After a March-like week that has featured high temperatures in the 30s and quite a bit of melting snow, it looks like more typical January weather is just hours away.  A potent cold front to our west is expected to sweep through the area after midnight tonight, unleashing some strong, cold west winds that will blow seasonably cold air back into the region.  Ahead of that front today, we’re dealing with the effects of warm weather and melting snow as fog is thick and gray is the color scheme du jour.  We’ll have clouds and highs near 40 degrees for our “Finally Friday” with south winds gradually increasing and working to slowly mix out some of our fog.  While heavy snow will be likely tonight through much of Saturday in the northern plains and far northwestern Minnesota with this storm system and cold front, we’ll get just a few snow showers and flurries along that front and then dry, mainly gray weather for Saturday.  Temperatures this weekend in the wake of that front will be very typical of mid January, beginning a trend of cold weather that looks to linger through most of the rest of the month.

Temperatures look to drop off a cliff late tonight as a strong cold front brings winter weather back to the area.

Posted under Cold, winter weather

Fall is officially less than a week away coming in this upcoming Saturday, but a large storm system will supply us with some much cooler air helping it feel like fall a little earlier. Temperatures have been above average over the past couple of days, but some BIG changes are coming.  These were some of our highs Sunday afternoon.  If you are a fan of the August-like temperatures we have been having, take a good look at the temperature map below because we won’t see these for a while and maybe not until next year.

High Temperatures Sunday (9/16)

This huge dip in the Jetstream will be responsible for pulling in some fall-like Canadian air in for the upcoming week, especially Monday and Tuesday.

As of 4:00 on Sunday afternoon, a surface cold front was sweeping across the Northern Plains and entering the Upper Midwest.  Notice how much temperatures have changed from where they were on Saturday at this same time.  In some places in North Dakota and Montana, the temperatures have dropped 20-30 degrees.  By the time Monday rolls around, we will see a similar drop in temperatures as the cold front crosses.

24 Hour Temperature Change Across The Upper Midwest

As skies clear late Monday Night, temperatures will drop like a rock into the mid 30s as cool air continues to rush in to the area.  If the winds can die a bit, some places may see some patchy frost Tuesday AM

Posted under just cool, weather

The past couple of days have been just ideal for the holiday weekend in terms of travel conditions and warmth as skies have been fairly bright and dry and our temperatures have been unusually warm for late November.  We’re going to enjoy one more day of incredible warmth before typical November returns for the foreseeable future.  A storm system to our west is approaching the area today, producing some thicker clouds and gusty south winds for us.  Even with a little less sunshine than the past couple of days, our afternoon highs are expected to reach well into the 50s thanks to that nice shot of warm air.   Here’s a look at some of the local high temperatures from Thanksgiving, a day that featured some record warmth and our first 60 degree highs in two weeks.

Rochester set a record high on Thursday with 60° reported at the airport. It surpassed the former record of 56° set in 1990.

The warm spell will end tonight as that storm system drags a cold front through the Upper Mississippi Valley, allowing much colder air in from Canada.  We’ll have overnight lows in the lower 40s and then we’ll start the day Saturday with rain and temperatures in the lower 40s with steadily falling temperatures through the day, eventually reaching the mid 30s by day’s end.  Strong, gusty west winds will occasionally reach 35 miles per hour tomorrow, making it feel even colder.  As we move into the mid and late afternoonh tomorrow, snow will develop with some grassy accumulations possible by tomorrow night before ending early Sunday.  Totals will be rather light, however with generally less than an inch expected across the viewing area.  Colder, more seasonable weather is expected through the next week with another chance for light snow showers or flurries late Wednesday and blustery, cold winds just about each day.

Snowfall totals Saturday evening and night will be on the light side, but there will definitely be enough to remind us that we're getting close to December.

Posted under weather

The arrival of a cold front from the northwest today has made for some changeable and turbulent weather in our area and created some photo opportunities for weather photo enthusiasts.  We started the day with a magnificent rainbow display as some showers moved in from the west ahead of that front and interacted with some sunshine just after sunrise.  We’ll continue to see a little of both in the afternoon today with occasional sun and a few light showers in the area while the winds become the bigger story, occasionally gusting beyond 30 miles per hour from the southwest along and behind the cold front.  Some viewers shared their pictures of this morning’s rainbows:

Todd Hanson took this in NW Rochester this morning.

Paul Movall-Rochester

Scott Shaske-Rochester

Jeanne Kuhlmann-Byron

Mary Schuth-Taylor Mazeppa

Posted under pictures

After quite a warm and somewhat stormy weekend, we’re looking at a typical early April day today that will feature gusty winds and highs in the 50s.  In fact, the 50° highs we’re expecting today will be about 25° cooler than the near record warmth we experienced on Sunday before a potent cold front swept through the region.  Of course, that front was also the focus of some strong thunderstorm activity across parts of our area and through much of Wisconsin yesterday, producing seven tornadoes in the Badger state.  Here’s a summary of the severe weather outbreak Sunday from the National Weather Service in La Crosse:

**** This is a preliminary summary. Storm surveys will be conducted on Monday and more information will be added over the next few days. Check back often. ****

Storm Set-up

A strong, early spring storm moved across the region on the 9th and 10th of April, 2011. That Saturday (the 9th), a warm front was the focus for severe thunderstorm development, and resulted in several tornadoes over northwest Iowa along with large hail and damaging winds.

On Sunday the 10th, the warm front pushed north across northern Wisconsin. The severe weather focus shifted to an area of low pressure center and trailing cold front. The atmosphere was unstable ahead of the front, and the winds were very favorable for storm organization, include supercells capable of tornadoes. Warm air just above the surface though acted as a lid to thunderstorm development until later in the afternoon, with the front and low serving as the triggering mechanism. Storms started to fire by 3 pm, and once they got going, they developed rapidly with many producing severe weather within 20 to 30 minutes of initiation. The first warning locally was issued at 3:39 pm for portions of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. The storms moved very rapidly, some approaching 70 mph. At these speeds, the storms exited into central and eastern Wisconsin by mid evening, leaving the local forecast area by 8 pm.

The severe storms produced very large hail, damaging winds, and possibly a few tornadoes. Storm surveys will be conducted over the next couple days to assess the potential tornadic and/or straight-line wind damage. Golf ball sized hail fell at the NWS La Crosse office, damaging several cars. The biggest hail reported was 3 inches at Hokah, MN at 4:42 pm.

 Damage path of straight-line winds in Houston county, MN

Radar Imagery

Radar animation from approximately 330 pm to 8 pm, every 10 minutes (large file)

Reflectivity image as storms approached La Crosse (437 pm cdt)

Reflectivity image as storms moved across Juneau and Adams counties (618 pm cdt)

Storm relative motion image depicting circulation in storm near Cottonville, WI (704 pm cdt)

Photos

Hail in La Crosse, WI

Damage Reports

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
851 PM CDT SUN APR 10 2011

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

0340 PM     HAIL             ELMA                    43.25N 92.44W
04/10/2011  M0.75 INCH       HOWARD             IA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            40-50 MPH ESTIMATED WIND ALSO

0350 PM     HAIL             NELSON                  44.42N 92.00W
04/10/2011  M1.00 INCH       BUFFALO            WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0400 PM     HAIL             7 W HARMONY             43.56N 92.15W
04/10/2011  M0.75 INCH       FILLMORE           MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ALSO REPORTED 40 MPH WINDS

0411 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N BURR OAK            43.48N 91.88W
04/10/2011                   WINNESHIEK         IA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SOME TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN AND BUILDING DAMAGE

0420 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SW CANTON             43.51N 91.96W
04/10/2011                   FILLMORE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            2 FOOT DIAMETER TREE DOWN BLOCKING THE ROAD.

0424 PM     HAIL             NELSON                  44.42N 92.00W
04/10/2011  E0.88 INCH       BUFFALO            WI   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            ALSO SEEING OCCASIONAL WALL CLOUD WITH SOME SLIGHT
            LOWERING. NO ROTATION AT THIS TIME.

0427 PM     HAIL             HOUSTON                 43.76N 91.57W
04/10/2011  M1.75 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

0430 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 N CALEDONIA           43.71N 91.50W
04/10/2011                   HOUSTON            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            MOBILE HOME KNOCKED OFF FOUNDATION

0432 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CALEDONIA               43.63N 91.50W
04/10/2011                   HOUSTON            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            BARN DOWN JUST OUTSIDE CALEDONIA

0432 PM     HAIL             GOODVIEW                44.07N 91.71W
04/10/2011  E1.00 INCH       WINONA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0434 PM     TSTM WND DMG     8 N CALEDONIA           43.75N 91.50W
04/10/2011                   HOUSTON            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ALONG HWY 76

0435 PM     HAIL             5 E FOUNTAIN CITY       44.12N 91.60W
04/10/2011  E1.25 INCH       BUFFALO            WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0437 PM     HAIL             ARCADIA                 44.25N 91.49W
04/10/2011  E0.75 INCH       TREMPEALEAU        WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0438 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BLACK HAMMER            43.61N 91.67W
04/10/2011                   HOUSTON            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN ALONG COUNTY ROAD 19. POSSIBLE TORNADO
            TOUCHDOWN. DEPUTY ON THE WAY TO INVESTIGATE.

0442 PM     HAIL             2 E HOKAH               43.76N 91.31W
04/10/2011  M2.75 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR

0442 PM     HAIL             ARCADIA                 44.25N 91.49W
04/10/2011  E1.25 INCH       TREMPEALEAU        WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0442 PM     HAIL             HOKAH                   43.76N 91.35W
04/10/2011  E3.00 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HAIL COVERING THE GROUND WITH SOME TREES DOWN.

0444 PM     HAIL             1 S HOKAH               43.75N 91.35W
04/10/2011  M1.00 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            ALSO 0.50 INCHES OF RAIN IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AND VERY
            STRONG WINDS. POWER WENT OUT.

0445 PM     HAIL             3 NW BROWNSVILLE        43.73N 91.32W
04/10/2011  E1.75 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0445 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 N CALEDONIA           43.71N 91.50W
04/10/2011                   HOUSTON            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            BARN DOWN AND TRAILER BLOWN OFF ITS FOUNDATION.

0451 PM     HAIL             2 S LA CROSSE           43.80N 91.23W
04/10/2011  E1.50 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL

0451 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 S LA CROSSE           43.80N 91.23W
04/10/2011  E60.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   AMATEUR RADIO

0452 PM     HAIL             2 S LA CROSSE           43.80N 91.23W
04/10/2011  E1.00 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            ON WARD AVENUE IN SOUTH LA CROSSE

0453 PM     HAIL             3 SE LA CROSSE          43.80N 91.19W
04/10/2011  E2.50 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            AT SOUTHERN BLUFFS SCHOOL

0453 PM     HAIL             2 S LA CROSSE           43.80N 91.23W
04/10/2011  E2.00 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   PUBLIC

            EXTENSIVE HAIL DAMAGE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LA CROSSE NEAR
            WAL MART. WINDOWS BROKEN AND SIDING DAMAGED TO AN
            ESTIMATED 10 TO 15 HOMES. SEVERAL VEHICLES ALSO DAMAGED
            WITH DENTS AND BROKEN WINDOWS AND MIRRORS.

0454 PM     HAIL             5 S OSSEO               44.51N 91.22W
04/10/2011  E1.75 INCH       TREMPEALEAU        WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0454 PM     HAIL             3 E LA CROSSE           43.83N 91.17W
04/10/2011  E1.75 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   NWS EMPLOYEE

            AT NWS OFFICE

0454 PM     HAIL             2 S LA CROSSE           43.80N 91.23W
04/10/2011  E2.00 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            SOUTH SIDE

0455 PM     HAIL             3 E LA CROSSE           43.83N 91.17W
04/10/2011  M1.75 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            AT HWY 14 AND CTH MM

0456 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 E LA CROSSE           43.83N 91.21W
04/10/2011  M52.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   NWS EMPLOYEE

            AT NWS OFFICE

0459 PM     HAIL             WEST SALEM              43.90N 91.08W
04/10/2011  M1.00 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   NWS EMPLOYEE

            ALSO 40 MPH WIND

0500 PM     TSTM WND DMG     OSSEO                   44.58N 91.22W
04/10/2011                   TREMPEALEAU        WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LOTS OF WINDOWS BROKEN AND CARS DENTED FROM WHAT APPEARS
            TO BE WIND BLOWN DEBRIS.

0516 PM     HAIL             1 S SPARTA              43.93N 90.81W
04/10/2011  M1.00 INCH       MONROE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            AT I-90 EXIT 25

0525 PM     HAIL             7 E SPARTA              43.94N 90.67W
04/10/2011  M1.75 INCH       MONROE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            AT HWY 16 AND CTH A

0530 PM     HAIL             MEDFORD                 45.14N 90.35W
04/10/2011  E1.00 INCH       TAYLOR             WI   PUBLIC

0530 PM     HAIL             1 N TOMAH               44.00N 90.50W
04/10/2011  M1.25 INCH       MONROE             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0532 PM     HAIL             TUNNEL CITY             44.00N 90.57W
04/10/2011  M0.50 INCH       MONROE             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0536 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     3 SW OAKDALE            43.93N 90.42W
04/10/2011                   MONROE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            POSSIBLE FUNNEL REPORTED BY PUBLIC

0538 PM     HAIL             WARRENS                 44.13N 90.50W
04/10/2011  E1.00 INCH       MONROE             WI   AMATEUR RADIO

0538 PM     HAIL             2 W TOMAH               43.99N 90.54W
04/10/2011  M0.75 INCH       MONROE             WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0539 PM     HAIL             3 W WITHEE              44.95N 90.66W
04/10/2011  M0.25 INCH       CLARK              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0542 PM     HAIL             4 SW STETSONVILLE       45.04N 90.37W
04/10/2011  E1.00 INCH       TAYLOR             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0608 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 SE NECEDAH            43.99N 90.03W
04/10/2011                   JUNEAU             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            8 TO 10 INCH PINE TREES UPROOTED AND A GARAGE DOWN. WINDS
            ESTIMATED 60 MPH.

0610 PM     TSTM WND GST     VOLK FIELD              43.93N 90.27W
04/10/2011  M56.00 MPH       JUNEAU             WI   ASOS

0610 PM     TORNADO          1 NW ARKDALE            44.04N 89.90W
04/10/2011                   ADAMS              WI   PUBLIC

            POSSIBLE TORNADO REPORTED BY PUBLIC. CONSIDERABLE TREE
            DAMAGE.

0610 PM     TSTM WND DMG     NECEDAH                 44.02N 90.07W
04/10/2011                   JUNEAU             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FUNNEL CLOUD WITH TREES DOWN.

0618 PM     HAIL             3 SE NECEDAH            43.99N 90.03W
04/10/2011  M1.25 INCH       JUNEAU             WI   AMATEUR RADIO

0618 PM     HAIL             1 E NECEDAH             44.02N 90.05W
04/10/2011  M1.25 INCH       JUNEAU             WI   AMATEUR RADIO

0623 PM     HAIL             BIG FLATS               44.12N 89.80W
04/10/2011  E1.00 INCH       ADAMS              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0625 PM     TSTM WND DMG     COTTONVILLE             44.06N 89.81W
04/10/2011                   ADAMS              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREES DOWN.

0630 PM     HAIL             NEW ROME                44.24N 89.88W
04/10/2011  E0.75 INCH       ADAMS              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0630 PM     TORNADO          COTTONVILLE             44.06N 89.81W
04/10/2011                   ADAMS              WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            REPORTED BY SPOTTER

0725 PM     HAIL             2 S FRIENDSHIP          43.95N 89.82W
04/10/2011  M0.88 INCH       ADAMS              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DIME HAIL IN ADAMS

0727 PM     HAIL             ADAMS                   43.96N 89.82W
04/10/2011  E0.75 INCH       ADAMS              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

Posted under severe weather

Like we thought,  snow totals out of our latest storm weren’t that impressive, well at least compared to the storms of December.  While southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa did not see the worst of this March storm, major impacts are still being felt over the entire eastern third country.  Check out the watches/warnings this morning  from the National Weather Service: (From 5:33 AM)

The storm is ABSOLUTELY ENORMOUS!!  Here is a radar image from the same time showing how much real estate the storm is covered at this time:

Here are the latest storm totals for the day:

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
753 AM CST WED MAR 09 2011

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

0700 AM     SNOW             WAUKON                  43.27N  91.47W
03/09/2011  M4.0 INCH        ALLAMAKEE          IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             POSTVILLE               43.09N  91.56W
03/09/2011  M2.4 INCH        ALLAMAKEE          IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0643 AM     SNOW             HARPERS FERRY 2N        43.22N  91.15W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        ALLAMAKEE          IA   PUBLIC

0643 AM     SNOW             NEW HAMPTON             43.06N  92.31W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        CHICKASAW          IA   PUBLIC

0643 AM     SNOW             EDGEWOOD                42.64N  91.40W
03/09/2011  M3.0 INCH        CLAYTON            IA   PUBLIC

0643 AM     SNOW             CLAYTON CENTER          42.88N  91.32W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        CLAYTON            IA   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             VOLGA 1NE               42.81N  91.52W
03/09/2011  M1.9 INCH        CLAYTON            IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0643 AM     SNOW             OSTERDOCK               42.73N  91.16W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        CLAYTON            IA   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             FAYETTE                 42.85N  91.82W
03/09/2011  M3.8 INCH        FAYETTE            IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             CHARLES CITY COOP       43.08N  92.67W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        FLOYD              IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0643 AM     SNOW             CHARLES CITY            43.07N  92.68W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        FLOYD              IA   PUBLIC

0643 AM     SNOW             CRESCO                  43.38N  92.12W
03/09/2011  M2.5 INCH        HOWARD             IA   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             CRESCO                  43.37N  92.11W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        HOWARD             IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0643 AM     SNOW             OSAGE                   43.29N  92.81W
03/09/2011  M4.0 INCH        MITCHELL           IA   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             ST ANSGAR               43.37N  92.83W
03/09/2011  M3.6 INCH        MITCHELL           IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0643 AM     SNOW             DECORAH                 43.31N  91.79W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        WINNESHIEK         IA   PUBLIC

0643 AM     SNOW             FORT ATKINSON           43.14N  91.94W
03/09/2011  M1.4 INCH        WINNESHIEK         IA   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             DODGE CENTER            44.03N  92.86W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        DODGE              MN   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             SPRING VALLEY 3E        43.68N  92.33W
03/09/2011  M3.5 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             LANESBORO               43.72N  91.97W
03/09/2011  M2.9 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             PETERSON 1S             43.78N  91.82W
03/09/2011  M2.4 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             CALEDONIA               43.63N  91.50W
03/09/2011  M4.0 INCH        HOUSTON            MN   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             LA CRESCENT 3SSW        43.81N  91.32W
03/09/2011  M3.6 INCH        HOUSTON            MN   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             RENO 3SW                43.53N  91.33W
03/09/2011  M3.5 INCH        HOUSTON            MN   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             SPRING GROVE 4N         43.61N  91.62W
03/09/2011  M2.4 INCH        HOUSTON            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             AUSTIN                  43.67N  92.95W
03/09/2011  M3.6 INCH        MOWER              MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             AUSTIN KAAL TV          43.68N  92.95W
03/09/2011  M3.1 INCH        MOWER              MN   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             GRAND MEADOW            43.71N  92.56W
03/09/2011  M2.5 INCH        MOWER              MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             ROCHESTER AP 2NE        43.93N  92.48W
03/09/2011  M2.6 INCH        OLMSTED            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             ORONOCO                 44.16N  92.54W
03/09/2011  M2.5 INCH        OLMSTED            MN   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             ELGIN 2SSW              44.10N  92.27W
03/09/2011  M1.6 INCH        OLMSTED            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             ROCHESTER               44.02N  92.48W
03/09/2011  M1.5 INCH        OLMSTED            MN   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             WABASHA                 44.39N  92.05W
03/09/2011  M1.8 INCH        WABASHA            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             GOODVIEW                44.07N  91.71W
03/09/2011  M1.8 INCH        WINONA             MN   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             MINNESOTA CITY DAM 5    44.16N  91.81W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        WINONA             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             LA CRESCENT DAM 7       43.87N  91.31W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        WINONA             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             WINONA DAM 5A           44.09N  91.67W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        WINONA             MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             FRIENDSHIP              43.97N  89.82W
03/09/2011  M5.2 INCH        ADAMS              WI   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             ARKDALE                 44.03N  89.88W
03/09/2011  M5.0 INCH        ADAMS              WI   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             WHITE CREEK             43.84N  89.87W
03/09/2011  M4.0 INCH        ADAMS              WI   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             FRIENDSHIP              43.97N  89.82W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        ADAMS              WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             ALMA DAM 4              44.33N  91.92W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        BUFFALO            WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             NEILLSVILLE 3SW         44.53N  90.64W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        CLARK              WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             NEILLSVILLE             44.56N  90.59W
03/09/2011  M0.5 INCH        CLARK              WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             SOLDIERS GROVE          43.39N  90.78W
03/09/2011  M3.8 INCH        CRAWFORD           WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             STEUBEN 4SE             43.13N  90.84W
03/09/2011  M3.7 INCH        CRAWFORD           WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             GAYS MILLS              43.32N  90.85W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        CRAWFORD           WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             PRAIRIE DU CHIEN        43.05N  91.13W
03/09/2011  M1.0 INCH        CRAWFORD           WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             LANCASTER               42.85N  90.71W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        GRANT              WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             TAYLOR                  44.32N  91.12W
03/09/2011  M3.0 INCH        JACKSON            WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             BLACK RIVER FALLS       44.30N  90.85W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        JACKSON            WI   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             NECEDAH                 44.03N  90.07W
03/09/2011  M5.0 INCH        JUNEAU             WI   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             NEW LISBON              43.88N  90.17W
03/09/2011  M4.0 INCH        JUNEAU             WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             LA CROSSE WFO           43.82N  91.19W
03/09/2011  M5.2 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             WEST SALEM 1W           43.90N  91.09W
03/09/2011  M5.0 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             LA CROSSE ASOS          43.88N  91.26W
03/09/2011  M2.6 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             HOLMEN 2S               43.93N  91.25W
03/09/2011  M2.4 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             LA CROSSE 5SSE          43.79N  91.21W
03/09/2011  M1.8 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             FOUR CORNERS            44.07N  90.92W
03/09/2011  M4.3 INCH        MONROE             WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             WARRENS 5WSW            44.10N  90.59W
03/09/2011  M3.2 INCH        MONROE             WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             RICHLAND CENTER 1NW     43.36N  90.42W
03/09/2011  M3.8 INCH        RICHLAND           WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             RICHLAND CENTER         43.32N  90.38W
03/09/2011  M2.6 INCH        RICHLAND           WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             MEDFORD                 45.14N  90.35W
03/09/2011  M0.5 INCH        TAYLOR             WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             TREMPEALEAU DAM 6       44.00N  91.44W
03/09/2011  M4.0 INCH        TREMPEALEAU        WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             GALESVILLE 2ENE         44.09N  91.31W
03/09/2011  M2.3 INCH        TREMPEALEAU        WI   PUBLIC

0700 AM     SNOW             OSSEO                   44.58N  91.22W
03/09/2011  M1.7 INCH        TREMPEALEAU        WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             BLAIR 2NW               44.31N  91.27W
03/09/2011  M1.5 INCH        TREMPEALEAU        WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             VIROQUA                 43.55N  90.90W
03/09/2011  M4.8 INCH        VERNON             WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0700 AM     SNOW             LA FARGE                43.57N  90.64W
03/09/2011  M3.1 INCH        VERNON             WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0745 AM     SNOW             STODDARD 2NE            43.69N  91.18W
03/09/2011  M2.6 INCH        VERNON             WI   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             VIROQUA                 43.58N  90.88W
03/09/2011  M2.0 INCH        VERNON             WI   PUBLIC

0745 AM     SNOW             DE SOTO                 43.43N  91.20W
03/09/2011  M1.5 INCH        VERNON             WI   PUBLIC
&&
FOR THIS...AND A WEALTH OF OTHER RIVER AND WEATHER INFORMATION...
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT  WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE

Posted under atmospheric phenomenon, flooding, just cool, KTTC, minnesota, Natural Disaster, rainfall, Rochester, severe weather, snowfall amounts, spring, Travel, weather, winter, winter weather

An arctic cold front swung through the region last night, drawing in some much colder air for us today as afternoon temperatures will be a full 10 to 15° colder than Monday’s and wind chills will mainly stay below zero.  This current cold spell is expected to linger through the weekend, so we’re going to have to bundle up and try our best to stay warm with temperatures that will, in most cases, reach the only single digits for afternoon highs while overnight temperatures will be below zero in most spots through Sunday.  Ironically, this cold front is pushing through the region on the day our climate numbers begin to bump up a bit (theoretically speaking that is) and the average high temperature in Rochester goes from 19° as it’s been for the past 10 days or so to 20° today.  Hey, it’s not a lot, but a sign of improvement…or hope.  Another item to be excited about is the length of daylight.  Our sunset today is going to be AFTER 5:00 PM for the first time since November! 

Today's sunset is after 5:00 for the first time since November 6th, the last day of Central Daylight Time.

Posted under climate

Steve Richards, Rochester

The next cold front will glide through the region tonight, and for us that means a nice reinforcing shot of cold air for the next couple of days. Lows the next couple of nights will hover below zero, and with winds, we’ll be looking at wind chills around -15 to -25°.

The good news is that it’ll be quiet the next several days. Quiet, and cold. Cue the groundhog.

Or the icicles.

Posted under winter weather

Thanks to a quick shot of warm air ahead of a cold front in the past 24 hours, we finally enjoyed our first 20 degree temperatures of the week earlier today (hopefully you didn’t miss it.)  That short-lived warm spell happened last night as temperatures quickly rose in the evening, eventually reaching into the 20s in most spots locally before this morning’s cold front ushered in another arctic blast and even produced some light snow showers before sunrise.  Here are some of the predawn temperatures recorded in our local area (before the cold front):

 CURRENT HOURLY OBSERVATIONS ACROSS
MUCH OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
200 AM CST THU JAN 29 2009

…SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA…

CITY                   SKY/WX      TMP    DP     RH    WIND       PRES   REMARKS
ROCHESTER    CLOUDY      25        21     85      W14       29.72R    WCI  13
WINONA         CLOUDY       18        12      79      CALM      29.77R
AUSTIN         FLURRIES     28        27      93      W12       29.74R WCI  18
ALBERT LEA     CLOUDY    27       25      93      W14G23    29.75R FOG     WCI  15
DODGE CENTER   LGT SNOW  25  21      86     W10       29.72R WCI  15
PRESTON        LGT SNOW   25        22       89      W10       29.73R WCI  15
OWATONNA       LGT SNOW  27   23       86       W12       29.72R WCI  16
FARIBAULT      LGT SNOW  25     23       93       W3        29.74R
$$

…ELSEWHERE IN MINNESOTA…

CITY           SKY/WX          TMP     DP       RH      WIND       PRES   REMARKS
MINNEAPOLIS    CLOUDY   18  14        84        CALM      29.74R    FOG
INTNL FALLS    NOT AVBL
DULUTH         FLURRIES  10        6          84        NW7       29.65R     WCI  -1
RED WING       CLOUDY    14     10           85       CALM      29.74R    FOG
REDWOOD FALLS  CLOUDY    21  14      74       NW15G23   29.82R WCI   8
MANKATO        CLOUDY    27  25             93        NW20G28   29.76R WCI  13
WORTHINGTON    NOT AVBL
FAIRMONT       CLOUDY    27  21            80         NW23      29.82R     WCI  12
$$

From the looks of things, we’ll be getting another decent shot of warm air just in time for the last day of the month on Saturday, giving us one final chance to reach 30 degrees for the first time this month in Rochester.  If we fall short of the freezing mark Saturday, it’ll be just the first time that has happened since 1979, so we’ll have to watch that situation closely.

Speaking of a cold winter, I found this link from the National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids, Michigan that shows the ice on Lake Michigan and the surrounding shoreline.  Enoy the cool pictures and interesting article!

NWS Grand Rapids, MI article: Will Lake Michigan Freeze Over?

Posted under Uncategorized

Cooler Canadian air will keep highs close to the freezing mark Saturday, and it’s going to be a blustery, November day.  Our leaves haven’t been given much of an opportunity to dry out here lately, but this weekend might just be our chance to get after the raking we’ve had to put off due to recent wet weather.

Sunday’s temperatures will bump back to normal (upper 30s) ahead of a cold front that will bring our temperatures back down below normal for this coming Monday.

I was gazing at the long range model data today, and it was trying to paint a substantial storm by the last two days of November.  It’s fun to imagine, but I wouldn’t count on it.  One would think we’re just about due for a good load of snow sometime soon though…

Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to check out the latest trivia question for our Birthday Week Extravaganza!  Prizes may include, but are not limited to…a paper clip, an old battery, or anything else that might be wandering through the office.  Budgets are tight! 

Posted under KTTC, weather