Updraft: November 12, 2009 Archive

Nor'easter pounds Virginia coast

Posted at 8:38 AM on November 12, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Norfolk NEXRAD loop shows waves of wind driven rain pounding the Virginia coast today.

A potent and persistent storm system is delivering the East Coast a blow today. Over 24 hours of wind and rain are combining with high tide cycles to cause coastal flooding along the Virginia coast.

The storm is the result of two merged low pressure systems, one of which was once Hurricane Ida. The result has been hours of tropical storm force wind gusts and pounding surf. Beach cams show the storm in progress.

Numerous flood warnings and weather advisories are in effect for the east coast as the storm rages today. Surface maps show the persistent northeast wind gusts to near 50 mph pounding the coast. High tide occurs this afternoon. Water levels could rise 3 to 6 feet above normal later today.

PH

More like November

Posted at 4:27 PM on November 12, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Midwest surface weather depiction shows clouds and a cool front moving into Minnesota. (Credit: LEADS on-line)

The weather maps are finally catching up with the calendar.

A rare grey sky today finally looks like November. The forecast models are finally trending toward a more Novemberish solution. So far this month felt like the October we never had, at least it's going to be a mercifully gradual slide into a typical November weather pattern.

So just how abnormal is this month? Through the first 11 days of November temperatures are running a whopping 8.5 degrees above average in the Twin Cities.
Other Minnesota cities are also having near record warmth in the first third of November.

International Falls: +6.5 degrees
Duluth: +6.7 degrees
St. Cloud: +7.9 degrees
Rochester: +9.6 degrees

Keep in mind the average high for this weekend is 41 in the Twin Cities. Our overnight lows have been running near or above that number this week.

A weak low pressure system and cold front will slide through the area Friday. Expect spotty showers, but rainfall amounts should be mostly light and generally less than .25" in the south, with some areas seeing .50" or more in the north.

Temperatures will cool into the 40s for highs this weekend. It was a great run while it lasted!

PH