Its May 2, I think...

So today it started snowing earlier in the morning/night, and when we woke up it was covered. At this posting time there is probably over 7" in Eau Claire. CRAZY! I don't think we need a picture, sky is overcast, its snowing lightly.

 

Temperature: 31°F

Dew point: 30°F

Humidity: 100%

Pressure: 1031.0 mb

Wind: ENE 10 mph

 

 



 So here is the surface map, there are plenty of high pressure systems to the west, a line of low pressure systems in east, forming a squall line over our area. Unfortunately due to that continental polar air mass previously discussed, we have colder temperatures creating snow in that line. The wind was coming from the north earlier, causing the bottom of the line to move east, yet it moved more slowly in our region, creating a lingering snow storm.

 Here you can see the difference in temperatures across the United States. It's crazy that in a days drive, you can be in nice warm weather!

 Here is the 500 mb map, I am not really sure what to make of that blob over North Dakota... my rendition is below. my guess is that it is associated with the high pressure system, and that by the end of the week, or possibly next week we will have more favorable weather again as this current system and its remnants move out and then high pressure systems move in.

I thought the blob looked like an octopus... so here you go. :)

May 1!

Today is considerably colder than yesterday, it was a little damp in the earlier hours, but now it is overcast clouds with a cold wind. Last night it rained heavily and there was a squal line and thunderstorms.

Temperature: 45°F
Dew point: 38°F
Humidity: 76%
Pressure: 1025.3 mb
Wind: NNW 11mph

 As you can see the cold air mass has begun to push south, changing the jetstream and covering wisconsin again in cold weather. We have a winter weather advisory today, with predictions stating snow. As you can see above, the wind shifted from yesterday coming from the SW and W to now the N and NW. Later today it is predicted to come from the N. The shift in wind direction will cool the moisture in the area and bring us cold rain and snow.

 You can see the polar air mass dipping the jetstream down from the north.

 There is a mid latitude cyclone over the south, as well as possibly developing over our area.

April 30 continued

On this radar image you can see a squall line moving in associated with that cold airmass. Also there is a lightening strikes map to show the thunderstorms in the squall line.

April 30

Today started out a little damp, but became very nice for the most part. Not too clear out but the clouds have had many breaks in them. Many cumulus humilis clouds, now we are seeing alto stratus, possibly congestus clouds, and cirrus clouds. This indicates instability and moisture in the air. I expect we can see rain tonight or tomorrow.

Temperature: 68°F
Dew point: 40°F
Humidity: 37%
Pressure: 1007.5 mb
Wind: W 7 mph

 The surface map for today indicates the start of the (last) cold snap. We have a low pressure system in our region in which we were mainly in the southern portion of, which is explains the warm weather, due to the warm air rotating counter clockwise around that low system from the south. But now as that system dies out, the jetstream will change, bringing a cold continental polar air mass south over the next few days, possibly bringing snow or just colder rain.

 The dip over Saskatchewan shows that airmass moving south.

The moisture over the mid states will follow the jetstream up into our area, dumping that moisture on us. You can also see the mid latitude cyclone forming from the current low pretty neat.

April 29

It rained this morning, however by 9am it was overcast and no longer raining. As of now the clouds are breaking up and it is rather nice outside.

 

Temperature: 67°F

Dew point: 56°F

Humidity: 69%

Pressure: 1007.2 mb

Wind: 0 mph

 There is a high pressure system near Wisconsin giving us clear weather. The pressure is dropping though, possibly from that low to the west.

 Plenty of moisture developing to the west. will likely give us more moisture tonight and through the week.

The kink we talked about yesterday moved up to the north. The jetstream seems pretty docile over our area.

April 28

My nephew is being born today! its a nice day for it that's for sure. Not as nice as yesterday, but still warm and bright.

Temperature: 67°F
Dew Point: 45°F
Humidity: 45%
Pressure: 1010.6 mb (dropping)
Wind: SW 9 mph

 Well, here is the surface map, you can see that low pressure system over minnesota making its way to us in Wisconsin, there is that kink in the jetstream you can see in the image below, we can expect a dip in temperatures, and plenty of precipitation tonight and next week as the cold airmass from the north converges with the warm southern airmass that is associated with that high pressure system near Texas.  Also, you can see that distinct comma shape in the system over indiana, a mid latitude cyclone is forming that will certainly bring rain to the east coast.

Again you can see that mass of moisture rotating around the low, forming a comma shape, cyclone. Pretty neat! Also, the moisture above Minnesota will make its way to us this week.

April 27

Yesterday was phenomenal, great weather, I went on a trip to the Ice Age Trail with Geography 304 so I forgot to post the weather. There was a light rain in the morning as predicted.

 you can see the juxtaposition of the nice sky and the storm cloud. This was caused by that dip in the jetstream we talked about last post.

This is a panorama of the rain cloud (the black on top is from the camera)

Today was another stunning day, some interesting clouds about, I am seeing some darker cumulus congestus clouds, altostratus, and cirrus clouds today.

Today's photo, as you can see, lots of different types of clouds, this is pointing to the west/south west. May be indicative of turbulent weather tomorrow night.

Temperature: 71°F (say what? I can dig it)
Dew point: 45°F
Humidity: 40%
Pressure: 1015.9mb (and dropping according to weatherbug)
Wind: W 7 mph

There are two low pressure domes to the north, the lower one is pushing warm air east, we are still feeling the effects of the high pressure system that has been prevalent yesterday. However starting tomorrow night that low pressure area will pass further east creating changing wind direction to come from the north and causing a drop in temperatures and precipitation next week.

 That circle in the middle under the dakotas is a high pressure system, it is causing a pressure ridge in our area, which explain the exceptionally nice weather we are having. Tomorrow night that will clear out and a lower pressure will result, causing rain and possibly snow.

There is a great deal of moisture to the south and west of Wisconsin. As the western moisture moves east,  it may dry up a little due to orographic lifting over the Rockies, the moisture to the south may move north.