Updraft: February 26, 2010 Archive

Follow up on MPR's Morning Edition Jargon Contest

Posted at 1:16 PM on February 26, 2010 by Mark Seeley (3 Comments)

Too many listeners have contacted me about publishing the complete list of jargon terms submitted for this contest, so here goes.....

Our purpose with this jargon contest was to find a term that was a suitable description of the snow, ice, and grit that gets caught in the wheel wells and along the fender edges of cars and trucks during the Minnesota winter. As mentioned on MPR's "Morning Edition" today and in the Minnesota WeatherTalk Newsletter there was a four-way tie for first place as voted on by a committee I asked to review these submissions. The winners were
"carsicles"
"carnacles"
"fenderbergs"
"fender fudge"

In response to several MPR listeners who asked me to show the complete list of submissions for this contest, here they are:
slushcicles, hubcicles, road cookies, road apples, car patties, car poo,
fender flotsam, fender fodder, carbergs, autobergs, car plaque, carlactites,
snow clods, ice clods, grice, slush buggers, car goobers, snards, snarg,
snunk, snurds, snouch, scrud, snocks, snow smegma, snow scat, snow fangs,
icecretes, cryomites, clake, wheelwell willies, wheelwell squealers, wheeler squealers, kickies, klingons, klunkers, divots, vice presidents, traffic tailings, casseroles,
hanging chads, chuds, snow boogers, car dung, Nowegian omlettes

(3 Comments)

March Lamb: Extended thaw next week

Posted at 3:14 PM on February 26, 2010 by Paul Huttner

CPC 6-10 day outlook highlights strong possibility of above average temps for the first week of March.

Get ready to dodge some huge puddles.

A weak lazy ridge of high pressure will build in over the Upper Midwest next week allowing afternoon temperatures to soar above freezing for several days. It appears at least 5 of the next 8 days could feature afternoon temperatures above freezing.

Forecast modles hinting at 30s next week. I would not be surprised to see mid to upper 30s late next week.

The warmest stretch appears to be late next week. As high pressure sprawls over the region, increasingly powerful March sun should boost temperatures into the mid to upper 30s each day. Though deep snow cover will work against skyrocketing temps, it's possible that some areas could make a run at 40 by late next week.

Snow pack takes a hit:

The thaw and higher March sun will melt some snow next week. As of Friday morning, 12" of snow is on the ground at Twin Cities International Airport. If we melt an inch every day or two, that number could be down to 6" or 7" in the metro by next weekend.

Pothole warning:

Our early pothole seasons will get much worse in the next two weeks. With daily freezes and thaws, any loose pavement is going to get broken apart in the next week or so. Watch out for some gargantuan potholes next week.

Air quality alerts?

Weak high pressure means light winds next week. That will allow stagnant air to collect pollutants as the week wears on. It's possible that air quality will deteriorate to the point that MPCA will have to issue air quality ad ivories next week.

The good news is it appears our weather pattern is taking a slow turn towards more spring like conditions. There will no doubt be more snow, but right now it appears the only system capable of dumping snow may pass south of Minnesota on or near March 8th. We'll still likely get another shot or two of chilly Canadian air to remind us it's not spring just yet, but I think it's safe to say the worst of winter like conditions are behind us now.

Right on schedule and not a moment too soon for many Minnesotans.

Enjoy the warm up!

PH