While rain has been a little more timely and plentiful in the past couple of weeks, we could always use some more and it looks like we stand a chance of picking up some decent rainfall totals in the next day or two as two storm systems will be affecting the region.  The first system is moving through the Upper Midwest today, spreading clouds and rain across the local area through today and at least the first part of tonight.  There will be a few thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening with a few strong storms possibly producing strong winds and some hail.  The best chance for that will be to our west, however, while more benign activity is expected for us.  The second storm system looks a little weaker and comes from northwest Ontario tomorrow.  We’ll have some light showers and a couple of thunderstorms with occasional sunshine Thursday, especially in the midday and early afternoon.  The rainfall deficit for the year going back to spring is almost two inches for Rochester and around seven inches in northern Iowa so we’re all still hoping for a good soaking shower this week.  High pressure from Canada will follow that second system, bringing dry, cool weather to the Upper Mississippi Valley Friday and Saturday as high temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s.

Most of our area can expect a quarter to half an inch of rain today through early tomorrow, but some spots will pick up an inch or more under the heavier thundershowers. Parts of north Iowa are still several inches below normal for the past year, so this is good news.

There is a Slight Risk for severe weather along the Missouri Valley to our west and locations around Algona and Clarion, Iowa may see a couple of stronger storms as the heart of Wednesday's storm system pushes through the area. The rest of us can expect garden variety thunderstorms with light to moderate rainfall.

Posted under Uncategorized

A weak “clipper” system is swinging through the region today, producing a little light festive snow for us, but accumulations are rather light and thanks to a mild weekend, it won’t be lingering through the holiday.  A ridge of high pressure is expected to build back into the Upper Mississippi Valley behind today’s disturbance, bringing bright, quiet sunshine to our area for Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day, meaning we’ll have perfect travel conditions for the entire holiday weekend.  Here’s the holiday weekend forecast for a few regional cities:

The Chicago Forecast

The Des Moines Forecast

The Fargo Forecast

The Rapid City, South Dakota Forecast

Posted under Holidays

Check out this article!  When I saw the title, “Economic cost of weather may total 485 billion in U.S”,  I was assuming that the amount listed was an estimate of how much it would cost the United States this year with the abnormally high amounts of Tornadoes, Flooding and other weather related natural disasters we have seen.  Nope, this article isn’t even about that.  In fact, major events such as such as the tornado outbreak in April in southeast,  the major flooding in the Tennessee valley, or the flooding currently going on in Minot, ND are not even taken into account.  This is just the run of the mill events such as snowstorms with the occasional blizzard, or something simple as temps being just a little above or below average, which we saw a couple times when our temps were over 100° and just last week when we were stuck in the lower 60s.  This is a great article and puts into perspective how much weather really plays a part in everything that we do.  The link to the article is below.  It was written by The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. (UCAR)

http://www2.ucar.edu/news/4810/economic-cost-weather-may-total-485-billion-us

Posted under just cool, Uncategorized

Well the Kentucky Derby is not a stranger to wet weather.  This is now the 136th running of the most exciting two minuets in sports and 62 times, it has been a wet sloppy track.   Doing the math it rains about 45% of the time the race is run.  Here is a link to the weather and track conditions dating all the way back to 1875. (From the National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky)

Posted under just cool

We’re still celebrating our birthdays here in the KTTC Weather Center. You can still take part in a daily trivia question through Sunday – so if you’re trying to kill some time at work, here’s five minutes.

Posted under just cool

Nothing looks to be changing much in our forecast for the next seven days. Aside from some minor temperature adjustments, we look to have dry weather. Lots of sunshine, some clouds, and not too much in the way of high winds (it will be a little breezy Monday and Wednesday, however).

We are still looking at the likelihood of flooding on the Mississippi River this week. While we’re not expecting major flooding, it will still impact some locations as the river nears and passes flood stage. Flood warnings are in effect along the Mississippi River to account for this, and will be through the weekend.

Posted under flooding, September 2010 Flooding, weather

It’s El Nino vs. the first fall freeze. Or is it? Read what experts are thinking about how…if…El Nino will play a factor in our first fall freeze.

Enjoy the next couple of days of pleasant weather! Fall-ish weather is on tap for the weekend, with shower chances.

Posted under KTTC

Posted under KTTC, weather, winter weather

OK, I could wax philosophical about my Thanksgiving dinner, but I won’t. We lucked out with some fantastic weather for the holiday – although a little breezy. Today, winds will become less breezy as the afternoon wares on, so wind chills eventually won’t become too much of a factor. We’re aiming for highs in the low 40s. Whether you have shopping plans, travel plans, hanging-up-lights plans, or burning-off-dinner plans, clear skies and quiet weather across the upper midwest will take us straight into the overnight.

Now that’s a bargain.

Skies will cloud up on Saturday, and there could be a light mix/flurries late tomorrow evening spreading into northern Iowa. This is expected to switch over to snow on Sunday morning, and we’re looking at about an inch out of this system. Cooler air will pour in behind it, on Monday.

Off the subject, but when it comes down to it, I can’t decide what I like more – apple or pumpkin pie. The solution is to have a half slice of each.

Posted under KTTC, weather

November 10th: 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald sinks; 29 killed. For reading material, you can check out this site by some folks at UW-Madison, this site dedicated to the ship, or you can check out good ‘ol Wikipedia .

At least it won’t be that windy tomorrow. Cold, though. At least in the morning. 40s return by Tuesday and will take us through mid-week, but it’ll be a little unsettled, as well.

Posted under KTTC, weather