Updraft: April 2, 2008 Archive

In search of a warm front

Posted at 1:09 PM on April 2, 2008 by Craig Edwards

Before retiring from the Weather Service, the forecasting process had moved from an expression of individual skills to a collaborative process. Your piece of the forecast picture puzzle needed to fit with the opinions of the surrounding offices. In Minnesota, that means the talented staff from five offices collectively partner on the details of the seven day forecast.

Regional gaphical forecast

The collaboration not only occurs in each state, but regionally; ultimately creating a national mosaic. Meteorologists are team players, engaging in dialogue that requires compromise in the collaborative process. In essence the renegades, the risk takers are reeled in.

Group think tends to dilute an outcome, in my opinion. Perhaps reinforcing the mantra; under promise and over deliver.

Embracing that concept, I, personally, am aiming low with the promise of a warm up any time soon. It is challenging to offer hope to naturalists itching to probe and paw at the slowly thawing soil. Have patience.

Clearly we are crawling, not running into spring. I'll be keeping watch for a legitimate warm front with highs in the 60s.
Six to ten day outlook
CE

Snow storm from space

Posted at 3:35 PM on April 2, 2008 by Paul Huttner

Check out this amazing view from space taken Tuesday afternoon. It's a visible satellite image of the snowfall from Monday's storm from NWS.

Check out the detail in the image, as pointed out by NWS staff in the Twin Cities.

Monday snow storm details

PH