Heat Wave Hottest of the season so far! Sweltering heat Wednesday across the area, upper 90 degree air temps with heat index values as high as 108.F

Photo showing heat rising from the buildings near the highway 52 area.

Everyone felt the sweltering heat that arrived in the area today as air temperature rose to there highest levels of the season so far making it into the upper 90s nearing 100.F. The cause of the hot weather is a very fast moving warm front that pushed in a very hot airmass in from the west which was building the past few days. It was not so much the temperature it was the humidity becuase what made conditions worse is it was an extremely humid tropical-like day with dewpoints rising near 80.F in the afternoon, this sent heat index values, what we actually feel on our bodies to rise into the lower to middle 100s!

 Image from Weather.com webside.

This image of the highs across the midwest shows some of the true nature of the hot airmass which in this image shows 100s peaking out in Nebraska and Iowa and Missouri, Middle 90s were seen as far north as about Minneapolis.

Highs reported in the area.

The highest area wide temp which was official was 97.F degrees from Dodge Center which had a head index of 108.F Other area temps were well about 90 in the middle 90s range. In my heat island effected backyard of West Downtown Rochester the high was 98.F with a heat index of 108.F.  This is the hottest of the year so far at my station. Many other upper 90 degree temperatures were seen in the city. Officially where our airport is located well outside of the cities valley and bulidings the temperature was 93.F.

Very Hot times ahead! Short lived extreame heat in plact by Wednesday upper 90 degree heat with heat index values well about 100.F

Regional Weather View.

A potentially dangerous extreme heat wave will be the top of the news in the Upper Midwest for the middle part of this weak. Hot air that has been locked over Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri the past couple of days will be shoved northeastward engulfing Upper 90s to 100 degree heat into Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. are possible in that area. Large Metropolitan areas will be especially prone to temps over 100.F Widespread heat index values will be in the 100 to 110 range.

Local and Metro views.

Locally, Tuesday is our coolest day of the week as we prepare to go into a long stretch of hot humid and dry weather. Expect Tuesday to be sunny with highs into the 80s. ahead of a very hot and dry airmass that will be working in. Longer term it will be nothing but hot and dry with little chances for rain.

Extreme heat tomorrow 95.F to near 100.F with heat index values 100 to 105.F!  then Remaining hot to very warm into the weekend

 The next several days into the weekend will be hot, everyday will feture highs above 85.F Right now Wednesday looks the worst when we can expect to be dealing with extreme heat. Under a very strong late June sun actual air temperatures  will likely reach there warmest levels of the season in the middle to upper 90s with upper 90 to near 100.F degree heat espesscailly possible in heat island effected areas of Rochester and area hot spots. Dewpoints will also be quite high reaching the upper 60s to lower 70s in the area, with dewpoints this high No matter what the air temp reaches heat index values or what the feels like temp is well be well into the 100s with some areas approaching 105.F This is considered dangerous heat and it should be taken seriously! Outdoor workers should take plenty of breaks and drink lots of water. There will be little relief from the heat Wednesday Night as temperatures wont fall out of the upper 70s and probably not even below 80 in heat island effected areas!

Wednesday, Very Hot! Sunny skies and light winds. Heat index values around over 100. Highs in the middle 90s to near 100.F Wednesday Night,  Hot Clear skies lows in the middle to upper 70s to low 80s. Heat index values 80 to 85.F

Thursday, Partly Cloudy and hot! Highs in the low to mid 90s. Thursday Night Very Warm with clear skies. Lows in the middle to upper 70s.

Friday, Sunny and hot! Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s Light winds. Friday Night, Clear lows in the middle to upper 60s.

Saturday, Sunny and hot! Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. Saturday Night Isolated thunderstorms possible late.

Looking Ahead

It will remain hot in the long term and actually looks even hotter for the start of next week. Extreme heat starts rebuild back into the area by Monday, we will be dealing with highs in the middle 90s by that time. Tuesday a cool front pushes through the region sparking thunderstorms. Some of which could be severe. After this the pattern tries to turn more stormy. It looks cooler and dry behind this system. until Friday July 6th when thunderstorms move back into our area. After this there are at least a few more chances of rain every few days through July 11th. After this heat rebuilds to the west and gets reach to push back into our area by mid July. More on this later.

Wednesdays Severe Weather Risk

Image from SPC

A Slight Risk Has been put out for parts of Iowa, Southeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin. The included the entire local area. A cold front will slowly slice into the very hot and humid airmass we are under, sparking thunderstorms in the afternoon. These storms will be capable of producing tornados, but strong winds and large hail along with heavy torrential downpours and flooding will be the main risks. Localized areas of rain exceeding 2 inches are possible. People should be aware there is a risk of severe storms after 12pm this afternoon.

Hottest day of the year so far across the area. Middle 90s seen with heat index values around 100.F in some places!

Prickley Pear Cactus June 11th 2012

Very stick and hot weather took over the area for the past couple of days. Today was offically the hottest day of the year so far at many reporting stations. Temperatures have been in the 90s both Monday and Tuesday with lows in the low to mid 70s with steamy dewpoints in the upper 60s  to lower 70s. Monday was very humid and Tuesday was the peak of the hot airmass in which highs topped out as high as 95.F. Heat index values to go with these temps were as high as 100.F, luckily it was more windy to help keep things cooler. Temsps today were about 15 degrees above normal. Average highs this time of year are around 80.F. The temperature at my station today in West Downtown Rochester was 95.F, with a reported heat index of 100.F, this is the hottest temperature of the year so far and the 9th time my location has hit 90.F or above so far this season. I also want to note the low was 75.F overnight Monday Night into Tuesday which is the warmest night time low of the season so far. Above is a prickly pear cactus which appropriately bloomed during last weeks hot spell!

High tempetures/Highest heat index values.

The highest temperature seen in the area was both at Winona and Downtown Rochester which both has 95.F with a heat index of 100.F

June 17th 2012 Storm Chase Trip Western Minnesota.

Wall cloud near Pennock,MN June 17th 2012

Yesterday I took on the opportunity to storm chase in Western Minnesota with a friend of mine from the region. I seen many experiences yesterday that were inspiring, worrysome, exciting and new. I left Rochester around 12pm and made it to Wasceca,MN around 1pm. I brought along a hand held wind gauge. We left for Western Minnesota around 2pm where we continued northwestward eventually taking short trips that lead us Northwest of Wilmar. Thunderstorms already had tornado warnings on them so we went for those cells, eventually we ended up west of Wilmar where we saw the above wall cloud.

Rotating clouds near Pennock area storm.

In this storm besides the wall cloud we saw, we saw this rotating edge of clouds showing how vigorous the storm was. The storm did not drop a tornado where we were. What added interest to this experience was dhortly after I took this photo rear flank downdraft winds in excess of 41MPH hit us. What was odd about the experience was it was windy for a few seconds then it went calm, after the wind went calm we could hear the rough of the wind through the trees downwind of where we were.

Radar image.

This is a radar image from Chanhassen of the storm we were on just after we saw our event take place.

Storm front near Sunburg,MN

After the first cell moved east we got caught by the second very large and fast east moving squall line that hit us with torrential rains at 47MPH. After this the squall line had a strong hold of us as we tried to moved east to get out of it it followed us. We passed several towns with large branches covering the road. When we went through Cosmos,MN there was no power to the city. Eventually though we did get out of the storms just north of Fairfax just after dark.

Storm front 2 miles north of Fairfax.

We stuck around the countryside north of Fairfax as more warnings were being issued we decided to watch the storm push back in and in making that choice I saw the highest winds I've ever felt. The storm pushed in with force, first the gusts were around 41MPH. My friend and I were outside the car taking measurements. Then all of the sudden a very strong but short gust of wind hit us, pushing us both back into the car and sending my friends phone flying out of his hands and across the road in mid air without landing on the ground. After the short burst ended I looked at the gauge and was stunned to see it had read a 67MPH wind gust in that burst. I never felt wind like that and it will be an experience I will remember for years to come. All in all I had a great time and the chase was well worth the effort!

Thunderstorm Risk Sunday as warm front pushes north brining in a short lived very hot heavy wave! Temps apporaching 95-100.F on Mon/Tues with heat index values over 100.F

Regional Weather View.

A warm front will be causing problems in the Upper Midwest Sunday and Monday as a severe weather outbreak is expected across SD and Minnesota on Sunday Afternoon, with the severe weather threat push north and east for Monday. Tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are likely. Flooding with heavy rain is also a possibility. A very hot airmass with push in behind this front will bring high temperatures ranging from the mid 90s and possibly lower 100s will be possibly across Iowa, Southern Minnesota, Southern Wisconsin and Illinois both Monday and Tuesday before a sharp cold front pushes in on Wednesday sparking more Thunderstorms with the potential for heavy rain and severe weather.

Local and Metro views.

Tonights and Mondays Severe Weather Risk!

Getting right to the point there will be a risk for severe thunderstorms tonight as a warm front pushes north. Storms will develop to the west of our area and push east over the evening hours and overnight. The main threats for our local area will be large hail and damaging winds along with heavy rainfall and flooding. Especially in Goodhue County.  The best chance for storms pushing in will be after 8pm this evening. Monday there will be another risk of severe thunderstorms during the evening hours, although this chance will not nearly be as high as Sundays. The main threats will be hail and high winds and heavy rain and flooding after dark Monday, Especially in the northern parts of the area. Rainfall amounts could reach over 2" in localized areas.

Short Lived Heat Wave-Very Hot 95.F to 100.F Mon/Tues

After the passing of this warm front we will be under the influence of a short lived but potent heat wave which will bring very hot temperatures and very high heat index values to our area. Under sweltering sunshine and very high dewpoints in the 70s, High temperatures will reach the middle 90s and it is not out of the question that some places could hit 100.F or get close to it, especially on Tuesday when the heat wave peaks. Even without the actual temp in the 100s range. Heat index values will be well into the lower 100s during the day and not fall out of the low 80s at night. This type of weather is dangerous for people working or being outdoors. Drink plenty of water if your going to be out and around Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesdays Heavy Rainfall and Severe weather risk.

Wednesday a sharp cold front will push into this airmass Thunderstorms will develop along the front in the afternoon and some could be severe with hail and strong winds, but the highest risk with Wednesdays storms will be torrential rainfall possible over 2" in localized areas.

Sunday, Warm and sunny. Highs in the middle 80s with thunderstorms developing. Sunday Night, Thunderstorms, some could be severe with damaging winds and large hail and heavy torrential rainfall.

Monday, Very Hot! and Very Humid. Sunny with highs in the middle to upper 90s. Heat Index Values over 100.F Monday Night, Warm, Heat Index Values in the low 80s. A chance of thunderstorms. Some could be severe with damaging winds, large hail and torrential rainfall.

Tuesday, Very Hot and Very Humid! Windy and Sunny with highs in the middle to upper 90s with lower 100s possible Heat Index Value in the lower 100s. Winds could gust over 40MPH Tuesday Night Warm, Heat index values in the low 80s.

Wednesday, Cooler and very humid with thunderstorms developing. Some storms could have hail and strong winds along with torrential rainfall. Wednesday Night, Thunderstorms ending then cloudy with lows in the middle 60s.


Looking Ahead

Things finally clear out and settle down on Thursday and Friday when we can expect sunny skies and cooler temperatures near 80 with less humid conditions, but this dry spell will be short lived. Thunderstorm chances along with heat and humidity come back into the picture by the weekend. Sunday Thunderstorms could become likely again, and some could produce heavy rain and severe weather. Off and on thunderstorm chances continue each day from Sunday through Wednesday of next week, as a stormy humid airmass remains in place. Thursday the 28th a sharp cold front pushes through bringing a chance of heavy rain producing thunderstorms and severe weather. Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 29th, 30th and 1st looks quieter, dry and cooler. With more heavy thunderstorms developing by Monday July 2nd. 

Sundays Severe Weather Risk, Damaging winds and hail threat after dark tonight.

Image from SPC

The SPC has issued a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms for much of Minnesota, Northern Iowa and Western Wisconsin. This includes the entire local area. A moderate risk is out for Eastern SD and Southwest Minnesota. Storms are expected to 1st develop in South Dakota/SW Western Minnesota later this afternoon along warm front. These storms will quickly become severe in that area. They will later transition into a line and pose a risk of high winds and hail as they move into our area likely after dark tonight. People in the area should be aware there is a chance for severe thunderstorms tonight.