Strong storms this morning-Very dangerous lightning, heavy downpours and power outages. Sigificant lightning damage seen near my location.

Lightning seen as the thunderstorms were exiting my area during the early morning hours of June 21st

Strong-non severe thunderstorms pushed through the area around 5AM this morning along a large line that moved northeast and extended across most of Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. These brought heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning that was quite intense. Power outages were reported that were likely caused from lightning strikes shut down power across 3 different parts, possibly even one large area. Some were without power for as long as 4 hours, One significant power outage effected Northern Clayton, and areas East of Clayton in Barron County near Reeve. A friend also reported that he was without power in the Rice Lake area. The power did go out completely for a short time at my location, but it was only a second before it turned back on.

Tree with significant lightning damage at my aunts house 1 mile south of Clayton

My uncle called me this morning to tell me that a tree only feet from two houses on their farm, and only a mile from my house was struck by lightning around 5:30 in the morning. I drove over right away and found major bark damage missing from all of the east side of the tree most of the way up the tree, one large section of bark see above was peeled off and was still partially attached to the tree.

A Chuck of wood sticking in the ground.

This piece of wood blew out and stuck into the ground from the force of the lightning, These was one of many pieces of bark that were flown across the yard, some pieces as far as 20 feet! Both my aunt and uncle were home during the time of the strike and the said they both hear a tremendous bang after a flash of lightning so bright it was blinding. My uncle said the power flickered out at their house immediately after the lightning hit, I was glad to hear, No one was hurt. After these photos were taken, My aunt and I removed as much of the bark as possible that was not attached to the tree to hopefully help in a healing process.

Windy conditions behind storms June 21st 2011

The other story with these storms were the heavy rainfall and gusty winds behind the storms. Winds really picked up behind the storms and lasted for quite awhile behind them, I had gusts of 36MPH on my gauge. There was a couple small branches down in the yard, bit there small enough to mow over. Rain with this line rain quickly accumulated to around an inch across many areas, and to 0.88" at my location on top of over an inch of rain from last week, The fields are very saturated, and have water standing in them. We could actually use a nice dry, sunny period now.

Slight Risk severe storms today.

Image from SPC

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms across all of the southern half of the Upper Midwest, which includes the entire 6 county area.

Although there is abundant clouds, I agree with the SPC area of concern. Thunderstorms will likely develop this afternoon along a warm front that is draped across the area, and with the unstable and moist airmass, a few storms could become severe. I feel that Strong to low end severe storms are more likely, especially we we break into more sunshine. Large hail, strong winds and torrential downpours are likely if storms develop. People in the area should just be aware that storms, possible severe will be around today.

The Flowers of Summer Peony/Rose pictures.

Summer flowers in bloom June 19th 2011

Spring blooms have long faded away into the flowers of summer this week as highs have been in the 70s and 80s most days. This is just in time for the 1st day of Summer which is tomorrow! Peonies, Chives and Roses are all in bloom and are especially beautiful with the abundance of rain we've had. The grass has also been growing fast, I've also mowed lawn at least 6 or 7 times now!

Old Fashioned Peony June 19th 2011

The Peony above is not in a garden that was redone earlier this Spring. It is a section of a plant that was originally in our front yard, and they have been in our front yard blooming for over 20s years reliably, providing beautiful pink and maroon flowers year after year.

Peonies any known for the very large and very fragrant flowers that typically come into bloom around the 1st day of summer in our area. They are one of the most fragrant flowers of Summer. It's always a good idea to put peonies in a nice out of the way space in the garden, where they can sit for years because they do not like to be moved, they can even stop flowering for a year or two after they've been moved, but I've seen peonies bloom the same year moved as well, if they are moved in early Spring. I've found it beneficial to rake off old foliage in Spring, and to give them one feeding as the leaves comes in.



Roses June 19th 2011

The old fashioned Roses, that have been in our yard probably the same amount of years are also in bloom this week and smell great! These are the easiest roses to care for, literally plant and go type of plants. Although they need a once and awhile hard early Spring pruning to keep them blooming beautiful. In years I've done a hard pruning, they blooming the same summer.



Here is a plant I have not featured on my blog before. It is a perennial geranium that blooms a nice blue color, that is almost lightning blue, they bloom at the same time as peonies. I've had this for a couple years now and it's come back great both times. These can do well in part shade or sun, but they seem to prefer a shadier garden.

Wet pattern continues. Heavy rainfall possible Monday Night and Tuesday, giving way to cool and wet for Wednesday.

Regional View.


A potential weather system will remain nearly stationary over the the region and causing a wide range of issues from flooding, to severe weather. Severe weather will first occur in Iowa and Southern Minnesota on Monday, then lift north and east into Eastern Minnesota & Wisconsin for Tuesday. Torrential rain is very possible North of the warm front in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which may cause flooding issues. Temperatures will start of warm even into the 90s in Iowa, before cooling down significantly on Wednesday, when cool showers are likely across the region.

Local View.

Locally we can expect a cooler and more cloudy Monday. It should start off dry, with increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms,. with strong thunderstorms especially late in the evening on Monday. Temperatures will be in the low 70s on Monday and lows in the low 60s, There will be a humid feel to the air. Tuesday there will be still that chance of strong storms during the early morning hours. Torrential downpours are possible from these as well. They if clearing takes place in the afternoon, a second round of strong, to possibly even severe storms could develop along a front, with more heavy rain potential, Highs will be in the mid 70s on Tuesday, and lows in the low 60s. Wednesday is looking downright ugly for weather, It will be cool and and rainy on the backside of the system. Highs will struggle to reach the low 60s, and lows in the low 50s.

Severe Weather & Very Heavy Rain potential.

There does appear to be a threat of severe weather in the next 3 days. One time appears to be Monday Night into Early Tuesday, when a wave of left over storms from southern Minnesota could produce some strong storms and heavy rain. The best chance of severe looks to be Tuesday, possibly in the afternoon if things clear out. The main story with the storms in our area will likely be heavy rainfall which is now what our area does not need. Most places have saturated ground as it is from past rain, and new rainfall amounts in the next 3 days could easily top one inch possible more in heavy storms. This could easily cause flooding concerns, Stay tuned to the NWS for warnings and statements in case the flooding should turn severe.

Monday, Cloudy, A chance of showers in the afternoon, then increasing chances for thunderstorms in the evening,Highs in the low 70s. Monday Night, Thunderstorms, some could be strong and produce heavy rain. Lows in the lower 60s

Tuesday, Showers and thunderstorms early, then partial clearing with more thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Some could be strong to severe and produce heavy rain. Highs in the mid 70s. Tuesday Night, A chance of showers. Lows in the low 60s

Wednesday, Cool, Cloudy, light rain and drizzle through out the day. Highs in the low 60s. Wednesday Night, A chance of a shower, lows in the low 50s.

Looking Ahead

We unfortunately have to go through some cool weather to get to our next taste of summer, it will continue to be cool for Thursday, with our next dry day chances coming just in time for next weekend, which looks brighter and warmer. Then Monday the 29th, it looks warmer with increasing shower chances. The warmer trend continues into July 1st, which looks to turn very warm and stormy around July 2nd, The warmth and storminess continue right in time for July 4th, but things will change.

Cheese Days Forecast- Warmer and Periods of Thunderstorms through the weekend, some could be strong.

Regional weather view.

A stormier pattern will be moving into the Upper Midwest for the weekend, there will be chances of thunderstorms daily region wide, with a chance of severe weather in Iowa and southern Minnesota/Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday, It will also be warmer and more humid for the entire region.

Local Weather View.

Locally for Cheese Days Weekend, we can expect that Friday will be our driest daylight hours day. It should be dry and pleasantly warm for the garage sales, with a bit of humidity in the air. However, there will be an increasing chances of Thunderstorm activity as we approach the evening and overnight hours, It could be loud as some of these storms could be strong, and produce some heavy rain. Temps will be in the upper 70s to low 80s lows in the 60s, and we can expect sunny skies. Saturday will have a chance of morning thunderstorms, which may cause issues for the Parade, then partly cloudy skies in the afternoon, with a continuing chance at a passing thunderstorm, even with the partly cloudy skies. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the 60s. Sunday for the Demo Derby will have a chance of morning thunderstorms once again, before rain chances slow down for the afternoon. It should be dry for the demolition derby, but there could be some more rain chances in the evening, with highs in the upper 70s, and lows Sunday night in the low 60s.

Strong storm potential

I am warning for strong storm potential mainly because of the eventful weekend ahead there is a chance of strong storms with heavy rain, Severe weather is not forecasted, but If conditions change and severe weather ends up threatening I will post information on it along with a SPC outlook post, otherwise for now I will say it's always a good idea to keep an eye to the sky this time of year.

Friday, Sunny, Highs in the low 80s, increase afternoon clouds. Friday Night, Thunderstorms, some could be strong and bring heavy rainfall. Lows in the low 60s

Saturday, A chance of morning thunderstorms, then partly cloudy skies with a chance of a passing thunderstorm. Highs in the mid 70s. Saturday Night, Partly Cloudy a chance of showers, lows in the low 60s

Sunday, A chance of thundershowers in the morning, the partly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s, a chance of storms again the evening. Sunday Night, a chance of thunderstorms. lows in the low 60s.

Looking Ahead forecast will be issued later in the weekend.

Clayton Cheese Days 2011 scheduled event information

Clayton Cheese Days sign along Highway 63 June 17th 2011

Clayton Cheese Days is this weekend June 17th, 18th and 19th, and the past week the town has been busy mowing lawns and "beautifying" the community for another great celebration this year! This is a post letting people know about some events that are scheduled, but not all are listed, There is no online flyer that I could find this year so I found this information on flyer's they were given out around town.

Friday June 17th

The Community wide garage sales will be on Friday 9:00AM to 4:00PM, there are various garage scheduled in town including the new downtown business Grandmas Attick which will be having an outdoor sale. There is also several garage sales scheduled outside of town as well, especially around Lake Magnor.

Saturday June 18th

The parade is normally at 10:00AM on Saturday, I suspect that this is when this will be this year as well.

Then there will be a tractor pull near the firehall in downtown Clayton started at 12pm

Sunday June 19th

The Demolition Derby will held at 2:00PM in the industrial lots near Bergman's Greenhouse, on the right side of Highway 63 as your driving towards Lake Magnor from Clayton.

Have a great Cheese Days Weekend, and don't forget to stop by the Lions Club food stand near the fire hall on Saturday during the tractor pull, they always have the best curds and burgers, including the Clayton famous blue cheese burger! My forecast will be our covering this special weekend tonight!

Beneficial rains fall across the region 1+ ammounts in some areas

Peony flower covered in fresh rain June 15th 2011

The area received some soaking beneficial rains today, as the northern edge of a low pressure system spread a widespread swath of rain across Minnesota and Wisconsin. The rain started overnight the 14th, and really became steady in the morning of the 15th. The rain and drizzle lasted most of the day today, which made for a chilly day with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. Upper 60s were observed where the sun broke out in the far western part of the area. The cooler temperatures were taken easily today as many agreed a nice soaking rain was needed to aid in the recent dry spell we've been under. Total rainfall amounts were widespread at least half inch across the entire area accept in Northeastern Washburn county, where drier air was focus during the start of the system there around a quarter inch or less fell. across the rest of the area is where the widespread heavier amounts were seen. Over 1 inch of rain reported from Menomonie and areas in Northern Dunn county. The rainfall amount at my location was 1.03" which I found out to my surprise is the highest 24 hour rainfall total for I've received since the rain season began.

Rainfall totals

Menomonie 1.17"

Clayton-(My Yard) 1.03"

Amery 1.00"

Spooner 0.70"

Siren 0.73"