Updraft: February 25, 2008 Archive

Pea soup

Posted at 7:00 AM on February 25, 2008 by Paul Huttner

Combine light winds, a stagnant air mass, snow melt from Sunday and what do you get?

You can barely see your hand in front of your face.

Dense fog persists this morning as visibilities are down to nearly 100 feet in some areas from the Twin Cities south to I-90 this morning.

Dense fog advisory

Current weather and visibilities

Air quality is also an issue today. The stagnant area of high pressure which gave us a pleasantly mild weekend also trapped fine particulates near the surface. Air quality readings spiked above 100 around much of southern Minnesota, making for an unhealthy atmosphere.

Latest air quality numbers

Want some good news?

Depending on your perspective, the Twin Cities will miss another snow storm tracking by to the south. The I-90 corridor will again see accumulating snow today and tonight. The cooler north winds behind this system will blow in drier air, which will clear out the fog and improve air quality over the next 24 hours.

Another southern storm

If you thought this weekend felt nice and mild you are right. We hit 38 in the metro Sunday. That's the warmest day this month, and the warmest since 43 on January 28th. It's also the second warmest day in 3 months, since 48 on November 25th!

Areas in southwest Minnesota with no snow cover were the warmest. Redwood Falls and Montevideo recorded 43 degree highs Sunday. Madison hit 45. And Canby hit 52 degrees Sunday! That's the warmest day in Canby in over 3 months since they hit 53 on November 18th!

Minnesota daily temperatures

Cooler breezes kick in tonight, but the sub zero air should be confined to northern Minnesota this week. Enjoy the cleaner Canadian air, and the warm up as we return to the 30's this weekend!

PH

Winter extends school year

Posted at 1:20 PM on February 25, 2008 by Craig Edwards

Oh, the childhood winter dream of a snow day from school. It was a free day from the classroom provided by the coupled handy work of Old Man Winter and Mother Nature. Unfortunately, when the snow days stack up payback can be disheartening.

Since December 1st, Dubuque, Iowa has received more than 62 inches of snow. Toss in some freezing rain and they have accumulated an excessive number of school closures due to a long winter season. Several inches of snow are in the offing for Dubuque this afternoon.

Winter Storm Warning in northern Iowa/Illinois

I learned today that superintendents are giving thought to encouraging students to consider attending classes on Saturdays this spring to limit the extension of the school year. Without future weather cancellations, schools will not let out until the middle of June!

Once again, we are reminded of the old adage, be careful what you wish for! Gazing out the classroom window in mid June seems unfair when the weather begs of baseball, fishing, and the beach.
CE