Updraft: October 6, 2009 Archive

Million Dollar Rain

Posted at 8:19 AM on October 6, 2009 by Paul Huttner (1 Comments)

Twin Cities doppler storm total rainfall shows an arc of heavy 1" to 2" rainfall west of the metro.

It's like money in the bank.

Another widespread rainfall event is soaking southern Minnesota today. For trees, lawns, lakes and rivers these October rains are like money in the bank. The rain gives trees and plants a good long drink before freeze up this winter. The extra moisture recharges soils for growth next spring.

So far rainfall totals have been remarkably consistent with amounts generally ranging between .62" in Eden Prairie to .64" at Twin Cities Airport to .84" near Lake Minnetonka.

Heavier rainfall totals through this morning include 1.11" at Redwood Falls. Doppler indicates more 1"+ rainfall totals west and south of the metro.

These fall rain systems differ from summer systems. In fall mid-latitude cyclones atmospheric lift is generally more widespread and consistent. This tends to produce widespread steady rainfall like we've seen with the past two systems. In summer, atmospheric lift is usually more localized and even violent. This tends to produce pockets of locally heavy rain. Some areas get doused and some remain dry.

Our slow moving low pressure will slide over Mason City Iowa this morning. The low will take its time moving east today, that should keep rainfall in the area through the day before tapering off later tonight. By the time the system pulls out we will likely see another .50" to 1" in some areas. Look for storm totals over 2" in some areas.

High pressure will build in for Wednesday, and the sun will return. This will be the first sunny day in October for much of the region. Enjoy the sun tomorrow with temperatures near 60 in the metro!

PH

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Typhoon Melor Aims at Japan

Posted at 3:10 PM on October 6, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Satellite image of Typhoon Melor as it approaches Japan's southern islands.

Japan is on high alert today as Typhoon Melor approaches.

The Category 3 Typhoon is packing winds of 125 mph as it accelerates toward Japan. Landfall with Melor is forecast to be in between Kyoto and Tokyo. This storm could cause considerable damage to central Japan.

Melor is generating waves as high as 38 feet according to statements from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

REMARKS:
061500Z POSITION NEAR 26.0N 130.7E.
TYPHOON (TY) 20W (MELOR), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 165 NM EAST-
SOUTHEAST OF OKINAWA, JAPAN, HAS TRACKED NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD AT 14
KNOTS OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. MAXIMUM SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT AT
061200Z IS 38 FEET.

It is interesting that while the Atlantic hurricane season has been very quiet, the western Pacific has seen a series of destructive storms.

Typhoon Parma (now Tropical Storm Parma) dumped as much as 56 inches of rain in eastern Taiwan and flooded the Philippines causing at least 22 deaths.

PH