Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Previous Forecast:

The remainder of yesterday did continue the way that was previously predicted.  Temperatures remained in the twenties and thirties, with an average temperature of 28°F.  There were mixed rain and snow flurries through the day and Eau Claire received 0.01 inches of precipitation and 0.6 inches of snow.  The snow depth in Eau Claire is now 9 inches.  In Figure 1 it can be seen that April is the snowiest month of the past 4 winter months by over 3 inches of snow and the month is not over yet.     

Figure 1. Total snow inches count for past 4 months and current April standings.

Current Conditions:

Temperature: 30°F          Feels Like: 22°F
Humidity: 66%
Wind Conditions: NW 9 mph
Precipitation: 10%
Sky Conditions: overcast with mixed clouds
Visibility: 10.0 miles

      Today in Eau Claire is expected to be a nice pleasant day with the possibility of some sunshine coming into the Eau Claire area.  The warmer temperatures and sunshine should melt a significant amount of snow.  Temperatures are predicted to reach forties today.  In the surface map in Figure 2 shows the calm weather predicted over Eau Claire.  There are rain and snow events predicted to the north and south of Eau Claire. 

Figure 2. Surface map of the United States for today.

Tomorrow's Forecast:

I believe the weather conditions currently being experienced in Eau Claire will last for the rest of the day with some added sunshine and temperatures warming.  It can be seen in Figure 3 that the counties to the south of Eau Claire county are under winter storm watch today.   More clouds should move into the area on Wednesday and some wintry precipitation will come into the area from the west.  Eau Claire is expected to receive a few inches of snow through Wednesday until the storm moves out o the area Wednesday night. After the storm on Wednesday there should be a long period of warming and drier weather in Eau Claire.     

Figure 3. Local weather alerts in western Wisconsin counties today.

Daily National Holiday: 

Today is National Haiku Poetry Day!  Today is designated to the creative writing style of poetry the Haiku.  Here's one I found online that describes my current feelings on this extended winter:

Days getting longer

But snow keeps coming down
Nowhere to put it.

Write or look up a favorite Haiku and share it with a friend today to celebrate!

Monday, April 16, 2018

Previous Forecast:

Yesterday Eau Claire received 3.8 inches of snow and 0.22 inches of rain.  This has accumulated to seven inches of snow depth thanks to winter storm Xanto.  The totals for the storm from Thursday to Monday morning include 11.5 inches of snow and 1.1 inches of rain.  The storm was fueled by moisture from the west in the Pacific Ocean and south from the Gulf of Mexico.  The storm was created in the Rockies and moved west to the Midwest.  The storm lingered in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas like northern Wisconsin counties because the storm was trapped between two high pressure systems leading to its isolated impact.     

Current Conditions:

Temperature: 29°F          Feels Like: 19°F
Humidity: 66%
Wind Conditions: NNW 14 mph
Precipitation: 20%
Sky Conditions: overcast and cloudy
Visibility: 10.0 miles

      Today in Eau Claire the snow from the snow storm yesterday has stopped.  As seen in Figure 1, Eau Claire is on the western fringes of the storm which now is covering the Great Lakes.  This is causing strong northwest winds to entering the area and cloudy skies.  There may be a few flurries through the day, but today should be mostly dry with temperatures in the mid thirties.   

Figure 1. Surface map of the United States for today.

Figure 2. Map of the jet stream across the United States today.

Tomorrow's Forecast:

I believe the weather conditions currently being experienced in Eau Claire will last for the rest of the day.  There will be some periodic flurries coming down.  Tomorrow I believe some sun will return tomorrow with highs making in to forty degrees.  This week should experience a general temperature rise as the days progress.  Wednesday will interrupt this trend as a wintry system is expected to enter the area. 

Daily National Holiday: 

Today is National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day!  Today is the perfect PJ day after the large snow storm to stay cozy in your pajamas.

AAG Conference: April 9 to April 14

This week I am in New Orleans, Louisiana for the annual American Association of Geographers conference.  Here is an overview of my week in this beautiful city.

The weather is described for New Orleans for the past week is shown in Figure 1.  The days were mostly sunny and warm with temperatures in the seventies.  There were clear sunny skies during the day.  Friday was the warmest day of the trip with temperatures reaching eighties.  In New Orleans I went to the French Quarter Festival on the boardwalk of the Mississippi on Friday, which can be seen in Figure 2.  the skies were clear and sunny.  On Saturday, I flew out of New Orleans and the sky was extremely cloud covered as seen from my plane window in Figure 3.  The French Quarter Festival was cancelled on Saturday due to impending bad weather.  New Orleans was anticipating tornadoes and extreme thunderstorms.  New Orleans received 2 to 5 inches of rain during the storm and my flight was one of the last to leave the airport before it was shut down.       

                         Monday                  Tuesday             Wednesday

               Thursday                  Friday                 Saturday

Figure 1.  Weather in New Orleans over the past week.

Figure 2.  Clear sunny skies at the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans on Friday.

Figure 3.  Cloudy skies in New Orleans visible from plane window on Saturday morning.

Winter Storm Xanto

Travel plans to get back to Eau Claire were greatly disrupted by winter storm Xanto covering the Midwest.  The original flight I had booked to leave on Saturday was cancelled due to the storm, so I booked a different flight on Saturday, but my connecting flight from St. Louis to Minneapolis was cancelled.  My travel partners and I still took the flight to St. Louis in fear of being stuck in New Orleans due to the approaching storm there.  In St. Louis the group rented a van and drove to Madison where we spent Saturday night.  We only encountered heaving rain and no snow during that drive.  On Sunday morning we drove the rest of the way from Madison to Eau Claire.  We drove through heavy snow and icy road conditions.  The bad visibility we drove through can be seen in Figure 4.  The group made it safe to Eau Claire on Sunday afternoon.  The forecasted snow amounts for Wisconsin from the winter storm can be seen in Figure 5.  Eau Claire is predicted to receive 12 to 18 inches.       

Figure 4. Bad road visibility driven through to get to Eau Claire in winter storm Xanto on Sunday morning. 

Figure 5.  Forecasted snow amounts predicted to occur in Wisconsin from winter storm Xanto. 

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Previous Forecast:

The remainder of yesterday did continue the way that was previously predicted.  Temperatures remained in the twenties and thirties, with an average temperature of 21°F.  The deep upper trough over Wisconsin of the continental polar air mass is still shifted downward into Eau Claire today. 

Current Conditions:

Temperature: 22°F          Feels Like: 10°F
Humidity: 55%
Wind Conditions: W 13 mph
Precipitation: 0%
Sky Conditions: sunny with clear skies
Visibility: 10.0 miles

      Today in Eau Claire there are cold temperatures much like yesterday due to the fact that we are in a high pressure system shown in Figure 1.  This high pressure system is causing the cold temperatures, dry, and clear sunny skies weather the Eau Claire area is currently experiencing.  It can also be seen in Figure 1 that the Rocky mountains are creating a stationary front out west separating high and low pressures.  The northwest winds that are blowing into the Eau Claire area shown in Figure 2.  These north winds are also contributing to the cold temperatures in Eau Claire. 

 

Figure 1. Surface map of the United States for today.

Figure 2. Map of the jet stream across the United States today.

Tomorrow's Forecast:

I believe the weather conditions currently being experienced in Eau Claire will last for the rest of the day.  Tomorrow the high pressure system will move eastward out of Eau Claire.  Moist systems from the Rockies and Plains will move into Eau Claire and bring cloud cover to the area in the morning bringing in some warmer temperatures in the upper-thirties.  This should bring a weak low pressure system into the area.  The system will be limited in moisture but should result in some snow showers, but should not add up to more than a few inches.  Next week some warmer temperatures in the forties can be anticipated as cold air will move north back to Canada.   

Daily National Holiday: 

Today is National Girl, Me Too Day!  Today is designated to recognize the strength and endurance of all women.  Today is a great day to support the women in your life and the battles they face.  Encourage the women in your life to keep fighting their battles. 

Friday, April 6, 2018

Previous Forecast:

The remainder of yesterday did continue the way that was previously predicted.  Temperatures remained cold in the twenties and thirties.  An official record low of 5°F was set yesterday, breaking the previous record of 10°F.  The average for the day was 21°F. 

Current Conditions:

Temperature: 20°F          Feels Like: 4°F
Humidity: 60%
Wind Conditions: NNW 21 mph
Precipitation: 10%
Sky Conditions: sunny with broken clouds
Visibility: 9.0 miles

      Today in Eau Claire there are colder temperatures than yesterday.  Temperatures this time of year are typically in the low fifties, but we have only been near those temperatures once this year.  Today will be no different with highs only reaching mid twenties today.  After midnight tonight extra cloud cover should move in and light snowfall should begin as shown in the surface map in Figure 1.  Strong northwest winds have brought even greater chill values to the region.   

Figure 1. Surface map of the United States for today.

Figure 2. Map of the jet stream across the United States today.

Tomorrow's Forecast:

I believe the weather conditions currently being experienced in Eau Claire will last the rest of the day.  The weekend is predicted to remain cold as well.  Winds should be lighter on Saturday with a sunny sky.  A large high pressure system is expected to be in the area, preventing temperatures from rising above thirty. 

Daily National Holiday: 

Today is National Caramel Popcorn Day!  My favorite type of popcorn!! Make sure to eat some yourself to celebrate!

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Previous Forecast:

The remainder of yesterday did continue the way that was previously predicted.  The day remained cold and dry.  Today is starting the way yesterday's weather was with continued cold and dry weather.  This morning a new record cold temperature was set, this morning temperatures reached 5°F breaking the record set in 1926 at the temperature of 10°F.  Highs for the day should stay about 15°F below average temperatures.      

Current Conditions:

Temperature: 26°F          Feels Like: 18°F
Humidity: 69%
Wind Conditions: W 8 mph
Precipitation: 0%
Sky Conditions: sunny with clear skies
Visibility: 10.0 miles

      Today in Eau Claire there are similar temperatures compared to yesterday due to the fact that we are in a high pressure system.  This high pressure system is causing the cold temperatures, dry, and clear sunny skies weather the Eau Claire area is currently experiencing.  he continental polar air mass has sunk down into the Eau Claire area bringing these cold unseasonably temperatures.  In Figure 1 it can be clearly seen the polar air mass coming down into the northern states leading to cold temperatures. 
 

Figure 1. Temperature map of the temperatures across the United States today at 8 AM.

Tomorrow's Forecast:

I believe the weather conditions currently being experienced in Eau Claire will last for some of the day.  An arctic cold front is predicted to move into the area from out of Canada and cause increasing cloud cover later in the day.  This has the possibility to bring rain and snow later this afternoon.   Temperatures are projected to reach near 0°F in Eau Claire this weekend.  Arctic polar air is predicted to descend into the upper Midwest and northern plains this weekend as shown in Figure 2.  these cold temperatures have become a concern for wheat farmers.  The warmth experienced in past weeks winter wheat has been growing in Oklahoma and Texas but with the influences of this weeks cold temperatures the wheat will experience freezing during the jointing stage which can risk damage to the crop.     

Figure 2. Map of the predicted path arctic polar air will move into the northern plains and upper Midwest this weekend. 

Daily National Holiday: 

Today is National Read a Road Map Day! As a geographer this is practically an everyday activity for me, but if reading maps is not an everyday activity for you dig out some old road maps from the glove box of your car and have a look to celebrate!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Previous Forecast:

The remainder of yesterday did continue the way that was previously predicted.  Snow fell for the remainder of the day.  Eau Claire got 4.3 inches of snow and 0.3 inches of precipitation yesterday.  Eau Claire has already gotten more snow in the first 3 days of April than it did in all of March.  Eau Claire received 6.8 inches of snow in March and has already gotten 6.9 inches of snow in April.  To day has dried out as was predicted and Eau Claire has not gotten any precipitation today.

Current Conditions:

Temperature: 25°F          Feels Like: 14°F
Humidity: 43%
Wind Conditions: W 12 mph
Precipitation: 0%
Sky Conditions: sunny with clear skies
Visibility: 10.0 miles

      Today in Eau Claire there are similar temperatures to yesterday.  In the surface map in in Figure 1 it can be seen that there is not much weather activity in Eau Claire today.  Temperatures for today are typical for January with high temperatures in the twenties.  The western jet stream winds shown in Figure 2 will be bringing a high pressure system and cold temperatures in the upcoming days.  The Eau Claire area is going to have to continue for spring to come.   

Figure 1. Surface map of the United States for today.

Figure 2. Map of the jet stream across the United States today.

Tomorrow's Forecast:

I believe the weather conditions currently being experienced in Eau Claire will last for the rest of the day and continue to get increasingly cold across the next few days.  In Figure 3 it can be seen that record cold temperatures are anticipated for the Eau Claire area tonight.  Eau Claire is foretasted to reach 4°F tonight, which is 6°F below the record low of 10°F from 1926.  Thursday might have a slight warm up from a slight low pressure front, but Friday is predicted to bring the cold back as winds shift to the north. 

Figure 3. Record cold temperatures predicted for the Twin Cities and surrounding areas tonight.

Daily National Holiday: 

Today is National School Librarian Day! Make sure to head over to your school library and tell the librarians what a great job they are doing and how much you appreciate them.  I myself will thank Hans over in McIntyre Library for all of the hard work he does for students completing research projects on campus.