERG 0.09 0700 AM 42.79N 91.10W
LITTLEPORT 0.08 0700 AM 42.75N 91.37W
ELKADER 0.07 0700 AM 42.84N 91.40W
MONONA 0.04 0700 AM 43.04N 91.40W
GARBER 0.04 0700 AM 42.74N 91.26W
MARQUETTE 0.03 0700 AM 43.04N 91.21W

…FAYETTE COUNTY…
ELDORADO 0.49 0700 AM 43.05N 91.81W
FAYETTE 0.36 0700 AM 42.85N 91.82W
OELWEIN AWOS 0.00 0700 AM 42.68N 91.97W

…FLOYD COUNTY…
CHARLES CITY AWOS 0.46 0700 AM 43.07N 92.61W
COLWELL 0.15 0700 AM 43.16N 92.59W

…MITCHELL COUNTY…
ST ANSGAR 0.30 0700 AM 43.37N 92.83W

…WINNESHIEK COUNTY…
BLUFFTON 0.40 0700 AM 43.41N 91.90W
DECORAH 0.21 0700 AM 43.30N 91.80W
DECORAH AWOS 0.08 0700 AM 43.28N 91.74W

MINNESOTA

…DODGE COUNTY…
DODGE CENTER AWOS 0.27 0700 AM 44.03N 92.83W

…FILLMORE COUNTY…
PILOT MOUND 1.32 0700 AM 43.78N 92.03W
LANESBORO 1.19 0700 AM 43.72N 91.97W
HIGHLAND 0.61 0700 AM 43.65N 91.84W
PRESTON AWOS 0.33 0700 AM 43.68N 92.18W
CARIMONA 0.26 0700 AM 43.66N 92.15W
SPRING VALLEY 3E 0.05 0700 AM 43.68N 92.33W

…HOUSTON COUNTY…
HOUSTON 0.13 0700 AM 43.77N 91.57W
MOUND PRAIRIE 0.06 0700 AM 43.78N 91.45W

…MOWER COUNTY…
AUSTIN 0.44 0700 AM 43.67N 92.95W
LANSING 0.41 0700 AM 43.75N 92.95W
AUSTIN AWOS 0.38 0700 AM 43.67N 92.93W
AUSTIN 3S 0.01 0700 AM 43.62N 93.00W

…OLMSTED COUNTY…
ELBA 0.97 0700 AM 44.05N 92.05W
DOVER 1E 0.83 0700 AM 43.97N 92.12W
ROCHESTER – CASCADE CREEK 0.48 0700 AM 44.03N 92.48W
BYRON 0.38 0700 AM 44.07N 92.66W
POST TOWN 0.37 0700 AM 44.09N 92.82W
ROCHESTER – BEAR CREEK 0.22 0700 AM 43.92N 92.48W
ROCHESTER 5SW 0.19 0700 AM 43.98N 92.56W
ELGIN 0.17 0700 AM 44.10N 92.27W
ROCHESTER AP 2NE 0.09 0700 AM 43.93N 92.48W
ROCHESTER – SILVER CREEK 0.09 0700 AM 44.03N 92.42W
ROCHESTER BELTLINE 0.09 0700 AM 43.91N 92.50W
ROCHESTER ASOS 0.05 0700 AM 43.91N 92.50W

…WABASHA COUNTY…
LAKE CITY 0.86 0700 AM 44.45N 92.26W
KELLOGG 0.24 0700 AM 44.32N 92.00W

…WINONA COUNTY…
ALTURA 0.42 0700 AM 44.15N 92.01W
WINONA 0.16 0700 AM 44.09N 91.67W
MINNESOTA CITY 0.10 0700 AM 44.16N 91.81W
LA CRESCENT DAM 7 0.07 0700 AM 43.87N 91.31W
DAKOTA 0.05 0700 AM 43.92N 91.37W

WISCONSIN

…BUFFALO COUNTY…
ALMA DAM 4 0.06 0700 AM 44.33N 91.92W

…CLARK COUNTY…
NEILLSVILLE 3SW 1.48 0700 AM 44.53N 90.64W
NEILLSVILLE 0.50 0700 AM 44.56N 90.61W

…CRAWFORD COUNTY…
LYNXVILLE DAM 9 0.11 0700 AM 43.21N 91.10W
STEUBEN 0.04 0700 AM 43.18N 90.87W
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN 0.03 0700 AM 43.05N 91.13W
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AWOS 0.01 0700 AM 43.30N 89.76W

…GRANT COUNTY…
MUSCODA 0.53 0700 AM 43.20N 90.44W
BOSCOBEL ASOS 0.15 0700 AM 43.16N 90.68W
BOSCOBEL RAWS 0.10 0700 AM 43.15N 90.68W
ROCKVILLE 0.01 0700 AM 42.73N 90.64W

…JACKSON COUNTY…
HATFIELD DAM 0.46 0700 AM 44.41N 90.73W
BLACK RIVER FALLS 0.20 0700 AM 44.38N 90.84W
BLACK RIVER FALLS AWOS 0.18 0700 AM 44.25N 90.86W
BLACK RIVER FALLS RAWS 0.15 0700 AM 44.30N 90.84W

…JUNEAU COUNTY…
NEW LISBON 4ENE 0.76 0700 AM 43.91N 90.07W
CAMP DOUGLAS 0.68 0700 AM 43.94N 90.26W
NECEDAH 1W 0.56 0700 AM 44.02N 90.08W
NECEDAH 5WNW 0.48 0700 AM 44.06N 90.17W

…LA CROSSE COUNTY…
WEST SALEM 2W 0.06 0700 AM 43.90N 91.12W
HOLMEN 2S 0.05 0700 AM 43.93N 91.25W
LA CROSSE NWS 0.03 0700 AM 43.82N 91.19W
LA CROSSE AIRPORT T 0700 AM 43.88N 91.26W

…MONROE COUNTY…
FOUR CORNERS 0.23 0700 AM 44.07N 90.92W
SPARTA AWOS 0.07 0700 AM 43.96N 90.74W

…RICHLAND COUNTY…
RICHLAND CENTER 1NW 0.43 0700 AM 43.36N 90.42W

…TAYLOR COUNTY…
LUBLIN DIAMOND LAKE 0.86 0700 AM 45.11N 90.69W
JUMP RIVER 0.34 0700 AM 45.36N 90.80W

…TREMPEALEAU COUNTY…
OSSEO 0.35 0700 AM 44.58N 91.22W
TREMPEALEAU DAM 6 0.30 0700 AM 44.00N 91.44W
GALESVILLE 3ENE 0.16 0700 AM 44.09N 91.29W

…VERNON COUNTY…
HILLSBORO 0.93 0700 AM 43.65N 90.35W
ONTARIO 0.89 0700 AM 43.72N 90.59W
HILLSBORO*** 0.81 0700 AM 43.65N 90.33W
LIBERTY POLE 2SW 0.20 0700 AM 43.49N 90.95W
LA FARGE 0.18 0700 AM 43.57N 90.64W
SEAS BRANCH HAUGEN 0.16 0700 AM 43.61N 90.85W
COON VALLEY 6S 0.16 0700 AM 43.61N 91.01W
READSTOWN 0.15 0700 AM 43.45N 90.76W
VIROQUA 4NE 0.11 0700 AM 43.61N 90.82W
VIROQUA 3ESE 0.08 0700 AM 43.55N 90.82W
COON VALLEY 5E 0.07 0700 AM 43.71N 90.92W
WESTBY 2NNE 0.04 0700 AM 43.70N 90.85W
VIROQUA 4WSW 0.04 0700 AM 43.54N 90.96W
STODDARD 0.03 0700 AM 43.66N 91.24W
GENOA 0.02 0700 AM 43.57N 91.23W

We’ll have a sunny pleasant day today and then a clear, crisp, cool night tonight with low temperatures perhaps dropping to the 40s for the first time in much of the area since early June. No, it’s not a sign that fall is right around the corner…not yet anyway, but it is a sign that we’re in August and cool spells happen every now and then this time of the year. Up north, International Falls saw its first 30 something temperature in a couple of months, so you know the Canadian air mass that’s moving in is going to make for an “extra blanket on the bed” type scenario for us as well, even if it’s just 48 or 49 instead of 37° as it was early this morning up there.

While we were just slightly on the cool side this morning, areas up north experienced a little bit of September weather this morning.

The weekend looks to feature a continuation of this cool, comfortable theme as highs will be in the mid 70s Saturday and Sunday with Sunday looking to be the gloomier of the two days as scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will be possible through most of the day.

Posted under Lows, rainfall amounts, weather

In typical August fashion we’re experiencing a little more variety in our weather these days including more 70s than the past couple of months and even cooler morning temperatures.  This morning we experienced the coolest morning in several weeks for most of us including the coolest official morning low temperature in Rochester with 52°.  The last time we were this cool was June 13, when we reached 50°.  Listed below are some local morning low temperatures from the La Crosse NWS office’s forecast area.  The cool high pressure that brought us blue skies, low humidity, and highs in the 70s Sunday will return later this week with more 70s possible from Thursday through the early part of next week.  Refreshing indeed!

We awoke to some of the coolest temps of the season this morning with a lot of 50s and even a few 40s on the map.

MAX/MIN TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION TABLE FOR THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI 724 AM CDT MON AUG 6 2012 

HIGHS YESTERDAY...LOWS OVER THE LAST 12 HOURS... AND PRECIPITATION OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS

 HIGH LOW PCPN 

DODGE CENTER AWOS MN 73 / 54 / 0.00 

AUSTIN AWOS MN 75 / 48 / 0.00 

ROCHESTER ASOS MN 74 / 52 / 0.00 

PRESTON AWOS MN 73 / 52 / 0.00 

WINONA AWOS MN 77 / 54 / 0.00 

CHARLES CITY AWOS IA 75 / 52 / 0.00 

DECORAH AWOS IA 73 / 50 / 0.00 

OELWEIN AWOS IA 75 / 48 / 0.00 

MEDFORD AWOS WI 73 / 52 / 0.00 

BLACK RIVER FALLS 75 / 43 / 0.00 

LA CROSSE ASOS WI 76 / 56 / 0.00 

SPARTA-FT MCCOY AWOS WI 75 / 43 / 0.00 

VOLK FIELD ASOS WI 75 / 39 / 0.00 

VIROQUA AWOS WI 70 / 52 / 0.00 

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AWOS WI 77 / 52 / 0.00 

BOSCOBEL ASOS WI 80 / 50 / 0.00 

PLATTEVILLE AWOS WI 79 / 50 / 0.00 

OFFICIAL NWS COOPERATIVE OBSERVATIONS... 

VALUES REPRESENT 24 HOUR TOTALS AS OF THIS MORNING 

SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA... 

GRAND MEADOW MN 76 / 47 / 0.00 

NEW HAMPTON IA 76 / 49 / 0.00 

ST ANSGAR IA / / 0.00 

WAUKON IA 74 / 54 / 0.00 

Posted under Lows

The more April-like weather of the past week has reminded us of what things should feel like in our area during a more typical year.  Normally, we’d have 40s and 50s for highs with occasional 60s and plenty of wind.  Yes, April is the windiest month on average in our area and today’s conditions are a perfect example of that early spring turbulence with gusts reaching 35 to 40 miles per hour at times.  Beyond the wind, however, the biggest story of the past week or two has been the threat for frost and freezing temperatures at night and the impact that would have on prematurely blossoming fruit trees and flowers and that is really going to be making headlines in the next couple of nights.  Today’s winds are drawing in some dry, cool air from Canada in the wake of a cold front that swept through the area over the weekend.  As surface high pressure gets a little closer and we lose that daytime heating tonight, those winds will drop off dramatically setting the stage for a clear and cold night with the potential for the coldest temperature readings of the early spring season so far.  The National Weather Service has already issued a Freeze Warning for tonight for the entire region, including all of our viewing area as lows are expected to be in the mid and upper 20s tomorrow morning.  The same situation will be possible Tuesday night as well, before warmer air begins to trickle back into the Upper Mississippi Valley for the middle and latter parts of the week.

Another night, another Freeze Warning for our area. Tonight's temperatures are expected to be the coldest of the season and the lowest readings in more than a month with mid and upper 20s likely by morning across the area.

Posted under Lows

We woke up to the first widespread frost/freeze in weeks this morning as a large portion of the local area dropped below freezing.  The low temperature of 30° in Rochester this morning was the coldest reading since we bottomed out at 18° on Friday, March 9th and was the first subnormal low temperature in about a month as well.  Warmer air is currently blowing into the region on the back side of that cool, dry air mass, setting the stage for a slightly milder, but more unsettled weekend with a few showers possibly showing up locally in the midday hours Saturday.  Easter still looks to be breezy, but bright and tranquil.  The next opportunities for a hard freeze in our area will be Tuesday and Wednesday nights next week when lows will be near 30° if not a little cooler than that, so we’re not out of the woods yet.  The average last freeze is around the first of May, so this is hardly unusual for our area.  Here’s a look at some of the chilly temperatures we experienced this morning:

April 6th Low Temperatures

...MINIMUM TEMPERATURES FOR APRIL 6TH...


...NORTHEAST IOWA...

...ALLAMAKEE COUNTY...

3 SE WATERVILLE (651 FT)(RAWS)                   607 AM APR 6       26 F
WAUKON (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                    700 AM APR 6       30 F

...CHICKASAW COUNTY...

2 N IONIA (1072 FT)(IADOT)                       645 AM APR 6       28 F
3 SW RICHFIELD (1145 FT)(APRSWXNET)              610 AM APR 6       30 F
NEW HAMPTON (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)               700 AM APR 6       30 F
NEW HAMPTON (1160 FT)(AWS)                       659 AM APR 6       33 F

...CLAYTON COUNTY...

6 SSW ELKADER (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)             700 AM APR 6       25 F
VOLGA (2605 FT)(APRSWXNET)                       613 AM APR 6       28 F
MCGREGOR (627 FT)(AWS)                           609 AM APR 6       30 F
MONONA (1213 FT)(AWS)                            659 AM APR 6       32 F
STRAWBERRY POINT (1210 FT)(APRSWXNET)            713 AM APR 6       32 F

...FAYETTE COUNTY...

WEST UNION (1178 FT)(AWS)                        635 AM APR 6       29 F
OELWEIN (AWOS)                                   655 AM APR 6       30 F
FAYETTE (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                   700 AM APR 6       30 F
4 SSE ARLINGTON (1164 FT)(AWS)                   635 AM APR 6       31 F

...FLOYD COUNTY...

NORA SPRINGS (1089 FT)(IEM)                      644 AM APR 6       28 F
1 E ROCKFORD (1036 FT)(IEM)                      614 AM APR 6       30 F
CHARLES CITY (AWOS)                              635 AM APR 6       36 F

...HOWARD COUNTY...

1 NE CRESCO (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)               700 AM APR 6       23 F
1 ENE CRESCO (1279 FT)(IEM)                      650 AM APR 6       27 F
3 ESE RICEVILLE (1253 FT)(IEM)                   620 AM APR 6       28 F

...MITCHELL COUNTY...

SAINT ANSGAR (1145 FT)(IEM)                      650 AM APR 6       28 F
OSAGE (1170 FT)(IEM)                             614 AM APR 6       30 F
OSAGE (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                     700 AM APR 6       30 F

...WINNESHIEK COUNTY...

4 E NORDNESS (1017 FT)(IADOT)                    643 AM APR 6       25 F
DECORAH (850 FT)(AWS)                            635 AM APR 6       29 F
3 SW HESPER (1276 FT)(APRSWXNET)                 658 AM APR 6       31 F

...SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...

...DODGE COUNTY...

1 W DODGE CENTER (1273 FT)(IEM)                  554 AM APR 6       28 F
DODGE CENTER (AWOS)                              655 AM APR 6       30 F
2 E KASSON (1283 FT)(APRSWXNET)                  642 AM APR 6       32 F
2 E KASSON (1283 FT)(MNDOT)                      630 AM APR 6       32 F

...FILLMORE COUNTY...

PRESTON (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                   700 AM APR 6       25 F
2 ESE CANTON (1348 FT)(MNDOT)                    619 AM APR 6       29 F
PRESTON (AWOS)                                   655 AM APR 6       33 F

...MOWER COUNTY...

LE ROY (1290 FT)(IEM)                            644 AM APR 6       28 F
AUSTIN (AWOS)                                    655 AM APR 6       30 F
1 ENE DEXTER (1410 FT)(MNDOT)                    641 AM APR 6       30 F
1 ESE AUSTIN (1200 FT)(IEM)                      644 AM APR 6       30 F
4 E GRAND MEADOW (1322 FT)(IEM)                  614 AM APR 6       30 F
GRAND MEADOW (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)              700 AM APR 6       30 F
AUSTIN (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                    700 AM APR 6       32 F

...OLMSTED COUNTY...

4 N BYRON (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                 700 AM APR 6       25 F
1 ESE ROCHESTER (997 FT)(IEM)                    624 AM APR 6       28 F
1 SSE STEWARTVILLE (1253 FT)(APRSWXNET)          604 AM APR 6       29 F
3 NNW ROCHESTER (1040 FT)(IEM)                   614 AM APR 6       30 F
ROCHESTER (ASOS)                                 655 AM APR 6       30 F
2 NE ROCHESTER (1046 FT)(IEM)                    719 AM APR 6       32 F
2 SE EYOTA (1309 FT)(MNDOT)                      731 AM APR 6       32 F
ROCHESTER -37TH STREET (950 FT)(GOES)            659 AM APR 6       32 F
1 WSW ROCHESTER (1205 FT)(APRSWXNET)             648 AM APR 6       33 F
3 S ROCHESTER (1240 FT)(APRSWXNET)               709 AM APR 6       34 F
MAYO HELIPAD (1164 FT)(AWOS)                     733 AM APR 6       34 F
4 NW ROCHESTER (1273 FT)(APRSWXNET)              240 AM APR 6       39 F

...WABASHA COUNTY...

THEILMAN (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                   700 AM APR 6       26 F
ZUMBRO FALLS (850 FT)(APRSWXNET)                 611 AM APR 6       27 F
MAZEPPA (941 FT)(APRSWXNET)                      605 AM APR 6       28 F
1 NE BEAR VALLEY (1000 FT)(APRSWXNET)            500 AM APR 6       29 F
2 SSE KELLOGG (741 FT)(MNDOT)                    649 AM APR 6       29 F
PLAINVIEW (1150 FT)(AWS)                         659 AM APR 6       31 F
3 NW BUFFALO (676 FT)(AWS)                       635 AM APR 6       32 F
1 ENE WABASHA (2493 FT)(APRSWXNET)               744 AM APR 6       35 F
1 E LAKE CITY (692 FT)(APRSWXNET)                224 AM APR 6       37 F

...WINONA COUNTY...

SAINT CHARLES (1125 FT)(AWS)                     705 AM APR 6       31 F
WINONA (AWOS)                                    655 AM APR 6       32 F
WINONA DAM 5A (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)             700 AM APR 6       37 F

...SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL WISCONSIN...

...ADAMS COUNTY...

FRIENDSHIP (960 FT)(AWS)                         634 AM APR 6       24 F
3 SE GRAND MARSH (1092 FT)(MESOWEST)             530 AM APR 6       25 F
FRIENDSHIP (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                700 AM APR 6       26 F

...BUFFALO COUNTY...

COCHRANE (1083 FT)(AWS)                          715 AM APR 6       31 F

...CLARK COUNTY...

2 N OWEN (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                  700 AM APR 6       26 F
3 SW NEILLSVILLE (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)          700 AM APR 6       27 F
1 WNW SIDNEY (3379 FT)(APRSWXNET)                612 AM APR 6       30 F

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN (AWOS)                          655 AM APR 6       28 F
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN (658 FT)(AWS)                   634 AM APR 6       28 F
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)          700 AM APR 6       29 F
DE SOTO (720 FT)(APRSWXNET)                      700 AM APR 6       29 F
1 SW MOUNT STERLING (1195 FT)(WIDOT)             530 AM APR 6       32 F
1 WNW PRAIRIE DU CHIEN (615 FT)(WIDOT)           529 AM APR 6       34 F

...GRANT COUNTY...

BOSCOBEL (ASOS)                                  655 AM APR 6       23 F
1 ENE BOSCOBEL (672 FT)(RAWS)                    603 AM APR 6       26 F
MUSCODA (665 FT)(AWS)                            635 AM APR 6       27 F
FENNIMORE (1175 FT)(AWS)                         635 AM APR 6       29 F
2 NE EAST DUBUQUE (800 FT)(WIDOT)                505 AM APR 6       30 F
LANCASTER (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                 700 AM APR 6       31 F
PLATTEVILLE (AWOS)                               655 AM APR 6       32 F

...JACKSON COUNTY...

BLACK RIVER FALLS (AWOS)                         655 AM APR 6       21 F
1 E BLACK RIVER FALLS (837 FT)(RAWS)             515 AM APR 6       26 F

...JUNEAU COUNTY...

VOLK FIELD (ASOS)                                655 AM APR 6       21 F
NECEDAH (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                   700 AM APR 6       23 F
3 SE LYNDON STATION (925 FT)(APRSWXNET)          603 AM APR 6       24 F
NECEDAH 1W (920 FT)(GOES)                        548 AM APR 6       24 F
MAUSTON (872 FT)(APRSWXNET)                      642 AM APR 6       28 F
3 NW MATHER (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)               700 AM APR 6       28 F
3 NW DELLWOOD (885 FT)(APRSWXNET)                516 AM APR 6       29 F
1 E MAUSTON (880 FT)(WIDOT)                      526 AM APR 6       30 F

...LA CROSSE COUNTY...

2 SSW COUNCIL BAY (702 FT)(APRSWXNET)            604 AM APR 6       28 F
1 WSW ONALASKA (682 FT)(APRSWXNET)               611 AM APR 6       30 F
3 SW BARRE MILLS (820 FT)(APRSWXNET)             701 AM APR 6       30 F
1 W FRENCH ISLAND (660 FT)(WIDOT)                628 AM APR 6       31 F
LA CROSSE (ASOS)                                 655 AM APR 6       31 F
1 SW LA CROSSE (639 FT)(APRSWXNET)               706 AM APR 6       34 F
1 NNW LA CROSSE (651 FT)(APRSWXNET)              606 AM APR 6       36 F

...MONROE COUNTY...

SPARTA - FT MCCOY (AWOS)                         655 AM APR 6       21 F
KENDALL (1059 FT)(APRSWXNET)                     611 AM APR 6       24 F
2 N TOMAH (990 FT)(WIDOT)                        529 AM APR 6       28 F
4 NNW RIDGEVILLE (990 FT)(WIDOT)                 531 AM APR 6       29 F

...RICHLAND COUNTY...

RICHLAND CENTER (730 FT)(AWS)                    659 AM APR 6       24 F
RICHLAND CENTER (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)           700 AM APR 6       26 F

...TAYLOR COUNTY...

MEDFORD (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                   700 AM APR 6       27 F
MEDFORD (AWOS)                                   655 AM APR 6       28 F
3 NE LUBLIN (1316 FT)(RAWS)                      514 AM APR 6       29 F

...TREMPEALEAU COUNTY...

2 NW BLAIR (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                700 AM APR 6       27 F
ETTRICK (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                   700 AM APR 6       28 F
2 NNE TAMARACK (1240 FT)(WIDOT)                  632 AM APR 6       35 F

...VERNON COUNTY...

ONTARIO (875 FT)(APRSWXNET)                      603 AM APR 6       25 F
VIROQUA (COOPERATIVE OBSERVER)                   700 AM APR 6       28 F
VIROQUA (AWOS)                                   655 AM APR 6       29 F

Posted under Lows

Thanks to some strong high pressure that scoured the clouds out of the region and a cool, dry air mass, we managed to experience enough radiational cooling to allow our temperatures this morning to drop to the coldest levels of the season so far.  While there were mainly 20 degree temperatures in our area, some spots made it into the teens for the first time in several months.  Here’s a look at some of the specific morning lows in our viewing area:

VIROQUA               WI H0700/  49 /  30 / 0.00/ 0.0 /   0
WESTBY 3ENE           WI H0700/     /     / 0.00/ 0.0 /   0

Posted under Lows

Cool, dry high pressure set the stage for a rather chilly night in our region last night and we woke up to the coldest temperatures of the season so far.  Rochester, for instance, dropped into the 20s for the first time since April 5th with a morning low temperature of 29°.  The widespread subfreezing readings meant an end to the growing season for some of the local towns and counties that had previously escaped that fate earlier in the season, so now we’re completely finished with frost and freeze advisories and warnings for the season.  That said, we likely won’t see temperatures this cold for at least another week or so.  In fact, this weekend looks to be pretty mild for us with highs in the 60s and lows closer to 40° than 30° or even the 20s. 

Here’s a look at some of this morning’s low temperatures:

MAX/MIN TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION TABLE FOR
THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
908 AM CDT FRI OCT 21 2011

VALUES REPRESENT HIGHS YESTERDAY…LOWS OVER THE LAST 12 HOURS…
AND PRECIPITATION OVER THE LAST 24 HOUR

                                                   HIGH   LOW   PCPN

DODGE CENTER AWOS     MN :   52 /  25 / 0.00
AUSTIN AWOS           MN :   54 /  25 / 0.00
ROCHESTER ASOS        MN :   53 /  29 / 0.00
PRESTON AWOS          MN :   55 /  33 / 0.00
WINONA AWOS           MN :   54 /  30 / 0.00

CHARLES CITY AWOS     IA :   55 /  27 / 0.00
DECORAH AWOS          IA :   54 /  30 / 0.00
OELWEIN AWOS          IA :    M /   M / 0.00

MEDFORD AWOS          WI :   45 /  28 / 0.00
BLACK RIVER FALLS AWOSWI :   54 /  19 / 0.00
LA CROSSE ASOS        WI :   56 /  29 / 0.00
SPARTA-FT MCCOY AWOS  WI :   53 /  20 / 0.00
VOLK FIELD ASOS       WI :   52 /  23 / 0.00
VIROQUA AWOS          WI :   52 /  31 / 0.00
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AWOS WI :   55 /  28 / 0.00
BOSCOBEL ASOS         WI :   58 /  28 / 0.00
PLATTEVILLE AWOS      WI :   52 /  30 / 0.00

..OFFICIAL NWS COOPERATIVE OBSERVATIONS…
VALUES REPRESENT 24 HOUR TOTALS AS OF THIS MORNING

                                         TIME   HIGH  LOW   PCPN

:…SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA…
ALTURA 5W             MN H0700/     /     / 0.00
AUSTIN                MN H0700/  52 /  25 / 0.00
BYRON 4N              MN H0700/  52 /  21 / 0.00
CALEDONIA             MN H0700/  52 /  28 / 0.00
ELGIN 2SSW            MN H0700/     /     / 0.00
GRAND MEADOW          MN H0600/  50 /  23 / 0.00
LA CRESCENT DAM 7     MN H0600/     /     / 0.00
LAKM5: LAKE CITY-COOP        MN H0800/     /     / 0.00
LNBM5: LANESBORO             MN H0700/     /     / 0.00
MSCM5: MINNESOTA CITY DAM 5  MN H0700/     /     / 0.00
PTNM5: PRESTON               MN H0800/  53 /  22 / 0.00
RSRM5: ROCHESTER AP 2NE      MN H0700/     /     / 0.00
SPGM5: SPRING VALLEY         MN H0715/     /     / 0.00
THLM5: THEILMAN 1SSW         MN H0800/  53 /  23 / 0.00
WABM5: WABASHA               MN H0700/     /     / 0.00
WIDM5: WINONA DAM 5A         MN H0600/  54 /  32 / 0.00

:…NORTHEAST IOWA…
CIYI4: CHARLES CITY COOP     IA H0700/     /     / 0.00
CRCI4: CRESCO                IA H0700/  55 /  26 / 0.00
DORI4: DORCHESTER            IA H0700/     /     / 0.00
FYTI4: FAYETTE               IA H0700/  53 /  27 / 0.00
GTTI4: GUTTENBERG DAM 10     IA H0600/     /     / 0.00
IONI4: IONIA 2W              IA H0700/     /     / 0.00
NHPI4: NEW HAMPTON           IA H0700/  53 /  27 / 0.00
OSAI4: OSAGE                 IA H0700/  52 /  28 / 0.00
SANI4: ST ANSGAR             IA H0630/     /     / 0.00
WAUI4: WAUKON                IA H0600/  53 /  32 / 0.00
:
:…WESTERN WISCONSIN…
ALMW3: ALMA DAM 4            WI H0600/     /     / 0.00
BLIW3: BLAIR 2NW             WI H0700/  54 /  22 / 0.00
CBCW3: CUBA CITY             WI H0800/     /     / 0.00
FRSW3: FRIENDSHIP            WI H0700/  50 /  25 / 0.00
GLLW3: GALESVILLE 3ENE       WI H0630/     /     /   T
GENW3: GENOA DAM 8           WI H0600/  53 /  41 / 0.00
HLSW3: HILLSBORO 1SW         WI H0800/  50 /  26 / 0.00
ARX  : LA CROSSE WFO         WI H0700/  52 /  31 / 0.00
LAFW3: LA FARGE              WI H0700/     /     / 0.00
LANW3: LANCASTER 4WSW        WI H0800/  51 /  30 / 0.00
LYNW3: LYNXVILLE DAM 9       WI H0600/     /     / 0.00
MATW3: MATHER 3NW            WI H0700/  51 /  29 / 0.00
NECW3: NECEDAH               WI H0600/  52 /  26 / 0.00
NELW3: NEILLSVILLE 3SW       WI H0630/  51 /  26 / 0.00
OTRW3: ONTARIO 3E            WI H0700/     /     / 0.00
OWEW3: OWEN 2N               WI H0800/  47 /  21 / 0.00
PDCW3: PRAIRIE DU CHIEN      WI H0700/  55 /  28 / 0.00
RTNW3: READSTOWN 4NE         WI H0700/     /     / 0.00
SRTW3: SPARTA                WI H0800/  54 /  24 / 0.00
SBNW3: STEUBEN 4SE           WI H0540/  52 /  35 / 0.00
TREW3: TREMPEALEAU DAM 6     WI H0600/     /     / 0.00
VQAW3: VIROQUA               WI H0700/  52 /  29 / 0.00
WESW3: WESTBY 3ENE           WI H0700/     /     / 0.00

Posted under Lows