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Severe Weather and Rainfall Reports

A cold front overnight triggered quite an intense line of thunderstorms in our area that toppled trees, knocked down power lines, damaged roofs, and even started some fires.  If there is any good news in all of this, it’s the rainfall we received from those thunderstorms.  Below is a map showing doppler radar estimates of how much rain fell overnight.  This is helpful in enabling us to see specifically where the highest amounts fell and giving us an idea of how much fell between observation points.

Beneficial rain fell across the entire viewing area Tuesday night. The highest amounts were reported in northeastern Iowa where more than 5 inches were estimated on doppler radar. Southern Minnesota registered a quarter of an inch to a little more than an inch of rainfall.

 

 

 

Severe Weather of September 4-5, 2012

Rainfall Totals Photos Local Storm Reports

Storms developed rapidly on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 4th across parts of western Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.  They produced sporadic large hail as they continued to grow, expand in coverage area, and moved into northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin.  Hail over 2 inches in diameter was reported with stronger storms along with localized wind gusts ranging from 60 to 75 mph.  As storms moved into southwest Wisconsin, at least one tornado formed in northwest Grant County, Wisconsin.

Heavy rain also fell that led to flash flooding.  The terrain in the region enhances the flood threat.

In addition, a second area of thunderstorms developed over eastern South Dakota by mid evening which progressed east and prompted additional warnings for strong thunderstorm winds.

Radar reflectivity from severe weather round 1 - Sept 4th, 2012 Radar reflectivity of severe weather round 2 - Sept 4-5th, 2012

Storm Reports from Sept.4-5, 2012

Afternoon / Evening Radar

Late Evening / Overnight Radar

 

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Storm Photos

tornado large hail large hail
large hail large hail large hail
large hail large hail large hail

Photo submissions courtesy of local photographers and media partners.

Rainfall Totals

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
736 AM CDT WED SEP 5 2012

…24 HOUR RAINFALL TOTALS ACROSS THE AREA…

LOCATION                   RAINFALL    TIME     LAT/LON

IOWA

…ALLAMAKEE COUNTY…
HARPERS FERRY              1.52        0700 AM  43.17N 91.24W
ION                        1.43        0700 AM  43.11N 91.27W
DORCHESTER                 1.39        0700 AM  43.47N 91.51W
LANSING 4SE                1.38        0700 AM  43.32N 91.16W
WAUKON                     1.18        0700 AM  43.27N 91.47W
DORCHESTER 3S              0.64        0700 AM  43.42N 91.51W

…CHICKASAW COUNTY…
NEW HAMPTON                0.90        0700 AM  43.06N 92.31W
IONIA-LITTLE CEDAR RIVER   0.67        0700 AM  43.03N 92.50W
IONIA 2W                   0.61        0700 AM  43.03N 92.50W

…CLAYTON COUNTY…
GUTTENBERG DAM 10          2.91        0600 AM  42.79N 91.10W
MONONA                     2.30        0700 AM  43.04N 91.40W
GARBER                     2.16        0700 AM  42.74N 91.26W
ELKADER                    2.08        0700 AM  42.84N 91.40W
VOLGA                      1.19        0700 AM  42.81N 91.52W
MARQUETTE                  1.13        0700 AM  43.04N 91.21W
EDGEWOOD                   0.85        0700 AM  42.65N 91.40W
STRAWBERRY POINT           0.60        0700 AM  42.69N 91.53W
MCGREGOR                   0.55        0700 AM  43.02N 91.17W
LITTLEPORT                 0.41        0700 AM  42.75N 91.37W

…FAYETTE COUNTY…
OELWEIN AWOS               1.17        0700 AM  42.68N 91.97W
ELDORADO                   0.63        0700 AM  43.05N 91.81W

…FLOYD COUNTY…
COLWELL                    0.77        0700 AM  43.16N 92.59W
CHARLES CITY COOP          0.76        0700 AM  43.08N 92.67W
NASHUA ISU AG STATION      0.62        0700 AM  42.94N 92.57W
CHARLES CITY CEDAR RVR     0.52        0700 AM  43.06N 92.67W
CHARLES CITY AWOS          0.78        0700 AM  43.07N 92.61W

…HOWARD COUNTY…
CRESCO                     0.98        0700 AM  43.37N 92.11W

…MITCHELL COUNTY…
ST ANSGAR 4E               0.54        0700 AM  43.37N 92.83W

…WINNESHIEK COUNTY…
CALMAR                     2.08        0700 AM  43.18N 91.87W
DECORAH UPPER IA RIVER     1.29        0700 AM  43.30N 91.80W
DECORAH AWOS               1.46        0700 AM  43.28N 91.74W
BLUFFTON                   1.05        0700 AM  43.41N 91.90W

MINNESOTA

…DODGE COUNTY…
DODGE CENTER AWOS          0.82        0700 AM  44.03N 92.83W
MANTORVILLE                0.65        0700 AM  44.07N 92.77W

…FILLMORE COUNTY…
HIGHLAND                   1.48        0700 AM  43.65N 91.84W
LANESBORO                  1.03        0700 AM  43.72N 91.97W
LANESBORO-ROOT RIVER       0.82        0700 AM  43.72N 91.97W
SPRING VALLEY 3E           0.74        0700 AM  43.68N 92.33W
PILOT MOUND                0.48        0700 AM  43.78N 92.03W
SPRING VALLEY              0.45        0700 AM  43.69N 92.39W
CARIMONA                   0.44        0700 AM  43.66N 92.15W
PRESTON AWOS               0.34        0700 AM  43.68N 92.18W

…HOUSTON COUNTY…
CALEDONIA                  1.07        0700 AM  43.63N 91.50W
MOUND PRAIRIE              0.94        0700 AM  43.78N 91.45W
HOUSTON                    0.51        0700 AM  43.77N 91.57W

…MOWER COUNTY…
AUSTIN AWOS                0.68        0700 AM  43.67N 92.93W
AUSTIN  DOBBINS CR         0.68        0700 AM  43.67N 92.95W
GRAND MEADOW               0.46        0700 AM  43.71N 92.56W
LANSING                    0.44        0700 AM  43.75N 92.95W
AUSTIN 3S                  0.03        0700 AM  43.62N 93.00W

…OLMSTED COUNTY…
ROCHESTER – BEAR CREEK     0.73        0700 AM  43.92N 92.48W
ROCHESTER MAPLE VALLEY     0.72        0700 AM  44.02N 92.42W
ROCHESTER ASOS             0.69        0700 AM  43.91N 92.50W
ROCHESTER BELTLINE         0.67        0700 AM  43.91N 92.50W
ELBA                       0.66        0700 AM  44.05N 92.05W
BYRON                      0.59        0700 AM  44.07N 92.66W
DOVER 1E                   0.59        0700 AM  43.97N 92.12W
POST TOWN                  0.52        0700 AM  44.09N 92.82W
ROCHESTER – CASCADE CREEK  0.47        0700 AM  44.03N 92.48W
ROCHESTER – SILVER CREEK   0.47        0700 AM  44.03N 92.42W
ROCHESTER 5SW              0.03        0700 AM  43.98N 92.56W

…WABASHA COUNTY…
KELLOGG                    0.68        0700 AM  44.32N 92.00W
WABASHA                    0.13        0700 AM  44.39N 92.05W
LAKE CITY                  0.12        0700 AM  44.45N 92.26W

…WINONA COUNTY…
WINONA DAM 5A              1.02        0600 AM  44.09N 91.67W
MINNESOTA CITY DAM 5       0.96        0600 AM  44.16N 91.81W
WINONA AWOS                0.84        0700 AM  44.08N 91.70W
LA CRESCENT DAM 7          0.67        0600 AM  43.87N 91.31W
ALTURA                     0.46        0700 AM  44.15N 92.01W
DAKOTA                     0.01        0700 AM  43.92N 91.37W

WISCONSIN

…BUFFALO COUNTY…
ALMA DAM 4                 1.00        0600 AM  44.33N 91.92W
MONDOVI 6S                 0.40        0700 AM  44.48N 91.67W

…CLARK COUNTY…
NEILLSVILLE 1W             0.30        0700 AM  44.56N 90.61W
NEILLSVILLE 3SW            0.15        0700 AM  44.53N 90.64W

…CRAWFORD COUNTY…
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AWOS      2.30        0700 AM  43.30N 89.76W
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN           2.20        0700 AM  43.05N 91.13W
LYNXVILLE DAM 9            1.88        0600 AM  43.21N 91.10W
SOLDIERS GROVE             1.18        0700 AM  43.39N 90.78W
STEUBEN                    1.02        0700 AM  43.18N 90.87W

…GRANT COUNTY…
ROCKVILLE                  3.62        0700 AM  42.73N 90.64W
PLATTEVILLE                2.60        0700 AM  42.75N 90.47W
BURTON                     2.42        0700 AM  42.72N 90.82W
BOSCOBEL RAWS              0.77        0700 AM  43.15N 90.68W
PLATTEVILLE AWOS           0.62        0700 AM  42.69N 90.44W
MUSCODA                    0.60        0700 AM  43.20N 90.44W

…JACKSON COUNTY…
HATFIELD DAM               0.27        0700 AM  44.41N 90.73W
BLACK RIVER FALLS RAWS     0.18        0700 AM  44.30N 90.84W
BLACK RIVER FALLS          0.16        0700 AM  44.38N 90.84W
BLACK RIVER FALLS AWOS     0.15        0700 AM  44.25N 90.86W
MATHER 3NW                 0.07        0700 AM  44.17N 90.35W

…JUNEAU COUNTY…
NEW LISBON 4ENE            0.06        0700 AM  43.91N 90.07W
NECEDAH 5WNW               0.05        0700 AM  44.06N 90.17W
CAMP DOUGLAS VOLK          0.05        0700 AM  43.94N 90.26W
NECEDAH 1W                 0.02        0700 AM  44.02N 90.08W

…LA CROSSE COUNTY…
LA CROSSE MISSISSIPPI RVR  1.00        0700 AM  43.80N 91.37W
LA CROSSE 5SE              0.83        0700 AM  43.77N 91.15W
LA CROSSE WEATHER OFFICE   0.57        0700 AM  43.82N 91.19W
LA CROSSE 4NNW             0.49        0700 AM  43.87N 91.27W
LA CROSSE ASOS             0.35        0700 AM  43.88N 91.26W
HOLLAND                    0.25        0700 AM  43.97N 91.29W
WEST SALEM 2W              0.25        0700 AM  43.90N 91.12W

…MONROE COUNTY…
TUNNEL CITY                0.21        0700 AM  44.01N 90.57W
SPARTA AWOS                0.17        0700 AM  43.96N 90.74W
WARRENS                    0.15        0700 AM  44.10N 90.59W
FOUR CORNERS               0.15        0700 AM  44.07N 90.92W

…TAYLOR COUNTY…
LUBLIN DIAMOND LAKE        0.06        0700 AM  45.11N 90.69W

…TREMPEALEAU COUNTY…
TREMPEALEAU DAM 6          0.49        0600 AM  44.00N 91.44W
OSSEO                      0.40        0700 AM  44.58N 91.22W
GALESVILLE 3ENE            0.28        0700 AM  44.09N 91.29W
ETTRICK                    0.26        0700 AM  44.11N 91.22W

…VERNON COUNTY…
DESOTO 1SE                 2.60        0700 AM  43.41N 91.19W
READSTOWN                  1.76        0700 AM  43.45N 90.76W
GENOA DAM 8                1.34        0600 AM  43.57N 91.23W
COON VALLEY 6S             1.34        0700 AM  43.61N 91.01W
VIROQUA 4WSW               1.02        0700 AM  43.54N 90.96W
LIBERTY POLE 2SW           0.98        0700 AM  43.49N 90.95W
VIROQUA 3ESE               0.56        0700 AM  43.55N 90.82W
SEAS BRANCH HAUGEN         0.55        0700 AM  43.61N 90.85W
LA FARGE                   0.50        0700 AM  43.57N 90.64W
VIROQUA 4NE                0.44        0700 AM  43.61N 90.82W
WESTBY 3SE                 0.43        0700 AM  43.62N 90.82W
WESTBY 2NNE                0.36        0700 AM  43.70N 90.85W
COON VALLEY 5E             0.32        0700 AM  43.71N 90.92W
HILLSBORO                  0.28        0700 AM  43.65N 90.33W
ONTARIO                    0.21        0700 AM  43.72N 90.59W
HILLSBORO 1 WSW            0.19        0700 AM  43.65N 90.35W

Storm Reports

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
257 AM CDT WED SEP 05 2012

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

0401 PM     HAIL             3 W UTICA               43.98N 92.01W
09/04/2012  M1.75 INCH       WINONA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            REPORTED 1 MILE SOUTH OF ST. CHARLES

0410 PM     HAIL             6 SSW UTICA             43.90N 92.00W
09/04/2012  M2.00 INCH       WINONA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            REPORTED 4 MILES NW OF CLYDE

0425 PM     HAIL             GOODVIEW                44.07N 91.71W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       WINONA             MN   AMATEUR RADIO

0425 PM     HAIL             3 WNW WINONA            44.06N 91.71W
09/04/2012  E0.88 INCH       WINONA             MN   AMATEUR RADIO

0426 PM     HAIL             STOCKTON                44.03N 91.77W
09/04/2012  E1.75 INCH       WINONA             MN   PUBLIC

0426 PM     HAIL             WINONA                  44.05N 91.66W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       WINONA             MN   PUBLIC

            RELAYED FROM KTTC-TV

0447 PM     HAIL             WINONA                  44.05N 91.66W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       WINONA             MN   AMATEUR RADIO

0501 PM     HAIL             1 E WINONA              44.05N 91.64W
09/04/2012  M0.25 INCH       WINONA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MOSTLY PEA WITH SOME DIME SIZED HAIL ON THE EAST SIDE OF
            WINONA

0506 PM     HAIL             PRESTON                 43.67N 92.08W
09/04/2012  M0.25 INCH       FILLMORE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HAIL COVERING THE GROUND

0523 PM     HAIL             5 N CANTON              43.60N 91.93W
09/04/2012  M2.50 INCH       FILLMORE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0530 PM     HAIL             HART                    43.88N 91.74W
09/04/2012  E0.75 INCH       WINONA             MN   PUBLIC

0540 PM     HAIL             NEW ALBIN               43.50N 91.29W
09/04/2012  M1.75 INCH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   BROADCAST MEDIA

            RELAYED BY KWWL

0544 PM     HAIL             NEW ALBIN               43.50N 91.29W
09/04/2012  E1.75 INCH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0545 PM     HAIL             2 E NODINE              43.90N 91.41W
09/04/2012  M0.25 INCH       WINONA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0550 PM     TSTM WND GST     7 S JUNCTION            44.91N 90.90W
09/04/2012  E40.00 MPH       CLARK              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ALSO PEA SIZED HAIL

0550 PM     HAIL             MOUND PRAIRIE           43.78N 91.45W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0558 PM     HAIL             MOUND PRAIRIE           43.78N 91.45W
09/04/2012  E2.00 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

0600 PM     HAIL             SPRING GROVE            43.56N 91.64W
09/04/2012  E2.50 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   PUBLIC

0605 PM     HAIL             SPRING GROVE            43.56N 91.64W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       HOUSTON            MN   PUBLIC

0609 PM     TSTM WND DMG     GREENWOOD               44.77N 90.60W
09/04/2012                   CLARK              WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREE DOWN NEAR THE POST OFFICE IN GREENWOOD.

0613 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LOYAL                   44.74N 90.50W
09/04/2012                   CLARK              WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            SEVERAL SMALL TREES DOWN AROUND TOWN.

0613 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 S LONGWOOD            44.84N 90.60W
09/04/2012  E50.00 MPH       CLARK              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            PEA TO DIME SIZED HAIL ALSO

0617 PM     TSTM WND GST     VEEFKIND                44.70N 90.39W
09/04/2012  E60.00 MPH       CLARK              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER

0623 PM     HAIL             LA CROSSE               43.83N 91.23W
09/04/2012  E0.75 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   PUBLIC

0625 PM     HAIL             5 SE LA CROSSE          43.78N 91.16W
09/04/2012  E0.50 INCH       LA CROSSE          WI   BROADCAST MEDIA

0631 PM     HAIL             MARQUETTE               43.04N 91.18W
09/04/2012  E1.75 INCH       CLAYTON            IA   PUBLIC

0636 PM     HAIL             DORCHESTER              43.47N 91.52W
09/04/2012  E2.00 INCH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

0645 PM     TSTM WND DMG     DE SOTO                 43.43N 91.20W
09/04/2012                   VERNON             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN FROM GENOA TO DESOTO AND POINTS EAST

0646 PM     HAIL             PRAIRIE DU CHIEN        43.04N 91.14W
09/04/2012  E1.25 INCH       CRAWFORD           WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0656 PM     TSTM WND GST     RED MOUND               43.46N 91.15W
09/04/2012  E80.00 MPH       VERNON             WI   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

0656 PM     HAIL             BRODTVILLE              42.95N 91.06W
09/04/2012  M1.00 INCH       GRANT              WI   911 CALL CENTER

0700 PM     HAIL             DE SOTO                 43.43N 91.20W
09/04/2012  M0.25 INCH       VERNON             WI   CO-OP OBSERVER

0725 PM     HAIL             HARPERS FERRY           43.20N 91.15W
09/04/2012  E1.25 INCH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   PUBLIC

0729 PM     TSTM WND DMG     RICHLAND CENTER         43.34N 90.38W
09/04/2012                   RICHLAND           WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN ON NORTH EDGE OF RICHLAND CENTER

0740 PM     HAIL             3 NW RICHLAND CENTER    43.37N 90.43W
09/04/2012  M1.50 INCH       RICHLAND           WI   PUBLIC

            IN THE COMMUNITY OF LIME RIDGE

0740 PM     TORNADO          PATCH GROVE             42.94N 90.97W
09/04/2012                   GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

            MULTIPLE REPORTS OF TORNADO ON THE GROUND.

0750 PM     HAIL             WAUKON                  43.27N 91.48W
09/04/2012  E0.50 INCH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   EMERGENCY MNGR

0803 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 ENE BOSCOBEL          43.15N 90.69W
09/04/2012  M48.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   MESONET

0805 PM     TSTM WND GST     GLEN HAVEN              42.83N 91.07W
09/04/2012  M70.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL REPORTS OF 70 MPH GUSTS ACROSS NORTHERN AND
            WESTERN GRANT COUNTY. COMMUNITIES INCLUDE GLEN
            HAVEN…BAGLEY…BLOOMINGTON

0815 PM     HAIL             PRAIRIE DU CHIEN        43.04N 91.14W
09/04/2012  E0.75 INCH       CRAWFORD           WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0830 PM     HAIL             4 W LANCASTER           42.85N 90.79W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

0835 PM     TSTM WND GST     GLEN HAVEN              42.83N 91.07W
09/04/2012  E60.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR

0835 PM     TSTM WND GST     PLATTEVILLE             42.74N 90.48W
09/04/2012  M46.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   AWOS

0920 PM     TSTM WND DMG     POTOSI                  42.69N 90.71W
09/04/2012                   GRANT              WI   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ACROSS ROAD IN POTOSI. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
            RADAR.

0958 PM     HAIL             CLERMONT                43.00N 91.65W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       FAYETTE            IA   EMERGENCY MNGR

1018 PM     HAIL             CALMAR                  43.18N 91.87W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       WINNESHIEK         IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

1037 PM     HAIL             CALMAR                  43.18N 91.87W
09/04/2012  E1.50 INCH       WINNESHIEK         IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

1042 PM     HAIL             3 ESE CALMAR            43.16N 91.81W
09/04/2012  E1.00 INCH       WINNESHIEK         IA   PUBLIC

1156 PM     HAIL             CHARLES CITY            43.07N 92.68W
09/04/2012  E0.50 INCH       FLOYD              IA   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

1215 AM     TSTM WND GST     ROCKFORD                43.05N 92.95W
09/05/2012  E60.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

1230 AM     TSTM WND GST     CHARLES CITY            43.07N 92.68W
09/05/2012  M46.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   AWOS

1234 AM     TSTM WND GST     AUSTIN                  43.67N 92.97W
09/05/2012  M53.00 MPH       MOWER              MN   AWOS

1246 AM     TSTM WND GST     DODGE CENTER            44.03N 92.85W
09/05/2012  M59.00 MPH       DODGE              MN   AWOS

1255 AM     TSTM WND GST     5 S ROCHESTER           43.94N 92.48W
09/05/2012  M55.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS

0105 AM     TSTM WND GST     5 SW CRESCO             43.32N 92.19W
09/05/2012  M46.00 MPH       HOWARD             IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

0106 AM     TSTM WND GST     5 S ROCHESTER           43.94N 92.48W
09/05/2012  M61.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS

0109 AM     TSTM WND GST     5 W PRESTON             43.67N 92.18W
09/05/2012  M56.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   AWOS

0110 AM     TSTM WND GST     ROCHESTER               44.01N 92.48W
09/05/2012  M74.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   MESONET

0110 AM     TSTM WND DMG     ROCHESTER               44.01N 92.48W
09/05/2012                   OLMSTED            MN   BROADCAST MEDIA

            TREES DOWN AND POWER OUTAGES IN NORTHWEST PART OF TOWN.

0113 AM     TSTM WND GST     HARMONY                 43.56N 92.01W
09/05/2012  E50.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

0130 AM     TSTM WND GST     7 N MABEL               43.62N 91.77W
09/05/2012  E55.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   PUBLIC

0132 AM     TSTM WND GST     DECORAH                 43.31N 91.79W
09/05/2012  M40.00 MPH       WINNESHIEK         IA   AWOS

0135 AM     TSTM WND GST     PLAINVIEW               44.17N 92.17W
09/05/2012  E50.00 MPH       WABASHA            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

0200 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 E LA CROSSE           43.83N 91.19W
09/05/2012  M45.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   MESONET

 

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This post was written by tschmidt on September 5, 2012

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Warm and Humid Today, But Fall Weather Is Not Far Off

Warm, sultry, summer-like weather continues to linger in our region today, but the countdown to a big change had already begun.  A cold front to our west is slowly approaching the area from the Dakotas and will eventually bring some cooler, drier more seasonably mild air to the Upper Mississippi Valley, but first we stand a chance at getting some much needed rainfall before it arrives.  This warm, humid atmosphere is setting the stage for some afternoon and evening thunderstorm potential across the entire area, some of which may become strong to severe with large hail and damaging winds possible.  The best chances for severe weather will be mid afternoon today through late this evening.  Otherwise, rainfall amounts look mostly light, but potenially beneficial nonetheless with an inch possible in some of the stronger cells between today and early Wednesday when the front and the rain chances will move on to the east. 

The latest Storm Prediction Center severe weather outlook has our entire area under the threat of severe weather later today through tonight.

 We’ll have morning showers tomorrow and then gusty northwest winds will draw drier air into the region and afternoon temperatures will top out in the upper 70s.  We’ll have another chance for some rain on Friday with another less potent cold front.

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Posted under severe weather, weather

This post was written by tschmidt on September 4, 2012

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We Still Could Use Some More Rain

Even after a stormy Monday night and Tuesday morning in much of the local area, we still find ourselves in a pretty sizable rainfall deficit for the month and season across the region.  While Rochester officially measured 1.80″ of fresh rainfall in that heavy line of showers Tuesday, we still have a slight deficit and could use some more.  The southwestern half of the local area completely missed out on those showers and in some cases the deficit is significant, something along the lines of four to eight inches below normal for the year, especially in northern Iowa where crops are suffering and an extreme drought continues.

Rochester closed the seasonal deficit to less than two inches for summer 2012, and less than an inch for July.

The official rainfall deficit for the month in Rochester today is 0.42″ while we’re 1.34″ below normal for the year and 1.85″ below normal for summer (since June 1st.)  Mason City, meanwhile, has a rainfall deficit for the season of 5.94″ and 7.03″ for the entire year.  They’ve measured a mere 0.14″ of rain in the entire month of July!

We’re keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for some rain in the area, especially for those locations in northern Iowa that are in danger of losing their crops and there appear to be two decent chances in the next couple of days.  The first opportunity for rain will be along and even just behind a cold front that is approaching from the west today.  There will be chances for thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening with that front, but probably not enough to make a huge dent in that enormous deficit, unfortunately.  Temperatures ahead of that front will be in the low to mid 90s in Minnesota and in the upper 90s in northern Iowa today with heat indices in the triple digits for much of the area, but things will cool significantly behind the front for tomorrow and the upcoming weekend.  Another, weaker, disturbance tomorrow evening will bring a few light showers and thunderstorms to the local area.  After this, we’ll likely have to wait for light rain late in the weekend and early next week.

In the meantime, there is a chance for some strong to severe thunderstorms today with the arrival of that cold front in the region.

Large hail and damaging wind gusts will be possible in the thunderstorms that are expected to develop today and tonight along an approaching cold front.

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Posted under climate, Drought

This post was written by tschmidt on July 25, 2012

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Some Thunderstorm Chances Today and Then We’ll Have to be Patient

The front that began to push through the area last evening, sparking a handful of thunderstorms in the evening across southeastern Minnesota is now draped across the Minnesota-Iowa border and may again act as the focus of more activity today.  Right now areas south of the front are sweltering in the 90s with heat indices approaching triple figures again while areas to the north area feeling a little than the past few days as 80s are much more common.  A disturbance riding along that front will produce some more thunderstorms across the area through the afternoon and evening before exiting the area to the east later tonight and making us then wait until late in the weekend to get some more much needed rain.  A few of today’s storms may become severe with strong, gusty winds and perhaps a little hail as well while a brief downpour can’t be ruled out in some of the heavier thundershowers.  Rainfall totals as a whole aren’t expected to be large, however, with up to a quarter of an inch possible.  If we can get through the next few days that will be hot, sunny, and rain-free, there will be a few more rain chances possibly showing up for the upcoming week, but then again it could be another mirage as this summer has certainly been desert-like for many of us.

 

Our entire area is in the Storm Prediction Center's "Slight Risk" category of severe weather for today and tonight as some of the thunderstorms locally may produce some strong winds or hail.

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Posted under rainfall, severe weather

This post was written by tschmidt on July 18, 2012

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Moving Into A Stormy Pattern

We’re experiencing just light rain across the area today with thick clouds and cool temperatures, but in the coming days we’ll be feeling quite a bit more summer-like.  A storm system to our west is going to push a warm front through the region tomorrow, producing some gusty south winds that will allow extra humidity into the area and setting the stage for some showers and thunderstorms.  There may be a couple of rounds of that activity tomorrow, one early and another, more potent one later in the afternoon and evening.  The Storm Prediction Center has placed the western half of our local area in the “Slight Risk” for severe weather tomorrow, meaning large hail and damaging winds will be possible with some of those storms later on our Thursday.  After tomorrow, we’ll have a few thunderstorms in the area Friday, but at this point severe weather doesn’t seem as likely and then as more storms are expected to develop over the weekend, it’s still too early to say if any of those will pose a threat to our area in the way of severe weather damage.  There will be another couple of storm systems moving through the region between this weekend and the middle of next week, keeping the threat of thunderstorms in the area while they work to draw in some warm, humid air.  We’ll have to once again get used to heat and humidity as more typical June-like weather will linger for about seven days or so in this upcoming warm, humid, “active” weather pattern.

Large hail and damaging winds will be possible late Thursday afternoon through the evening as a stronger storm system will swing through the Upper Midwest.

 

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This post was written by tschmidt on June 13, 2012

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Severe Weather Possible Today

For the past few days we’ve been closely watching a potent storm system to our west that first affected us by kicking up some strong winds, and now is producing showers and thunderstorms in the area.  The severe weather from this storm system last night was just to our north and west and today it looks like the severe weather potential will be centered on the heart of our area.  In fact, the Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the risk of severe weather today from “Slight Risk” to “Moderate Risk” meaning there’s a higher probability of a sizable outbreak of severe weather, possibly involving some tornadoes.  The best chance for this to occur locally is between 2:00 and 6:00 this afternoon as the cold associated with the upcoming storm system pushes through the area.  We’ll have gusty south winds ahead of the front that will occasionally reach 40 miles per hour, especially in the eastern portion of our local area and then those winds will turn to the west behind the front later today, diminishing only after sunset this evening and later tonight.  Here’s the SPC outlook:

 

Southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, and a large portion of Wisconsin have been placed in the Moderate Risk for severe weather. Large hail, damaging winds, and some tornadoes will be possible this afternoon and evening.

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This post was written by tschmidt on May 24, 2012

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A Stormy Week Ahead, Possibly Some Severe Weather

We’ll be feeling quite a bit warmer this week and why not, it is the first week of May after all!  After a quiet, and in most cases, fairly bright Monday, we’re expecting warmer, more unstable air to move back into the region for the middle part of the week.  A storm system will slide in for the mid week, likely setting off some thunderstorms later Tuesday to our west.  Those storms are expected to move into our local area in the late evening and overnight period Tuesday into Wednesday, some possibly becoming severe.  The biggest threats from those storms looks to be large hail and damaging wind gusts as a line or two of intense thunderstorm activity is likely to develop and rumble in from the west.  Another round of storms is expected to develop Wednesday afternoon and evening, some again likely severe with large hail, damaging winds, and possibly a tornado or two in the area.  There will also be some more thunderstorm potential Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but at this point we’re too far away from that time frame to get a clear idea of the severe weather threat or potential.  In the meantime, be on the lookout for severe weather tomorrow and Wednesday and keep it tuned to the NewsCenter for more on this upcoming storm system.

The Storm Prediction Center's outlook for Tuesday shows the potential for severe storms in our area.

The Storm Prediction Center's outlook for Wednesday is calling for severe storm potential in our area in the afternoon and evening.

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This post was written by tschmidt on April 30, 2012

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Weekend Severe Weather Outlook Updated

We’re experiencing a one-two punch in our local weather as we approach the weekend.  The first of two storm systems to affect the viewing area is swinging through the Upper Midwest today, spreading clouds and some light rain across the Upper Mississippi Valley.  We won’t see any severe weather from this one, but rather just light rainfall in a couple of showers through the afternoon and early evening.  The second storm system is going to be a much stronger one, having a huge impact on our nation’s weather and our local weekend plans.  Ahead of the second low pressure system tomorrow, we’ll have some breaks in the clouds and a slight south breeze, warming things up and destabilizing the atmosphere.  That will set the stage for a few late day and especially evening showers and thunderstorms, some of which may become severe with large hail and damaging winds and then some locally heavy rainfall in some of the stronger storms.  The best chance for severe weather locally will be after 6:00 PM or so tomorrow and in northern Iowa.  Another round of severe weather is possible Sunday, especially for southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin locally during the afternoon hours.  Large hail, gusty winds, and tornadoes will be possible Sunday until the storm system’s center and cold front associated with it swing through southern Minnesota and then through central Wisconsin.  The best chance for severe storms will be noon to 6:00PM or 7:00PM Sunday.  Rainfall may exceed an inch over the weekend with more rain chances coming up for the second half of next week.

Severe weather outlook for tomorrow, showing the potential for a major tornado outbreak in the southern plains and a few severe storms closer to home in the evening.

Slight risk for severe weather on Sunday featuring the threat for hail, winds, and tornadoes in our area and in central Wisconsin.

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This post was written by tschmidt on April 13, 2012

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Severe Weather in Our Area? It’s Been A While!

Enjoy the bright, quiet sunshine today because wet, unsettled weather is going to be the forecast for much of the next week or so, starting tomorrow.  We’ll have some showers and thunderstorms tomorrow, but right now severe weather isn’t a concern.  That will change, however, on Saturday as a storm system and its warm front will move into the Upper Mississippi Valley, possibly igniting some strong thunderstorms in the region.  The best chance for activity locally will be mid to late afternoon Saturday and the area most likely to see severe weather will be along and south of Interstate 90 and in northeast Iowa and far southwestern Wisconsin.  Large hail, damaging winds, and possibly a few tornadoes will be possible, so we’ll have to keep a close on on that thunderstorm potential over the next couple of days and then watch the radar over the weekend.  In the meantime, rainfall this weekend and next week may seem like a nuisance to some people, but we really could use the moisture as our current deficit for the year is more than an inch and we’d really like to reduce the wildfire threat.   The severe weather threat will then shift away from our local area for Sunday and for next week.  There’s a chance that more than an inch or two may fall in the next seven days as a few storm systems will be tracking through the region, so things will be rather unsettled for a while.

Severe Weather Risk for Saturday. The best chances in the country will be to our south, but parts of our area may see some stronger activity later in the day.

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This post was written by tschmidt on April 12, 2012

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Weekend Forecast

We have a warm, humid, and slightly unsettled weekend ahead of us starting with a slight chance for a few afternoon thunderstorms in our area today and high temperatures in the mid 80s.  The rest of the weekend looks similar, with mid 80s and the threat for thunderstorms both tomorrow and Sunday as a storm system from the west begins to slide into the Upper Mississippi Valley.  However, if you’re looking to escape the heat and humidity by heading up north, you’ll enjoy marginal improvements in both of those categories as northern Minnesota will still feature lower 80s and somewhat lighter humidity, but there will be some unsettled weather at times associated with the same upcoming storm system that will impact the entire region.  The best chance for thunderstorms will be tonight through tomorrow and possibly tomorrow night as well with severe storms possible during the afternoon hours tomorrow.  Large hail and strong wind gusts will be possible in northern and western Minnesota tomorrow.  That severe weather threat will slide southward for Sunday, encompassing the bulk of our local viewing area with the same threats from the storms affecting southern Minnesota and northern Iowa Sunday afternoon and evening. 

Here’s the northern Minnesota “cabin forecast”:

The forecast for today up north. Incidentally, there may be some T-storms to add to the forecast for tonight.

The forecast for tomorrow looks a bit more unsettled.

Skies will clear Sunday and things look pleasant.

The SPC has placed a large portion of the region to our northwest in a slight risk for severe weather. The slight risk will be over our local area on Sunday.

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Posted under Uncategorized, weather

This post was written by tschmidt on July 8, 2011

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