Strong winds develop today could gust as high as 45MPH then calmer Wednesday, before more chances at Tstorms Thursday.

Regional weather view.

Very Strong winds will develop behind a strengthen area of low pressure this afternoon winds and could gust as high as 50MPH in South Dakota, North Dakota, Western Iowa and Western Minnesota, and as high as 45MPH over Eastern Minnesota Western Wisconsin and Eastern Iowa. Temperatures will be cool off to about average for this time of year. Wednesday is looking much calmer and nicer with dry sunny skies. Thunderstorms will come back into the pictures come Thursday due to a warm front lifting back north.

Local View

Very strong winds will develop across our area on Tuesday afternoon from a strengthen low pressure system behind a cool front, Temperatures behind will cool off to about average for this time of year and it will be much less humid then Monday was. Skies will start off Cloudy Tuesday but then clear off in the afternoon. Wednesday will be nice and less windy, but there will still be strong breezes. skies will be bright and sunny through the day. Thursday will start off sunny with fair temps, then clouds and thunderstorm chances will increase as a warm front begins to approach the area, Some of these storms could be strong on Thursday afternoon and night.

Strong wind potential

The strongest winds for Tuesday will develop behind a cold front around 12PM as skies clear. Sustained winds gusts this afternoon could be as high as 25MPH with gust around 45MPH possible. Winds this strong can take down weakened trees and limbs and can blow around yard furniture and garbage cans easily. People in the area should prepare by bringing in garbage cans and should watch for fallen trees on roadways this afternoon.

Tuesday, Very Windy Cloudy skies early with clearing skies in the afternoon. Winds around 35MPH, with gusts as high as 45MPH Highs in the mid 70s. Tuesday Night, windy, winds gusting to 30MPH, Clear skies with lows in the low 50s.

Wednesday, Breezy, Sunny skies highs in the low 70s. Wednesday Night, Clear skies with increasing clouds late lows in the low 50s

Thursday, Partly Cloudy early then increasing clouds. Chances of thunderstorms in the afternoon, some could be strong. Highs in the mid 70s Thursday Night, Thunderstorms, some could be strong, lows in the low 60s.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday looks very warm with an approaching a warm front highs could possibly be warmer then they were on Monday, before a cool front passes and cools things down for Sunday, the cool front its self looks to come through dry, but there could be showers on Sunday. Monday & Tuesday June 6-7th looks sunny with fair temps, then increasing temperatures. Wednesday the 8th looks very warm and Stormy. It remains warm with multiple chances and thunderstorms through Saturday June 11th, before it cools off slightly and we get a short break the 12th. Then as we approach the 15th of June it looks increasingly cooler and drier, but not cold.

Severe storms hit Memorial Day & Warm tempeture report many places near 90 for 1st time this season.

Storm that produced quarter sized hail near Turtle Lake & Cumberland. Picture taken in Turtle Lake,WI


Multiple waves of Severe thunderstorms broke out across the local area on Memorial day, some that will leave residents cleaning up. A warm front was sitting directly over the area in the morning hours, and that was the only trigger needed to cause thunderstorms to form and become severe. The first storms developed in Burnett county where it dropped hail nearly the size of golf balls at Siren, then the moved east, northeast and caused damaging winds near Shell Lake. The second storm formed in St Croix county and moved more northeasterly, this storm dropped hail the size of quarters near Range and Cumberland.


The 3rd group of main storms that formed effected my location by this time they were becoming more elevated, but based by radar it was showing large hail potential and because of this the NWS put my location, and places north to Cumberland along the county line under a severe thunderstorm warning for a time, but nothing severe happened at my location, and there was no severe reports. This was the same for a storm that was warned in southeastern Barron county.

Storm Reports

Siren 1.50" inch hail

Clam Lake 1.50" hail

3 miles SE Shell Lake Trees down

4 miles W Turtle Lake 1.00 inch hail

5 miles NW Cumberland 1.00" inch hail

Oppressively humid conditions May 30th 2011

When Some woke up on Monday morning they were probably wondering if it was even going to get warm because it was in the 60s with clouds and gusty Northeast winds. Even as 3pm approached we were still held under thick cloud cover, but around 5pm the skies cleared as the warm front lifted north and hot oppressively humid air was blown in on strong south winds temperatures rose into the middle upper 80s across the central and southern part of the area, this was with dewpoints in the low 70s made it feel more like 90.F! My location managed to make 84.F in the last 4 hours of sunlight in the day, my highest heat index was 89.F

Warm temperature report

The highest temperature was in River Falls with a toasty high of 88.F with the coolest number being a sticky 78.F from Spooner

Slight risk severe storms Today

Image from SPC

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has issued a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms across the southern half of the Upper Midwest. This includes the entire 6 county area. Thunderstorms are expected to develop in Minnesota and southern Wisconsin along a warm front and move north late this afternoon into tonight. The main threat will be larger hail and very heavy rainfall. People should be aware that there is a chance of severe storms today, especially this afternoon into tonight.

Memorial Day Lilacs! Information on them- including differece between double and single blooming varietys.

Lilac blooms May 26th from a bush that was significantly reduced in size in 2010


The lilacs are in bloom this week, and they could not have been more perfect on their timing! They came into full bloom right on the memorial holiday weekend, which is perfect because normally they end up blooming just before the Holiday weekend. Lilacs are known for their blooms around Memorial Day!

Lilac blooms May 26th 2011

This year I'd like to provide answer to a few of the most commonly asked questions. to get lilacs like in the pictures above.

Lilacs are one of the most beloved and the most commonly planted bushes in Western Wisconsin. In May they can be seen blooming beautify along the countryside, in farm yards as well as in our community's and cities. They come in many colors and are one of the most fragrant flowers in the Upper Midwest and the smell is unforgettable to many. Some of the most common questions are light requirements. Lilacs need at least some good afternoon sunshine to provide the best and full blooms. Although I've seen lilacs blooming well on north sides of treelines and in a fair amount of shade if lilacs are surrounding completely by shade, blooms will not be as abundant.

My gardens White blooming double lilacs May 28th 2011

Another commonly asked question is trimming and pruning. Lilacs bloom on old wood and develop buds for the next springs bloom right after the current years bloom, meaning that if you just were to cut your entire bush back to the ground you would not seen flowers next Spring. It's best to take the 3 year prune out approach when pruning lilacs taking out a few of the oldest branches each year which I found great success on. It's also a good idea not to let lilacs sucker much around the base because they can become quite large and wide if allowed. The lilac at the top of the post used to be so large you could not see into the lawn behind from that area easily probably 20 feet wide.

Close-up Common old fashioned lilac-Single blooming variety.

One last piece information I wanted to share what exactly the difference in between double and single blooming lilacs. From afar, you can really see no difference, but if you get close up you can see a clear difference! The little flowers in the clusters of the single blooming variety have four petals

My great grandmas double-blooming white Lilac which inherited.

The double blooming variety has multiple little petals in each flower cluster, giving them a more ruffled appearance.

Dark purple double lilac

The multiple petals can really be seen in this dark colored lilac. Not only do they look different, but each variety and color of lilac does have it's own unique scent, My favorite and the kinda I find most powerful are the old fashioned single blooming variety, I believe nothing can beat old fashioned when it comes to Lilacs!

"Small" Risk severe storms today

Image from SPC

The SPC has issued a "Small" Risk of severe weather for this afternoon. It includes the entire local area. This risk would mean that a few storms this afternoon may could severe. Low end severe Large hail, strong wind gusts and brief tornado's are the main threats for this afternoon. Because it is memorial day weekend keep an eye to the sky and have a weather radio at hand.

Memorial Forecast- Strong to severe storms possid tonight and Monday. Turning hot, humind and breezy Monday afternoon. near 90.F some places UpdatedX1

Regional Weather view.

A warmer and stormier summer-like pattern has shifted north and will bring parts of the Upper Midwest hot and humid conditions Monday with chances of thunderstorms. Temperatures as warm as the mid 90s are possible in southern Iowa, Further north mid 80s is possible as far north as Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Severe storms will be possible with the warm front on Sunday evening-overnight across Minnesota and Wisconsin, before a more Severe storm outbreak is possible on Monday especially in North and South Dakota, as well as Western Minnesota and Northwest Iowa on Monday.

Local view.

Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day!

Sunday during the daylight hours should be mainly dry, besides a shot of an isolated shower here or there. Highs will warm to the mid 70s, Thunderstorms will develop Sunday evening and overnight with a warm front that is moving north. Some of these could be strong to severe and produce heavy rain. lows will only fall to the mid 50s. Monday will be breezy, hot and humid. There will be a small chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then a better chance in the evening, and some of those could also be strong to severe. It will feel very hot and humid to us South winds will be breezy through the day as highs heat up to their warmest levels of the season so far at most locations mid 80 degree temperatures are likely, with southern and western areas having a shot and the upper 80s, maybe even 90.F

Sunday, A chance of showers in the morning then Partly sunny skies. Highs in the mid 70s. Sunday night, Developing thunderstorms in the evening. Some could be strong to severe and produce heavy rainfall, Lows in the mid 50s

Memorial Day, Hot and Humid and breezy, A chance of early morning thunderstorms then clearing skies, then evening thunderstorms move in from MN, Some could be strong possibly severe. highs in the mid to upper 80s. Monday Night, Mild a chance of thunderstorms early otherwise cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s

Looking Ahead

After the long weekend It cools off slightly and and becomes dry for a couple days possible lasting all of next week. Then heat and humidity starts to increase again by Thursday June 1st. We could have a long stretch of days with highs in the 80s with multiple chances at our 1st 90 degree temps, before a storm system deliverers us a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday June 5th. They will have to be watched for severe potential. It remains hot and humid through 6th and 7th. Then a cool front cools things down slightly, before it becomes hot and humid with increasing chances a thunderstorms June 10th. Then a cold front cools things down for Sunday June 12th.

Calm Spring weather next 3 days, turning cool on Thursday with frost & freeze possible North. Updated x1

Regional weather view.

Thursday region wide, Frost is possible, along with a hard freeze in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Local View

Thursday it becomes sunny once again, but does cool off with a cold front from the north. Highs will cool into the low to mid 60s. This cooler and drier airmass will lead to frost and freeze
chances. The highest area of likely hood to see a freeze will be Minong, Spooner and Stone lake. Here temperatures may fall into the upper 20s. Further south, widespread frost is possible with lows in the low 30s for the rest of Burnett and Washburn counties, as well as northern Polk and Barron counties. South of there I feel at this time that the central and southern areas will only see patchy frost if any. Lows should remain in the mid to upper 30s here.

Update Freeze Information

With temperatures in the upper 20s shade trees, perennials and shrubs like hosta, peony and lilac, especially near the ground may be temporarily damaged if uncovered because most of these plants have lost their leaf protective sap. Tender flowering annuals and vegetables will not survive these conditions and should be covered.

Frost information

With temperatures in the low 30s Shade trees and shrubs should not be damaged by these conditions. But some perennials such has hosta may be damaged temporarily. Tender annuals and vegetables should be brought indoors or covered. They are significantly damaged by these conditions.

For temperatures in the mid to upper 30s, patchy frost is possible. Trees shrubs and perennials are not damaged by these conditions. And annuals and vegetables that are not in under tree cover or under eves of houses may have slight damage from these conditions, but normally they recover.

Thursday, Sunny skies, lighter winds. Highs in the mid 60s. Tuesday Night, cold, Frost and Freeze possible north, with patch frost south,. lows in the low to mid 30s south, upper 20s to low 30s north.

Looking Ahead & Early Western Wisconsin Memorial Day Forecast.

Memorial Day Weekend is next weekend and is one of Western Wisconsin's largest travel days. Because of this I will try to issued a early detailed forecast for the upcoming weekend, but things could change, this is only meant to give an idea on the upcoming weekend. Please come back on Friday to view my official weekend forecast.

The weekend ahead will start off dry with fair temperatures, before a warm front pushed through on Sunday the 29th. These storms may have to be watched for severe potential. It turns sunnier and with very warm and humid conditions a chance of Thunderstorms develop on Memorial Day.

Detailed Weekend Forecast.

Friday May 27th. Partly Cloudy, Mild temperatures

Saturday May 28th, A chance of early morning light showers, then partly cloudy. Fair temperatures.

Sunday May 29th. A chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms some could be strong. Fair temperatures

Monday May 30th, Warm & Humid, a sunny early with increasing showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some could be strong.

After Monday it drys out and stays fairly mild. The models have been trending on a potential short lived heat wave, bringing heat and humidity as well as storm chances from the 2nd of June through the 5th. The first 90 degree temperatures of the season look quite possible. Thunderstorms develop on Monday June 6th in front of a cold front, bringing pleasantly cooler air which lasts through the 8th of June before more heat starts building out west.