April 3rd Kansas chase trip.

Storm near Williamstown,KS On Sunday April 3rd I left with a group of 3 friends from Minnesota to go to Kansas for a system that was looking fairly impressive in that area. I left Wisconsin at 12AM, arrived in Minnesota around 1:30 and my friends and I took off for right afterwards. We drove through the night and arrived in Kansas by 10AM, we waited out around Kansas City, stopped at a few places a visited until evening when the storms broke out in Central Kansas near Topka and moved ENE, We ended up perfecting intercepting them just south of Oksaloosa,KS When we stopped out in a field near the storm, I noticed some notable inflow winds.

Gustanado near Williamstown,KS April 3rd

We ended up catching something I have never seen in a storm before in all my years of watching storms. A very strong gustanado developed on the rear flank downdraft of the storm just to our southwest and moved east passing us just to the south of where we were, It was an amazing site to see the swirling cloud of dust move across the landscape. The NWS in Topeka said it was a strong gustanado with sustained winds of 80MPH inside of it, which did some damage in the Williamstown area, no one was hurt thankfully. We left the Field we had stopped at when hail the size of dimes and heavy rain started falling, afterwards we called it a night because it was getting dark and we got a hotel. All in all for the actual storm chase it went very well and very safely, and I was surprised at my self in the situation which I kept very calm and reasonable with the knowledge that I have as a Skywarn spotter. Video of the gustando that I shot can be found HERE

The Weather and trip home!

Green trees and grass of Kansas City,KS April 3rd

This was the first time I've ever been south of southern MN, and as I've always liked to do I enjoyed watching the landscape change as we went across the Upper Midwest! The weather when we left Minnesota was cloudy and chilly in the low 40s and raining, There was still snow on the ground when we left, but it quickly went away when we got south of the Twin Cities metro. By the time we reached Kansas it was hot, humid and very windy! Temperatures topped out in the lower 90s where we were and immediately had to take off my coat and break out the shorts and short sleeves! Winds were very strong out of the SSW and were some of the windiest I've ever felt! the lack of trees in that area seemed to enhance the winds. My friend recorded a 45MPH wind gust at a park in Gardner,KS with my hand held wind gauge, Which is the highest that gauge has ever measured.

Downtown Kansas City,MO

Kansas

When we arrived in Kansas, I could not get over how the trees in Kansas City were already blooming and leafing out, Spring was well under way in that area and people were already mowing their lawns! The garden center Walmart in Gardner,KS was already open and they had annuals and spring flowers for sale, I could not help myself I had to purchase something in the excitement of seeing flowers for sale again so I bought some daffodils! The landscape was more hilly and had more trees then I imaged near Kansas City from urban plantings but when we got away from the metro it was as flat as everyone says it is, and looked alot like the pictures commonly seen from the Kansas plains!

near Cameron,MO

Missouri

Missouri was fairly flat but it had hills as well, There are less trees then at home though and the amount of Juniper trees noticeable because they are fairly rare at home! The further north we progressed towards north we got, the more the the season began to almost to back in time, trees that were leafing out in Kansas were barely starting even 100 miles north of that area.

Downtown Des Monies,IA

Iowa

Reaching Des Monies there were barely any trees showing signs of budding, and grass was much browner in this area, but the landscape was some of the flattest on our trip especially in Northern Iowa!

Twin Cities Metro Apple Valley,MN

Minnesota I was surprised how much snow had melted between the time we left and the time we returned to the Upper Midwest, the rain and warmth had really melted it away over the last few days! When we reached the Twin Cities area, the trees and grass were completely dormant, with only the earliest flowers showing signs of growing

snow patches around my home in Clayton,WI

Wisconsin I was fairly surprised that there wasn't and significant snow patches on the ground until I reached with in 7 miles of my home! I have to say though it really went down over the past day, there is more grass then snow patches now, and we have an average of about 1 inch of snow left. It wont be long before it's completely gone!

In conclusion to this trip, it was a very fun and interesting experience for me. I saw stuff I've never seen in storms, and I got to prove to myself that I really enjoy watching storms. I also really enjoyed watching the landscape change from home to Kansas, and being in 90.F degree temperatures once again was great, I would certainty do it again had if given the chance!

Going to Kansas or Missouri

This is a notification to viewers that I will be going to Kansas or Missouri early Sunday morning for a storm chase in that area, I will be gone until late Tuesday. I am very excited because this is the first time I've ever been to these areas and it will be mild in the 70s and 80s! with Thunderstorms. I will be taking pictures and videos to share here when I get home. The forecast for our local area can be found below. For latest area coverage for our local area, visit the NWS or Dirks Forecasting Center, where updates can always be found!

Strong system ahead for late weekend into early next week. Heavy rain with flooding possible. Minor snow accumulations north.

Regional weather view.

A strong Spring-like weather system will bring a large variety of weather to the Upper Midwest. A Significant Spring snowstorm is possible for Northern Minnesota and Far northern Wisconsin. Further to the south heavy rain is possible, and with a melting snowpack river flooding may be an issue. In Iowa warm temperatures are likely with heavy rain and the potential for severe thunderstorms.

Local view.

Locally we can expect more of a rain event from this system. Sunday will be very wet, off an on Rain showers will be likely some of them could bring thunder and possibly heavy rain, especially in the afternoon. Highs will be in the mid 40s Sunday, with lows well above freezing in the middle 30s Monday will be a bit cooler and windy, as the colder side of the storm system moves in. Some flurries and snow showers will be possible, minor accumulations a trace to 1 inch will be possible, with the rain and warmth, it will have trouble lasting long. Winds could gust to near 40MPH which will make it feel chilly. The best chance at higher accumulations of 1-3" of snow will be in the far northern part of Burnett an Washburn counties. Highs will be in the upper 30s on Monday, with lows in the upper 20s. Tuesdays weather will be much better it will be dry and partly cloudy with highs in lower to middle 40, and lows in the low 30s.

Flooding Potential

Rainfall totals in this system could be up to a half inch or more, This with a melting snowpack from our last snowstorm that had very high water ratios could cause minor flooding through the area. Ditch flooding, yard flooding are the most likely threats. This system will likely melt most of the snowpack that is left in the area.

Sunday, Cloudy, off and on rain showers through the day. Some heavy rain with thunder is possible in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s Sunday Night, Drizzle or rain possible, lows in the mid 30s

Monday, Cooler and windy, Cloudy with a chance of drizzle or light snow, 1-3"possible north with a trace to an inch possible everywhere else. Winds could gust to near 40MPH Highs in the upper 30s Monday Night, Cloudy with lows in the upper 20s.

Tuesday, Nicer! Partly Cloudy with highs in the low to mid 40s. Tuesday Night, Partly Cloudy lows in the low 30s.

Looking Ahead

People who are looking foreword to warmer temperatures will love the long range forecast! Finally Spring looks to make it's self known in the area, we have a long stretch where high temps could top 50 everyday, with lows not anywhere near the 32.F mark! This pattern looks like a much warmer one, but it also looks like a very wet one. Our next chance of rain or storms will be Friday the 8th, It could even be heavy. Temperatures remain mild all the way through the week, with another chance at heavier rain potential on Sunday the 10th We get a brief cool down behind that system for Monday through Wednesday, before a significant warm up with lots of rain chances takes shape. Saturday and Sunday the 16th and 17th looks mild and wet, we could even be dealing with the threat of strong thunderstorms. But it is too early to make that judgement. Please check back for later updates.

March 1st or April 1st? Winter continues to hold the region in it's snowy grip.

Snowy view April 1st 2011

March 1st or April 1st snow could tell the difference! The area was hit by our latest Wintery system last night into this morning which left another inch of snow, reminding us of this very long deary Winter, that has yet to end! The snow was from a weak and front system that was moving through the area, fortunately when it fell the temp was above freezing the entire time so the snow was extremely slushy in nature, and most areas only picked up between a half inch and 3 quarters of an inch. By 3PM the grass patches where the new snow fell were pretty much melted off.

Today's weather was a far cry from what we had last year on this day, on April 1st 2010 we had sunshine with 80s for a highs!
Crocus flower spearing through the new snow April 1st 2011

This new snowfall brought my seasons total to a back aching 83.0 inches Which is appoaching twice what my area would typically pick up in one winter! Also worth mentioning, If this snowcover lasts on the ground past April 5th, it will be the latest continuous snowcover I've ever recorded, which means it will be the latest date I've ever recorded for a winter snowpack melt off, which has nearly happened once this season.

The good news for people who are ready for spring to get it's act together, tomorrow will be pleasant and we should reach near 50.F melting any of the new snow that may be left plus more of the snowcover from the March 22nd storm!

Turning wetter for the end of the week, Rain/Snow, little or no accumulation. then much warmer for Saturday.

Regional weather view

After enjoying a week of sunshine, A wetter pattern is about to move into the central part of the Upper Midwest. A warm front and weak weather system will bring the threat of rain and snow to Minnesota and Wisconsin along with northern Iowa. Temperatures will be at least in the 40s across the region with 50s in Iowa. It will become considerably warmer and drier on Saturday.


Local view

Locally, the dry pattern we've enjoyed will come to an end as a weather system brings the threat of rain and snow. Thursday could actually bring sunshine early, with Increasing clouds in the morning, then light rain or drizzle will develop. It will not be an all day or steady rain, just off an on type of rainfall. Highs on Thursday will be in the low 40s with the rain and drizzle. If the precip sticks around long enough into the evening hours it may turn to a few snow flurries as temps fall to near freezing. There will be little to no accumulation for snow, Lows on Thursday night will only fall off to the lower 30s. Friday will be cloudy and wet, there could still be some flurries or drizzle in the morning otherwise it will be cloudy, precip should end by 3pm, highs will be in the upper 30s, Friday night skies will begin to clear, lows will fall into the mid 20s. Saturday will be pleasant, and it will be our nicest day of the weekend! it will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 40s, places that have snow less ground in southern St Croix county could even manage 50, lows Saturday night will be not to bad in the low 30s once again.

Thursday, Sunny early with increasing clouds then Mostly cloudy with light rain or drizzle likely, highs in the low 40s. Thursday Night, light drizzle or snow flurries, little snow accumulation expected. Lows in the low 30s.

Friday, Cool, Light flurries or drizzle in the morning otherwise cloudy. Highs in the upper 30s. Friday Night, Clearing skies with lows in the mid 20s.

Saturday, Nice and dry, Partly Cloudy with highs in the mid 40s Saturday night, Partly cloudy with lows in the low 30s.

Looking ahead

The main story in the looking ahead forecast is a strong storms system that will move across the Upper Midwest on Sunday and Monday, It has a low of potential to bring everything from heavy rain to sleet and heavy snow. It is far to early to tell what our area would get but it appears right now we are very close to the borderline of rain, sleet and snow. Behind this storm system on Tuesday it drys out, but really doesn't get cold behind it at all like our last system. In fact it warms up nicely by Friday April 8th. On April 9th it shows a large rain system passing us to the south leaving us dry. Then the models are pointing at a potential pattern shift to a warmer pattern for us, it shows a warm up by April the 11th, then a significant warm up on the 14th, This run keeps us fairly dry, with rain and storm chances moving in by the 15th. These models have been changing and this has been a very odd Winter and Spring so please check back often

Warmer and dry weather finally on the way, 40s again by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Regional weather view.

It will be a quiet next 3 days in the Upper Midwest which is good news. There should be dry conditions across all areas accept maybe Iowa. The only issues that will be found are flood warnings in Minnesota and South and North Dakota. Warmer air will start to push east Monday.
Local View

Locally some much well deserved warmer conditions will be moving into our area. This will be the big story as we warm up more and more each day. A high pressure will keep away systems and keeps us dry, which is good news. Monday will still be chilly, but we should start to feel the effects of the warming trend we should have mostly sunny skies with highs reaching the middle to upper 30s and lows in the mid teens, with light Winds. Tuesday will be even warmer with partly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 30s to low 40s Tuesday night as a result of the warmer temps should only fall to the low 20s. Wednesday will be the warmest day out of the next 3, with highs in the low 40s, maybe even middle 40s if we can stay in the full sunshine long enough, it wont be a bad day to be outside at all! Wednesday night lows will fall to the mid 20s.

Monday, Chilly but warmer, Mostly sunny skies with high in the mid 30s, light winds. Monday Night partly cloudy lows in the mid teens.

Tuesday, Warmer, partly cloudy, light winds highs in the upper 30s to low 40s. Tuesday Night, Not as chilly, Partly cloudy with lows in the low 20s.

Wednesday, Partly cloudy to partly sunny, highs in the low to mid 40s. Wednesday Night, partly cloudy lows in the mid 20s

Looking Ahead

We have warmer weather to look foreword to in the long term forecast, Highs will represent more to what should be experienced this time of year and we should have at least a couple shots at 50 degrees on the weekend!Before we get that, On the leading edge of the warmest air, we could have a shot at some snow on Friday April 1st. Then the models are pointing at a potential significant system on Monday April 4th it puts a low pressures system through Minnesota, but we appear to be on the warm side, which means good rain chances, potentially heavy rain changing to snow- But this storm will have to be watched because it will be like the one last Tuesday, any slight track will mean the difference between little snow, or a lot. Snow accumulations right now look light. Behind that system cold air pours into the region, but only lasts a day or two. on April 7th we have a chance of rain or wet snow showers with warmer temperatures, then the models wants to keep cooler and wet as we approach Mid April. This will be changing be check back for updates. One thing that can be fore sure is the warm weather that is approaching for this weekend.

1st Spring flower of 2011! + southern foundation Daffodil update...Spring has still sprung dispite cold!

1st Spring flower of 2011 A Yellow Crocus

The 1st spring flower of 2011 has opened up in the bright sunshine along the southern side of the house foundation today, despite low temperatures in the single digits and low teens the past few nights. The only protection I've been providing are some old blankets laid gently over the top at night. My flowers did not come out unscathed from this cold snap. On March 22nd 23rd they were buried under 8 inches of snow without protection and a low of 8.F, I thought for sure they were done in for the year, but the sun quickly melted away the snow away from the house, and they looked well, so I began putting cover over them at night. This is not the earliest Crocus bloom I have even had on my property, last year I had Crocus blooming by March 24th, and the only reason for the early bloom this year is because I planted earlier blooming crocus. I also have white colored crocus and purple crocus which is near blooming on the same side of the house. It is just Yellow is known for being the earliest.

Daffodils March 27th

These daffodils have been progressing very nicely even with the cool sunshine we've had the past few days the south side of the house can warm up much warmer then anywhere else in my yard. To show an idea how much later they are this year. Last year this time, this same patch of daffodils was 2 days away from blooming, and this year they are only 2 inches tall and are not even close!

Another view of some daffodils down the line slightly.

I will admit it is odd having daffodils this tall with 8 inches of snow on the ground everywhere, but it is a nice reminder that Spring is still on the way! With a warm up expected in the next few days I'm sure these will be progressing even more. I say bring on spring and warmth, I am more then ready!