Updraft: January 7, 2009 Archive

Not from around here?

Posted at 7:20 AM on January 7, 2009 by Craig Edwards

When I moved from Milwaukee to Indianapolis in the 1970s, I had a little bit of homework to do about the new climate I was immersed in. If you can remember back into the 1970s there were more tornadoes and ice storms in Indiana than Minnesota/Wisconsin.

One subtle point I was called on was using the term snow showers. It was pointed out to me by the old timers, that we simply say snow flurries in Indiana.

Knowing the climate is a very important first step in making a forecast. Veterans in the Bureau were very helpful in passing along sage advice on examining the weather of the past.

Dr. Seeley is the climate guru for Minnesota. We are fortunate to have his expertise.

I spoke with the chief of the NWS Twin Cities Office, Dan Luna, over the weekend and we shared how a heavy snowfall of six inches or greater in twenty-fours occurs, on average, about three times in a winter season in the metro. That's knowing the climatology!

Another bout of snow is headed for portions of Minnesota on Thursday night. You guessed it; mainly north of the Twin Cities!

Graphical outlook from Grand Forks NWS

CE
naturesmessenger.com

Brighter days

Posted at 5:55 PM on January 7, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Streaks of daylight (and streaks on the camera lens) still visible at 5:53pm on MNDOT traffic cam along I-90 at Jackson, Minnesota.

You may notice it's getting brighter on your drive home.

I know I'm stretching here, but we've gained 13 minutes of daylight in the metro since December's winter solstice. I'll grasp at anything that helps me get through January in Minnesota. In the next month we'll gain another hour of daylight.

After a fairly quiet weather spell, things are looking more active again. Another Alberta Clipper will glide through Minnesota Thursday night and Friday. Right now the heaviest snow band looks to set up along the I-94 corridor from Fargo, Alexandria, St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. Changes in that track can change amounts, but it looks likely that you'll be shoveling some snow by Friday afternoon.

The longer range forecast shows an arctic outbreak ahead for next week. This could be the coldest air of the season. Highs may not climb above zero in the metro for a few days next week. Temperatures may reach -40 or colder in northern Minnesota.

After next week, the forecast models are hinting at a January thaw along about the 18th-20th.

CPC 8-14 day outlook hints at a January thaw

We'll be ready for a thaw after next weeks Siberian Express roars into town!

PH