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

What a difference a day makes!  After nearly reaching a record high on Thanksgiving we’ve seen some big changes in our weather in the past 24 hours thanks to the passage of a cold front through our area.  Ahead of that front, we had mid 60s in many locations, including Rochester where we recorded 64°, the warmest temperature on any Thanksgiving since 1913 and one degree shy of a record high for the actual calendar date.  Temperatures fell all afternoon and through last night, essentially leveling off for Black Friday with readings that would be more typical of December than late November.  The most brutal part of the temperature change has been our ridiculously strong, nasty northwest winds that are dropping our wind chill indices to the single digits ad teens.  Here’s a look at some specific wind chills locally over the coldest part of our Friday:

Brrrr For Black Friday: Latest Wind Chills And Peak Gusts

Its a cold day for Black Friday shoppers as temperatures will struggle to hold in the low to mid 20s – about 40 degrees colder compared to Thanksgiving. Adding considerable bite to the air will be wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. Wind chills will hover from 5 to 15 through the day. Stay warm through the hustle and bustle of this very busy shopping day.

Current temperatures, winds and wind chills here.

Below are some peak wind gusts and lowest wind chill readings from across the local area:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
949 AM CST FRI NOV 23 2012

...HIGHEST WINDS IN THE PAST 6 HOURS...

...LOCATION...                             ...TIME...     ...WIND...

...IOWA...

...CHICKASAW COUNTY...
2 N IONIA (1072 FT)(IADOT)                 355 AM NOV 23      42 MPH

...CLAYTON COUNTY...
MONONA (1182 FT)(AWS)                      450 AM NOV 23      30 MPH

...FAYETTE COUNTY...
OELWEIN (AWOS)                             555 AM NOV 23      45 MPH

...MITCHELL COUNTY...
SAINT ANSGAR (1174 FT)(APRSWXNET)          600 AM NOV 23      31 MPH

...WINNESHIEK COUNTY...
4 E NORDNESS (1017 FT)(IADOT)              423 AM NOV 23      43 MPH
DECORAH (AWOS)                             415 AM NOV 23      38 MPH

...MINNESOTA...

...DODGE COUNTY...
2 E KASSON (1283 FT)(MNDOT)                629 AM NOV 23      41 MPH
DODGE CENTER (AWOS)                        554 AM NOV 23      38 MPH

...FILLMORE COUNTY...
PRESTON (930 FT)(AWOS)                     410 AM NOV 23      41 MPH
2 ESE CANTON (1348 FT)(MNDOT)              734 AM NOV 23      39 MPH

...MOWER COUNTY...
1 ENE DEXTER (1410 FT)(MNDOT)              351 AM NOV 23      45 MPH
4 E GRAND MEADOW (1322 FT)(IEM)            749 AM NOV 23      45 MPH
AUSTIN (AWOS)                              415 AM NOV 23      41 MPH

...OLMSTED COUNTY...
MAYO HELIPAD (1164 FT)(AWOS)               514 AM NOV 23      47 MPH
ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL ARPT (ASOS)        354 AM NOV 23      37 MPH
2 SE EYOTA (1309 FT)(MNDOT)                426 AM NOV 23      37 MPH
4 NW ROCHESTER (1273 FT)(APRSWXNET)        351 AM NOV 23      32 MPH

...WABASHA COUNTY...
2 SSE KELLOGG (741 FT)(MNDOT)              509 AM NOV 23      38 MPH
1 NE BEAR VALLEY (1000 FT)(APRSWXNET)      840 AM NOV 23      31 MPH

...WINONA COUNTY...
1 E RIDGEWAY (1318 FT)(MNDOT)              402 AM NOV 23      39 MPH
MAX CONRAD FIELD (AWOS)                    712 AM NOV 23      35 MPH

...WISCONSIN...

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...
1 SW MOUNT STERLING (1195 FT)(WIDOT)       632 AM NOV 23      37 MPH
1 WNW PRAIRIE DU CHIEN (615 FT)(WIDOT)     431 AM NOV 23      32 MPH

...GRANT COUNTY...
2 NE EAST DUBUQUE (800 FT)(WIDOT)          506 AM NOV 23      39 MPH
4 SE PLATTEVILLE (1023 FT)(AWOS)           435 AM NOV 23      38 MPH
BOSCOBEL AIRPORT (ASOS)                    327 AM NOV 23      38 MPH
1 ENE BOSCOBEL (672 FT)(RAWS)              403 AM NOV 23      37 MPH

...JACKSON COUNTY...
BLACK RIVER FALLS AWOS (831 FT)(AWOS)      655 AM NOV 23      33 MPH

...JUNEAU COUNTY...
VOLK FIELD AP (906 FT)(ASOS)               738 AM NOV 23      39 MPH
NECEDAH 1W (920 FT)(GOES)                  548 AM NOV 23      36 MPH
MAUSTON (872 FT)(APRSWXNET)                702 AM NOV 23      31 MPH

...LA CROSSE COUNTY...
LA CROSSE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (ASOS)         922 AM NOV 23      40 MPH
1 SW LA CROSSE (639 FT)(APRSWXNET)         526 AM NOV 23      31 MPH

...MONROE COUNTY...
2 N TOMAH (990 FT)(WIDOT)                  631 AM NOV 23      32 MPH
SPARTA (AWOS)                              455 AM NOV 23      31 MPH

...TAYLOR COUNTY...
MEDFORD (AWOS)                             735 AM NOV 23      31 MPH
3 NE LUBLIN (1316 FT)(RAWS)                914 AM NOV 23      30 MPH

...TREMPEALEAU COUNTY...
2 WSW GALESVILLE (769 FT)(APRSWXNET)       528 AM NOV 23      32 MPH

...VERNON COUNTY...
VIROQUA AWOS (1292 FT)(AWOS)               535 AM NOV 23      32 MPH

OBSERVATIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES WITH VARYING
EQUIPMENT AND EXPOSURES. NOT ALL DATA LISTED IS CONSIDERED OFFICIAL.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE THANKS ITS PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PARTNERS
FOR PROVIDING US WITH THIS DATA.

$$

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
949 AM CST FRI NOV 23 2012

...LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS IN THE PAST 6 HOURS...

...LOCATION...                             ...TIME...       ...WC...

...IOWA...

...CLAYTON COUNTY...
MONONA (1182 FT)(AWS)                      450 AM NOV 23         3 F

...FAYETTE COUNTY...
4 SSE ARLINGTON (1164 FT)(AWS)             900 AM NOV 23         1 F
WEST UNION (1178 FT)(AWS)                  845 AM NOV 23         2 F
OELWEIN (AWOS)                             855 AM NOV 23         4 F

...FLOYD COUNTY...
NORA SPRINGS (1089 FT)(IEM)                859 AM NOV 23         1 F
1 E ROCKFORD (1036 FT)(IEM)                859 AM NOV 23         1 F

...HOWARD COUNTY...
1 ENE CRESCO (1279 FT)(IEM)                820 AM NOV 23        -1 F

...MITCHELL COUNTY...
SAINT ANSGAR (1174 FT)(IEM)                820 AM NOV 23        -2 F
SAINT ANSGAR (1174 FT)(APRSWXNET)          710 AM NOV 23        -1 F

...WINNESHIEK COUNTY...
DECORAH (AWOS)                             855 AM NOV 23         1 F
4 E NORDNESS (1017 FT)(IADOT)              403 AM NOV 23         7 F

...MINNESOTA...

...DODGE COUNTY...
2 E KASSON (1283 FT)(MNDOT)                614 AM NOV 23        -2 F

...FILLMORE COUNTY...
2 ESE CANTON (1348 FT)(MNDOT)              739 AM NOV 23        -1 F
4 SSW LANESBORO (1044 FT)(IEM)             659 AM NOV 23         1 F
PRESTON (930 FT)(AWOS)                     710 AM NOV 23         2 F

...MOWER COUNTY...
4 E GRAND MEADOW (1322 FT)(IEM)            749 AM NOV 23        -8 F
1 ENE DEXTER (1410 FT)(MNDOT)              716 AM NOV 23        -5 F
AUSTIN (AWOS)                              715 AM NOV 23        -1 F
LE ROY (1290 FT)(IEM)                      809 AM NOV 23         1 F

...OLMSTED COUNTY...
2 SE EYOTA (1309 FT)(MNDOT)                811 AM NOV 23        -2 F
MAYO HELIPAD (1164 FT)(AWOS)               814 AM NOV 23        -1 F
1 ESE ROCHESTER (997 FT)(IEM)              804 AM NOV 23         1 F
2 NE ROCHESTER (1046 FT)(IEM)              744 AM NOV 23         1 F

...WABASHA COUNTY...
1 NE BEAR VALLEY (1000 FT)(APRSWXNET)      740 AM NOV 23        -1 F
MAZEPPA (941 FT)(APRSWXNET)                706 AM NOV 23         2 F
2 SSE KELLOGG (741 FT)(MNDOT)              609 AM NOV 23         5 F

...WINONA COUNTY...
SAINT CHARLES (1125 FT)(AWS)               800 AM NOV 23         1 F
MAX CONRAD FIELD (AWOS)                    632 AM NOV 23         6 F
STOCKTON (757 FT)(APRSWXNET)               850 AM NOV 23         9 F

...WISCONSIN...

...ADAMS COUNTY...
FRIENDSHIP (960 FT)(AWS)                   834 AM NOV 23         8 F

...BUFFALO COUNTY...
COCHRANE (1083 FT)(AWS)                    715 AM NOV 23         8 F

...CLARK COUNTY...
1 WNW SIDNEY (3379 FT)(APRSWXNET)          402 AM NOV 23         8 F

...CRAWFORD COUNTY...
1 SW MOUNT STERLING (1195 FT)(WIDOT)       833 AM NOV 23         8 F

...GRANT COUNTY...
FENNIMORE (1175 FT)(AWS)                   825 AM NOV 23         6 F

...JACKSON COUNTY...
BLACK RIVER FALLS AWOS (831 FT)(AWOS)      735 AM NOV 23        11 F
1 E BLACK RIVER FALLS (837 FT)(RAWS)       815 AM NOV 23        12 F

...JUNEAU COUNTY...
VOLK FIELD AP (906 FT)(ASOS)               547 AM NOV 23         9 F
NECEDAH 1W (920 FT)(GOES)                  548 AM NOV 23        11 F

...LA CROSSE COUNTY...
LA CROSSE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (ASOS)         853 AM NOV 23         8 F
1 SW LA CROSSE (639 FT)(APRSWXNET)         407 AM NOV 23        11 F

...MONROE COUNTY...
2 N TOMAH (990 FT)(WIDOT)                  832 AM NOV 23        11 F
SPARTA (AWOS)                              815 AM NOV 23        12 F

...RICHLAND COUNTY...
1 SSE RICHLAND CENTER (752 FT)(AWS)        929 AM NOV 23        10 F
RICHLAND CENTER (730 FT)(AWS)              744 AM NOV 23        11 F

...TAYLOR COUNTY...
MEDFORD (AWOS)                             415 AM NOV 23         6 F
3 NE LUBLIN (1316 FT)(RAWS)                814 AM NOV 23         7 F

...TREMPEALEAU COUNTY...
2 WSW GALESVILLE (769 FT)(APRSWXNET)       619 AM NOV 23        10 F

...VERNON COUNTY...
VIROQUA AWOS (1292 FT)(AWOS)               815 AM NOV 23         7 F

Temperatures have taken a nose dive since midday Thursday. Perhaps the biggest 24 hour temperature change of the year so far.

Posted under Cold

Here we are in mid December and instead of snow piling up outside as it did last year, we’re actually losing snow thanks to some incredibly mild weather and some rain and drizzle in the area.  Our once snowy landscape is now turning brown and muddy and it looks like this warm spell won’t end until all of that snow is gone.  While the official forecast from the Climate Prediction Center was calling for another La Nina winter across the country similar to the one we had last year, we’ve only seen glimpses of the intense cold that we should expect and very little of the snow we’d normally receive.  At this point last year, we had measured 25.9 inches of snow and this year, we’ve received only 4.1 inches in December.  we do have to remember two things, of course, and that is La Nina patterns can be somewhat variable, meaning some La Nina winters are snowier than others, and there are varying degrees of La Nina type weather.  The other point to make here is it’s still very early in the game and we have three months or so of winter ahead and things will likely get pretty wintry again at some point.

We've received only a fraction of the snowfall so far this December compared to last December when we set the record for the snowiest month in Rochester history.

If you’re concerned about having a white Christmas, we don’t have any promising signs of accumulating snow on the horizon this week, but there may be a couple of small chances next week, so stay tuned.  Statistically, we have a “White Christmas” about 75 to 80 percent of the time and we’ve had eleven of them in the last twelve years, so I wonder if we’re due for a clunker.  In the meantime, we’re going to closely scan the horizon and keep an eye out for snow in the forecast as we approach the holidays which are rapidly approaching.

Posted under winter weather

Our current cold snap has us feeling like the tail end of the month rather than the first week of December as arctic air continues to trickle into the region.  This week’s weather is being dominated by a series of cold fronts that are working to reinforce our colder temperatures regime and also produce a few snow flurries.  However, the major snow producing storm systems are being diverted around us and it looks like this particular aspect of our pattern will hold true for at least the next week or so, if not longer.  While readings to start the month last weekend were very typical of early December, things have certainly gotten colder since then and will remain on the chilly side through the rest of the work week with highs in the teens and 20s in the forecast.  As far as snow is concerned, we have a slight surplus for the month with 4.1″ so far in Rochester which is about two inches above normal to this point in December.  The average amount for the month overall is 12.5″ according to the brand new 30 year climate calculations from the National Weather Service.  Looking ahead ta the rest of December with our climate “normals” in mind, we’ll lose five minutes of daylight by New Years Eve, but the actual sunset will be ten minutes later, so most people will benefit from that change, but the average daily high will fall from 30° where it stands today to 24° by the end of the month.

Temperatures will gradually drop off on average over the next three weeks while total daylight will fall off slightly between now and the end of the month.

Posted under climate

Good morning all! Some things to note:
1) The Blizzard Warning is done. There will be lowered visibilities at times today with the blowing snow.

2) It is brutally cold outside – temps will hover near 0° today and wind chills will be -20 to 30°.

3) Because of the cold wind chills, a Wind Chill Advisory is in effect until this evening (*but may be extended or replaced by another one for tonight) for nearly our entire area. Frostbite can happen in a matter of minutes – so if you’re outside trying to clean up – dress for it.

4) This has been an epic storm for the area. Wind gusts across northern Iowa reached 50-60mph last night, easily creating blizzard conditions. Wind gusts were a little “lighter” in southern Minnesota, but still about 35-45mph. If it wasn’t bad already last night, it just got worse. Here are just some of the storm reports this morning from the NWS La Crosse:

..TIME…   …EVENT…      …CITY LOCATION…     …LAT.LON…

..DATE…   ….MAG….      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. …SOURCE….

..REMARKS..

0457 AM     BLIZZARD         ROCHESTER               44.01N 92.48W

12/12/2010                   OLMSTED            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

MANY ROADS BLOWN SHUT ACROSS OLMSTED COUNTY.SOME VEHICLES STRANDED OVERNIGHT WITH OCCUPANTS INSIDE.

0720 AM     BLIZZARD         TOMAH                   43.99N 90.50W

12/12/2010                   MONROE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

SEVERE DRIFTING REPORTED ACROSS THE COUNTY. A FEW PEOPLE STRANDED IN VEHICLES FOR HALF THE NIGHT. ROADWAYS ON RIDGE TOPS SEVERLY DRIFTED.

0720 AM     BLIZZARD         LA CROSSE               43.83N 91.23W

12/12/2010                   LA CROSSE          WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

SEVERAL VEHICLES STUCK IN SNOW DRIFTS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

0727 AM     BLIZZARD         MAUSTON                 43.80N 90.08W

12/12/2010                   JUNEAU             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

MOST ROADWAYS ACROSS THE COUNTY IMPASSABLE. VEHICLES STRANDED ACROSS THE COUNTY.

0727 AM     BLIZZARD         FRIENDSHIP              43.97N 89.82W

12/12/2010                   ADAMS              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

WIDESPREAD DRIFTING ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH MANY ROADWAYS IMPASSABLE. SEVERAL VEHICLES STRANDED ACROSS THE COUNTY.

0739 AM     BLIZZARD         VIROQUA                 43.56N 90.89W

12/12/2010                   VERNON             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

SEVERAL ROADS DRIFTED SHUT. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS IN OPEN AREAS THROUGH MUCH OF THE NIGHT.

0745 AM     BLIZZARD         PRAIRIE DU CHIEN        43.04N 91.14W

12/12/2010                   CRAWFORD           WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

HIGHWAY 27 IMPASSABLE THIS MORNING. SOME POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTY.

0752 AM     BLIZZARD         FENNIMORE               42.98N 90.65W

12/12/2010                   GRANT              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

SEVERAL ROADS IMPASSABLE ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH SOME STRANDED VEHICLES.

Also, Rochester set some new records on December 11th with regards to the snow:

RECORD EVENT REPORT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI

0104 AM CST SUN DEC 12 2010

...RECORD DAILY MAXIMUM SNOWFALL SET AT ROCHESTER MN...

A RECORD SNOWFALL OF 15.0 INCHES WAS SET AT ROCHESTER MN YESTERDAY.

THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 5.5 INCHES SET BACK IN 1893.

THIS ALSO BREAKS THE HIGHEST ONE DAY SNOWFALL RECORD FOR THE MONTH

OF DECEMBER. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 10.3 INCHES ON DECEMBER 25 BACK

IN 1955.

So, here are the snowfall totals as of this morning. Mind you, these are estimates – the blowing and drifting makes it extremely hard to get an exact measurement. Also – These are snowfall totals that are through the National Weather Services office. If your city isn’t listed they either haven’t received a report or it’s outdated.

Posted under wind, winter, winter weather

The first six days of December 2010 and December 2009.

Here’s a comparison of our first week of December 2010 to December 2009 in Rochester. Yup, you weren’t imagining it – a warmer start last year than this year.  Ahem, but we all know how the entire duration of last December went….SNOW!

Posted under winter

We’re enjoying some pretty mild weather today to start the week, but from the looks of things this may be the last gasp of this type of “warmth” for a while.  Gusty southeast winds have been pushing in some pretty warm air for the past day or so, and today we’re again looking at some lower 40s in the area which is about 10 degrees warmer than normal for this time of the year.  Those winds along with some cloud cover are products of a storm system that is approaching from the west, one that’ll be responsible for bringing us rain and eventually a little snow.  Look for light rain today, especially this afternoon and evening, followed by a chageover to snow late tonight as temperatures begin their descent behind the storm system as it glides to our northeast.  During the overnight period, some of us may pick up as much as an inch of snow with another inch or so possible tomorrow as light snow will affect us off and on through the day.  The highest amounts will be north and west of Rochester where a Winter Weather Advisory has been posted and will be in effect through noon tomorrow.  It’s going to be a raw and blustery day Tuesday as temperatures will start out around 28° and then drop to the lower 20s by the afternoon hours with gusty west winds making it feel like the teens.  Definitely a preview of typical December for our last day of November!

Some spots locally will pick up an inch or two of snow from this storm system while the really heavy stuff will be well to our north once again.

Even if we’re able to tally a couple of inches of snowfall from this storm system, we’ll still likely fall a bit short of our snowfall average for the month of November which is about 7 inches.  So far this month, Rochester has officially measured 1.1″ of snow.  Right now, as we look ahead at the first several days of December, there are appear to be few chances for precipitation as cool and dry weather will prevail for the most part.  The one chance we have will be on Friday nigth and Saturday when we may see some very light snow showers or flurries, but at this time, a minor event is expected.

Posted under winter weather

The good news is our wind chills aren’t as bitterly cold today, but you still have to contend with a single digit feeling outside. We’ll have plenty of sun for the rest of the day, followed by a nice little warm up headed into the weekend.

That warm up will bring a chance for some light precip – on the order of some flurries/light snow/freezing drizzle? late Saturday into Sunday morning. No advisories on this, and I don’t anticipate it, but watch out for some slick spots tomorrow and Sunday morning.

After our nice warm up, we head backwards with temperatures, going from normal 20s to the single digits and teens again for highs/below zero overnight. Uh, brr.

Posted under KTTC

Not much new to report from my post on Saturday. It’s still looking more and more likely that a cold snap will arrive by midweek. When you look at the highs and lows getting into Wednesday through the upcoming weekend, keep in mind that that’s near normal (OK, maybe a bit little below). What’ll make it feel colder will be a biting northwest wind, especially Wednesday into Thursday and possibly later next weekend.

Otherwise, the last day of November just wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t end it on a mild note. What a crazy, warm month. I was trying to think of something clever, ala “In like a lamb, out like a lion”, but the best I can come up with is “out with the shorts and in with the parkas”.

What? I’m not a poet.

Posted under KTTC