Updraft: May 8, 2008 Archive

What a difference a year makes.

Last year at this time we we're kicking off a drought in much of Minnesota. This year farmers are behind on planting in soggy fields.

It's funny how nature has a way of catching up and evening things out over time.

La Crosse (34.06") and Rochester (33.20") has seen the wettest August to April period on record.

Long duration wet period

West Central to Northwest Minnesota endured record April snows of more than 3 feet.

Record April snowfall

The recovery of Minnesota lakes and rivers has been nothing short of remarkable. Lake Minnetonka's water level is up over a foot, about 15 inches since August.

Lake Minnetonka water levels

Even gigantic Lake Superior is up 6" in April and up over 10" since last August. The world's largest freshwater lake by surface area is back, but still stands 8" below average.

The U.S. Drought Monitor now shows all of Minnesota is drought free, and the Minnesota crop report finds farmers struggling to get crops planted in muddy fields this spring.

Drought monitor

Minnesota crop report

We'd like to schedule some nice weather for the weekend, but it looks wet again. The overall upper air pattern is chaotic, but keeps an stubborn upper low centered over Hudson Bay, dealing Minnesota alternating 2 to 3 day periods of sunny cool weather followed by cool wet systems spinning through.

I'm looking for a change in the overall hemispheric long wave pattern which would signal a change to a warmer and drier weather regime. When I see it, I'll be the one shouting in joy from the rooftop of the Huttner Weather Lab.

PH

Well, after the cool and wet spring we've been experiencing, it's time to look for the silver lining. I spied some colorful tulips on my morning walk. That's a start!

On the heels of recent abundant moisture, followed by twelve hours of sunshine on Wednesday, the grass has greened, tree buds are enfolding and dandelions are peppering in the parkways in southern Minnesota.

Time has arrived to ponder a strategy for planting the annuals, arranging the patio furniture and trying to fire up the lawn mower. Hard to beat the aroma of freshly mowed grass to awaken the senses to the essence of spring.

For decades, as a meteorologist, I would caution the early birds about rushing to plant the annuals. A few folks just couldn't restrain themselves, only to be perturbed by a frost in mid May. Best advice has always been to wait until after Mother's Day to sprinkle the gardens and perimeter of the home with a colorful array of assorted flowers.

So here we are, on the brink of Mother's Day and we are cautiously optimistic that a killing frost is growing less likely for the southern third of Minnesota. Clouds and periods of showers are likely to hold daytime temperatures below normal, but also keeping overnight minimums not much cooler than forty degrees.

Spring frost free date in Minnesota

It just might be a little to damp to putter in the garden this weekend.
CE