Area Red Cross locations & county travel information post.

This is a post to provide as much information as possible to for people wondering about damage in there own areas or there famlies areas.

Burnett and Washburn counties

Parts of the are were hit very hard with stait line wind damage last night. The hardest hit areas is Burnett County and Washburn county. it is estimated that 80MPH winds may have blown through much of these areas from strait lines winds. I have been seeing reports of major damage including, in some areas entire woods flattend, sigificant structual damage and proporty lost, espessailly in Siren, Danbury, Grantsburg, Webster and Minong. This is proably some the worst damage Burnett and Washburn Counties has seen in very many years. Travel in these counties is very difficult at this time state highways should be ok, but side roads are impassible due to fallen trees. Police from all local area counties have responed to Burnett County to help clean up.

The Red Cross and help centers have been set up in Burnett County and can be found at the following locations

In Burnett County

Grantsburg Middle School

Blaine Township Hall

In Washburn County

Spooner Fire Hall

Chicog Fire Hall

Polk and Barron Counties

Damage from this storm continued south into parts of Polk and Barron Counties. Hardest hit areas here are the Northwestern parts of both counties, Milltown, Frederic, Calm Falls to Cumberland have reports of trees or powerlines down, and 60+MPH wind reports have been reported in St Croix Falls and west of Amery. Spotty reports of much less widespread damage, such as isolated trees or power lines down have also been reported in Clayton and other areas of southern Polk and Barron Counties, but People who are in Southeastern Polk, Southern Barron, as well as St Croix and Dunn counties were spared of the most sigificant damage.

St Croix and Dunn Counties

There was very little damage here, but there was some spotty reports of trees down in Northwestern St Croix County at Somerset and southern Dunn County Eau Galle.

July 1st Severe Storm Risk Today/Tonight.

Image from SPC

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman,OK has issued a Slight Risk For severe thunderstorms across a part of the Upper Midwest, including all of the local 6 county area.

Even though there is a strong cap, and excessive heat entrenched across the local area, models continue to show Thunderstorms developing along a cold front that will slice into this hot and very rich air. Because of this I put faith into the SPC area, and chance for developing storms due to consistency in the models. Thunderstorms, if they develop will become explosive and severe very quickly. The best chance for severe storms will be after 5pm, and the biggest threats will be torrential rain, very large hail and strait line winds. As well as a threat for tornado's. People should keep in mind there is a threat for severe storms today.

Opressive Heat Likely Friday upper 90s possible with heat index's in the 100s, "cooling" down to mid 80s with a. Chance Tstorms for the 4th

Regional Weather View.

Extreme Heat and humidity is likely across the entire Upper Midwest on Friday on the north edge of a huge and very warm high pressure system.temperatures 95.F to 100 degrees is likely across much of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, with the exception of near the great lakes. Isolated severe storms may fire up along the cold front that will slowly cool things down slightly for Saturday, but it will still be warm. For the 4th of July, Sun, with isolated thunderstorms are possible especially across Minnesota and Wisconsin, temperatures will continue to be warm.

Local Area View.

Note: This forecast replaces the previous forecast for Friday. This forecast may also need to be updated due to the important hoiliday weekend ahead.

Dangerous Heat Expected/Severe Weather Pot

Locally we can expect very hot and oppressively humid conditions continuing into Friday. We can expect hot hazy sunshine with highs in the mid 90s, A few locations may manage Upper 90 degree highs. Dewpoints at this same time will be in the low to mid 70s, which would put heat index values between 100 and 110.F This type of heat can be considered dangerous if not taken seriously. Drink plenty of water and limit actives outdoors during the hottest part of the day. There is also a chance of severe weather along the cool front which will pass through Friday evening. If storms do develop they may quickly become severe, but because of very warm temps, and a strong cap it is likely that we will remain dry.

4th of July Weekend

Saturday sunny, and it will be cooler and much less humid behind the front, but there will still be a touch of heat in the air. Highs will be in the mid 80s, and lows in the mid 60s. Sunday dry also, it will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 80s. Independence Day will be partly cloudy and warm highs in the mid to upper 80s, there will be a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, but it will not be a wash out day. It should clear out and become dry just in time for Fireworks on Monday Evening lows will be in the mid 60s.

Friday, Very Hot and Humid! Sunny Skies with highs in the mid to upper 90s Heat Index Values as high as 100 to 110.F A small chance of evening thunderstorms, some could be severe. Friday Night, A chance of thunderstorms, otherwise partly cloudy and cooler with lows in the low 60s.

Saturday, Cooler but Warm, Partly Cloudy clearing to Sunny Skies. Highs in the mid 80s. Saturday Night, Partly Cloudy, lows in the low 60s.

Sunday, Partly Cloudy. Highs in the low 80s. Sunday Night, partly cloudy, lows in the low 60s.

4TH Of July Very Warm. Partly Cloudy, to partly sunny a chance of a afternoon shower or light thunderstorm. Highs in the mid to upper 80s. Monday Night, Partly Cloudy, lows in the mid 60s.
There will be no looking ahead forecast at this time.

Trip to Rochester,MN

I am heading to Rochester,MN in southeastern Minnesota later this Tuesday morning for student placement testing at RCTC Rochester to prep for August. As mentioned in past posts, I will be moved to Rochester late this summer. I will be down there for 3 days this trip to begin getting the feel of my aunts house and gardens where I will be staying, and to start getting used to the area. I will be back on Thursday with pictures! There will be no blog updates for the 3 days that I'm gone. My forecast for the next 4 days can be found below.

Dry streach ahead, with eventual brief heat wave turning things hot and humid for the end of the week. Some places may appoach mid 90s.

Regional Weather View.

Summer is taking a comeback to the Upper Midwest. Although things will start of fairly mind for temperatures. It will warm up and quickly turn hot across the region by Thursday, when temps as high as 100.F are possible in Iowa, with mid 90s possible as far north as much of southern Minnesota & Western Wisconsin. These hot temperatures will come with very little to no precipitation.

Local Weather View.

Note: I will be going to Rochester,MN for a visit for the next 3 days for collage preparation tests. I've included a 4 day forecast to cover my the area while I'm gone.

The big story over the next few upcoming days will be the increasing temperatures with a warm front which will eventually boost temps to warm, then hot levels by Wednesday and Thursday. Farmers and locals will be pleased to hear that this front will come through mainly dry, and it has a good chance of being dry the next 4 days in a row. It will start of mild and sunny on Tuesday with highs in the upper 70s lows in the mid 50s, but it will quickly turn very warm on Wednesday, then very hot by Thursday. Wednesdays highs, under sunny skies will be in the lower to mid 80s, with lows in the mid 60s Humidity will be increasing by Wednesday as well. Thursday will be the hottest day and by this time humid air will be entrenched over the area. Highs, with sunny skies continuing will likely surge to the 90s, with the possibility of a few middle 90 degree temperatures. Lows on Thursday night will be very mild in the mid 70s. Friday will be partly cloudy to skies will filtered sunshine, highs hot and coming conditions will continue for Friday with upper 80 to low 90s degree highs likely. There is only a very slim chance for thunderstorms, and I believe that most areas will not even see rain. The severe weather chance is very small, but with heat and humidity that's coming like it cannot be ruled out.

Short lived Heat Wave Ahead.

We've got a short lived heat wave approaching for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It will be becoming very warm by Wednesday, then very hot by Thursday, which will continue into Friday. Highs, especially on Thursday and Friday will be at least in the upper 80s to 90, with temperatures on our hottest day Thursday having the chance to reach the middle 90s Some computer models even showed chances of reaching upper 90 degree heat, which I believe is a possibility, only if we having lowering afternoon dewpoints and fully sunny skies most of the day. Lows on Thursday Night will not proved relief from the heat because it will only fall to the mid 70s. This conditions combined with muggy dewpoints will mean that heat indices will be in the mid to upper 90s during the day, and in the or near the 80s at night. People in the area should prepare for a brief heat wave. We have not had many days like this so far this summer. Relief will come on Friday Night, with a weak cool front.

Tuesday, Sunny & Mild, light winds. Highs in the upper 70s. Tuesday Night, Clear Skies, light winds lows in the mid 50s.

Wednesday, Very Warm & Sunny, increasing humidity. highs in the lower to mid 80s. Wednesday Night, Humid, lows in the mid 60s

Thursday, Very Hot and Humid! Sunny skies and windy, winds could gust as high as 35MPH. Highs in the low to mid 90s, Heat index values in the upper 90s. Thursday Night, Very Warm, Partly cloudy with lows in the mid 70s.

Friday, Hot and Humid! Filtered Sunshine and windy, winds could gust as high as 30MPH. Highs in the low 90s. Friday Night. Cooler and less humid, Partly Cloudy, lows in the mid 60s.

Looking Ahead

Early July 4th Outlook!

The 4th of July Weekend is looking nice! It has a good chance of being dry Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Highs will be warm in the low to mid 80s. For the day of July 4th. it is looking very warm to hot and humid. Highs as warm as the upper 80s will be possible. So expect a very warm to hot Independence day weekend.

Looking further ahead it looks like increasing chances for Wednesday July 6th through the 7th, temps start out warm, then cool off briefly. Then models trend at a potentially long lived heat wave moving in for Mid July, with off and on chanced for storms. More on this later.

Much warmer and more sunny condtions moving in. Setting up to be a fairly nice weekend!

Regional Weather View.

A dry pattern is for once setting up across the Upper Midwest for the next few days which will feature much warmer sunny conditions for the entire area. There will not be much for precip happening, accept a chance of thunderstorms returning on Saturday to parts of Iowa, and Sunday to other parts of the region.

Local View.

Locally we can expect much nicer weather ahead for the next few days, which will be good for people who really need to mow lawn. Most people will most certainly notice the sun shining on Friday, and as a result, we will have much warmer conditions as well. Highs will reach the upper 70s for highs, and mid 50s for lows. Saturday also looks nice, It will dry with partly cloudy skies, winds will be light, and temperatures will reach the low 80s and lows near 60.F. Sunday will probably be the cloudiest day of them all and the day with the best chance for rain, it will be partly cloudy to partly sunny, but even with the cloud cover it will easily reach the mid 70s for highs. Lows will remain in the mid 60s. There will be an increasing chance for Thunderstorms as the evening approaches from a warm front that will be moving into the area. I think the storms will wait until nightfall.

Friday, Nice! Much warmer. Sunny skies with highs in the upper 70s. Friday Night, Clear Skies, lows in the mid 50s

Saturday, Partly Cloudy light winds, highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Saturday Night, Partly Cloudy, lows in the upper 50s

Sunday, Partly Cloudy to Partly Sunny, highs in the mid to upper 70s. Sunday Night, A chance of thunderstorms, lows in the mid 60s.

Looking Ahead

Monday looks like the chance for thunderstorms will continue as the leading edge of a much warmer and more humid airmass overtakes the area, some of these could become severe. The 28th through the 30th of the month is the start of a dry and warm period and, before a warm front passes by around the 1st of July and spreads at first thunderstorms, then much hotter conditions for as we head into July. The models have been consistent at a possibly long lasting heat wave lasting through the 4th of July,But this could change. The weather for the weekend after the 4th of July looks like increasing storms and very warm and humid.

June 20th Lake Superior Pictures & Lake Superior Seasonal Difference.

Lake Superior June 20th 2011

I had the opportunity to go on a day trip to Lake Superior on Monday with Dirk M. and took it without question because I wanted to get some good lake views in the Summer, or at least what I thought would be Summer! I went there expecting that long sleeves and pants would be enough. Even after Dirk ensured me to bring a coat for extra warmth, I ensured him what I was wearing would keep me warm enough, but I found out I was way off!

Lake Superior Fogbank

The drive approaching Lake Superior was fine and in the 70s, but as we approached the lake, literally with in 5 miles we ran into a fogbank, with drastically lowering temperatures. When we got out to the lake shore, I quickly found out I was not going to stay warm enough, Luckily Dirk did have an extra jacket to wear. The weather on the point was very cool, to almost cold, with strong east winds right off the lake, There was a fog bank when we first arrived, but it actually lifted off and moved south of us down the shoreline not long after, then the sun came out an warmed to a very chilly high of 52.F

Young ash leaves June 20th 2011

What I really noticed that amazed me as a gardener, is how the lake really influenced with the growing season in there area. Winds most of the spring have been predominately off the lake, and because of that it has been cool, and with the cool temps, the growing season has really been slowed. People around our area may easily take our on and off 1-2 cool days of highs in the 60s with pride when they learn that Duluth/Superior has had more 40s and 50s for highs then 60s, and they have only had a couple of says so far in the 70s, but nothing higher then that!Lilacs in Superior,WI June 20th

I also noticed that plants and trees that have long been done blooming around my area, had just reached full bloom in Superior, and trees are still in the process of getting there full sized leaves, it honestly really looked more like Mid Spring then Summer!

Close up of a white lilac on Wisconsin Point.

I especially noticed the seasonal difference between my area and Superior in Lilacs that were blooming around the lake, Residents in Superior are enjoying lilacs, while in my yard more then 100 miles south, Lilacs have bloomed and finished 4 weeks ago! I even saw Tulips still in bloom in some of the gardens around the city, It was truly an exciting experience to smell Lilacs in Mid June, mostly I have never seen Lilacs blooming at such a late date in June!

My yard June 22 2011

To show the huge variation in the growing season between me and Superior, I took this picture, which shows Lilacs that have long faded along the bottom of the photo, with our fully leafed out ash tree in the backyard behind the house. I would say that Superior is easily 4 weeks behind our growing season compared to ours, a sign that areas around the lake really do have there own weather!