tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80 2008-05-09T19:28:34Z Minnesota Public Radio chief meteorologist Paul Huttner blogs about our region's favorite conversation starter. Movable Type Open Source 4.1 tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17802 2008-05-09T18:59:54Z 2008-05-09T19:28:34Z

We've had some good feedback on our chats and web blogs/Updraft, along with soaring listenership on the weather geek podcast, Jet Streaming. One message I've heard a couple of times, with regard to boosting value to our forecast, is...

Craig Edwards Jet Streaming. One message I've heard a couple of times, with regard to boosting value to our forecast, is a little more emphasis on wind, particularly on the weekend. The National Weather Service collaborates with surrounding offices to mosaic hourly forecasts out seven days that include all the relevant elements of satisfying customer's needs for weather information. One could surmise that the hourly details lose accuracy beyond day three, but at least the information is posted for viewing. With the important fishing opener this weekend, we can tell you the better chances for staying dry will come in northern Minnesota on Saturday morning. Rain could hold off until noon in eastern Minnesota. I've added a link below to help relate the forecast parameters that can be of interest as you take to the lakes and rivers in the next 12 hours or so. The information is of equal value if you are involved in gardening, recreation or hosting an outdoor social event. Check it out. You will have to carefully pan the mouse for specifics on time and place. Navigate graphical forecast for Minnesota CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17776 2008-05-08T19:48:25Z 2008-05-08T20:12:12Z

Well, after the cool and wet spring we've been experiencing, it's time to look for the silver lining. I spied some colorful tulips on my morning walk. That's a start! On the heels of recent abundant moisture, followed by twelve...

Craig Edwards Spring frost free date in Minnesota It just might be a little to damp to putter in the garden this weekend. CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17759 2008-05-08T11:56:10Z 2008-05-08T12:18:40Z

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time we we're kicking off a drought in much of Minnesota. This year farmers are behind on planting in soggy fields. It's funny how nature has a way of catching...

Paul Huttner Long duration wet period West Central to Northwest Minnesota endured record April snows of more than 3 feet. Record April snowfall The recovery of Minnesota lakes and rivers has been nothing short of remarkable. Lake Minnetonka's water level is up over a foot, about 15 inches since August. Lake Minnetonka water levels Even gigantic Lake Superior is up 6" in April and up over 10" since last August. The world's largest freshwater lake by surface area is back, but still stands 8" below average. The U.S. Drought Monitor now shows all of Minnesota is drought free, and the Minnesota crop report finds farmers struggling to get crops planted in muddy fields this spring. Drought monitor Minnesota crop report We'd like to schedule some nice weather for the weekend, but it looks wet again. The overall upper air pattern is chaotic, but keeps an stubborn upper low centered over Hudson Bay, dealing Minnesota alternating 2 to 3 day periods of sunny cool weather followed by cool wet systems spinning through. I'm looking for a change in the overall hemispheric long wave pattern which would signal a change to a warmer and drier weather regime. When I see it, I'll be the one shouting in joy from the rooftop of the Huttner Weather Lab. PH ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17728 2008-05-06T22:34:17Z 2008-05-06T22:36:30Z

Check out these amazing images of storm surge flooding miles inland in Myanmar after the landfall of cyclone Nargis. In some places, the coastline is as much as 12 miles further inland. NOAA satellite images PH...

Paul Huttner NOAA satellite images PH]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17720 2008-05-06T17:52:53Z 2008-05-06T17:59:38Z

As anticipated yesterday, the warm front that ushered in temperatures in the 70s to central and southern Minnesota has also fired up showers and thunderstorms. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect this afternoon for southwest Minnesota. If sunshine reappears...

Craig Edwards Track thunderstorms and severe weather potential Cooler weather is in store the remainder of the week. A wet Saturday may dampen your excitement about working the garden and yard. CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17708 2008-05-06T12:00:17Z 2008-05-06T12:17:00Z

I sent Cathy Wurzer a note early today as I spied a red sky this morning. The old saying goes something like this: "Red sky in the morning, sailors warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight." There is often some...

Paul Huttner Red sky proverb Of course this applies to the mid-latitudes where the westerlies generally move weather from west to east. Look for the possibility of storms spreading from west to east later this afternoon and evening in Minnesota. There is a slight risk for large hail and high winds with some of the storms. At this time the atmosphere seems to lack the strong directional wind shear needed for widespread tornadoes. SPC severe weather risk It was 43 years ago today that we saw the biggest tornado outbreak in Twin Cities history. The May 6, 1965 outbreak produced 6 tornadoes, four of which were F4 in strength. 13 were killed, 683 injured. The Fridley tornado was on the ground for 18 miles. May 6, 1965 tornadoes I remember the hail tinted green sky as the tornadoes passed through Deephaven that day. Surveying the damage made quite an impression on me. It's the reason I watch the weather closely here at the Weather Lab each day. PH ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17675 2008-05-05T12:44:52Z 2008-05-05T13:00:19Z

With the cooler than normal weather and an overall damp spring, the fire danger has been minimal compared to this time last year. But the abundant sunshine, low relative humidity and increasing winds will create an enhanced threat for...

Craig Edwards Southwest Minnesota fire danger You can track the fire danger forecast on the National Weather Service Web site. Once we go green in a week or so, the potential for wide spread grass fires will be minimized. Nation's fire danger potential Showers and thunderstorms are possible as we move through Tuesday into Tuesday night. Some thunderstorms could approach severe limits with large hail later on Tuesday. Risk of severe weather southern Minnesota CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17626 2008-05-02T13:02:57Z 2008-05-02T15:48:43Z

Thunderstorms fired up in the vicinity of a warm front last evening in southeast South Dakota and northwest Iowa. Some of the strong thunderstorms put down a few tornadoes. Severe weather reports from the Sioux Falls Weather Service Storm...

Craig Edwards Severe weather reports from the Sioux Falls Weather Service Storm reports from the Storm Prediction Center During the next twenty-four hours nature will play out a very similar scenario as we viewed from the weather lab last Friday. A low pressure system will travel from far northwest Missouri to western Wisconsin. Minnesotans are in the path of some soggy weather. Milder temperatures in southeast Minnesota may spawn thunderstorms that could become severe. Meanwhile, on the colder, northwest, side of the path of the low, a cold wind driven rain is likely from Willmar to Long Prairie to Milaca. Rain may mix with snow after dark. Since the weather is trending more spring like, with the increasing potential for severe weather you may wish to bookmark the website to monitor the storm threat from the Storm Prediction Center. Storm Prediction Center Forecast We look to salvage a rather decent Sunday as the storm system pulls off to our east. CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17599 2008-05-01T18:26:18Z 2008-05-01T19:07:48Z

On the most recent MPR podcast, Jet Streaming, the weather geeks hosted allergist Dr. Richard Seveum. This interview coincides with National Air Quality week and gave us a chance to discuss the emergence of allergy season. Check out this...

Craig Edwards Jet Streaming, the weather geeks hosted allergist Dr. Richard Seveum. This interview coincides with National Air Quality week and gave us a chance to discuss the emergence of allergy season. Check out this informing program for more details. How's the air quality today? As the foliage blossoms, resulting from warmer temperatures, along comes the pollen and ragweed. There is a website to monitor the daily conditions across the nation and in major metropolitan areas. At least twenty-five percent of the population suffers from hay fever. In the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours much of Minnesota will experience a flushing, so to speak, as locally heavy rain develops. Some portions of the state could get cleansed with more than an inch of rain. Already well saturated soils are likely to remain quite soggy into early next week. Impending precipitation potential CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17586 2008-05-01T12:23:57Z 2008-05-01T12:41:11Z

It's been said there really is no bad weather, just different kinds of good weather. Sometimes a cool rain can ruin your outdoor event, but be a godsend to farmers during a dry spell. I think many Minnesotans are having...

Paul Huttner Twin Cities weather story Things improve dramatically by Sunday. In fact we may see sunshine and lighter winds as early as late Saturday afternoon. Look for a nicer stretch of weather starting Sunday and lasting into next week. More sun, lighter winds and temps in the upper 60's to near 70 will feel great after our "good" weather early this weekend. PH ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17570 2008-04-30T19:30:17Z 2008-04-30T19:47:45Z

In this business we are constantly probing, investigating and examining data to make sure are statements about impending weather are as accurate as possible. Accuracy nurtures confidence in credibility. All the while remembering, we are only as good as...

Craig Edwards Thirty and ninety day outlook In the short term, long periods of unseasonably mild weather do not appear in the numerical models. Six to ten day outlook Wouldn't it be nice to just settle for what nature offers and perhaps be one day pleasantly surprised! CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17532 2008-04-29T17:47:32Z 2008-04-29T18:13:15Z

The voice mail box of the weather complaint department has been maxed out after the chilly weather the past couple of days. In order to get spring back on track we need to get rid of the snow pack that...

Craig Edwards Snow cover map A wet weather pattern appears to be setting up for Thursday into Saturday. Don't expect temperatures to climb to spring like readings this weekend. My goodness, you would have thought turning the calendar to May would have generated at least afternoon temperatures in the 60s. As we slowly transition into spring we will be dealing with the emergence of pollen, ragweed and the initiation of allergies. This is Air Quality Awareness Week. Book mark the following Web sites for reference throughout the spring and summer. Air Quality Information Minnesota Pollution Control Agency CE ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17516 2008-04-29T12:06:39Z 2008-04-29T12:14:30Z

The sun is back today for much of the day in Minnesota. Look for a few mid level clouds to drift by from time to time. We're in between low pressure systems today. Atmospherically, a big "Omega" block has set...

Paul Huttner The Omega Block This is why we've been so cool in Minnesota lately. The past 3 months combined have been cooler than average by about 3.3 degrees for the metro. Persistent low pressure in the upper atmosphere over James Bay has kept Minnesota in a northerly flow. Look for more sun through tomorrow and warmer temps. We should make the 60's Wednesday! PH ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17478 2008-04-28T12:33:52Z 2008-04-28T12:45:53Z

A near and dear friend said to me recently, "I'm so sick of this weather I am ready to jump off a dock into the lake, but I can't because the lake is STILL FROZEN!" I'll have to keep an...

Paul Huttner Latest ice out data We need a warm up. We'll get one this week, gradually. Many areas in Minnesota have seen more snow since March 15th than they did all winter. Late season snow stats Our persistent upper air pattern has featured a stubborn upper level low (polar vortex) over James Bay since mid January. This has kept Minnesota in a cool northerly flow since then. April will be the 3rd month in a row with below average temps in the metro. The last time we had 3 or more consecutive months below average in the metro was nearly 4 years ago. May through August 2004 temperatures were about 2.5 degrees cooler than average. You may remember the cool summer of 2004. Last year our last frost occurred on April 14th. This year? It could be May. This week will feature a slow warming trend and more sun through Thursday. The next weather maker moves in Friday and Saturday according to some models. It may again bring a shot of heavy rain followed by a chilly weekend. Some of the models try to steer this feature south, but we will see. Chaos reigns in the medium range forecast models. Some hint at a big warm up next week. Stay tuned, and hang in there! PH ]]> tag:minnesota.publicradio.org,2008:/collections/special/columns/updraft//80.17444 2008-04-25T19:10:23Z 2008-04-25T19:22:48Z

This is becoming the springtime of our discontent. Another late season winter weather system is winding up through west central and northern Minnesota. As of this report, moderate to in some cases heavy snow is falling from near Sioux Falls,...

Paul Huttner Latest hourly surace map Winter storm warnings are flying again in much of western and northern Minnesota. Another 6" to 12" swath of heavy wet springtime snow will fall between now and noon Saturday. Latest winter weather warnings Here in the metro, we should see our chilly rain transition to wet snowflakes after dark to around midnight. We may see an inch or so of slushy snow on the grass by morning. Storm updates with rain and snowfall totals Only in Minnesota do you get 76 degrees, an inch of rain, severe thunderstorm warnings, and a possible foot of snow in 24 hours. Welcome to the Super Bowl of weather. PH ]]>