Updraft: April 24, 2012 Archive

Overnight auroras dazzle; 70s today, rain tonight, Early lilac bloom

Posted at 8:40 AM on April 24, 2012 by Paul Huttner (1 Comments)
Filed under: Astronomy, Phenology

Impressive auroras - sky show over Minnesota last night

70s today over southern Minnesota

Next rain chances move in tonight

Incredible auroras:

It was a pretty good sky show last night over Minnesota. A burst of auroras lit up skies in the darkened areas Monday night, with auroras reported from Grand Portage to Fergus Falls, and from Michigan to Colorado.

Check out the amazing video from Douglas Kiesling shot near Fergus Falls, MN.

Aurora Borealis, AKA Northern Lights time-lapse video from just northwest of Fergus Falls, MN as the geomagnetic storm peaked.

Shot with a 10mm wide angle lens as the Auroras filled the sky to make it look like it was on fire.

There is still a chance for more auroras tonight, though it appears we may be dodging some clouds and showers.

Here are some good places to keep up on all things aurora borealis.

-Spaceweather.com
-Astro Bob

Almost like spring: 70s and more rain ahead

Source: Twin Cities NWS
(click to enlarge)

Today brings a mix of sun and clouds to Minnesota, and milder temps. A few bank thermometers should tickly 70 degrees in southern Minnesota today, and again tomorrow.

The next low pressure wave creates enough instability to trigger a few showers and possibly a thunderstorms overnight into Wednesday morning.

Source: Iowa State University

Early lilac & other blooms this year:

Our record march jump started many blooms in Minnesota this year. In fact, this is one of the earliest lilac blooms I can recall.

April lilacs at the Weather Lab
Photo by Paul Huttner-MPR News

Historically, the first lilac blooms typically come to Minnesota in the first weeks of May. But the date of the first lilac bloom has been moving steadily up during the past several decades, according to my conversations with phenologists like long time observer Jim Gilbert.

Source: Project Budburst

According to dedicated observers like Jim, tracking changing bud and bloom times is one of the best ways to document climate change. The plants don't lie, they bud and bloom when conditions are right. Lilac blooms have moved as much as two weeks earlier since the late 1970s in Minnesota.

Check out "Project Budburst" for more info on what's blooming, and where.

PH

(1 Comments)

Sky shows tonight; 1st Moon & Venus, then lightning by AM?

Posted at 5:22 PM on April 24, 2012 by Paul Huttner
Filed under: Astronomy

Conjunction - Bright Venus & crescent moon tonight in the western evening sky

Isolated sprinkles possible this evening

Widespread rain, lightning & thunder possible after midnight into Wednesday morning

Latest Twin Cities radar loop

88 in Williston and Dickenson ,ND Tuesday (Up in "oil boom" country)

87 in Sioux Falls Tuesday

73 at MSP Airport Tuesday

4th 70 degree day this month

8 Number of 70 degree plus days in March

70s again Wednesday in southern Minnesota

50s return cooler front Thursday into the weekend

Sky Show Tonight!

This should be a good one! We may have to dodge a few evening clouds and a stary shower, but look for brilliant Venus and the waxing crescent moon to cozy up in the western sky after sunset tonight.

Here's a great podcast on tonight's conjunction from earthsky.org.

Source: earthsky.org

Lightning & thunder overnight:

You may awaken to the pitter patter of rain on your roof tonight, or to a flash of lightning followed by a crack of thunder.

Source: Twin Cities NWS

Low pressure rides through Minnesota overnight into early Wednesday. The system will kick off scattered showers, and a few thunderstorms.

It looks like the best window for rain and thunder will come after midnight, and probably closer to 3-6 am for the metro.

SPC does not anticipate severe weather tonight, but I wouldn't rule out some possible hail and gusty winds with a few of the storms as we head into early Wednesday.

EARLY IN THE PERIOD LOW LEVEL WARM ADVECTION WILL BE FOCUSED OVER THE UPPER MS VALLEY AHEAD OF SFC LOW OVER SWRN MN AND THIS SHOULD PROVE RESPONSIBLE FOR EARLY MORNING CONVECTION.

Things may ramp up later Wednesday for southern Wisconsin and Chicagoland with a slight risk of severe storms.

Source: NOAA/SPC

Enjoy the show!

PH