Updraft: November 2, 2007 Archive

Anticipated change in November

Posted at 11:12 AM on November 2, 2007 by Mark Seeley

Most of us recognize November as a big transition month weatherwise, and despite a string of very mild winters, we would be wise to anticipate certain changes. Such as:

-Lower freezing levels in the atmosphere that increase chances for frozen precipitation (snow), and lower the decks of clouds above us, more stratoform (layered) in nature.

-Ice forming on inland lakes, and soils beginning to freeze.

-More visible bird migrations.

-Generally increasing strength in wind speeds.

-First episodes of wind chill conditions.

-Increased frequency of fog and cloudy conditions.

-More mornings of scraping off the car windshield.

-Onset of Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) for some.

-Putting your winter safety kit together and leaving it in the car

Where is your antenna pointed?

Posted at 11:29 AM on November 2, 2007 by Craig Edwards

Over the years I’ve concocted a number of alibis for inaccurate forecasts. In some instances the forecast was flat out wrong. I have also concluded part of my perceived forecast errors have come from the failure to effectively communicate. Folks are sometimes too distracted to hear the whole story.

As a NOAA meteorologist for 34 years I flew under the radar in the public arena. Yes, I worked for the world’s premier forecasting agency, but had little face recognition. Thus it was easy to listen in on conversations at the grocery store, restaurant and neighborhood about the upcoming weather. Where did these educated folks get their forecast information?

Just this Monday evening an associate asked me if it was going to snow on Friday. Bewildered, I asked where she heard that. Her antenna must have been aimed towards International Falls. No meteorologist I know in the Twin Cities had floated the forecast of snow for Friday.

We have a long way to go to enhance our forecast accuracy, but it helps if our message is clearly conveyed. Stay tuned to your weather experts at Minnesota Public Radio for details of cold and snow as we approach the winter of 2007-2008.

By the way, there is snow in the forecast for northern Minnesota. Check out the forecast for the Falls.

Forecast for International Falls

Fall back!

Posted at 3:48 PM on November 2, 2007 by Paul Huttner

Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend as we return to Central Standard Time (CST).

That means at 2 a.m. Sunday, you will stay up late so you can adjust your clocks back one hour to 1 a.m. OK, so maybe you'll do it before you go to bed and enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

Ben Franklin first suggested Daylight Saving Time. The extended hour of daylight in the evening means time for extra activities outdoors during the summer months. It also results in about a 1 percent energy savings each day.

Daylight Saving Time facts

Our sunset in the Twin Cities will go from 5:59 p.m. on Saturday to 4:47 p.m. on Sunday! You'll gain an hour of light in the morning as sunrise goes from 7:53 a.m. Saturday to 6:55 a.m. Sunday.

That means it should be brighter on Monday morning at 6:57 in the Huttner "Weather Lab," when I chat with Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition as the strongest cold front of the season races though Minnesota!

Enjoy the great weekend with ample sun and highs in the 50s.

PH