Updraft: September 30, 2011 Archive

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Some record winds on September 29th

Posted at 1:02 PM on September 30, 2011 by Mark Seeley

There were many reports of winds over 50 mph on Thursday, September 29th. A summary of the maximum winds has been produced by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Chanhassen.

The maximum non-thunderstorm wind speed in the Twin Cities area during the month of September was formerly 48 mph recorded back in 2004. But the ASOS wind sensor at MSP International Airport reported a wind speed of 53 mph on September 29th, breaking the record value.

As we migrate deeper into the fall season pressure gradient winds, driven by the difference between high and low pressure cells in the atmosphere become more magnified. Recall what happened on October 26th last year when we had an all-time low pressure center cross the state (28.21 inches on the barometer at Big Fork) that produced many wind speeds over 60 mph. We might be on the look out for such storms as we proceed through October and November.

I will be speaking about the great November storms at the Gales of November Conference in Duluth on November 5th this year.

Best fall weekend? Mild October? Must see weather time lapse

Posted at 4:45 PM on September 30, 2011 by Paul Huttner (2 Comments)
Filed under: Fall

This is how you draw it up in Minnesota in October.

Synopsis:

A bubble of Canadian high pressure will slip over Minnesota this weekend. As the high moves overhead early Saturday morning, light winds and clear skies will lead to frosty temps in much of eastern Minnesota. The inner core of the metro (inside the 494-694 ring) may escape widespread frost once again early Saturday.

By Sunday, the high slips east, and milder southerly breezes return. Temperatures should respond nicely, and 70s will filter in from the west by afternoon. A few eager bank thermometers may blink 80 in southwest Minnesota Sunday PM.

The dry, stable and mild weather pattern holds into next week. Look for string of days in the 70s, with a stray 80 or two possible.

A strong low pressure system will spin out of the Rockies late next week. This will bring the first widespread significant chances for rain Friday into Saturday.

GFS model cranking out .50" to 1" rainfall next Friday night?

Saturday: Frost advisory AM. Sunny & milder PM! Highs in the 60s. Wind SE 5-12 mph.

Sunday: Sunny & warmer! Highs well into the 70s, with a shot at 80 in southwest Minnesota. Wind S 10-20 mph.

Monday-Thursday: Mostly sunny & mild. Highs generally in the 70s, with a shot at 80 in southwest Minnesota.

Friday -Sunday: Chance of rain Friday & Saturday. Cooler next weekend. Highs in the 60s.

Enjoy!

Mild October ahead?

After next weekend's cool down, the longer range maps are hinting milder than average weather may return. In fact CPC is cranking out higher chances for an above average temperatures in October for the Upper Midwest.

Incredible weather time lapse videos:

You have to check this out. Randy Halverson is a photographer in South Dakota who's painstakingly created nigthtime time lapse videos of stars & storms. The dolly moves through corn & grass are pehnomenal. This stuff is worth watching!