Updraft: July 15, 2008 Archive

Warm & thundery

Posted at 8:55 AM on July 15, 2008 by Paul Huttner

It looks like we'll hit 90 again today. That would be the 4th time this year if we make it. We average 13 days of 90 or better here in the metro each summer, so we're running about 2 days behind schedule so far this year. I haven't heard any complaints so far about that here in the Huttner Weather Lab!

A quasi-stationary front will drift in southern Minnesota over the next 48 hours. Daytime heating and upper air disturbances will provide the trigger for scattered storms. Some could be strong to severe, with locally heavy rain a possibility. Computers and common forecast sense in these weak synoptic situations in summer dictate the possibility of 2 to more than 4 inches of rain in some areas over the next 72 hours. Be on the lookout for intense tropical downpours this week.

HPC 3-Day QPF

Lake water temperatures are running a bit below average in Minnesota this summer. I measured a comfy 73 degrees in Lake Minnetonka on Monday. We should be getting closer to 80 by this time in the summer in metro lakes.

Still 73 is just perfect for a coooling dip in the lake on a hot summery day like today. Enjoy, but keep an eye to the west for storms!

Twin Cities doppler radar loop

PH