Storms slam into Central and Northern parts of the area producing very high winds and sigificant damage along with extreamally high rainfall totals in parts of Dodge, Goodhue, Olmstead and Wabasha counties.

Radar estimated rainfall totals for Thursday June 14th. Image from NWS La Crosse.

Significant storms slammed into the area during the afternoon and evening hours of Thursday, as they developed along a frontal boundary and began moving southeast and bringing sigificant damage from high winds to Southwest Goodhue, Dodge, and Olmstead counties. Before this happened, thunderstorms had trained over Goodhue county and produced up to 6+ inches of rain in that region which caused severe urban, creek and river flooding to those areas.

 Severe flooding at Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park

Storm initially formed on a boundary that was left from thunderstorms around the Twin Cities and Northwest Wisconsin earlier in the morning. This boundary was the trigger for thunderstorms to fire during the early afternoon hours. Early in the development strange they continued to train over Goodhue County producing widespread significant rains before storms finally sank in a southeast motion. Extreamlly heavy rain and very high rainfall ammounts effected areas like Cannon Falls, Zumbrota and Red Wing, along with the rural area in between. some actual amounts were as high as 8 inches, with the highest amount I've seen was 8.83" near the Cannon Falls area. The heavy rains caused major road closures and many roads in Northern Goodhue county were closed due to high water, or had been completely washed out, Highway 52 a major north/south highway also had to be partially closed due to high water. I happened to be arriving back from my trip from Wisconsin and driving through that region I saw alot of washouts and places where corn was flattens in low spots from rushing water.

 Tree blown down from high winds just northwest of the Rochester City limits.

Eventually the storms broke this boundary and began moving southeas, as this happened the storms transitioned into a high wind event.The main impact from this storm after it moves southeast was large hail and very high winds and torrential rainfall.

 Radar image of the storm just before impacting Rochester. Image taken with the help of Dave Westerhaus of Isanti,Minnesota.

The storms high winds caused widespread tree damage in areas of Dodge, Goodhue and Olmstead counties as they developed into a southeast moving line. Damage was reported first in Kenyon and West Concord, which was significant in some areas and included widespread tree and even some structural damage near Kenyon. The storms continued to produce damage as they moved southeast and impacted Zumbrota, Kasson, Pine Island and Oronoco. Significant tree damage was seen especially in the Pine Island area.

 Large 5 inch diameter branch down in our backyard from the June 14th storm.

After effecting these communities, the storm then and impacted the Rochester Metropolitan area, sending torrential rain over 2 inches and 60+ MPH winds through the city. Tree damage was reported throughout Rochester, but especially in Rochesters North and Western neighborhoods. The tree damage was most significant in Northwest Rochester where many trees were downed. The KTTC News Station reported a wind gust of 62MPH in that area. Further south in the city, Widespread large branches were down in many places in the city including my neighborhood in West Downtown. During the height of the storm  multiple power outages were reported in all 4 quadrants of the city. My aunt reported to me that power was out in our West Downtown neighborhood for 6 hours, this time from fallen tree branches. She also noted the skies became very dark as the storm front moved in. I estimate the wind was at least 58MPH in this part of the city due to the amount of large branches down across the neighborhood. My rain gauge had picked up 2.64" of rain from this storm.

Large branch down in West Downtown from Thursdays storm.


 Rochester Metro area reports


Northwest Rochester, 62MPH wind gust. Widespread tree damage in all neighborhoods,

West Downtown Estimated 58MPH winds, Lots of large branches down in all area neighborhoods.

Rochester, Multiple power outages in all areas of the city.

West Downtown-My Station, Heavy Rain 2.64"



 Area Storm Reports

2 miles SW Cannon Falls, Heavy Rain 8.83" Roads closed due to high water.


Red Wing, Heavy Rain 6.10"


Goodhue Heavy Rain 4.43"


Kenyon Heavy Rain 4.54"


Bellchester 1.25" hail

3 miles NW Oak Center 1.25" hail

Goodhue 1.00" hail

6 miles S Wanamingo 1.25" hail

5 miles SW Wanamingo  Numerous trees blown down hay wagon blown into road

2 miles S Claremont half of a tree blown over

Wasioja Lots of trees down in community, rotating wall cloud seen.

2 miles E Dodge Center, Semi truck blown over.

Genoa Trees Down

Elgin Large branches down.

Plainview, Large branches down

Thursdays Severe Weather Risk

Image from SPC

The SPC has issued a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms in Iowa, Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. This includes the entire local area. A warm front is expected to continue lifting north this morning and brining in a warmer more humid airmass to our area. A cold front will then quickly sweep behind this feature and thunderstorms will break out across Minnesota by this afternoon. Damaging winds, Large hail, and tornados are a risk, with an espessially high risk of tornados in the norther parts of our area and beyond the Goodhue county boarder. Heavy torentail rain may also be possible. Storms will break out between 3pm and 5pm. People in the area should have their weather radios turned on becuase the risk of severe weather today is certinly there.

Pleasently cool to start off the week, then slight chance of rain Thursday before increasing it turns hot again in the 90s by Friday.

Regional Weather view.

A cool airmass behind a cold front that has swept through the region will keep a pleasantly cool and dry airmass in place for a couple days, but not for long, by Thursday a warm front will pushed towards the region sparking thunderstorms chances mainly in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. It will bring widespread heat in the 90s again to much of the region.

Local and Metro views.

Locally we can expect that the next couple of days will be dry, sunny and pleasantly cool compared to the last 3 days. Tuesday will be sunny and quite nice with highs in the lower 70s and lows dipping into the 40s. Wednesday will we will have increasing clouds with highs in the middle 70s and lows in the lower 50s. Thursday will bring our only shot at rain and unfortunate it looks quite slim. Thunderstorms could develop on the warm front, but it does not look like everyone will see rain and rainfall amounts will be light. Friday the warm front will have passed and we will be back into a hot, sunny and dry airmass. Friday under sunny skies and breezy south winds. Highs will reach the upper 80s to lower 90s. Winds could gust to 30MPH Friday.





Tuesday, Sunny and pleasantly cool. Highs in the lower 70s. Tuesday Night, Clear and chilly. lows in the middle 40s.

Wednesday, Increasing clouds. Highs in the middle 70s. Wednesday Night. Mostly Cloudy, lows in the lower 50s

Thursday, Warmer, Partly Sunny with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower to middle 80s. Thursday Night, Clearing skies, lows in the middle 60s.

Friday, Sunny breezy and hot. Highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Winds could gust to 30MPH. Friday Night, Clear skies, lows in the lower 70s.

Looking Ahead

The weekend right now looks to be hot, humid and stormy. The models show a chance at storms both Saturday and Sunday, but Sunday looks the like the best chance. Heavy rain is possible in central Minnesota north of our area. The models then dries things out but keeps us hot and humid through Tuesday of next week. Many days could be 90 to 95 degrees with sunshine. Wednesday the 20th a frontal system pushes in and brings us a threat for thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, which may have to be watched for the threat of becoming severe. The model cools us down slightly for the weekend of the 23rd and turns things dry before more heat and humid push in from the west by months end. More on this later.

Strong storms effect the central part of the area, with power outages lasting as long as 5 hours in parts of Rochester.

Dark neighborhood in the early morning hours of June 11th 2012

Strong thunderstorms effected the central part of the area late last night and early this morning with heavy downpours close lightning and some significant power outages in the Rochester Area. The storms in question first developed in Mower County, where it produced frequent lightning and about a half inch of rain in the Austin area. The storms then developed into a small line and pushed into Olmstead County where it effected Rochester with torrential downpours and dangerous close lightning strikes. There was 1 lightning strike that was espescailly close and had loud thunder. Outages were reported in multiple places in Rochester likely due to lightning hitting power lines. There were reports of power out for as long as 5 hours in West Downtown, Northeast Rochester and the Hart Farms area. My neighborhood was effect by the West Downtown area outage which was without power from about 1AM to 6AM around 1:20am I noticed there were no streetlights on in my neighborhood. Fortunately There was no damage reported anywhere. 0.62" of rain fell in my backyard from the storms.

Rochester Area Totals

 Kutzy Park 0.69"

West Downtown 0.62"

Ouarry Hill 0.55"

Downtown Rochester 0.52"

Rochester Airport 0.32"

Other Area Totals

Dakota 0.57"

Austin 0.55"

Aultura 0.29"

Red Wing 0.29"

Winona 0.25"

Kellogg 0.24"

Wabasha 0.23"

Harmony 0.23"

Grand Meadow 0.18"

Preston 0.10"

Cannon Falls 0.10"

Dodge Center 0.09"

  

Sundays severe weather risk.

 

Image from SPC

The SPC has issued a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms for most of the Upper Midwest, including Eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. This includes all of the local area. A strong cold front will push into the region and plow into a hot humid airmass currently over this region. The front will spark numerous thunderstorms across Western Minnesota and Northern Iowa which will become severe. These storms will likely not reach out local area until dusk or after dark, and the main threat will be large hail and damaging winds. There is also a threat for locally heavy rainfall. People should keep in mind Sunday that as the evening approaches there will storms, some possibly severe around the local area.

Very Hot and humid for the weekend, Highs in the middle 90s possible! Then storms develop Sunday, some could be severe. Cooler and pleasent by Tuesday Updated X!

Regional Weather View

A very hot weekend, a short lasting heat wave is expected as the northern edge of a hot air mass is nudging its way into our region. Widespread Highs will be in the middle 90s across Nebraska, South Dakota, Southern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Dewpoints will also be highs as well adding to the situation. A cold front will plow into this hot and humid airmass Sunday causing thunderstorms to develop. Some of these storms will likely become severe in Minnesota and possibly as far south as Northern Iowa. Hail and high winds appear to be the main threats. Behind this front cooler and more pleasant weather is expect for early next week with highs more appropriate for this time of year.

Local weather view.



Short range heat wave for Saturday and Sunday

Saturday and Sunday we will be under the full influence of the northern side of a hot, humid airmass. Under sunny skies Highs both afternoons will be in the lower 90s in all areas, and in some cause as hot as the middle 90s. Dewpoints will slowly rise to the middle 60s. This will raise heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. This can cause heat related issues. People with careers outside or will be spending alot of time outdoors should take it easy over the next couple of days as a short range heat wave, lasting a total of 3 days starting on Friday is expected.

Severe Storm Threat Sunday!

Sunday after a hot sunny day, a cold front will slice into this airmass and thunderstorms will develop across Central and Southern Minnesota, and move east towards our area in the evening of Sunday, possibly after dark. The main threat from storms that hold together will be large hail and high winds. There is an outside chance of some localized heavy rainfall. Widespread rainfall amounts could reach near 0.50, which is much needed at this time.



Saturday, Sunny, hot and humid with light winds. Highs in the lower to middle 90s. Heat index values in the mid to upper 90s. Saturday night. Clear and warm, lows in the upper 60s to 70.F

Sunday, Sunny hot and humid with light winds. Highs in the low, to mid 90s. Heat index values in the mid 90s. Sunday Night, Thunderstorms Developing, some could be severe., Partly Cloudy with lows in the mid 60s.

Looking Ahead From last issue:

Monday immediately following our warm spell a cold front will sweep across Minnesota, and thunderstorms will develop and push through quickly early Monday before it dries back out and cools of for Tuesday of next week. Wednesday a frontal system will push back into the region and spark thunderstorms threats as a warm front moves through on Thursday of next week.  By the weekend of the 16th we will be in hot, but dry and humid air-mass probably in the 90s. The models keep plenty of rain chances west of the local areas in ND and NW MN, but it keeps Southern Minnesota fairly dry at least at this time

Summer Blooms photos and gardening info!

White Peonies in bloom May 28th 2012

Its been long over due since I talked gardening, and the flowers of mid Summer are well under way this week! Peonies, an old garden favorite! Sometimes instead of going for all the newest varieties of flowers, an old favorite is just as good! Peonies are beautiful and and widely known for there great scent, which is why Peonies are on my permanent must have list for my garden! If you decide you want peonies, remember a few things, they like sun, they get large and they don't like to be moved! That is why it is my recommendation not to get too many, just one or two in a sunny spot near the middle or back of a garden is perfect! here in Rochester Peonies are early. The warmest spring on record in Rochester has lead to a very early growing season which is the reason why everything is weeks ahead of when it would normally bloom. In Wisconsin, I was accustomed to peonies blooming on the 1st day of summer. When I had talked to my family last there were no peonies blooming there yet, where as ours are now nearly done.

Backyard Garden June 6th 2012

A very green and summer looking view has taken on across our yard. In bloom this week are, Stella Dora Daylillies, which might I add are all over Rochester, Coneflower and Clematis. Coneflowers usually bloom in July!

 Stell Dora Daylily

The most popular Daylily in the U.S! Its perfect for sunny sites, and will even do well if there is a bit of shade. They bloom for a long time but each individual flower only lasts 1day, hence the name Daylily! These are easily divided, in fast the one above is a split off from another one from this spring. Being split apart did not fade them, there still blooming! These flowers are known for blooming through the summer, but they have 1 main blooming season they slow down, if you want re bloom you have to dead head the old flower stalks.

Clematis June 7th 2012

This is our Purple Clematis, Which is doing considerably better then last year. Clematis like sun, but it is very important that the roots are shaded and moist. A great was of doing this is the addition of mulch! Clematis have one main bloom season in June, they bloom sporadically though the summer.

Front yard landscape June 6th 2012

The front yard is also fully enveloped in a summer look in that Hostas are blooming. In the front yard Stella Dora Daylily, Perennial Geranium, Speedwell as well as the mentioned Hosta are blooming.

Perennial Geranium.

This one is a fairly new favorite for me I discovered last year.  Prennial Geraniums come in colors ranging from this striking blue, to pink, to a combination of white and blue. The reason why these are great flowers is becuase they bloom profusely in full shade, and are actually a great choice for a shady site!

Speedwell June 7th 2012

This is Speedwell,  It's a great small summer blooming flower! It comes in pink and blue. Perfect for sunny gardens and front of the gardens becuase of its small size. Watch out when picking out Speedwells, some can get large!

Enjoy the summer flowers!