Updraft: April 4, 2011 Archive

Wind blowing, snow going and rivers flowing

Posted at 3:57 PM on April 4, 2011 by Craig Edwards
Filed under: Flooding

This morning's model run out of the North Central River Forecast Center has the Red River tracking close to 39 feet. Here's the hydrograph that is site specific for the gauge at Fargo. Forecasters typically augment this graph with a narrative statement allowng for a range in the crest prediction. Their forecast range as of this afternoon was 38 to 40 feet.

River Forecast information from the National Weather Service in Grand Forks

At least partial sunshine, accompanied by brisk, dry northwest winds have probably induced some sublimation of reamining snow cover in the Red River Valley. That would keep the runoff to a minimum for today.

However milder temperatures, closer to normal readings are in the offing for Wednesday and Thursday. In adition precipitation may come into play later in the week.

NOAA National Center for Environmental's Prediction forecast of liquid equivalent of precipitation for Thursday and Friday. Models are challenged this transition season to accurately place accumulating rainfall/snowfall, as we learned this past weekend.

Gusty northwest winds will diminish this evening. Wind gusts reached 45 mph at Windom and Mankato today. Forty mph gusts were measured at Rochester and 35 mph about the Twin Cities.

Moderating temperatures this week will make it feel more like April. Normal high temperatures are in the middle 40s north to the middle 50s far south.

Pete Boulay from the Minnesota State Climate Office informed me this afternoon that the frost has gone out of the ground at the observation location in St. Paul. Watch for emerging perennials on the south facing slopes.

CE
naturesmessenger.com