Mostly Cloudy end of the week. Quite Cool Thursday.

Regional View





A Cooler and relatively Midweek is whats in store for the Upper Midwest. Cool air flowing over Lake Superior Thursday may bring lake effect snows to Northern WI and Upper Michigan Thursday. Then Friday a clipper system will pass to our north bringing snow to Northern Minnesota. Warmer air will start to surge into the region Friday.

Local View

Locally we can expect a quiet, cloudy end to the week. Wednesday a cold front will pass through causing a much colder day Thursday, highs will barely make it out of the low 30s. A relatively thick snow pack remains across the area, this couple with a colder air mass, some places may not top 32 on Thursday. Friday it will be much warmer, highs should begin to rise to the upper 30s. We should expect a dry next 3 days.

Wednesday, Mostly Cloudy, Highs in the mid 30s, a bit breezy. Dense fog possible early. Wednesday Night, Much cooler, Partly Cloudy lows in the low to mid 20s.

Thursday, Cool! Mostly Cloudy to Partly Sunny, highs in the low 30s, some spots may remain in the upper 20s. Thursday Night. Partly Cloudy, lows in the low mid 20s.

Friday, Mostly Cloudy, some clearing. Highs in the mid to upper 30s. Friday Night, Partly Cloudy, lows in the mid 20s

Looking Ahead

The weekend immediately following the next 3 days looks to start of quit and cool Saturday. Sunday looks a bit more interesting as a strong system pushes North. It looks to bring temps warm enough for light rain Sunday then Monday cooler air follows behind it and it turns to light snow. Then a much more significant system pulls in right in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Right now it looks to bring Significant Snow Somewhere in the Upper Midwest. Right now it is favoring Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, but things may change. High wind and blowing snow may also be a factor with this system. Right behind in on the 26th. the coldest air of season blowing in a strong winds looks to follow it with highs being lucky if they get out of the teens for highs, lows may approach 0.F. Cold air looks to remain in tacked for the rest of the month of November. Behind this snow looks to be a possibility again by the very end of the month.

Snowstorm Report: Power Outages and Down trees from Heavy Wet Snow Amounts top half a foot in some areas.

Fallen Snow November 14th

An Early season winter storm hit Northwest and West Central Wisconsin this past weekend, According to the NWS is was the largest Pre Thanksgiving snow we've since the 1991 Halloween Blizzard! The storm Left a blanket of more then half a foot of snow in some areas. Snow was very wet and heavy, causing trees and power lines to snap this took power out to some areas. Power was reported to be out for a time in the City of St Croix Falls and Gransburg. Multiple trees and large branches were also reported on county roads in the Siren-Grantsburg area of Burnett County. The wet slushy-like snow made roads slippery, many car sidings were reported in Turtle Lake.
Heavy Snow November 13th

This storm has many interesting traits, one was how the snowfall accumulated to an unusually high about for our 1st real snowfall accumulations of the season, in addition, this snowfall actually came before the ground froze, 3 days ago when highs were in the mid 60s, I was planting flower bulbs! Even with the un frozen ground the ground was cool enough that snow had no problem accumulating.



Young front yard shrubs taking a significant snow load.


Snow started at my location not long after dark on the 13th, one of the things I noticed on radar was it was suggesting that it would start out as a rain/snow mix, but it started off as all snow. During the next morning for about an hour or 2 it did turn to sleet before turning to heavy snow, but for the entire duration of the storm it remained of a frozen type. The radar showed the that the snow was very localized on the very northwest corridor of the storm, which seemed to effect a thin area from Duluth,MN to Western Wisconsin area, South through Central Iowa. The snow was localized enough that 60 miles from my location in Eau Claire,WI where my brother lives there is under half inch of snow on the ground from this storm and that's it. Even as little as a 20 mile difference made the difference between just 2.20" inches of snow in Ridgeland and 5.50" of snow in my yard.

Balsam Fir tree branches near breaking point.

This snow was of very wet nature. Temperatures remained above freeze for the entire event making the snow heavy like a wet waterlogged sponge. Snow accumulated to 5.50" inches in my yard and it was sticky enough to stick on everything even on bare trees and power lines. My dad said as he was traveling on County road D near town, He saw a power line wire bending significantly, he said that large trucks were having difficultly passing under it. He also mention that the tension of the line was pulling wires on the rest of the lines down the road tight to the pole.

Broken White pine tree branch November 13th

The snow proved to be too heavy for some trees, Pines and firs took the hardest hit. this large 4 inch White Pine branch snapped under the weight of the snow. The snow weighed down our entire Balsam fir and Spruce trees, the branches bent so far down they touched the ground and the center truck of the tree, some branches have broken up in the tree but didn't fall down. It also appear that one of out lilac bushes may have lost a large branch out of it. Widespread minor damage can be seen across the area, I've seen large branches down, but some of the worse damage I saw was entire Juniper trees split and bent half way to the ground, and shrubs next to homes flattened to the ground.

This storm brought 5.50" of snow to my location with a water ratio of 1.22", this beat the highest snowfall for November hands down in my records for the past 3 years. It was also noted by locals as "early for this much snow before Thanksgiving" The storm also produced my lowest daytime high of the season so far, which was just 33.F on Sunday. It will be interesting to see temps will be cool enough to allow this to be our sticking winter snow pack!

Snowfall reports seem highest in Northwest areas, especially in Polk, Northwest Barron and Burnett county, where up to 7 inches has fell, where most of the damage from snow was seen. While places in the Southeast area got little to no snow where mostly rain fell.

Snowfall Reports

Danbury 7.60"

Grantsburg 6.50" Trees and Power lines down. Poweroutages in county

Sarona 6.50"

Rice Lake 6.50"

Clayton 5.50" 4 inch pine tree branch snapped.

Cumberland 5.00"

River Falls 5.00"

Roberts 4.80"

Baldwin 4.00"

Chetek 3.00"

Menomonie 2.50"

Ridgeland 2.20"

Elk Mound 1.10"

Much colder with a Winter Storm for this weekend. with Minor accumulation and sigificant accumulation looking more likely Update X1

Regional View

The big weather story is on a storm system taking shape for this weekend. It is expected to bring everything from rain and sleet to heavy snow. Significant snowfall accumulations are possible in parts of Western Wisconsin, Eastern and Northeastern Minnesota, and a part of Northern Iowa. Rain and sleet is more likely east of this area.

Local View.

Note: I've updated the forecast, but it is subject to significant change due to the uncertainly of what the models are reading. Updates may be needed before Saturday. Also this forecast replaces my previous forecast for Friday.


The forecast models have shifted the weekend system which now calls for all Attention to be focused on Saturday, which looks likely to bring the first significant snowfall accumulations of the season. Friday night this system will start off with Rain showers slowly changing to snow late Friday. Highs Friday will be steady in the lower to middle 40s early before slowing falling to 30s through the day. Saturday temperatures will have cooled enough for preip to remain all snow, with the best chance for all snow Northwest of a line from Baldwin to Prairie Farm to Rice Lake. It could mix with rain especially in Dunn County. Some snow will be heavy at times. Saturday afternoon, Highs will by Very chilly in the mid 30s, This with a cool ground will allow for accumulation. Saturday Night, light snow will continue and lows will fall into the low 30s. Sunday light snow will come to an end late, highs will be in the mid upper 30s, but with a thick snowpack on the ground highs may only manage low to mid 30s. The models have shifted this system more easterly, I am now more confidant that system total accumulation at this point will be in the 3-6" range. Breezy conditions both Saturday and Sunday may also allow for some drifting. Monday looks quieter with mostly cloudy skies and highs in the mid 30s to upper 30s.

Winter Storm looking more likely

This system is continuing to be watch very closely and now with a trend more the the east, it has a better chance of producing winter storm value snowfall accumulations. Right now it appears warm air will stick around in the southeast areas long enough to Friday to keep it mostly rain early. But Northwesterly locations should be cool enough for a mostly snow event. This is where will the highest accumulations will be, 3-6 inches are likely and it is certainly not out of the question that 8 inches could be a possibility.

People in the area should prepare for our first significant snowfall accumulations of the season It is looking a bit more likely we will have our first Winter Storm of the season.

Friday, Cloudy early then Rain mixing with then changing to snow late in the day. High temps in the mid 40s then falling. Friday Night, light Rain/mix changing to all snow late. lows in the low 30s. Light accumulations possible.

Saturday, Very Chilly, A good chance of snow. Heavy snow is possible, Rain could mix in at times. Breezy, with highs in the mid 30s, Saturday Night, A good chance of light snow. breezy with lows in the low 30s.

Sunday, Chilly. Light Snow early then Mostly Cloudy. Storm total accumulation ranging from 3-6" with snowfall amounts as high as 8" possible. Highs in the middle 30s. Sunday Night, Clearing slightly, lows in the upper 20s.

Monday, Mostly Cloudy, Highs in the upper 30s. Monday Night, Partly Cloudy lows in the lower to mid 20s.


Looking Ahead.

This system appears to by the start of a pretty major shift to a more winter-like weather pattern. Tuesday on the leading edge of some Much colder air, light snow showers could form. Behind it highs will struggle to reach the upper 20s for highs. the chance of light snow will linger through Wednesday the 17th as a clipper-like system pulls through. Minor snow accumulations are possible. Thursday the 18th looks to clear out but remain cold. Highs in the 20s look to remain. Highs could be approaching the lower 10s. Friday the 19th a short warm up pulls in, while a snow storm-like system pulls north and brings possibly significant snows to Northern MN. then behind it by the 21st much colder air pulls in. By the end of the model run towards Thanksgiving a warmer weather pattern looks to shift in with rain/snow chances.

Near record highs Tuesday, temp report. & New Camera!

A late green Boxwood bush planting I had Nov 10th this bush will hold it's green leaves through the entire Winter! Taken with my new Cannon camera!

After a record breaking year in the temp department, we continue to be wowed in this same department! High temperatures have been well above normal the past 4 days, but Tuesday highs were near record warmth. Under sunny skies, temperatures sored to summer-like levals in the upper 60s. Some places even managed a 70.F reading, I had my windows open enjoying the fresh November air! This warm air is all thanks a system which is pushing warm air northward. My aunt who was visiting my grandparents in Alabama said it was almost nicer here then it was down there!

Highs reported Tuesday.

Tuesday the highest temperature was from Hudson a very mild 70.F, while the coolest reading was in Spooner and in Balsam Lake at 64.F.Average highs for this time of year are in the lower to mid 40s!

New Camera!

Picture and video quality should be getting better here at my blog. I was able to get a new camera, replacing the one I had been using for the past 7 years, and the past 3 years here at my blog. This camera was well needed because my old one was slowing failing. The new one is a Cannon brand camera, which is able to set it's own settings to take the best picture, and record up an an hour of videos!

Mild weather coming to an end. Wetter times ahead with a chance at light snow late Fri.

Regional View.





A Mildly dry persistent weather pattern has been over the Upper Midwest for the past week, but it will be coming to an end. A system will bring a much colder air mass in by Friday. Rain will be likely over Wisconsin and Iowa, but it may mix with snow over Western Wisconsin late Friday, light accumulations are possible.

Local View.

Hopefully everyone has taken advantage of the very warm temps we've had, because it will soon come to an end. We will have one more fairly nice day Wednesday, but more clouds will be around. it will be partly sunny on Wednesday with highs still making it up to the middle 50s. Lows will be way above normal for this time of year in the low 40s to upper 30s. Thursday things will begin to make slight chances. It will be more cloudy with a chance at a few light showers. Highs this day will be in the upper 40s with lows in the mid 30s.

Fridays system is a bit more interesting. It will start off as rain early then switch to snow late. It will be much colder on Friday with highs barley making lower 40s. Rain will be likely through much of the early half of the day, then when the night closes in it may switch to snow. a light accumulation appears possible at this time, but it does not look like a sticking- type of snowfall. Friday Night lows will fall into the upper 30s light snow or flurries may linger. We do need to watch this system for any changes, if more cold air wraps in a but more accumulations as high as an inch or 2 could be possibly, but at this time, this does not look like it will be the case.

Wednesday, Partly Sunny and Mild. Highs in the mid 50s. Wednesday Night, Mostly Cloudy, lows in the upper 30s to low 40s.

Thursday, Cooler, Mostly cloudy with a chance at light rain showers. Highs in the upper 40s. Thursday Night, Mostly Cloudy with a better chance of rain showers late. Lows in the mid 30s

Friday, Much colder, A good of rain nearly. Then possible changing to snow late in the day. Highs in the lower to middle 40s Friday Night, Light snow or flurries. A light snow accumulation is possible. Lows in the low 30s.

Looking Ahead.

Saturday and Sunday needs to be watched closely for our area. The snowy system I talked about last forecast issue for the 12th has held back a couple of days into the weekend. It forms a s a low pressure system on the tail end of the one that will bring us rain and snow Friday. It appears to come close to the area Saturday, bringing a chance at accumulating snows to Eastern Wisconsin and the U.P. It looks like at this point it will miss the local area. Either way it still appears like this system will be the start of much colder times for us. by Monday November 16th a very cold air mass moves south, bringing with it a chance of flurries or snow showers. Highs during this time will be lucky if they break out of the 20s. then by Thursday the 18th, the model shows a strong clipper system possible dropping a few inches of snow, this system has our next chance at significant snows. Much colder air follows this system by the 20s, teens for highs look likely with lows possible dropping to the lower single digits. By the end of the model it shows a warm up by the 25th with snow chances. This is the time of year we need to keep a close eye on the extended forecasts. anything can happen!

Sunny and Cool Friday, then a big warm-up by the weekend, highs in or near the 60s by Monday! Looking ahead: Snow storm in our future?

Regional View

A very dry and cool start to the weekend for the Upper Midwest. A high pressure system will provide a quite cool Friday, but will make way for a nice a warming trend through the rest of the weekend. Skies should remain mostly sunny though the entire next 4 day forecast, with temps warming day after day.

Local View

Note: Mondays forecast has been added because of extra space I had available.

Friday will start of very cold for the local area. Lows Friday morning will start off in the low 20s, but spots in the North will likely reach the middle to upper 10s to start off the morning. Highs the rest of Friday will struggle to reach the upper 30s to low 40s. We will have a significant warm up by Saturday. It will be sunny with highs reaching the upper 40s to low 50s. Sunday will also be Sunny, with highs in the low to mid 50s. Monday will be much of the same, Sunny, but highs on this day may be as high as the upper 50s to low 60s in some spots, which is well above normal. Normal highs are in the mid 40s, and normal lows are in the upper 20s.

Friday, Cold starting off the day with lows in the 10s and low 20s. then Cool in the afternoon with sunny skies. Highs in the low 40s. Friday Night, Cool, Clear Skies. Lows in the mid 20s.

Saturday, Sunny Skies. Much warmer. Highs in the upper 40s to low 50s. Saturday Night, Clear Skies, lows in the low to mid 30s.

Sunday, Sunny Skies, Warm with light winds! Highs in the low to mid 50s. Sunday Night, Clear Skies, lows in the upper 30s

Monday, Sunny Skies, Warm! Highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. Monday Night, Clear Skies Lows in the upper 30s to low 40s.

Looking Ahead.

Tuesday after a very mild Monday will continue to be mild. but rain chances move in by late in the day, more towards Wednesday. Then Thursday a colder airmass makes it's way in and skies become mostly cloudy. then by Friday the 12 and Saturday the 13 the models show a system we have to watch closely. Right now it shows a low pressure system passing to the southeast of the area, with this colder airmass moving in, it could make for our 1st significant snow accumulations on the season. Behind this system very cold air makes it's way in, highs could struggle to even reach the 20s for highs! This system looks like the start of a cold, snow pattern because the rest of the model run keeps us cold with the off an on chance for snow. Tuesday the 16 shows cold and light snow, only to make way for a clipper-system light storm to move in by Thursday the 18th, bringing cold air behind it. then towards the end of the model on the 19th, the models show another potential snow storm. This is the time of year when we have to watch closely what happens, any week now we could have our 1st significant snow of the season. More on this later

Thanksgiving Cactus in bloom!

Thanksgiving Cactus Nov 1st

My favorite houseplant, The Thanksgiving Cactus are exploding into bloom currently, and there a bit earlier then last year. This year the one above which is a Old Thanksgiving/Christmas strain variety came into full bloom for Halloween rather then the Holiday their named after! It really grown over the past couple years, 2 years ago this was nothing but 3 small cuttings from my aunts plant. My yellow one and red one also had their first blooms this week, and will likely be going into full bloom by the second week of November, I will have pictures of those as they come into full flower.