Updraft: February 5, 2009 Archive

Happy Weatherman's Day

Posted at 7:14 AM on February 5, 2009 by Craig Edwards

We've come a long way with a diverse cast of characters currently in the weather business. When I first started with the Weather Service there was a good contingent of former WW II weathercasters. The office in Milwaukee was exlusively white males, except for the matronly administrative assistant.

In this era of weather forecasting we are humbled to refer to February 5th as a day to fondly do homage to your favorite and not so favorite weather pesonality.

Later today meteorologists will gather at the secret watering hoie to generate new alibis for the remainder of the year.

History of weatherman's day

Bring it on

Posted at 2:35 PM on February 5, 2009 by Paul Huttner

The warm sun graces the Huttner Weather Lab today. The sound of my gutters beginning to drip is good therapy after the long icy stretch that is a Minnesota winter.

I notice the birds are more numerous today. I even see a few species I can't identify, but that I know I have not seen in a while. The squirrels are more active too. It seems as nature is waking up from hibernation.

Sioux Falls is basking at 46 this afternoon. Bank thermometers in southwest Minnesota towns like Marshall and Canby are flashing 40 or better today. What little snow cover remains at Sioux Falls will disappear today. Snow cover is taking a beating in southwest Minnesota too. A nice southwest wind and retreating snow cover should boost temperatures well into the 40's tomorrow in southwest Minnesota. We should crack 40 in the metro as well, provided we get enough sun.

During last Saturday's thaw I watched with amusement as a chickadee frolicked in a little pool of water that had collected in the melt on my boat cover. I wonder if he will be back tomorrow.

Enjoy the thaw!