Updraft: April 30, 2009 Archive

Air quality

Posted at 6:22 AM on April 30, 2009 by Craig Edwards (2 Comments)

This is National Air Quality week. We've already had Flood Awareness week, Severe Weather Awareness week and now we'd like to let you know that we want you to breathe safely where you work, play and vacation.

Most states have a partnership with the EPA to monitor local air quality at major cities. Here are the locations of air quality testing and forecast in Minnesota.

When the weather eventually warms up we will talk a little more about the UV index and ligthning safety.

For your weekend, temperatures not far from average and not sufficient evidence to forecast showers of any consequence.

CE

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A little more beach

Posted at 4:00 PM on April 30, 2009 by Paul Huttner

There are interesting days to own lakefront property on White Bear Lake.

White Bear is shallow in many areas and our ongoing drought is having huge effects on the shoreline. The lake is at the lowest level since 1991. It's down nearly 4 feet from average. That means than in some places the shoreline has receded hundreds of feet from where it was a few years ago.

Other metro lakes are also showing signs of the moderate drought. Lake Minnetonka's water level is controlled by the Gray's Bay Dam. Still, the lake is almost a foot lower than last summer's high water level. The dam is barely open and discharging only 20CFS this week. That's a trickle compared to the 225 CFS roaring over the dam and into Minnehaha Creek last June. Think of 1 CFS as the size of a basketball.

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District who controls the dam says that you need about 75 to 150 CFS flowing down the creek for good canoe conditions. This weeks 20CFS will leave you grounded.

Our inch of rain over the past few days has helped to jump start your lawn and reduce fire danger. But it takes a lot more than an inch to get a creek raging and pull out of a drought.

A cool front slides through this evening. Look for cooler temperatures and a blustery wind through Saturday. Highs will be in the 50's and I can't rule out a stray passing shower Friday.

Saturday looks sunny and decent but breezy and cool with an afternoon high near 60 after a chilly start in the upper 30's.

Sunday looks like the best day of the weekend. Bright sun, lighter winds and a high near 67 will feel balmy.

PH