Updraft: April 21, 2008 Archive

Welcome to spring!

Sunday's high of 71 in the Twin Cities was the first 70 in nearly 6 months. October 30th was the last time we basked in 70 here in the metro.

We'll be even warmer today ahead of a cool front that may trigger a few scattered thunderstorms this evening. Rainfall amounts look generally light with most areas getting .25" or so tonight. There may be a few isolated half inch amounts. Look for our best chance of rain between 6pm and 10pm in the metro.

Our average high in the metro hits 60 today. The late April sun is now equal in intensity and sun angle to late August. The bigger metro lakes may see ice out this week.

This is severe weather awareness week in Minnesota. It's interesting to note that the average thunderstorm is only 15 miles in diameter, and lasts an average of only 30 minutes. The life cycle of these storms is usually limited by the short lived nature of convective updrafts, which are eventually overcome by the sheer weight of the rain and hail they must suspend in the atmosphere.

Thunderstorm, wind, hail and lightning info

I was in Oklahoma helping my news anchor friend last week from Arizona. It was nice to see Iris in bloom in April, and I noticed crab apple trees in bloom all the way north to north of Kansas City. It won't be long now before things are blooming here in Minnesota!

Enjoy spring!

PH