The large storm system that has been keeping things unsettled and stormy for us and really the entire Midwest continues to edge its way eastward toward us, keeping things breezy, humid, and a little damp today.  In the wake of Sunday night’s severe storms that produced heavy rain and strong winds, there are still a number of Flood Warnings in effect for today and even some that won’t expire for a couple of additional days while severe weather remains a concern for us in the short term.  Look for occasional sunshine today that may work to destabilize the atmosphere, settting the stage for some strong thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening.  Right now the biggest concern appears to be damaging wind gusts that may topple or completely uproot trees.  We’ll also have to keep an eye on rainfall amounts as soils are very soggy and can’t hold much more if any additional moisture.  The rainfall from today’s showers doesn’t appear to be as heavy as Sunday’s but even a small dose now would make things worse, so the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the eastern part of our viewing area.  There is also a marginal tornado threat and of course a chance for some hail in some of the stronger storms.

A look at some of the highest rainfall amounts across the area. Rochester received 2.07″ officially Sunday, a record for the date.

The latest Storm Prediction Center outlook places the eastern half of our area in the slight risk category for severe storms today and tonight.

Posted under severe weather, Uncategorized

A storm system that we have been advertising for about a week has finally arrived.  Earlier in the week it appeared that it would have a much bigger impact on the area that it is currently having.  The Upper Level Low we were watching off of the coast of California not only weakened considerably, but it also took a track much more further south.  Since it took a more southerly track, the severe weather potential went south as well.  Here is a satellite and radar image from about 5:00 on Saturday. (10/13)  Numerous Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were in effect for portions of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

10/13 5:00pm radar image for Central Plains

We didn’t get completely snubbed.  A few places close to the area picked up over an inch of rain.  Although most stay in the quarter of an inch zone.  Here are a few totals as of 5:00pm on Saturday.

Rainfall amounts as of Saturday (10/13)

Posted under rainfall, rainfall amounts

October 8th and 9th was the first measurable rain we have seen across the area since back on September 17th.  Here are some of the totals from the past 48 hours.

Rainfall over the past 48 hours

There appears to be more where that came from, and maybe much more.  With a potentially soaking rain (which we have desperately been waiting for and need) may also come the threat for severe weather during the day on Saturday.  Right now the system that will eventually affect the Upper Midwest is spinning off of the coast of California.   The red “L” just below Sacramento marks the current position of the storm.  The other two “L’s” mark the track of where the Upper Level Low is currently forecast to go.  We are looking at it on the water vapor imagery.  This type of satellite imagery shows the amount of moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere.  It is easy to see how the atmosphere is moving if there was a loop of the image below.

Current positioning and timeline of Upper Level Low

The Upper Level Low seen above on the water vapor imagery will act as the fuel for a surface low that will eventually develop east of the Rocky Mountains.  Once the low emerges from the Rockies, it is forecast to deepen (strengthen) and push up into the Upper Midwest.   A warm front will deliver slightly warmer air to area on Saturday.  The warm sector will be the focal point for any potential severe weather to develop.  The warm sector is the area below the warm front (Red Half Circles) and to the east(right) of the cold front. (Blue Triangles)  As far as timing goes, it looks like we will watch clouds increase Friday night and may even start to get in on some showers that night as well.  That is associated with some energy out ahead of the warm front that looks to cross the area on Saturday morning.  Below is how things may look on Saturday from a surface weather map perspective.

Forecast surface map for Saturday

The Storm Prediction Center has outlined the area in a Severe Risk for thunderstorms during the day on Saturday.  What that basically means is that at this time with all of the weather data we have, if things hold together as they look now we will run the potential for severe thunderstorms to develop.

Map showing the area that could see severe thunderstorms on Saturday. (As of 10/10)

As many of you know, things can change in an instant with the weather.  The main body of this system is after all still offshore of the west coast of the United States and a lot can certainly change.  It does appear though at this point a soaking rain is likely with some places possibly picking up near an inch of rain or more, and severe thunderstorms may accompany this rain on Saturday.  We are keeping an eye on this storm.  Keep checking back for updates and changes as this storm system gets closer to the Upper Midwest.

Posted under severe weather, weather

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

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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.

Storm Reports from Sept.4-5, 2012	Afternoon / Evening Radar	Late Evening / Overnight Radar

 

Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged. Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.

 

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Storm Photos

Photo submissions courtesy of local photographers and media partners.

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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

Posted under severe weather

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.

Posted under severe weather, weather

As promised, today is turning out to be rather summery across the region as gusty south winds behind a warm front are working to push in a little extra heat for us.  High temperatures today will be slightly warmer than normal for the first time in more than a week with readings in the mid 80s expected just about everywhere locally.  The additional warmth and humidity will prime the atmosphere for some thunderstorm activity later tonight as a cold front moves through the Upper Mississippi Valley.  Right now it looks like the best chance for thunderstorms will be after sunset, perhaps closer to midnight for the bulk of the viewing area and yes, there is a chance for some severe storms along this front.  Strong, damaging winds look to be the primary severe weather threat in our area late tonight.  There will be some light showers in the area behind that front with sunshine breaking through late in the morning and prevailing through the afternoon.  Gusty northwest winds tomorrow will usher in much cooler air and some spots may struggle to get to 70° by day’s end.

The latest Storm Prediction Center outlook focuses severe weather potential across our entire region late this evening through tonight as a cold front moves in from the prairies of south central Canada.

There will be an elevated risk of damaging winds tonight in some of our thunderstorms. Gusts may reach or exceed 60mph, possibly knocking down tree branches or power lines.

Posted under Uncategorized

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.

Posted under climate, Drought

We’re enjoying a bright, fairly dry Thursday with some seasonably warm weather across the area while hopes for some rain persist.  A weak storm system in the Dakotas is edging its way eastward, offering us at least the potential for a little relief from these very dry conditions.  Cloud cover will slowly increase today ahead of that storm system and its cold front with some light rain possibly developing as soon as the wee hours of Friday for us.  While there will be a chance for light rain through much of tomorrow and tomorrow night, possibly through early Saturday, rainfall totals do NOT look promising.  I know “every little bit helps,” right?  Well, right now I’m just hoping we all get at least a measurable amount of rain from this as the showers will battle some dry air initially and the front isn’t looking tremendously strong.  After this, there won’t be any decent rain chances until the middle of latter parts of next week, so there’s a lot of pressure on this storm system to deliver something useful.  Right now our rainfall deficit for the month is officially two and a half inches and more than four inches for the past month overall with some spots to the south drier than that.

The latest Drought Monitor has been released by the USDA and parts of our area are now back into “Abnormally Dry” or “Moderate Drought” categories.

Drought conditions are developing across southern and western Minnesota where rain has been sparse over the past month.

Moderate drought conditions are being experienced across northern Iowa while Severe Drought is just south of us.

The local rainfall forecast for Friday through Saturday morning. Totals look to be on the low side, but hopefully we'll get at least this much as atmospheric dryness may reduce amounts some.

Much of our area is in the Slight Risk of severe weather in the Storm Prediction Center's Friday outlook. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible in our area late Friday through Friday night along an approaching cold front. Large hail and strong winds will be possible.

Posted under Drought, rainfall, severe weather

We’re getting a little break from severe weather today as the warm front that triggered some strong thunderstorms last night pushes northward through the Upper Mississippi Valley and away from our area, setting the stage for a windy, hot, and humid day, but one with a “capped” atmosphere, or in other words it’ll be too warm aloft for thunderstorms to develop through the rest of the day locally.  It’s also likely to be the warmest day of the week and possibly the entire year so far as strong south winds will work to mix down some pretty warm air, combining with tons of sun to warm temperatures at the surface well into the 90s.  We’ll likely see low to mid 90s around the local area this afternoon with heat indices close to 100 by mid to late afternoon.  Those south winds will occasionally gust beyond 30mph, possibly making the heat more bearable, but probably not much more.

Speaking of the intense thunderstorms from last night, some of those slid through the north portion of our viewing area between 4:00 and 6:00 AM today, producing some strong wind gusts and hail, but thankfully because they were moving eastward at 60mph, there wasn’t a lot of heavy rainfall produced.  Here’s a look at some of the damage reports from the region:

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
518 AM CDT TUE JUN 19 2012

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

0211 AM     TSTM WND GST     HUTCHINSON              44.89N 94.37W 
06/19/2012  M53.00 MPH       MCLEOD             MN   AWOS            

            MEASURED AT HUTCHINSON AIRPORT

0240 AM     HAIL             REDWOOD FALLS           44.54N 95.11W 
06/19/2012  M0.75 INCH       REDWOOD            MN   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            DIME SIZED HAIL

0243 AM     TSTM WND GST     REDWOOD FALLS           44.54N 95.11W 
06/19/2012  M45.00 MPH       REDWOOD            MN   ASOS            

            MEASURED AT REDWOOD FALLS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

0255 AM     HAIL             10 SE REDWOOD FALLS     44.44N 94.97W 
06/19/2012  M0.75 INCH       REDWOOD            MN   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            NICKEL SIZED HAIL NEAR GILFILLAN

0255 AM     HAIL             MORGAN                  44.42N 94.92W 
06/19/2012  M0.75 INCH       REDWOOD            MN   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            DIME SIZED HAIL

0300 AM     HAIL             PLYMOUTH                45.02N 93.46W 
06/19/2012  M0.75 INCH       HENNEPIN           MN   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            DIME SIZED HAIL

0301 AM     TSTM WND GST     CRYSTAL                 45.04N 93.36W 
06/19/2012  M46.00 MPH       HENNEPIN           MN   ASOS            

            MEASURED AT MINNEAPOLIS CRYSTAL AIRPORT

0302 AM     TSTM WND GST     EDEN PRAIRIE            44.85N 93.46W 
06/19/2012  M53.00 MPH       HENNEPIN           MN   ASOS            

            MEASURED AT FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT.

0303 AM     HAIL             FAIRFAX                 44.53N 94.72W 
06/19/2012  M0.75 INCH       RENVILLE           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            DIME SIZED HAIL

0313 AM     TSTM WND GST     NEW ULM                 44.31N 94.46W 
06/19/2012  M49.00 MPH       BROWN              MN   AWOS            

            REPORTED AT NEW ULM MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

0314 AM     TSTM WND GST     MINNEAPOLIS             44.96N 93.27W 
06/19/2012  M44.00 MPH       HENNEPIN           MN   ASOS            

            MEASURED AT MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

0321 AM     HAIL             WINTHROP                44.54N 94.36W 
06/19/2012  M0.88 INCH       SIBLEY             MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            REPORTED BY POLICE DEPARTMENT

0330 AM     HAIL             GAYLORD                 44.55N 94.22W 
06/19/2012  M1.00 INCH       SIBLEY             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            ENOUGH HAIL TO MAKE THE GROUND WHITE

0330 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 NNW NEW GERMANY       44.91N 93.99W 
06/19/2012  M56.00 MPH       CARVER             MN   MESONET         

            MEASURED BY MNDOT SENSOR ON BWY 7 AT MILE POST 161. 

0335 AM     TSTM WND DMG     LESTER PRAIRIE          44.88N 94.04W 
06/19/2012                   MCLEOD             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            LARGE TREE ON HOUSE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR. 

0345 AM     HAIL             LE CENTER               44.39N 93.73W 
06/19/2012  E0.75 INCH       LE SUEUR           MN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            PENNY SIZED HAIL AND WINDS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH.

0352 AM     TSTM WND GST     4 ENE HENDERSON         44.55N 93.83W 
06/19/2012  M66.00 MPH       SCOTT              MN   MESONET         

            MNDOT ROAD SENSOR

0355 AM     TSTM WND GST     BELLE PLAINE            44.62N 93.76W 
06/19/2012  M83.00 MPH       SCOTT              MN   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

0355 AM     HAIL             BELLE PLAINE            44.62N 93.76W 
06/19/2012  M1.00 INCH       SCOTT              MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0359 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 N NEW PRAGUE          44.56N 93.57W 
06/19/2012  M80.00 MPH       SCOTT              MN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            MEASURED BY SPOTTER AT CO RD 2 AND 21. REPORTED BY 
            EMERGENCY MANAGER. 

0400 AM     TSTM WND GST     1 E SAVAGE              44.76N 93.34W 
06/19/2012  M63.00 MPH       SCOTT              MN   MESONET         

            APRSWXNET SENSOR. TIME ESTIMATED.

0403 AM     TSTM WND GST     PRIOR LAKE              44.73N 93.43W 
06/19/2012  M60.00 MPH       SCOTT              MN   NWS EMPLOYEE    

0404 AM     TSTM WND GST     EDEN PRAIRIE            44.85N 93.46W 
06/19/2012  M54.00 MPH       HENNEPIN           MN   ASOS            

            MEASURED AT FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT

0410 AM     HAIL             LAKEVILLE               44.68N 93.24W 
06/19/2012  M0.75 INCH       DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0410 AM     TSTM WND DMG     LAKEVILLE               44.68N 93.24W 
06/19/2012                   DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            10 INCH DIAMETER TREE DOWNED

0411 AM     TSTM WND GST     LAKEVILLE               44.68N 93.24W 
06/19/2012  M54.00 MPH       DAKOTA             MN   AWOS            

            REPORTED AT LAKEVILLE AIRPORT

0414 AM     TSTM WND GST     FARIBAULT               44.30N 93.27W 
06/19/2012  M55.00 MPH       RICE               MN   AWOS            

            MEASURED AT FARIBAULT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

0415 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SSW ROSEMOUNT         44.72N 93.09W 
06/19/2012                   DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            30 FT TREE DOWN. WOOD FENCE BLOWN OVER. NEAR INTERSECTION
            OF SHANNON PARKWAY AND HWY 46. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

0419 AM     TSTM WND GST     MINNEAPOLIS             44.96N 93.27W 
06/19/2012  M54.00 MPH       HENNEPIN           MN   ASOS            

            MEASURED AT MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

0423 AM     TSTM WND DMG     EAGAN                   44.82N 93.16W 
06/19/2012                   DAKOTA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

            30 FT TALL PINE TREE UPROOTED. BRANCHES BROKEN OFF OTHER 
            TREES. 

0425 AM     HAIL             DUNDAS                  44.43N 93.20W 
06/19/2012  M1.00 INCH       RICE               MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0429 AM     TSTM WND GST     ST PAUL                 44.95N 93.10W 
06/19/2012  M64.00 MPH       RAMSEY             MN   ASOS            

            REPORTED AT ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AIRPORT

0430 AM     TSTM WND DMG     HASTINGS                44.73N 92.85W 
06/19/2012                   DAKOTA             MN   PUBLIC          

            18 INCH DIAMETER TREE UPROOTED.

0433 AM     TSTM WND GST     STANTON                 44.47N 93.02W 
06/19/2012  M63.00 MPH       GOODHUE            MN   AWOS            

            REPORTED AT STANTON AIRFIELD

0438 AM     HAIL             PRESCOTT                44.75N 92.79W 
06/19/2012  M1.25 INCH       PIERCE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

We’re   The next round of thunderstorm activity is expected to develop tonight, especially late in the evening through the overnight period when a few storms may become severe and heavy rainfall will become a concern because of the slow- moving nature of the approaching cold front.  That front will move through the local area early tomorrow and then stall, continuing to spark thunderstorm chances through the day, keeping the day gray and a bit cooler, but also quite wet as rainfall totals may exceed an inch in a couple of spots.  Because of that, a Flood Watch has been posted for Goodhue and Rice Counties locally and for a large portion of central Minnesota where recent heavy rains have left river levels very high and flooding is a bigger concern right now.

Some parts of Goodhue County have already received more than 10 inches of rain in the past week, so it and several other water logged counties are under a Flash Flood Watch. Wednesday is expected to be a wet situation for much of our area.

Incidentally, summer officially begins Wednesday at 6:09 PM local time.  Happy last full day of spring!

Posted under severe weather

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.

Posted under Uncategorized