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Updraft: June 3, 2009 Archive
Forecast: Soaking rain possible this weekend
Posted at 8:14 AM on June 3, 2009
by Paul Huttner
NOAA 4-5 day precipitation outlook shows rainfall chances increasing this weekend.
The timing could be better, but at this point we'll take it.
A slow moving low pressure system appears to be headed for Minnesota this weekend. The chances for much needed widespread soaking rains are increasing starting on Saturday.
While it is still too early to pinpoint timing and rainfall amounts, at this point it appears Saturday holds the best chance of a good soaking. If the system develops as the forecast models are hinting at today, there could be many amounts over half an inch, and weekend totals over an inch are possible.
The Twin Cities is still in moderate to severe drought this week. Precipitation since last May is running over 10 inches below average. June is our wettest month on average, with 4.34" of rainfall in an average June. While a good soaking inch or more of rain would not end the drought, it would go a long way toward easing some of the short term effects.
There are indications that a second low pressure wave could follow Saturday's system. This could bring another round of rain late Sunday or Monday.
The timing would be excellent for Minnesota farmers. Crops are in and generally in good condition according to this week's crop report. A good soaking rain now would help to boost growth into the early part of the growing season. Many locations in central Minnesota have rainfall deficits exceeding 3 inches since April 1st.
Of course there's that old saying, "there really is no bad weather, just different kinds of good weather." I'll try to remember that this weekend as our 13 year old baseball team heads to a big tournament in Bloomington. A drought is great for getting in baseball games, and we've had excellent baseball weather all spring. I suppose we're due for a rainout, but maybe we can still get the rain and sneak in the games too.
At this point my lawn, our lakes, and the farmers will take the rain any time we can get it,
In the mean time enjoy another stretch of bright sunny weather as we head toward the weekend.
PH
Where's summer?
Posted at 2:20 PM on June 3, 2009
by Paul Huttner
I know it's still only early June, but some of the natives are getting restless.
I talk to Minnesotans about weather everyday. The conversations these days fall into two camps.
Camp 1: "Paul this is the most beautiful weather! I'm so glad it's not hot and buggy. It's a little cool at night but it's nice to save money on heating and air conditioning these days."
Camp 2: "Hey Huttner, when is it ever going to warm up around here?"
There's a little edge creeping into the tone of those of you in camp two.
Well if you're in camp one, congratulations. You just won the weather lottery for another week or two.
Our extended spring really has been magnificent by many standards. May was seasonably mild in the metro. Temperatures were a little warm, coming in at 1.5 degrees above average. The scant .53" of rainfall was the 3rd driest May on record. That deepened our drought, but was great news for golfers, bikers and anyone else who likes to get outdoors. With very low humidity, highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's it felt like Arizona in wintertime. Even the mosquitoes took a holiday.
The medium range forecast models do not show a big warm up in sight yet. We are running cooler than average so far in June. After a brief warm up Thursday and Friday, it looks like we may stay there for another week at least. You'll forgive the good folks from Duluth to International Falls if they are not too thrilled about the prospect of more frost this month.
The thermometer on the Weather Lab motor boat says 66 degrees on Lake Minnetonka these days. Long term lake average temperatures are hard to come by, but I can remember many years when the surface water on Minnetonka was at or above 70 degrees by this time of year. It's still a bit bracing to jump in your favorite lake, especially up north.
I always tell people that the 3rd week of June is when things really start to warm up around here. Let's hope it happens this year. Summer is already too short at this latitude.
PH
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