Updraft: April 24, 2009 Archive

Jumping from April to July for one day

Posted at 10:18 AM on April 24, 2009 by Mark Seeley

Thursday, April 23rd was record-setting for many communities in Minnesota, as bright sun and strong southerly winds brought a remarkable rise in temperature to mid-July values. It was by far the warmest April 23rd since 1990. With 30-40 mph winds mixing the air, relative humidity fell to just 10 to 20 percent in many southern and western counties. Afternoon temperatures of at least 90 degrees F were reported from Marshall, Appleton, Morris, Wheaton, Willmar, Benson, Madison, Ortonville, Montevideo, Olivia, Redwood Falls, Canby, Luverne, Fergus Falls, Milan, Artichoke Lake, and Granite Falls. A reading of 94 degrees F at Canby (Yellow Medicine County) set a new all-time state record for the date (old record was 93 F at Winona on April 23, 1980). Communities as far north as Fergus Falls saw temperatures climb into the 90s F.

Among the new record high temperatures for April 23rd were:
Montevideo with 91 F, Redwood Falls 92 F, Morris 91 F, Wheaton 90 F, Willmar 91 F, Madison 91 F, Canby 94 F, Olivia 90 F, Marshall 90 F, Luverne 90 F, Granite Falls 93 F, Fergus Falls 90 F, Fairmont 88 F, Faribault 88 F,

With the number of records set it was arguably the warmest April 23rd in state history, as over 20 communities hit 90 degrees F or greater. In 1990 seven communities hit 90 F or greater on April 23rd, while in 1980 two communities did so, and in 1960 three communities warmed that much.

If you want to track daily temperature values for Minnesota the commercial web site called AnythingWeather Communications is a good place to do so.

I'm just the messenger!

Posted at 3:56 PM on April 24, 2009 by Paul Huttner

NOAA HPC rainfall estimates for the next 3 days show the potential of 1" to 2" in the metro, with heavier amounts to the south.

They say timing is everything.

One look at your lawn tells you we need a good soaker. I just wish it could have come during the week.

A complex two part weather system marks the start of a pattern change that looks to bring us some much needed rainfall over the next week. Part one starts tonight as a cold front slips southward into southeast Minnesota. This is one serious front! Talk about a temperature contrast. It's sunny and a windy 91 this afternoon in Rochester ahead of the front, and a drizzly 37 in Morehead.

Showers in northern Minnesota behind the front will sag south as we head through tonight. In the metro look for a chance of rain from late evening through early Saturday.

There will be a break between systems and the best time for some dry and possible even sunny but cool weather looks to be Saturday from noon into Saturday night. This appears to be the best time this weekend to get in that Little League or softball game.

The second and stronger wave with this system comes in Sunday. It looks like most of Sunday will be wet. We could see some locally heavy rain and thunder. A much needed 1" to 2" soaking appears possible for the metro. Southest Minnesota, southwest Wisconsin and Iowa may see heavier rain. There may even be a few severe storms as close as Rochester and La Crosse Sunday.

I will not be surprised if some 3" to 6" rainfall amouns are reported to the south over the next 72 hours. There may even be some flooding in areas that see that kind of rain. Sunday looks like the best day to spend some quality time watching your favortie matinee.

We dry out a bit Monday and Tuesday before another system brings a chance of rain next week.

Welcome to spring in Minnesota. From 90 to a chilly rain in just 24 hours. Get out and enjoy Staurday afternoon if you can!

Have a great weekend.

PH