Warmer then last week! Better looking forecast.

Weathermap for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Well We will be having much warmer temperatures around here compared to last week, Highs will reach the 80s for the first time this June. Which is much more june-like. Low temperatures will start off in the 50s, but they will start to approach the 60s by Monday Night. Sunday should be mainly dry, I did talk about the chance for a shower Sunday, but I think it will be dry. but Monday, we will have the chance for isolated showers across the area, with the heating of the day otherwise we will have with partly cloudy skies, Tuesday We will have a much better chance for rain, Showers and Thunderstorms will be possible as a system and warm front start to approach. At this point it appears that there isn't any chance for see severe weather with these. But things could change.

Sunday, partly cloudy skies, with the chance for a shower, but it should end out being dry. Highs near 80. Sunday Night Partly Cloudy lows in the mid 50s.

Monday, Partly Cloudy with isolated Showers, Highs near 80. Monday Night, Partly Cloudy, lows in the upper 50s.

Tuesday, A better chance Showers and Thunderstorms. Highs in the 80s. Tuesday Night,

Looking Ahead, The forecast models do show it getting more active around here With off and on chances for Showers and Thunderstorms, After Tuesday, lasting though Friday, With warm temperatures in the 80s, The models is even show it possible getting Hot for the end of the week. Remember That we can get Severe weather easily this time of year, I will have updates if any severe weather is expected.

Hummingbird Month and Post about Volias

Clearwing Humming Moth on a Voila flower.

I first seen this Bee like creature last year, Which I found out today is a Clearwing Hummingbird moth I was amazed because I had never seen anything like this before. This morning, I was surprised to see that it is back this year, so I grabbed the camera right away. This moth reminds me of a bee, because it has yellowish fur, but it has a long tube-like mouth, like a humming bird. it's wings move very quickly, and they make little sound, I didn't hear anything until I got real close to it, Then I heard a low sounding hum, and it has long black antennas-like things that go out almost half the length of it's body. It seems like really like Violas and Pansy's. Here is site that talks more about the Hummingbird moth. The Hummingbird Moth

Violas

Common Voila.

I would like to take the time to talk a little about Violas. Violas are one of the only annuals that can reseed it's self and come back the next year here in Wisconsin. Once you have them, You don't need to buy more. They look just like mini pansy's which now come in all colors from Orange to Purple to White. Violas spread by seed, so let some on the flowers produce seeds. The seeds actually start rooting in late fall, Then come up the next spring, Some plants even stay green all winter. One voila can create lots of seeds for new plants.

they spread very easily! I had some in a pot next too our house last year, and Heavy rains spread the seeds, and now I have them coming up all around the edges of our sidewalk. By the way if you know anyone interested in some violas I am willing to give some away, I have many little seedlings.

Another great this about these plants is they bloom all season long! from about the time Tulips start blooming in May to October! they can continue to bloom though light frosts I definitely very much recommend this plant for Northern gardeners!

See photos below for colors that I have.

Here are some violas I planted last year, I was very happy to see that these reseeded and came back, I got these from the spring market day in Turtle Lake.
Here are some I planted this spring, I hope to see this color next year.

Here are some more I planted this spring, I really like this color.
This color has a very interesting story with it. I never planted this color Before, I have no Idea how it got here, My best guess is, that this color is by some pollinating by bees which caused some mixing between two other colors I have, This color just popped up this year, anyway I thought it was really neat to see this color, I hope to see it next year!
Here is one last photo of a color I planted this spring.

Forecast Below.

Turning Warmer, with more sun. Clayton Centennial coming up!

Weathermap for Wednesday Thursday and Friday.

Our weather is about to get Much warmer and We should get to see some more sun. We will start off with partly sunny skies Wednesday, with temperatures in the upper 60s. then Later Wednesday we should be get some clearing. A high pressure system will move in behind the stationary front moving south. This will give us some Partly Cloudy skies Thursday, With temperatures reaching the low to mid 70s. Friday, I see the models showing a bit of rain moving in. But temperature's will stay in the 70s.

Wednesday, partly sunny with afternoon clearing. Maybe a leftover shower possible. Highs in the upper 60s. Wednesday Night partly cloudy, lows in the upper 40s.

Thursday, Partly Cloudy, Warmer, highs in the low to mid 70s. Thursday Night partly cloudy, lows near 50.

Friday, Partly Cloudy to Partly sunny, Highs in the low 70s with A chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Friday Night, mostly cloudy, lows near 50.

Ahead weather temp wise, I see it will be warming up even more, getting close to the 80s by the weekend, Rain wise, It could be getting Active next week. With off and of chances for showers and thunderstorms Especially late in the week. This could change though.
Here is another picture of my Easter Cactus, showing how all the flowers close at night.

I would also like to quickly remind everyone that the 100 year Clayton Centennial is Next Week. I will have some good posts coming up talking about this special event with pictures included.

The Area got beneficial rain!

Photo taken during a heavy rain shower June 8th

Over the past 3 days, The local area has received some much needed, very beneficial rain. What has caused this is a stationary front has been set up over Iowa and Illinois and Strong low pressure systems have formed along This front and moved a lot it, This has caused Severe Thunderstorms and warm temps to it's south, and cloudy cool rainy conditions to it's north. Both Saturday and Monday, A large area of rain moved in from the southwest,

Saturday I picked up 1.30, with light to moderate showers all day.

Monday, We got most of the rain during the morning. We had moderate to heavy rain. Last I checked 10:48AM I saw there was 1.00 inch in the rain gauge. It is raining right now so I know this number will still go up. Most places have picked up at least 1 inch if not 2 inches of much needed rain, over the pas 3 days, from North to South, And it was the perfect type of rain too, My gauge reported 2.00 inches the past 3 days!

Hosta leaf.

This system brought some good rains with it but it has also kept us locked under thick low clouds which has kept temperatures very cool for this time of year. We only topped out in the 50s both Saturday and Sunday. and likely Monday, It looks like this front will have some trouble getting going at first, but after Wednesday, It looks like it will move out and it will allow us to get into some sunshine and highs will start to reach the 70s. I will have a forecast out later. It should still start to warm up Tuesday.

This rain that we got is Great news to many area farmers because we have been locked in a dry pattern most of May, And this is perfect way to break out of it. Hopefully we stay in a wetter Warmer pattern.

Finally a good chance of rain for the area!

Weathermap for Saturday Sunday and Monday.

A stronger low pressure system will follow a stationary front that has set up in Iowa, Which will set up for a good chance of rain showers north of this front. Rain, Which is much needed for this area. I am unsure of rainfall amounts but it appears like it may be moderate in some areas. There is No severe weather expected on Saturday with this system. because of the rain, and thick cloud cover, Saturday It will keep temperatures cooled down into the 50s. Sunday, It seems like we will get a break from the rain, but there will still be a chance of rain throughout the day Sunday, Sunday will be warmer then Saturday. Monday, The forecast models show another wave of moisture passing though the area, So I will say, There will be a good chance of Showers and Thunderstorms Monday. Now it appears the chance of Severe weather is there If any severe weather is expected I will have it posted.

Saturday, Cool, A good chance of showers, some moderate? highs in the 50s. Saturday Night, Showers slowing and coming to and end. but staying cloudy. lows in the 40s.

Sunday, A bit warmer, Cloudy, with a chance of showers but a Thunderstorms is also possible. highs in the low 60s. Sunday Night, cloudy, a chance of showers, lows in the upper 40s.

Monday, A good chance of Showers and Thunderstorms. Highs in the low 60s. Monday Night, showers coming to an end, then staying mostly cloudy, lows in the upper 40s.

Longer term. The beginning of the week looks to be cloudy with highs in the upper 60s, but I see that we will get sunny again, with highs turning back into the 70s. Then the end of the week towards the weekend I see a couple more chances at some rain.

Easter Cactus finally blooming!

Easter Cactus

Here is another photo I took this afternoon. My camrea is having flash problems, So I took it outside to get a photo, Then put it back inside.

This plant is called an Easter Cactus, But a better name for it is Spring Cactus! Easter Cactus if closely related to Thanksgiving Cactus and Christmas Cactus, But as you can see the flowers are much different on Easter cactus. I got this plant in August of 2008, from my aunt. I have been waiting awhile for this to bloom, For awhile there I was starting to wonder. This plant produces buds as the days get longer in Spring Normally they start forming buds in February. My was late it starting producing a few buds in the end of March, Then more and more developed, until the entire plant was covered. The plant started to bloom at the end of May. Now, it is in Full bloom. This was a fun experience, This is my first time getting one of these to bloom. I had no idea which color it would be when It was given to me!

It's pretty easy to care for these plants, The most important thing you have to worry about is Over watering. It is very important you wait until the soil is dry to water. I best way to test is stick your finger about an inch in the soil, and if it feels dry give it some water, Then wait until it's dry again. These plants really love to be put outside in our Wisconsin summers. When you put them outside, Be sure to put them in Full shade. Same goes for Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus.

Here is a close up photo of the daisy-like flowers.

Continued Dry, and some photos

Weathermap for Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday.

It appears like we will continue this Northwest flow, Dry pattern. With only a very small chance at some light showers. Even though the Sunshine is nice, We could really use some rain. A weak cool front will pass though Tuesday which will bring the chance of showers. If the front has enough moisture there might even be a Thunderstorm, but that is not very likely. Behind the cool front, We will have a cool high pressure, which will bring sunny dry a bit cool weather. Tuesday Night will be cool, lows will fall into the low 40s. Some upper 30s will even be possible. Many people are hoping we break from this dry cool period. Detailed forecast below

Tuesday, Partly cloudy, with a slight chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Tuesday Night Cool, lows in the low 40s, upper 30s possible especially in the north.

Wednesday, Sunny, highs in the low 70s. Wednesday Night, Warmer, clear lows in the 40s.

Thursday, Sunny, Warmer highs in the mid 70s, Thursday Night, partly cloudy. lows near 50.

Looking Ahead We may finally begin to break out of this dry pattern, We will see what the next few weeks bring, I do see a few chances at showers and storms in the forecast models. Temperatures look steady in the 60s and 70s.

Here is a picture showing how we are totally leafed out June 1st. We are definitely into the early summer season!


Here is some Iris I got from my Great grandmas old garden, These have been getting more flowers every year.