Updraft: August 26, 2009 Archive

Cool, dude

Posted at 7:33 AM on August 26, 2009 by Craig Edwards

Here is an image from the ETA computer model of the winds and temperatures at about five thousand feet above the surface for Saturday morning. The wind barbs are in knots. That's about a 25 to 30 mph north wind overhead driving chilly air across Minnesota. Some of the coldest air in the Nation headed our way.

Note the counterclockwise circulation around the low pressure centered over Lake Superior. Temperatures are in degrees celcius. The light blue shading translates to near zero degrees celcius about a mile overhead.

Low temperatures could settle into the 30s in northern Minnesota on Sunday and Monday morning as surface winds decrease to nearly calm. These readings are about a month ahead of schedule.
CE

Atlantic bears Danny

Posted at 2:41 PM on August 26, 2009 by Craig Edwards (2 Comments)

Here is the initial projection of newly named Tropical Storm Danny. The Hurricane Center will be following the development and forecast track of this storm as it churns north the next forty-eight hours. I'll leave the expert predictions to the specialist of NOAA.

Note how the cone of confidence fans out along the time line. I oftened wondered if meteorologists in the Midwest could fashion the same technique for projecting the path and intensity of winter storms. When I was in the National Weather Service we couldn't quite come up with a uniformed strategy for defining categories of snow storms.

Tropical Storm Advisory for Danny.
CE

Satellite view of Danny

Posted at 3:05 PM on August 26, 2009 by Craig Edwards

Remember what Danny looks like today and compare that to what we might be seeing on Friday morning. Great to have this eye in the sky.
CE

A soothing stroll

Posted at 6:21 PM on August 26, 2009 by Craig Edwards

A lovely landscape at the University of Minnesota Arboretum in Chanhassen on Wednesday afternoon.

A meteorologist colleague accompanied me on a tranquil walk through the beautiful grounds. It is so nice to have this arboretum easily accessible as an example of environmental stewardship.

Now picture the flip side that we will enjoy at the Great Minnesota Get-together. Best of both worlds, heh? You betcha.
CE