The Final Post

Observation time: 11:35 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 16 mph from the southwest
Temperature: 51 degrees

For my final post, I wanted to show you how you can relate temperature to the locations of various fronts. For example, the cold front that moved through our area overnight can be located by following the line of 70-80 degree temperature that starts to our east near Green Bay and ends in Texas. Now that we are on the back side of that front, things have cooled off considerably, while to the east of the front things are still quite warm. You can tell there is probably low pressure and another cold front in the northwest as well, as it is pretty chilly out there.

Today's Rant

Today we are going to be seeing cooler temperature than we have the past few days now that we are on the backside of the cold front that brought us some rain yesterday and overnight. High pressure should be moving in later on, making for some clearer conditions, although it won't be a whole lot warmer. We are seeing a fairly stiff breeze coming from a mostly southern direction which probably won't be helping our high temperature at all. As for the rest of the country, there is a long, well-defined line of showers and storms to the east of the leading edge of the cold front that we saw, and that precipitation is now falling from Lake Michigan to Louisiana. There are extremely scattered showers in the northwest and the mountains thanks to a separate cold front, while the middle of the country is mostly dry from high pressure. There is really a mixed bag of conditions today throughout the country.

Forecast for Tomorrow (My Final Forecast!)

Tomorrow, at least for the daytime hours, I expect things to clear up a bit as it looks as though we may be in a trough from a northern air mass sagging down into the area. There is going to be plenty of precipitation going on to the west because of the cold front that is currently located out there, but that should still take a little while to get to us. Temperatures may go back up some as well, as winds should remain out of the south. This will be providing even more moisture, however, that when mixed with the cold front (when it gets here) should mean a good chance of rain, but that might not happen until Sunday. Showers and storms from the cold front to our east should continue to impact the east coast and southeast, while out west, their cold front looks like it might bring snow in the Rockies and rain along the coast. Overall, it looks like another mixed bag kind of day, but in our area things should be fairly decent, at least during the day.

This will be my final blog post for this semester. I hope anyone who has actually been following it has enjoyed it. I have missed reporting days here and there for various reasons, but I always did my best to try and post something for you. I hope that you will take advantage of the links I have posted in the links page above, as they are all excellent places to get information if you would like to start forecasting for yourself instead of relying on the local "experts."

Stormy Morning

Observation time: 2:20 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Mostly cloudy
Wind: 9 mph from the east
Temperature: 62 degrees

Today's surface analysis map shows the thunderstorms we saw this morning moving towards the east. This map also gives us a good idea of what tomorrow is going to be like. The warm front to our south will continue to push north, while the cold fronts to the west will continue to move east. When the cold fronts combine with the southern moisture tomorrow, it will mean warm temperatures, but most likely some rain as well.

Today's Rant

Today started out with some thunderstorms moving through the area, but since then we have gotten back to the same kind of conditions we have had the last few days. We continue to see mild winds from the east, a mix of sun and clouds, and temperatures in the 60's. There is plenty of low pressure here in the middle of the country, and we do have a warm front to our south in Illinois. There are also a couple of cold fronts currently in the mountains and the northwest. Those aren't necessarily impacting us yet, but over the next couple of days that looks like it may change.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds tomorrow should be coming from the south as that warm front currently to our south pushes further to the north. This should bring warmer temperatures, but also means there will be a bunch of new moisture moving into our area. This moisture combined with the cold fronts coming from the west should make for some good conditions for rain, and plenty of it. So overall, tomorrow should be a nice warm day, but that may be spoiled by clouds and some rain thanks to that southern air mass pushing into the area and combining with a cold front.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Observation time: 7:10 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 13 mph from the northeast
Temperature: 63 degrees

Taking a look at today's nullschool wind map, you can clearly see that long stationary front cutting the country in half. This front is the main reason that thing have been relatively quiet throughout the country in the last few days. Neither the cold, dry air from the north, or the warm, moist air from the south have been able to take control and dictate the weather.

Today's Rant

We continued our small streak of very nice days today as temperatures continue to hang in the low 60's even after 7 pm. There are clouds to our north and south, but we are lucky enough to be in a small band of clear skies. Winds have been somewhat stronger than yesterday, but coming from a more eastern direction instead of from the north, helping it to feel closer to the actual temperature. That long stationary front I have been talking about is still hanging around and is now basically cutting the country in half from California to the Carolinas. South of that front, things are very quiet once again today, while to the north clouds are dominant. Extremely scattered shows are littering the northwest, as well as the northeast, but almost everyone else (ourselves included) are dry even if they aren't sunny. Other than that, there really isn't much to report around the country today as that long front is really keeping things in check.

Forecast for Tomorrow

With eastern winds predicted once again tomorrow, don't expect that temperature to change much if at all. It doesn't look as though there is going to be much movement with that stationary front yet, so the possibility of another clear, sunny day is becoming a reality as well. This may seem like a very short and boring forecast but, in all honestly things don't appear as they will be changing a whole lot anywhere in the U.S. in the next 24 hours. We have that massive front spreading across the whole country, and that really isn't allowing low or high pressure to gain control of anything. South of that line, things should be almost completely clear once again, and to the north where we are, expect much of the same. The exception will most likely be the northwest again, but what else is new?

Beautiful Sunday

Observation time: 4:05 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 9 mph from the north
Temperature: 57 degrees

Today's surface analysis shows the long stationary front I have been talking about recently. That is making for relatively calm conditions in most places, although it has become a cold front in the northeast, bringing some rain. Don't be surprised if this map looks quite similar again tomorrow, with the exception of the northwest where low pressure should result in more rain showers.

Today's Rant

Although we are very close in temperature to yesterday, today feels much nice. We have been seeing just a light breeze from the north making our upper 50's feel like upper 50's instead of upper 40's. Skies have been almost completely clear all day long thanks to high pressure that has moved into the area from the north. That continental polar air mass that we hate in the winter because it makes it so cold is actually benefiting us at the moment. We still have that very long stationary front extending from the tip of Illinois all the way out to Seattle, so there isn't really a whole lot going on anywhere other than the northeast where a cold front in in control. South of this massive front, everything is extremely clear and dry. Not even a cloud on the surface maps. All around, this is a very nice day for the majority of the country.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow's wind forecast calls for breezes from the East, and that shouldn't really impact temperatures in a significant way. 60 degrees would be my ballpark estimate for a high. That big stationary front looks as though it will still mostly stationary, at least for the time being, so things should once again stay pretty clear for not just us, but for many Americans tomorrow. Low pressure in the northwest looks like it could bring some scattered showers, but then again, when isn't that the case? Overall, we should expect to see another day much like today, and that is just fine with me.

Finally, A Break from the Rain

Observation time: 3:40 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Mostly sunny
Wind: 14 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 58 degrees

Comparing today's nullschool surface wind map to earlier in the week, things are much calmer now with the absence of that mid-latitude cyclone. You can see we are still experiencing some moderate winds from the northwest however, so that is keeping our temperature from really reaching their full potential today.

Today's Rant

Today we have finally gotten a break from the cold and rainy conditions that plagued the area most of this week. Gone are the clouds and rain and back is the sunshine and warmer temperatures as that mid-latitude cyclone has all but broken up, leaving us in a bit of a trough with not much action to speak of. We continue to see some moderate winds from the north again however, so it could be a little bit warmer if not for that fact. A big thanks goes out to the long stationary front associated with our trough, which is extending from Kansas all the way to the northwest and into Canada, and keeping things relatively quiet. Elsewhere, the cold front from that cyclone has moved off of the east coast and into the ocean, so the strong storms in the southeast have concluded with the exception of southern Florida. There is high pressure is the southwest, making for clear and dry conditions in the desert region, and there is a bit of low pressure once again building in the northwest.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow is looking like it could be yet another fairly nice day. With little change in the winds, expect temperatures to stay pretty consistent with what we are seeing today. That very long stationary front looks as though it is going to stay put for now which should mean we will see some clearer skies again as well. But with lots of low pressure building in the northwest, we may not be out of the woods in terms of this rainy pattern we have been seeing. Look for that moisture to possibly make its way to us early or mid-next week.

Dry but Still Dreary

Observation time: 3:55 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 9 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 43 degrees

It doesn't look as pretty today, but that mid-latitude cyclone continues to bring lots of rain to our area, the east coast, and storms in the southeast. Although it may not look as well-defined as yesterday, this system is still plenty in control of things right now, as that promising high pressure continues to be held out over the mountains.

Today's Rant

Today has been a little bit nicer, for the most part. Or at least it has been mostly dry. Things are still looking pretty dreary outside with completely overcast skies and a slight wind continuing to come from the north. We have warmed up ever so slightly with the lessened winds and lack of rainfall. The low pressure center of this mid-latitude cyclone is currently sitting right on top of us, which means most of the rain is currently falling well off to the east, and also to our west on the back side. There continues to be thunderstorms up and down the east coast associated with this system, although the bulk of their precipitation is getting ready to move off shore. The entire western half of the country is now controlled by high pressure, which is good news for those of us that are getting sick of this current pattern.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Just because today has been drier does not necessarily mean tomorrow will be the same. Showers are most likely going to continue to linger throughout the Great Lakes region as the low pressure center looks to move to the north and east, up towards the northeastern U.S. and Canada. High pressure from the west is trying to make its way to our area, but it keeps getting held out over the Rockies by this large cyclone system. Based on where the center of this system is supposed to be tomorrow, I basically would forecast no change in terms of temperature. Winds should be coming from about the same direction, and the likelihood of some showers remains high.

Not Much Change

Observation time: 1:00 pm

Precipitation: Light rain
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 15 mph from the northeast
Temperature: 39 degrees

Today's wind map from nullschool is pretty interesting. You can see the mid-latitude cyclone that is bringing us rain, but you can also see the line where the cold front is located in the south that is bringing the stronger storms. Way out in the northwest you can see where the high pressure is as things are much calmer. 

Today's Rant

Today's report is one that is in many ways almost exactly the same as yesterday's. Rain continued overnight and throughout this morning, and is still coming down. We have a moderate sustained wind coming from the northeast as we see the swirling winds from the mid-latitude cyclone. Temperatures have also been right about where they were yesterday, although personally it actually feels warmer today, most likely from the calmer winds. Moderate to heavy rain continues throughout much of the Great Lakes region today as well, and there is even some snow falling to the west of the dry line out in the Dakotas. Continue further to the west however, and that is where we see the potential for some nicer weather. Still a couple of days away, high pressure continues to move slowly towards us. The southeast should probably be on the lookout for some severe weather once again today as the cold front associated with this cyclone is still fairly well defined.

Forecast for Tomorrow

This system will continue to move to the east, but the pace will not quicken. What does that mean? It means we are going to be in for yet another day like today. The mid-latitude cyclone will continue to swirl rain and snow throughout the Great Lakes and upper midwest, and bring strong storms to the southeast. The high pressure we are waiting for from the west doesn't look like it will make much progress either, so we may be stuck with our current conditions for at least another couple of days, not just tomorrow. We should continue to see winds dominating from the north as well, so my guess is that I will have yet another very similar report for you tomorrow.

Pretty Fitting for a Monday

Observation time: 4:45 pm

Precipitation: Light rain
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 24 mph from the east
Temperature: 44 degrees

Today we are sitting at the "head" of a still-developing mid-latitude cyclone. As this system defines itself more, winds will be circulating around the low pressure zone. The upper midwest and northeast should see plenty of rain, while areas in the path of the cold front to the south are in for the potential of severe weather.

Today's Rant

If you needed another reminder that today was a Monday, the weather has certainly given it to you. Things have been dreary, windy, cold, and rainy since yesterday really, and this trend doesn't seem to have an end in sight. We are currently to the north of the tip of a cold front that is bringing some nasty storms in the south, and we are east of a dry line. To put it another way, we are located in what is going to be the "head" area of a developing mid-latitude cyclone. This has been a slow-moving system that has been bringing these conditions to many people north of the front for a couple of days now, and it seems to be in no hurry to move on to the east. The only relief in sight right now is some high pressure hanging out to our west in Washington. Usually what happens out there will make it to our area in a few days thanks to the regular jet stream pattern. But as for now, we are stuck dealing with these very strong winds and cloudy skies.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Unfortunately, tomorrow is not looking much better. As I stated above, this system is going nowhere fast, and will almost certainly continue to bring us rain for the near future. As this system develops into a better defined cyclone, strong storms can be expected in the southeast once again, while it should just be rain, and lots of it, in the northeast and in the upper midwest. Thanks to the rotation of the cyclone, our winds should be coming from the north tomorrow, meaning the temperature may drop a little bit more than it already has today. Those winds are going to be strong again as well, so expect it to feel much colder. Rain is basically a certainty at this point, as really none of the region is going to be dry with the way this thing is shaping up. We really are finally seeing some signs of spring now, as April was drier than usual up until this past weekend, and now all of a sudden we are getting slammed.

Ending the Week on a High Note

Observation time: 5:20 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 15 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 58 degrees

With today's surface analysis we can see the cold front that brought us rain yesterday has moved towards the east, and now a stationary front is just to our north. This new front will be pushing through in the next 24 hours, and because it hasn't established itself as a cold front yet, we shouldn't be seeing rain.

Today's Rant

Today has turned out to be a fairly nice end to the week, and a nice change from yesterday's relentless rain showers. We have been seeing a fairly stiff, cool breeze from the north but with an overall high today of about 60 degrees it is hard to complain. We started off almost completely sunny this morning, but recently things have clouded over once again. We find ourselves currently sitting just to the south of a stationary front that is holding precipitation to the north, mainly snow in Canada north of Lake Superior. The cold front we dealt with yesterday is making its way towards the east coast, bringing that rain to the Great Lakes, as well as the Carolinas and Virginias. Off to our west, lots of low pressure and moisture are conspiring once again, so enjoy the nice day today as things may not be nearly as nice in the coming days.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds will continue from the north tomorrow as the front to our north moves south. Since it is only a stationary front right now, and not a full on cold front, we should avoid rain and temperatures should be pretty consistent with today. I expect things to be pretty clear and quiet, at least early on after the front moves through, but later on in the day there might be some clouds because it looks as though another cold front will be moving in. That system could bring some rain, but probably not until at least Sunday.

Cooler, but Still Very Nice

Observation time: 5:10 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: clear
Wind: 16 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 55 degrees

High pressure is gracing us with nice clear skies and plenty of sun today. The latest cold front is on its way to the east coast, but yet another one is building to our west. Expect this new system to make its way to the upper midwest later on tomorrow afternoon, evening, and maybe even into Thursday as well. Long story short? Enjoy the weather today, Eau Claire.

Today's Rant

Today has been much cooler than yesterday, but I certainly haven't really noticed. The sun has been shining, and winds have been somewhat calmer.  Surface winds have been coming from the north, keeping things kind of cool, and the jet stream matches that pattern as well today. High pressure is gracing us with clear skies and abundant sunshine, finally making it seem like winter might finally be over! The cold fronts that were hanging around yesterday have joined into one and that is moving out to the east coast, bringing rain to almost everyone east of the Appalachians. Things are a little bit messier to our west, however, as there is a lot of low pressure and another cold front building up in the Rockies.

Forecast for Tomorrow

The low pressure and cold front to our west will be heading our way in the next 24 hours or so. It should bring some rain to our area, especially in the afternoon. This system looks like it may even stay in the area into Thursday as well. Winds tomorrow look as though they may flip around and come from the south, so combined with the cold front I expect similar temperatures today as those conditions should sort of balance each other out. Overall, I expect a decent morning tomorrow, but the afternoon and evening have the potential to be fairly rainy. Temperatures should remain in the 50's.

Starting the Week Out Right

Observation time: 2:25 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 15 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 73 degrees

Today we have two cold fronts locally, and lots of high pressure throughout the country. As the main front moves off to the east, more high pressure will be coming in behind it which will make for another nice day tomorrow. Watch out later in the week though, as moisture from the northwest could be headed our way.

Today's Rant

We are seeing some of our warmest weather in a long time this afternoon. Things have been pretty calm today, although winds have been fairly strong most of the day. High pressure is in control of much of the country right now, and although we have a couple of cold fronts in the area, we have remained dry. Our surface winds have been coming from the north/northwest, but the jet is coming more from the southwest as we are kind of sitting at the bottom of a small trough. The warmer air coming from the south has greatly helped our temperature over the last few days, and that is certainly evident today.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Continued winds from the north will mean that today might be the warmest weather we see for a while, although things aren't going to be too bad tomorrow either. High pressure will be sticking around as the cold front moves off to our east, bringing rain to many places in the Appalachians and eventually the east coast. Lots of low pressure will be building in the northwest which could mean we might see some precipitation and storms later in the week, but tomorrow should be clear with a slightly lower temperature than today.

A Very Blustery Saturday

Observation time: 9:15 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Mostly sunny
Wind: 19 mph from the southeast
Temperature: 42 degrees

Today's surface analysis reveals a bunch of low pressure and a big cold front setting up to our west. That system looks like it is going to bring a little bit of rain to the area over the next 24 hours, but should be passing through by tomorrow morning, setting us up for a very nice Sunday afternoon.

Today's Rant

Today we are waking up to some very windy conditions as a strong southern wind is bringing us warmer temperatures and moisture. We are currently sitting just to the east of a building cold front however, which promises to bring at least some sort of precipitation in the next 12-24 hours. There is currently rain to our west and snow to the north, but the track of this front should bring us just the rain. In fact, the current jet stream pattern is coming at us from a southwestern/western direction which means that the colder air associated with the current snow north of Lake Superior should be staying up there. Taking a quick look elsewhere in the country, a cold front is bringing rain and some off-shore thunderstorms to the southeast, another cold front is bringing a minor amount of mixed precipitation to the northeast, and there is a bunch of low pressure building up over the Rockies from Colorado straight out to the west coast.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds continuing from the south will bring even warmer temperatures than today. Gust speeds should be going down as well, so the wind chill factor should not be in play like it is right now. The cold front that is currently to our west should be moving through in the morning, and we should see things clearing up after that as high pressure moves in, at least for a short while. Given the conditions today, and considering a continued south wind, I expect temperatures at least in the 60's if not higher, and mostly clear conditions once that front gets through the area. That should make for a pretty pleasant Easter Sunday afternoon.

Gloomy Spring Day

Observation time: 3:45 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 6 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 39 degrees

The current surface wind map from Nullschool is pretty cool today. You can see the center of rotation located near the shore of Lake Superior. That is the location of the low pressure in our area, and if you follow its "tail" to the south and southwest, that is where a cold front is sitting. The high winds over the Rockies are associated with a warm front, and the strong pattern in the southeast and up the east coast is associated with a stationary front.

Today's Rant

Today has been just another very gloomy spring day. It hasn't rained as of yet, but low pressure in the area has it feeling pretty damp outside. What little wind there is has been coming from the north, so it certainly has seemed slightly colder than almost 40 degrees. There is high pressure in sight to our west, and the associated cold front is basically cutting the country in half diagonally at the moment. Lots of low pressure is building in the northwest bringing quite a bit of rain to Washington and Oregon. That system may impact our area in a couple of days if it can become a little more organized.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds from the south should help bring temperatures up once again tomorrow. With current fronts and areas of pressure where they currently are, we should actually be set up for a pretty decent day. We probably won't see much of the sun again, but right now it looks like we should stay dry. Overall, I am hoping for a high near 50 degrees, very little to no precipitation, and a nice light breeze from a southerly direction.

Finally Catching a Break

Observation time: 4:10 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 21 mph from the southeast
Temperature: 48 degrees

This afternoon's surface map shows the small warm front that has warmed us up today, but brought measurable snow just to the north. That east coast cold front has moved off shore and things are finally dry there. Things to the west of the Mississippi River, however, are shaping up to bring plenty of precipitation to many areas in the next couple of days.

Today's Rant

Eau Claire has finally gotten a break and missed a snow storm! Today we ended up on the warm side of a front that has been dropping snow just to our north which has actually resulted in some school closures. We are seeing a strong southern wind today which has gotten our temperature up a bit from the last couple of days, but it has also supplied the moisture for the nasty conditions to the north. Looking at the surface map you can see that we are sitting right on the edge of the warm front currently, but just enough to the south of the precipitation line that nothing has happened here. Looking at the rest of the country, the cold front out east has finally moved off shore and things a quiet in the northeast and southeast. Cold fronts are dominating the west, and the southwest is dry while the northeast is seeing some rain along the coast.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow is looking like it could be rather messy in several parts of the country, but here at home a small area of high pressure promises to keep us clear and dry. Winds will be shifting to the northwest with a center of rotation near the U.P. of Michigan, but with the sun hopefully coming out temperature should not be affected too much. I expect highs in the 40's with some measurable wind gusts, mostly clear skies and no precipitation.

Sitting in the Trough

Observation time: 2:20 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Mostly sunny
Wind: 5 mph from the west
Temperature: 33 degrees

Looking at the current wind map from Nullschool you can see the trough in the jet stream over the Great Lakes is making its way out of our area, and conditions will be turning rather unstable as it does so. Low pressure to the west, along with southern moisture blowing in tomorrow looks to bring a mix of rain and snow.

Today's Rant

Today has turned out to be very much like yesterday in terms of temperature and not much action to speak of. We are seeing much clearer skies however as we find ourselves in the middle of a big trough in the jet stream. While we might be seeing high pressure and nice conditions, the same can't be said for other places. Off to our east, a cold front is bringing rain and snow all along the east coast, while off to the west things are relatively quiet right now, although there are several areas of low pressure that could make things a little more interesting in our area in the next couple of days.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Prevailing winds should be coming from the south tomorrow with a center of rotation sitting over Minnesota. This should mean that temperatures will be a little bit warmer, but the southern air will also be providing moisture for the back side of the trough we are currently in. The low pressure building to our west will be moving in as the trough slides towards the east coast, and things could get pretty messy. This system should be bringing rain as well as snow depending on where exactly the freezing line ends up, but right now it looks as though we might luck out and only see the rain.

Another Cold Front

Observation time: 1:15 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Mostly cloudy
Wind: 12 mph from the north
Temperature: 33 degrees

Today we can see the cold front that brought us some snow last night as it moves off towards the east coast, bringing rain to almost everyone as it does. High pressure is building off to the west, and things may be looking a little bit better in the coming days.

Today's Rant

Today we are seeing the impact of yet another cold front that moved through late yesterday night. Temperatures have dropped down once again and there is a small coating of snow on the non-paved surfaces in the area. We have a moderate breeze coming from the north at the moment which is supplying the chilly air that has dropped us down around the freezing mark. Skies are almost completely cloudy, but not quite, and hopefully the sun can win that battle going forward. Looking at the rest of the country, basically everyone east of the Mississippi River are now dealing with the rain from that same front as it moves off towards the coast. There is a small band of snow in the middle of the country, as well as some flurries in the Dakotas. Out west, high pressure is in control and things are pretty quiet.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds are going to be mixed tomorrow with a point of circulation out in North Dakota. We could see a mix of northwest and southern winds which should mean temperatures will rise to some extent. The gust forecast is minimal so wind chill should not be a big factor. Things should be pretty clear as high pressure moves in for the daytime hours, but that may be short-lived as another low looks like it may push in right behind the high tomorrow night. We may be dealing with yet another cold front from that situation, and we may see some snow or rain depending on where exactly the freezing line falls. Overall, it should be a nice day, maybe in the 40's for temperature, but tomorrow evening may not be so nice.

Deja Vu

Observation time: 12:40 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Partly sunny
Wind: 10 mph from the northeast
Temperature: 50 degrees

This cool wind map from nullschool shows the strong upper-level jet coming from our northwest today. This jet will be bringing yet another cold front down from Canada tomorrow, which means another shot at some rain.

Today's Rant

Today has started off much like yesterday as early morning rain is now giving way to some sun. Although the prevailing jet is blowing from the northwest, we are seeing surface winds from the northeast at the moment. Temperatures are on the rise as the sky clears and things are shaping up for a pretty decent day. As for the rest of the country, the main action is in Pennsylvania at the moment, as the cold front that hit us yesterday morning is bringing rain to most of the state. That system will be impacting much of the east coast the rest of the day as well.

Forecast for Tomorrow

The cold front to our north will continue to sag south thanks to the current jet stream pattern, and that means we will once again be dealing with the chance of rain. Prevailing winds are expected to be coming from the south however, so our temperature really shouldn't change too much from today. Actually, with any luck it should be slightly warmer once that front passes. Overall, it is looking like another decent day, much like we have been seeing most of this week.

Cold Front be Darned, It's Still a Nice Day

Observation time: 2:10 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 23 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 60 degrees

Surface analysis today shows the cold front that brought us rain this morning has moved to the southeast, while a nice trough is building in the center of the country. Rain from that system should occur well to our south and east, however another system is looking to sag south from Canada and may bring some light rain to our area as well.

Today's Rant

Today started out with some very light rain in the area thanks to a cold front that has since moved on to the southeast. On the back side of the front where we are, it has been very windy all day long, but that hasn't really hurt our temperature too much, as the skies have cleared and given way to some awesome sunshine. Looking at the rest of the country, things a pretty dry almost everywhere, although there is a fairly well-defined trough building in the center of the country. Expect that to create some rain that will impact the east coast, as well as some of the middle states like Tennessee and Kentucky.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds are supposed to be out of the south and southwest tomorrow, but there is low pressure to our north that looks as though it might sag south in a trough of its own. That gives us a chance at a little bit of rain, but it shouldn't be anything major. As the cold front to the north pushes the moisture through, winds look to shift at us more from the north later on and into the evening, which will bring the temperature down somewhat. I expect highs in the 60's again tomorrow during the day, but once that cold front moves through we might be talking about 40's.

Another Nice Day in the Valley

Observation time: 1:10 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Mostly cloudy
Wind: 14 mph from the south
Temperature: 58 degrees

Today's Rant

It is turning out to be another beautiful day in the Chippewa Valley today. We have mostly cloudy skies, but that is no match for the strong wind coming from the south that is warming us up. The sun is peeking through a little bit as well, and that is a welcome sight. There is a little bit of action to our north right now, but it is in the form of light rain and a small amount of mixed precipitation near the Minnesota/Canadian border. Other than that, most action today is being held off in the northwest by a high pressure front while the rest of the country is pretty dry.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow is shaping up to be very similar to today. A similar south/southwest wind should keep temperatures right where they are, and we should stay dry as well, although some moisture will be moving into the area. That action should stay to our south and east based on current predictions, but a little movement one way or another by current fronts and we could see some light rain. Overall, it should be another great spring day.

The surface forecast for tomorrow shows a low pressure system in our area, but the high pressure front should keep the rain away, just to our south and east. That high pressure should then take over later in the day, leading to clearer skies.

Finally Feeling Like Spring Again

Observation time: 10:45 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Partly cloudy
Wind: 9 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 44 degrees

Surface analysis from Intellicast reveals the high pressure front that is sagging into our area from Canada, bringing with it some fairly nice weather today. High pressure is also in control of much of the country, except for the east coast.

Today's Rant

Long gone (mostly) is the snow that piled up last Thursday/Friday and better spring-like weather has returned. Right now we have mostly sunny skies, temperatures in the mid-40's, and a slight wind from the north. An area of high pressure has been pushing its way down in our direction from Canada in the past 24 hours, resulting in the relatively nice weather today. All of the real weather action today is along the east coast, as rain and snow stretch all the way from Florida to Maine, and there isn't much to speak of anywhere else at the moment.

Forecast for Tomorrow

A southwest wind should make for some great weather for tomorrow. Since we are already in the mid-40's today, I would expect a warmer wind to push us easily into the 50's, if not the 60's tomorrow. The way the fronts should be lining up tomorrow, we really shouldn't see any precipitation either, although off to our west there will be some rain. We will just have to wait and see where everything ends up.

Let it Snow...in April?

Observation time: 12:30 pm

Precipitation: Heavy snow
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 13 mph from the northwest
Temperature: 31 degrees

With today's surface map, you can see the low pressure system centered to our southeast, and the snow that is almost stalled out over our area. To our southwest, relief is in sight as high pressure should be on the way for tomorrow.

Today's Rant

Yes, it's true. Heavy, wet snow has been falling most of the day here in Eau Claire. Our borderline temperature has been riding the freezing point for the past 24 hours really, and overnight it got just cold enough to switch us from rain to snow. Strong winds from the north are becoming a factor as well. While I was out driving this morning, at times it was difficult to even see stoplights. We have a low pressure system centered off to our southeast, and everything just seems like it is standing still over Wisconsin. Several inches are already on the ground, and it continues to pile up. But with warmer weather on the way, this accumulation will be just a minor inconvenience.

Forecast for Tomorrow

If you don't like the weather today, then tomorrow is for you. Prevailing winds will be coming from the south, bringing our temperature back up. The low pressure impacting us today will be on its way out to the northeast, and high pressure will be moving in from the south. We should see some amount of sun tomorrow, although the clouds won't be completely gone, and temperatures should return to the 40's with any luck.

Rain Rain, Go Away...But Don't Bring Snow Instead

Observation time: 7:15 pm

Precipitation: Icy mix
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 13 mph from the northeast
Temperature: 32 degrees

This surface analysis map from intellicast.com highlights the action today. You can see the rain/ice/snow that is impacting our area currently, and you can see a trough building over north Texas and Oklahoma. Note the 5 or 6 low pressure markers all sort of clustered together. If these combine, there could be a large round 2 associated with this storm.

Today's Rant

Today started off with a light mist/drizzle that never completely went away. Right now we are seeing a little bit of everything as we hover at the freezing mark, however it is looking like the precipitation should be switching to mostly snow in the near future. Overall, this "major" storm is tracking a little bit further north than originally expected, as have most of the big storm so far this year. We are still going to see some snow, but long gone are the predictions of up to 12". It is going to be nasty for some folks, but not as bad as feared here in Eau Claire. We are being hit by a southwest jet at the moment, so our moisture is coming mainly from the tropical air mass off the west coast of Mexico. We are seeing a trough developing over north Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, which could mean that we might really see two rounds from this system.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds will continue from a mostly north direction tomorrow, but this time that doesn't mean we are going to be dry. With all of the moisture involved with this system, there is still a chance for some decent amount of snowfall. Currently, the National Weather Service is saying 4-6", but that could still change one way or the other depending on where exactly the bulk of the storm decides to go. Typically this season, things have gone more to our north. Temperatures won't be changing much, so that is the other variable to watch. If we stay a little warmer and above freezing, the amount of accumulated snow will be much less than if we fall below 32 degrees for very long. So what is the actual forecast? Well, that's just it. It is hard to say...

False Sense of Security

Observation time: 11 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Mostly sunny
Wind: 9 mph from the northeast
Temperature: 31 degrees

A webcam from my neighborhood taken from wunderground.com shows the very nice weather we have today. Unfortunately, today is a bit of a tease, as things will likely not be as nice over the next 48 hours or so.

Today's Rant

Today has started out very nice and promises to get even nicer as we move into the afternoon. We are seeing a light breeze coming from the northeast and that looks to continue, as does our mostly clear sky. Temperatures should be rising into the 40's as I predicted yesterday, and with little moisture in the area (for now) we should stay nice and dry. That looks like it is going to change however, mainly tomorrow evening and into Friday...

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow we are going to find ourselves in an area where warm, moist are from the south will be meeting cold air from the north. Our temperature should stay somewhat decent, and I don't expect it to fall below the freezing mark, but it does look like it will be cold enough for one more big snowfall this season. With the temperature staying somewhat stagnant, expect things to start later on tomorrow as rain. Winds will be picking up quite a bit however, and as that temperature drops, we are going to be dealing with an icy mix, and then most likely a bunch of snow, especially on Friday. However, there is no major reason to fret, as this looks like it will be just a couple of nasty days followed by another warm-up which should melt any accumulated snow pretty quickly over the weekend.

Gloomy Tuesday

Observation time: 10:50 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 19 mph from the west
Temperature: 23 degrees

We are in a trough of high winds today, as northwest winds swirl to the northeast, and culminate in an area of low pressure near Lake Superior.

Today's Rant

We are starting out a little bit chilly and plenty gloomy today as a strong west wind has our wind chill down below 10 degrees. In fact, we are sitting in one of the windiest areas of the country right now. We are sitting in a bit of a trough with winds coming down from the northwest and swirling up to the northeast and Lake Superior, where an area of low pressure currently sits. Things are looking up for the afternoon however, with highs forecasted in the upper 30's. Other than that, there isn't a whole lot of exciting things to report today, other than a slight chance of snow. Even if that does happen, it won't be sticking around with nicer weather on the way.

Forecast for Tomorrow

An area of low pressure will continue to sit off to our northeast tomorrow, bringing winds from an easterly direction. Wind speeds should be lower, however, so we should see a return to some slightly warmer temperatures. With any luck, I would say we should be in the 40's. Any precipitation should likely end up being to our south, so we should escape adding any more moisture to our already saturated ground. At least for now.

What A Lovely Winter We Are Having This Spring

Observation time: 5:20 pm

Precipitation: Icy mix
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 7 mph from the northeast
Temperature: 33 degrees

A rather unusual sight for us today, as we sit under some low pressure. This has been a somewhat rare occurrence since winter began, really. You can see that we are right on the line where the cold air from the north and the moist are from the south are coming together. That is why we have seen a little bit of everything today.

Today's Rant

Today started out alright, but by mid-morning we began to see a light mist in the air here in Eau Claire. The moisture never really stopped falling, turning to a light rain in the early afternoon, and most recently, ice and snow as I write this report. We have a very borderline temperature, and have most of the day as well, which is contributing to the mixture of precipitation. We also have low pressure right on top of us today, a sight that has been somewhat rare since winter started. Although it is snowing at the moment, it isn't really sticking to the ground, and shouldn't amount to anything in terms of accumulation. So no worries there. What I did see while I was out a while ago was the beginning of some flooding, mainly in low-lying, paved areas. We had such a deep freeze this winter that it isn't really much of a surprise that any more moisture we see now really has nowhere to go.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds will continue from the north tomorrow, which should keep us dry. Wind chill should not be much of a factor however, so temperature should remain somewhat steady with what we saw today, and yesterday for that matter. I don't expect to see temperatures below freezing, and if we get lucky we may push around 40 degrees. Overall, I expect a much calmer day, with not a whole lot of action to report.

Rain on the Way

Observation time: 3:50 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 18 mph from the southeast
Temperature: 32 degrees

There is a lot more action on the vapor satellite today. We can see moisture starting to build along the gulf coast, and with our winds forecast to continue from that direction, it is pretty likely that we are going to see some sort of precipitation tomorrow.

Today's Rant

Today we have winds coming from the south as projected yesterday. I was pretty close when I predicted today's temperature would be in the upper 30's, although I am unsure of what our actual high was today. We have seen cloudy skies all day long which have really helped trap some heat as well, keeping the temperature fairly steady overall. Things are pretty quiet overall in terms of much else to report, although if this moist air continues to blow in from the southeast we could see some mixed precipitation at some point.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Speaking of precipitation, tomorrow could be the day we see some. Wind forecasts are calling for these south winds to continue and that will bring in moisture. Temperatures should be fairly comparable today, in fact with any luck they should be a bit warmer even. I would guess maybe upper 30's again, with a chance at 40. Things could be anywhere from really messy to just plain rainy depending on where exactly we see the freezing line tomorrow, but it looks like that should be to our north and the snow/mix should stay up there.

Back to Reality

Observation time: 5:30 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 17 mph from the west
Temperature: 19 degrees

The snow line has receded greatly in the past 10-12 days, as seen by this map. When I left for Florida, there was snow cover as far south as the middle of Illinois!

Today's Rant

It was a rather harsh return to reality for me today as I made my return to the cold, northern weather. My all too short trip to Florida came to an end and I was immediately greeted with (you guessed it) near zero-degree conditions with the wind chill today. High pressure is in control of our area, as well as most of the continental U.S., with the exception being over the Rocky Mountains, where a stationary front is in place but there isn't really any weather to note at this time. Our temperature is right on par with about half of the country today as well, although we are sitting in the coldest area along with Minnesota and Michigan at the moment. Taking a quick look at today's water vapor images it is easy to see why were are so cold. We are also extremely dry, as the bulk of the country's moisture is sitting in the northwest, and just off of the northeast coast. The only redeeming factor may be that our overall snow cover is quickly declining, and could be gone with a few more milder days.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Speaking of milder days, tomorrow should be one of them. With winds predicted from the south, our current cloud cover should stick around and help us warm up. It may be gusty at times, but it will be a warmer, more-moist wind. The overall temperature should be quite a bit warmer than today. I'm guessing upper 30's since it was in the mid 20's today, but that strong wind might make it feel a little bit colder. The longer we go with a sustained south wind however, the greater the chance that we could see some precipitation. However this time, it should be a spring rain, and not snow falling in Eau Claire.

Spring Break: Day 4

Observation time: 11:35 am
Location: Nokomis, FL

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 15 mph from the north
Temperature: 68 degrees

There is a cold front in the area today (in Florida) that is giving us some cooler temperatures and nice clear skies. Back home, they continue to battle the snow and cold with low pressure to the north, and a stationary front to the south.

Today's Rant

I am faring much better today with dry winds coming from the north. We spent yesterday up in Tampa and it rained, at times very hard, almost all day long as the winds coming from the ocean finally supplied enough moisture for monsoon-like conditions. Today is a completely different story, with winds prevailing rather strongly from the north, providing us dry and cooler conditions. There is an area of low pressure to our north up in Georgia, but high pressure is in control for us today. I will be spending the rest of the day a little further to the south in Fort Myers, and things are looking good down there as well. Another hour south means temperatures will be a little bit warmer, but conditions are going to be pretty much the same,

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow is forecasted to have very little wind at all, but what there is will be moving west to east across the state from the ocean to the gulf. We won't be getting much moisture from our south, so things should be sort of like today: a mix of sun and clouds, and nice warm temperatures.

Spring Break Begins

Observation time: 9:10 pm (eastern time)
Location: Nokomis, FL

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: Calm
Temperature: 66 degrees

As is custom, today I have included a temperature image to brag to those of you back home. As you can see, even though it is now dark here, it is STILL 40 degrees warmer than it is in Wisconsin! A big thanks goes out to the oceans for helping to regulate the temperatures down here year-round.

Today's Rant

Today was the nicest day I have seen since summer, although it certainly didn't occur in Eau Claire. I am reporting from sunny Nokomis, Florida, tonight. I am located about an hour south of Tampa for reference. It was a beautiful sunny day here in southwest Florida, with high pressure in control (at least near me) and highs in the upper 70's. There really isn't too much to report on, as we saw no precipitation and very few clouds as well. My most interesting observation of the day came when I was on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico. It was completely clear (and I mean REALLY clear) out where we were in the water, but there were clouds that seemed to start right at the shoreline, and extended along the coast. I am not exactly sure what to make of it as I write this, but I will likely look into it and see if this is a common occurrence that people have written about elsewhere. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but it seemed so precise that I felt it was worth noting.

Forecast for Tomorrow

This is going to be a fun forecast! It should be MUCH warmer than it will be in Eau Claire, with winds coming at me from the south and the ocean. It will be gusty, but wind chill is a non-factor down here. I expect temperatures to be fairly similar to today based on the similar conditions, although you never really know in Florida. Storms can pop out of nowhere, especially during the afternoon as you have to consider the much more moist air here, as well as the hot temperatures building up all day long, much like they do in the summer in Wisconsin.

Clear Skies Strike Again

Observation time: 10:50 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 9 mph from the north
Temperature: 21 degrees

Today we are seeing a lot of high pressure around the country, with the exception of the east coast. This makes for slightly colder temps. here, but bodes well for my upcoming drive to Florida, which starts tomorrow.

Today's Rant

Over the past few weeks we probably would have been cheering for a 21 degree morning, but today is actually to coldest day we are going to see all week! We have been spoiled over the last few days, reaching the 40's and even breaking 50 degrees one day. Winds have shifted around a bit and are coming back at us from the north once again, which has cleared the skies and allowed some of our heat to escape. Luckily, the actual wind speed has stayed somewhat low and hasn't allowed the wind chill to be come a huge factor at this point. Expect some different kinds of updates from me over the next week and a half as I take off for spring break and head to Florida.

Forecast for Tomorrow

As I head out on my trip, things will start out warm here in Eau Claire. With winds swinging around and coming from the south, we have the makings for another very nice day. I am making the 20+ hour drive to the Tampa, FL, area and with a stroke of luck it appears that I will be met with a lot of high pressure along the way. Judging by the current locations of fronts and air masses in the U.S., I expect to experience similar temperatures to what we are seeing here until I at least get south of Tennessee. Then things should really warm up quick, as Florida almost always has a nice mild temperature thanks to regulation from the oceans.

...And the Heat Goes On!

Observation time: 3:20 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: A mix of sun and clouds
Wind: 12 mph from the west
Temperature: 49 degrees

Today's jet stream map shows high-level winds impacting our area from west to east, instead of more from the north.

Today's Rant

What a difference a week can make! Last Monday we were seeing temperatures below zero, and today we are threatening to go above 50 degrees! As I last predicted on Friday, we have had no real weather events to speak of the last couple of days, other than the consistent rise in temperature. We have finally gotten some relief from the cold air masses to the north, partially thanks to the jet stream. As shown in the image above, we are seeing high-level winds in a more west-to-east pattern. As recently as last week, and most of this winter, we were seeing these same winds coming from a more north/northwesterly direction. This was bringing us the extremely cold weather pattern as the continental polar air mass in Canada pushed its way down into our area. Now that things have leveled out more, we are seeing more average (and actually above average) temperatures.

Forecast for Tomorrow

We are going to see winds from the north once again tomorrow, but don't worry, it shouldn't impact our temperatures too much. It certainly won't be as warm as today, but we should stay above freezing. There are some areas of low pressure hanging out just to our north today, and those will be coming south along with those winds, so that brings cloud cover and a chance at some precipitation as well. Overall, it should be an alright day.

Temps. Continue to Rise

Observation time: 10:25 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: Calm
Temperature: 31 degrees

A rare sight this winter, as a cold front sits directly above us today. This has brought cloud cover and mild temperatures along with it, but also a small chance for some freezing precipitation. 

Today's Rant

Today might finally be the day that we get back above the freezing mark in Eau Claire. Sustained winds from a mostly southern direction over the last few days, along with a low pressure system now in the area are making for much warmer temperatures than we have seen in a long time. The big factor today is the cloud cover. It is finally allowing what warmth we actually have to stay with us, instead of being lost into the upper atmosphere like it is on a clear day. But not everything about warm temperatures is a good thing. It brings the chance for some mixed/freezing precipitation, although we haven't seen any so far and there isn't much action on the radar.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds will be shifting to a more westerly direction tomorrow, but that shouldn't have too much effect on our weather. The skies should be clearer, but we should also still have some clouds hanging around. As long as the wind doesn't turn and bring us too much cold air from the north, I don't expect temperatures to change a whole lot tomorrow. It should be a fairly nice day overall.

Warm Air on the Way

Observation time: 6:45 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 9 mph from the east
Temperature: 11 degrees

This water vapor satellite image shows quite a bit of action in the northwest and southeast. Some of that moist air from the south will be coming our way tomorrow, and that means a chance for snow or some ice depending on just how warm our temperatures get.

Today's Rant

Today was even warmer than yesterday with highs in the 20's. It was a much needed break for many as we finally seem to have found (at least for now) some relief from the cold. There really wasn't anything too exciting to report weather-wise today, as it was an overall mild day with little to no wind and clear skies. One can only hope that this trend might continue.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow's wind forecast makes for potentially even nicer weather than we saw today. Shifting from the east to the south, warm air will be on its way to our area. We may see some moderate gusts at times, but wind chill won't be nearly as much of a factor as if the winds were from the north. Temperatures should be warmer than today again, possibly reaching around 30 degrees. The warm, moist air should bring some cloud cover with it, and depending on just how warms it gets, there is always the potential from some snow and/or ice.

On the Warming Trend

Observation time: 1:25 pm

Precipitation: Snow flurries on and off all day
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 6 mph from the northeast
Temperature: 16 degrees

Along with most of the country, we are quite a bit warmer today. The exception is in the southeast, where some of the high pressure we were dealing with has pushed all the way down along the Gulf of Mexico.

Today's Rant

We aren't quite as warm as I was hoping for with my prediction yesterday, but it is certainly an improvement. It has been cloudy all day long, with intermittent spurts of snow flurries. Today's winds are basically a non-factor compared to what we have been seeing most of the winter, and we are finally getting another break from the extreme cold. And this time, it looks like the warmer temperatures might stick around. At least for a little while.

Forecast for Tomorrow

With winds staying fairly consistent with what we are seeing today, expect much of the same tomorrow. We should experience milder temperatures (hopefully getting into the 20's this time), cloudy skies, and maybe a very small amount of snow. This is a trend that looks like it may continue, at least for a few days, and I think I speak for everyone when I say, "About time!".

Another Monday, Another Blast of Cold

Observation time: 10:25 am

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: Calm
Temperature: -2 degrees

High pressure from the north is dominating the center of the country today. We have a stationary front running along the Rocky Mountains, so there isn't much actions there either. We do however see a small low pressure system on the east coast that is bringing snow, ice, and rain.

Today's Rant

I have taken another couple of days off from observations because conditions have been pretty stagnant since our little storm on Friday. Today is no exception. High pressure has returned to the area and so has the cold. I woke up to a temperature of about -20 degrees this morning around 7 am, which set a new record low for this date. We do have some clouds coming our way from the west later today which should give us a little bit of relief from the extreme cold. This is a trend that looks to continue for the foreseeable future, and brings with it a chance of snow on several occasions in the coming days.

Forecast for Tomorrow

What wind there is tomorrow, and it won't be much, should be coming from the south and east believe it or not. This should give us cloudy skies, leading to milder temperatures and a slight chance for snow. The chance to see any sort of real precipitation though, will probably come later in the week as this warmer trend is supposed to continue for several days. Based on previous observations with these conditions, I expect highs in the 20's and lows in the single digits for not only tomorrow, but for the next few days as well.

Trading in the Cold for Snow

Observation time: 2:00 pm

Precipitation: Snow
Sky conditions: Overcast
Wind: 7 mph from the southeast
Temperature: 6 degrees

A north-facing traffic cam from the DOT shows the low visibility and snowy road conditions we are seeing this afternoon. 

Today's Rant

As if we needed another reminder that it is still the winter season, we traded in the bitter cold for some snow this afternoon. Today started out cloudy and slightly warmer thanks to winds from the south, but the moisture that came with those winds quickly created an afternoon snow storm. I for one, am enjoying the break from the below zero temperatures, but adding more snow on top of ice that still hasn't melted from last week's storm is going to make for some nasty road conditions.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Winds will be quickly changing again tomorrow, returning us to the bitter cold. The shift back to northwest winds will mean cold, dry air is on its way back. Wind chill will once again be a factor as well, and based on recent days that have been similar, I expect single digit high temperatures and some well below zero temperatures for lows.

High Pressure Continues to Dominate

Observation time: 1:10 pm

Precipitation: None
Sky conditions: Clear
Wind: 4 mph from the west
Temperature: -5 degrees

This is a surface wind map of the U.S. and Canada. If you look at the top, right in the middle, you can see the polar vortex everyone has been talking about. To view this map live, visit earth.nullschool.net

Today's Rant

Today's weather is much like yesterday's, which is why I chose not to report yesterday. We are still in the same pattern that we have been since last week's storm with clear skies, frigid temperatures, and no end in sight (at least in the long run). Cold, dry air continues to be the main factor, as the arctic air masses from the north push down into the U.S. from Canada. The amount of snow we have on the ground right now is really impacting the amount of thermal energy being absorbed from the sun because much of it is being reflected right back off the surface. This is preventing the "polar vortex" from breaking up, and is a big reason as to why we continue to see such consistent and brutal weather.

Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow may be an exception to the recent weather patterns, as winds look to shift in from a more southerly direction. This could bring some moisture to the area, which could mean some cloud cover and maybe even a small amount of snow. Wind speeds will continue to be about the same, but the wind chill factor shouldn't be quite as brutal. I would expect temperatures to at least be on the positive side of zero, if not getting into the double digits.