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.