Updraft: December 1, 2008 Archive

From out of nowhere

Posted at 7:07 AM on December 1, 2008 by Craig Edwards

Often times folks will quiz the meteorologist about how much snow is coming, even before there is snow being observed between Minnesota and Colorado. Oh my, how easy do you think this job really is?

The past two systems that have essentially developed precipitation overhead have produced anywhere from a trace of snow to more than four inches in parts of northeast and southeast Minnesota. Snowfall so far this season has been sparse in western Minnesota. St. Cloud measured only 1.3 inches of snow in November.

On Sunday, the snow making system slowed over Wisconsin and a band of more than five inches set up from Sheboygan to Oconomowoc.

Snowfall on Sunday in eastern Wisconsin

Computer models paint precipitation with a moderate amount of success. Micro-meteorology of where the heaviest band of snow will set up is not known until you see it happening on radar and satellite.

CE
naturesmessenger.com

Thin Ice

Posted at 3:37 PM on December 1, 2008 by Paul Huttner

Thin ice coats a bay in Lake Minnetonka Thanksgiving weekend, even as a late season boater drifts in nearby open water.

Our sub-freezing nights have made ice on area ponds and lakes, but many areas are still pretty thin. This is especially true near big expanses of open water where wave action has made the ice unstable. It might be wise to wait another week or two before testing those skates or walking the dog on your local pond.

Northwest flow aloft continues to bring us cool temps and a biting wind this week. A northwest flow is generally a dry flow meaning no big storms for Minnesota. A few passing clippers will lay down a coating of snow or two this week.

The overall weather pattern may change and become more favorable for significant snow in about 10-13 days. Snow lovers hang in there until then!

CPC 8-14 day precipitation outlook

Enjoy a spectacular sky show in the southwest sky after sunset tonight. Jupiter, Venus and the crescent moon will shine brightly and be closer than any time until 2052.

Space.com

Enjoy!

PH