Updraft: December 14, 2009 Archive

1" to 3" of snow creates a messy commute.

Posted at 7:13 AM on December 14, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Update 7:15am: Snow is ending, but 1" to 3" is already down making the morning commute a mess. Here are the updated snowfall totals.
PH

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
639 AM CST MON DEC 14 2009

..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..

0309 AM SNOW 7 S HILLMAN 45.91N 93.89W
12/14/2009 M2.0 INCH MORRISON MN TRAINED SPOTTER

0538 AM SNOW WINTHROP 44.54N 94.36W
12/14/2009 M1.0 INCH SIBLEY MN TRAINED SPOTTER

0541 AM SNOW 10 N BRUCE 45.60N 91.27W
12/14/2009 M3.3 INCH RUSK WI TRAINED SPOTTER

SNOW DEPTH 5.

0600 AM SNOW 1 SW DELANO 45.03N 93.80W
12/14/2009 E3.0 INCH WRIGHT MN PUBLIC

0600 AM SNOW 2 NW PLYMOUTH 45.04N 93.48W
12/14/2009 M3.0 INCH HENNEPIN MN TRAINED SPOTTER

0600 AM SNOW CHANHASSEN 44.86N 93.56W
12/14/2009 M1.4 INCH CARVER MN OFFICIAL NWS OBS

0600 AM SNOW ST CLOUD 45.55N 94.17W
12/14/2009 M1.6 INCH STEARNS MN OFFICIAL NWS OBS

0600 AM SNOW MINNEAPOLIS 44.96N 93.27W
12/14/2009 M1.8 INCH HENNEPIN MN OFFICIAL NWS OBS

SNOW DEPTH 6 INCHES. 24 HOUR TOTAL.

0619 AM SNOW RUSH CITY 45.68N 92.97W
12/14/2009 M2.9 INCH CHISAGO MN TRAINED SPOTTER

Expect a slick commute Monday morning.

A weak to moderate upper level low pressure system is producing snow. The snow should taper this morning, but could produce slick spots during the morning rush hour. Latest indications are that snow totals will range from 1" to 3". This system is not as strong as last week's storm, but with temperatures around 10 degrees it will not take much snow to make roads slick.

Plan on extra time for the commute Monday morning.

PH

-Twin Cities radar loop

December Bucks El Nino Trend: So far...

Posted at 8:02 AM on December 14, 2009 by Paul Huttner (9 Comments)

NOAA CPC 6-10 day outlook hints at above average temperatures for parts of Minnesota.

Below average temperatures so far this month buck the trend of above average Decembers during moderate El Nino years in Minnesota. So far this month temperatures are running about 4 degrees cooler than average in the Twin Cities and much of Minnesota. If we finish the month below average, it will be the first time that has occurred in the metro in a moderate (Tropical Pacific SST's +1.2 to +1.8 degrees) El Nino year since 1950.

Including this morning's snowfall, we've recorded 9.6" of snow this month at Twin Cities Airport. That approaches the average monthly total for December which is 10 inches. It appears likely we may exceed that total with half the month left to go.

For the season we've recorded 12.4" so far. Average to date is 14.5". So we're running -2.1" season to date.

Cold air returns this week:

A fresh blast of arctic air is blowing in on the heels of Monday's fresh blanket of 1" to 3" of snow. Look for temperatures to drop to about -6 tonight in the Twin Cities and as cold as -15 to -25 in northern Minnesota. Wind chills will plunge to -10 to -20 in the south and may reach -30 in northern Minnesota tonight.

The cold will ease quickly Wednesday as southerly winds return. look for highs to return to near average levels in the mid 20's in southern Minnesota by mid-week.

Milder pattern to close December?

There are signs that the jet stream may lift north into Canada later this month. That should allow temperatures to moderate, and limit cold arctic air incursions into Minnesota. The magnitude of the change is still unclear at this point, but trends point to a milder last 10 days of December.

Stay tuned.

PH

Jet Streaming Show Links

Posted at 4:26 PM on December 14, 2009 by Paul Huttner (2 Comments)

Many of you have asked where you can listen to Sunday's Jet Streaming Special on MPR Presents. Here are the links to Jet Streaming:

Jet Streaming Part 1:

Jet Streaming Part 2:

Enjoy the show!

PH

Arctic Air Returns

Posted at 8:03 PM on December 14, 2009 by Paul Huttner

Twin Cities NWS weather story highlights sub-zero air mass.

Get ready for what could be the coldest morning of the winter so far.

You've heard that before and you'll probably hear it again this winter. A fresh shot of arctic air is oozing south from Canada. This may not be the barbaric blast you remember from the 1970s, but It will get you attention.

Temperatures should plunge to -20 or colder in the far north Tuesday morning. Twin Cities' residents will have to settle for -7 or so. That would be the coldest temperature so far this winter season. We hit -5 earlier in December. This is good news if you're waiting for the ice to thicken up on your favorite lake. Only a Minnesotan (and other residents of the Upper Midwest) would see that as a silver lining.

Wind chill advisories are posted for nearly all of Minnesota until 11am Tuesday.

There some good news if you'd like it a bit milder. Temperatures should return to near average levels Wednesday as southerly winds return.

PH