Updraft: May 26, 2011 Archive

Chilly sunshine

Posted at 7:33 AM on May 26, 2011 by Craig Edwards

Cool temperatures this morning have combined with bright sunshine to start your Thursday. Overnight minimum temperatures slipped into the twenties in the favored lower spots in northeast Minnesota. Look for highs to top out in the upper 50s and 60s later this afternoon.

As a reminder, despite the coolness, the sun's rays are strong. Here's a look at the UV Index for potential sunburn for today. Sun screen is recommeded if you are outdoors today.

Dry weather will last through Thursday night before a swath of moisture sweeps west to east across the state on Friday. Friday evening's travel looks to be showery.

There may be a break in the rain on Saturday that allows for some outdoor activities before more showers develop Saturday afternoon and evening.

One computer model run from last evening paints this area of rain for Saturday evening.

Severe storms are possible again today to our east. The atmosphere settles down across much of the country for the Memorial Holiday weekend.

Over eighty tornadoes were reported yesterday, including two in California.
CE

Three tornado tracks documented by NWS

Posted at 3:29 PM on May 26, 2011 by Craig Edwards (2 Comments)

Here's the details for three distinct tornado tracks from Sunday's severe storms. Tornadoes impacted the Metro, Forest Lake and Brill, Wisconsin.

Two inches of rain fell in Preston and Spring Grove, MN and in Decorah, Iowa on Wednesday. Target Field measured 0.02 inch with the Twin Cities International Airport receiving a tenth of an inch. Indeed, a sharp cut-off to the heavy rain in southeast Minnesota.

Visible satellite image this afternoon shows thunderstorms beginning to fire up in Tornado Watch box areas.

Weekend weather looking like somee dry periods might allow outdoor activities late Saturday morning and early afternoon, as well as much of Sunday. Thundershowers most likely Friday afternoon and evening, late Saturday and on Memorial Day.
CE

Sunday looking to be the best day of the Holiday weekend

Posted at 4:53 PM on May 26, 2011 by Craig Edwards

Another chilly night is in store for Minnesota and Wisconsin. Temperatures dipped into the 20s in northeast Minnesota this morning and a repeat is in store for Friday morning. The low this morning was 25 degrees in Embarrass and 26 degrees in Orr.

Low temperatures forecast for tonight from the Duluth National Weather Service.

Headlines for the chilly night. Protect your plants, if you've already risked planting your annual flowers.

Moisture is expected to advance west to east on Friday. Rain is likely into Friday evening. More thundershowers are likely to develop in central and northern Minnesota on Saturday afternoon and night.

Currently, the progression of the weather pattern suggests a dry period will present itself on Sunday with temperatures close to seasonal normals, in the lower 70s. Cooler temperatures, in the 60s are on tap for northern Minnesota.

Showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast for Memorial Day.
CE