with Meteorologist Mitch Keegan   

Mitch Keegan | Create Your Badge

Friday, September 3, 2010

 

Strong winds for today, with gusts up to 50 MPH at times.  There is a wind advisory in effect through this evening for those strong winds.  Those strong winds from the northwest will draw in some cool air, with highs in the middle 60s for today.  Our average high is in the upper 70s, so we're well below average.  You could almost call it chilly, with lows in the middle 40s.

 

We're back to the upper 60s to near 70 for Saturday and the middle 70s for Sunday.

 

There is a chance for some showers and storms on Labor Day with highs near average.  We're back to the middle 70s for next week with another chance for rain on Thursday.

 

Hopefully you have a great holiday weekend.  I'll see you back here on Tuesday!

 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

 

What a loud awakening this morning.  Lots of thunder and lightning and some heavy rainfall.  I'm including the rainfall reports from area airports.  Marshall the big winner this morning with over 4" of rain.  We picked up 1.30" here at KEYC.

 

A strong low pressure system and cold front pushing through the midwest is bringing those showers and storms and some much, much cooler air.  We'll be seeing the chance for some scattered showers through the day as the storm system pushes East.  Highs today will top out around 70.

 

For Friday and Saturday, we see a strong flow of northwesterly winds, gusting up to 40 mph, pushing in cooler air.  Highs will be in the 60s for Friday and Saturday.  We bounce back into the middle 70s for Sunday then then near average for the start of next week.  There is a chance for some rain on Labor Day.

 

Hurricane Earl continues to churn in the Atlantic.  It's looking like it will brush most of the East Coast, but could become more of a concern for Long Island in New York and areas around Cape Cod near Boston later tomorrow and into Saturday.  Certainly rough seas and strong winds and rain will be around the east coast today and this weekend.  Tropical Storm Fiona and Tropical Storm Gaston are also out in the Atlantic, but look to have little impact if any on the US in the next 5 days.

 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Today is the first day of meteorological fall.  What does that mean?  In the meteorology world, we tend to lump the seasons into 3 month groups.  So, in meteorology, fall is September, October and November.  Winter is December, January and February, etc etc.  Obviously, most of us refer to the first day of Fall as the Autumnal Equinox, which is September 22 at 10:09 PM this year.

 

A cold front brought showers and storms late yesterday and now we're seeing the effect of the front, with cooler and more comfortable air in place.  Highs today will be in the middle to upper 70s for today.  We are a watching another storm, that will move in overnight, bringing another chance for some showers as we move into the overnight hours and into Thursday.  Look for scattered showers for our Thursday with highs around 70.

 

That storm system is also bringing even cooler air, with highs on Friday and Saturday only in the upper 60s!  Our average high temperature is 79° for those days.  The holiday weekend looks quiet until we get to Labor Day itself, with the chance for some showers and storms as highs warm back to around average.

 

We hit 90° Monday, making it 14 times that we've seen 90 or warmer in Mankato since May 1.  That is actually about the average number of times we see 90 (average data from 1984 to 2000)  The big story this summer has been the higher humidity, with several days seeing dewpoints over 70 to even near 80.

 

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

 

We hit 90° yesterday, making it 14 times that we've seen 90 or warmer in Mankato since May 1.  That is actually about the average number of times we see 90 (average data from 1984 to 2000)  The big story this summer has been the higher humidity, with several days seeing dewpoints over 70 to even near 80.

 

A round of showers and storms pushed through this morning, bringing some decent rainfall for some of us.  There is the chance for more showers and storms this afternoon into the evening as the actual cold front moves in.  There is also a chance for some stronger to severe storms, with gusty winds and large hail being the main threats.

 

Behind the front, highs will be back into the 70s as we move through Wednesday and into the holiday weekend.  We could see some showers and storms later tomorrow into early Thursday, otherwise we'll see a dry pattern of weather. 

 

Our eyes are still on the tropics as Hurricane Earl continues to gain strength.  As of 8 AM, Earl is a category 4 storm, with winds of 135 mph, gusting to 160 mph.  Earl could grow into a category 5 storm in the next day or so..  Forecast paths have the storm possibly skirting the Eastern seaboard later this week.  One of our models wants to have Earl make landfall in the outerbanks of North Carolina.  This is something to watch, not only for the East coast but for us, just like we talked about yesterday, as tropical storms slow down the weather pattern across the US.

 

Monday, August 30, 2010

 

We set a high of 90 in Mankato on Sunday and will likely do it again today, bringing our total of 90 degree days since May 1st to 14 days.  That's actually about average.  A cold front is set to move into the region starting tomorrow, bringing the chance for showers and storms, but also some cooler and more comfortable air.

 

There is a chance for some stronger to severe storms with the front, with the main threat being some damaging winds.  In fact, we are under a slight risk for severe weather as the front moves through.  I think the bigger deal with this front is going to be the possibility for some heavy rain.  The image I've included today is from our Futurecast model, showing predicted rainfall amounts from 7 PM tonight through Wednesday morning. 

 

There are more chances for some showers and storms late Wednesday into Thursday as another push of energy comes behind the front.  There is the potential for some heavy rain with that as well.  Then we'll look for cooler and less humid air, with highs back into the middle 70s as we head into the holiday weekend.

 

Our eyes are still on the tropics as Hurricane Earl continues to gain strength.  As of 8 AM, Earl is a category 2 storm, but is expected to gain strenght and become a category 4 storm in the next day or so.  Forecast paths have the storm possibly skirting the Eastern seaboard later this week.  One of our models wants to have Earl make landfall in the outerbanks of North Carolina.  This is something to watch, not only for the East coast but for us.

 

Tropical storms tend to slow down the weather pattern across the United States.  We saw this with Danielle.  We'd had high pressure in place formost of the week last week.  It slowly moved East because Danielle prevented it from moving through at "normal" speed.  If Earl does  move closer to the East coast, this could prolong our rain chances from just late Wednesday and Thursday POTENTIALLY into the holiday weekend.  So, we'll keep an eye on Earl!

 

Friday, August 27, 2010

 

Here are the viewing details for the International Space Station fly over for the next few nights.  Some information about the ISS:  It's traveling at about 17,200 miles per hour at an altitude between 173 and 286 miles above the Earth..

 

Strong southerly winds continue for tomorrow, pushing our highs into the middle 80s.  We'll see winds gusting to 30 mph at times with our highs around 86.  In fact, we'll warm a few degrees for Sunday, to the upper 80s.  We will notice a little bit of humidity as well.

 

As we move into next week, again, our eyes turn to the tropics, as some tropical storm systems will slow the weather pattern across the US.  The way it looks right now, we could see some isolated showers or storms late on Monday with better chances on Tuesday.  The timing of this may continue to shift over the next few days as it becomes clearer what exactly Danielle and Earl are going to do in the Atlantic.  Once we do get rain here, our temperatures will cool back down into the upper 70s.

 

Thursday, August 26, 2010

 

A cool morning, with lows in the middle 40s to low 50s.  Hopefully you found the fall-like weather refreshing, as we are beginning a warming trend thanks to a flow of southerly winds.  Lows tonight will only fall off to around 60, which is actually right about average for this time of the year.

 

Strong southerly winds for tomorrow will push our highs into the lower to middle 80s.  We'll see winds gusting to 30 mph at times with our highs around 84.  In fact, we'll warm a few degrees as we move into the weekend, with middle to upper 80s and mostly sunny skies.  We will notice a little bit of humidity as well.

 

As we move into next week, again, our eyes turn to the tropics, as some tropical storm systems will slow the weather pattern across the US.  The way it looks right now, we could see some isolated showers or storms on Monday or Tuesday, but the better chances are Tuesday overnight into Wednesday and Wednesday night.  The timing of this may continue to shift over the next few days as it becomes clearer what exactly Danielle and Earl are going to do in the Atlantic.  Once we do get rain here, our temperatures will cool back down into the upper 70s.

 

Last night there was an opportunity to view the International Space Station and there is again tonight, for a longer period of time.  The graphic I've included has the details on the viewing.  You can also check this link for other times for other locations.

 

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

 

Well, as usual, all good things must come to an end.  We'll start to see our temperatures warm back up to average and go above average.  We'll also see the humidity levels come back up.  But, for the time being, enjoy the fall-like weather.

 

Lows tonight will dip into the upper 40s to around 50, which is about 10 degrees below average.  By tomorrow, highs warm back into the upper 70s.  That will be warm compared to the highs we had today that were around 70!  A southerly wind will help us warm up through Thursday and into Friday.

 

By Friday, our highs will be in the middle 80s.  Over the weekend, the humidity will continue to increase, with dewpoints back into the mid to upper 60s, which starts to get uncomfortable.  We stay dry into next week.

 

We're keeping an eye on the tropics.  Way out in the Atlantic are two tropical systems, Hurricane Danielle and what is now Tropical Storm Earl.  Danielle is actually going to slow up the weather across the United States.  So, we'll stay dry until late Monday into Tuesday and Wednesday, when we see our next chance for showers and storms.  Danielle doesn't look like she'll impact the US mainland, but Earl on the other hand could.  Storm tracks that go out 120 hours have Earl moving toward the Carribean Sea. 

 

So, the nice and cool stretch of weather is certaily pleasant.  I wondered if this year has been above average temperature wise, more specifically, the days of 90° or warmer.  The answer is surprisingly no, this year has actually been about average for 90 or warmer days.  What has been above average is the humidity, which in turn make it feel warmer.  As a comparison, we've had 60 days between May 1 and today that were at 80 or warmer.  In 2009 for the same time period, we have 31 days.

 

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

 

Today marks the 4th anniversary of Tornadoes and large hail striking southern Minnesota. One person died and 37 were injured when a strong F3 tornado began 4 miles west-southwest of Nicollet and move almost due east for 33 miles to near Waterville. The largest hail reported was grapefruit-sized at New Prague in Scott County. 

 

I remember that day very well.  One of our former meteorologists (Mike Holts) and I were storm chasing, broadcasting live pictures via the internet.  That was the first time I'd ever seen a tornado.  We were on MN Hwy 68 on the south side of the Minnesota River and I remember looking across the river and seeing the tornado.  It was more than 5 miles away from us, but as big as it was, it looked like we were standing right next to it.  As I mentioned, unfortuanately one man died near Lake Emily in LeSueur County.  This tornado took a similar path as the 1998 St. Peter tornado, but went just south of St. Peter, crossing the river near the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center.

 

Yesterday's cold front brought some decent rainfall for some of us, with over an inch and a half being reported in Madelia.  It also brought cooler and less humid air, with dewpoints dropping back into the 40s today. 

 

High temperatures will be in the 70s through Thursday.  In fact, Thursday morning, we could wake up in the upper 40s!!  We'll see the comfortable conditions stick around through Friday.

 

Over the weekend, our dewpoints will climb back into the 60s as our temperatures climb back into the lower to middle 80s.  Our next chance of rain comes late Sunday into Monday and Tuesday.

 

Monday, August 23, 2010

 

If you are ready for a cool down, we've got one in the forecast, starting tomorrow.  Our dewpoints will be dropping back into the 50s as well, which is back into the comfortable category, compared to the tropical category we've been in with our dewpoints in the 70s.

The cooler and less humid air is bring brought to us by a cold front.  Typically in the summer, when a cold front moves in, we have a chance for strong to severe storms.  That's not the case tonight.  Just general showers and storms are possible.  In fact, we're not looking for a lot of rain either, maybe a quarter to half an inch.

Behind the front, temperatures will actually go below average.  Our average high temperature is in the lower 80s.  We're going to see our highs in the middle to upper 70s for the next few days.  In fact, some of us could be waking up with temperatures in the upper 40s on Thursday morning.  The record low for that day is 44 set in 1964.  By the weekend, we'll be back into the lower 80s, which is around average.

Again, as the majority of this week is going to be below average, we're all wishing we'd see a quiet and comfortable stretch of weather.  The Climate Prediction Center's 3 month forecast for September, October and November calls for a 33% chance for above average temperatures for us.  Their precipitation forecast calls for normal precipitation.  So, our mild stretch of weather looks to continue into the fall.

 

Saturday, August 21, 2010

 

It was warm and muggy for our Saturday and Sunday and Monday will be a repeat of just that.  Look for highs in the mid to upper 80s to near 90 for Sunday and Monday.  Our dewpoints will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s, which falls into the tropical category.  The winds look to be light as well, so they won't be providing much relief.

 

Now some good news:  a cold front is going to move in later Monday into the early morning hours of Tuesday.  That front will bring showers and storms, but also cooler and less humid air.  We could see around a half an inch of rain from the showers and storms with the front, so that means it'll be moving through fairly quickly.

 

Behind the front, look for highs in the 70s, which is actually below average with dewpoints in the 50s, in the very comfortable category.

 

Friday, August 20, 2010

 

I switched shifts with Michelle, so she will be with you today.  I'll see you on Saturday.  Then all of next week, I'll be working at night as well.

 

Thursday, August 19, 2010

 

2010 continues to be an active severe weather year.  Here are some number from the Storm Prediction Center as of Tuesday.  These are so far unconfirmed tornadoes, but nonetheless, it's been an active year.  Across the US, there have been 1,195 tornado reports.  And guess what state leads the country?  Well, if you guess Texas or Oklahoma, you are wrong.  It's Minnesota!  There have been 123 tornado reports in Minnesota so far this year.  This number will certainly be cleaned up as final results are released.

 

The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has released their summary from the tornadoes from June 17, 2010.  They combined their results with the Weather Service offices in Duluth and LaCrosse.  Combined, there were 27 tornadoes that day in Minnesota.  That now ties the current record for tornadoes in a single day of 27 from June 16, 1992.  The NWS office in Grand Forks still needs to compile their numbers.  Once that is done, it the total will likely be in the 40s.  That would smash the old record.

 

We're also on pace for a record for the number of tornadoes in one year in Minnesota.  The current record is 74 tornadoes set in 2001.   Obviously, with one day potentially having over 40, there were more tornadoes on June 25th and 26th and beyond.

 

Look for another chance for showers and storms today along a warm front.  Some stronger to severe storms are possible.  There is the chance for some heavy rain as well.  The greatest chance for showers and storms moves in tonight and into tomorrow. 

 

The upcoming weekend still looks hot and humid, with highs in the upper 80s to near 90 and dewpoints around 70.  A cold front brings relieft late Monday into Tuesday, with highs by next Wednesday back into the upper 70s.

 

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

 

The humidity is going to be back on the increase as we move through the next few days.  Dewpoints this morning are in the lower 60s, but they will be climbing back into the upper 60s to lower 70s over the next few days and into the weekend.  We're watching a cold front across northern Minnesota.  That front will bring the chance for some showers and storms late this afternoon and into the evening.  Until then, look for a mix of sun and clouds, I'll officially call it partly to mostly cloudy with highs around 80.

 

That cold front will stall out over the area by tomorrow morning and then begin to move back to the north as a warm front.  Again, the front will be the focus for some showers and storms tomorrow afternoon.  Another push of energy with the front will bring a greater chance for more widespread showers and storms Thursday night into Friday. 

With fronts around and just enough heat and humidity, some strong to severe storms are possible as well as the chance for some heavy rain.  We are under a slight risk for severe weather for today/tonight, again tomorrow and on Friday.

 

The upcoming weekend looks warmer than originally thought, with highs in the middle to upper 80s.  It'll also be warm and humid, with dewpoints around 70.

 

A stronger cold front moves in next week, bringing another chance for showers and storms, but also some more comfortable conditions.

 

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

 

Isolated showers are possible over the next couple of days.  A weak disturbance will bring the chance for a spotty shower along and south of I-90 this afternoon.  The better chances for rain will come into Iowa.  A cold front moving in from the north will stall out over the area as we move into later tomorrow and into Thursday.  That stalled out front will leave the chance for showers and storms in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, mainly in the afternoon and into the evening.  The best chance for showers and storms comes in Thursday night into Friday.  There is a very slight chance for an isolated severe storm on Wednesday and Thursday, mainly the chance for some stronger winds and some hail.

 

Today marks a significant day in Mankato weather history.  On August 17, 1946 a tornado moved through the Mankato area as well as the city of Wells.  The tornado caused 11 deaths in the Mankato area, with several hundred injured.  The storm hit around 6:45 PM and another tornado hit wells about an hour later.  The Mankato tornado hit near the Green Gables Resort, just southwest of town.  A website with newspaper reports from the time has some great information.  Here's just a sample. 

 

"Witnesses said the twister, preceded by rain and large hail stones, was over in a “couple of minutes,” but the destruction was complete. The few trees left standing were reduced to mere poles. Automobiles parked in the area were swept away, several of them being piled into a 30 foot cut of the Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Omaha track, about 50 yards away.

The powerful wind lifted a 27 ton road grader and toppled it into the railway gorge, and with the wrecked automobiles blocked traffic on the line for several hours. A freight train, flagged down, came to a stop a block from the debris." 

 

Green Gables Resort was near Minneopa State Park and Minneopa Golf Course, along Hwy. 169 and close to the railroad gorge near there.

 

 

Monday, August 16, 2010

 

What a great day yesterday and another great day for today, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the middle to upper 70s.  We will see some clouds this afternoon, just like yesterday.  It will also be breezy at times with west to northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph. 

 

Tomorrow will be quiet again as well with partly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 70s.  By Wednesday, we'll start to see a little bit more humidity coming in as our dewpoints climb back into the 60s.  Certain;y not as oppressive as they were last week.

 

Late on Wednesday into Thursday some showers and storms are possible, which look isolated in nature.  There's a better chance for showers and storms Thursday night into Friday.

 

The upcoming weekend looks quiet with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

 

Saturday, August 14, 2010

 

9:30 PM Update-- A cold front pushed across the area, bringing some showers and storms, but also the cooler and less humid air.  At 9 PM, the dewpoint in Mankato dropped to 59.  That's the first time it's been less than 60° since 5:35 PM on August 6th.  That's just over 195 hours....

 

A line of showers and storms pushed across the area last night with a cold front, producing some severe weather, including funnels in the Mankato area.  Another cold front will sweep across the area today, actually bringing in the cooler and less humid air behind it.  There is the chance for some showers and storms this evening and some of those could be on the strong to severe side.  If any severe storms develop, some damaging winds and large hail are possible.  After the storms end, with partly cloudy skies, some patchy fog is possible.

 

The nice and comfortable weather will be with us tomorrow and stays around for a few days.  We'll see highs in the middle to upper 70s for a few days.  Our dewpoints will be back into the 50s, which is in the comfortable category. 

 

There are chances for some showers and storms on Tuesday and then again late Wednesday and into Thursday as a few waves of energy move through the midwest.  We do get back to around 80 by Wednesday, but ti's not looking oppressively hot.

 

We have picked up 3" of rain here at KEYC since the first of the month, with 1.75" of that coming yesterday.  We are running a little bit above average for the year for precipitation as of yesterday.

 

Friday, August 13, 2010

 

A round of severe storms last night with some heavy rainfall.  We picked up over 1.50" here at KEYC, while some other areas got up to 3" of rain.  More strong to severe storms are possible today, mainly this afternoon and into the evening.  Large hail, damaging winds and even some tornadoes are possible, along with more heavy rain.  This is something we'll keep an eye on through the afternoon and evening.

 

Behind this cold front, much cooler and less humid air.  Some isolated showers are possible later on Saturday, otherwise look for quiet conditions.  By Sunday, highs will be in the 70s!

 

Thursday, August 12, 2010

 

A few pop up storms yesterday produced some funnel clouds in Watonwan, Martin and Cottonwood counties.  I looked at those cells on radar and they didn't look very tornado-like at all, very little rotation picked up.  The good news is there hasn't been any reports of damage. 

Today will be similar to yesterday, as in another warm and humid day with highs around 90.  A pop up shower or storm is possible again.  Some good news for a change, a cold front will move in tonight and into tomorrow, bringing showers and storms, but also cooler and less humid air. 

 

Some showers and storms may be around as early as this evening, but the better chance comes in the overnight and into tomorrow.  Some heavy rain will be possible along with some stronger to severe storms.  Large hail and damaging winds look to be the main threats.

 

As we move into the weekend, look for mostly to partly sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s to around 80.  Humidity levels will stay comfortable as well, with dewpoints back into the 50s. 

We stay in the 70s even into next week.

 

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

 

We saw some showers and storms yesterday, but avoided the bulk of the severe weather, with some reports of trees down in Redwood county.  Just like we talked about at noon yesterday, heavy rain was the biggest threat.

 

We stay hot and humid through Friday, with highs around 90.  Late Thursday into Friday, a cold front will move in, bringing showers and storms.  There is also another threat for some heavy rain and some stronger storms as well.  Behind the front, much cooler and less humid air.

 

Highs over the weekend will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s with mostly to partly sunny skies.  Another cold front will push in on Monday, bringing another chance for showers and storms and keeping us cool in the 70s.

 

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

 

A round of showers and storms this morning will bring some heavy rainfall, on the order of 1 to 2" in some places.  The rain this morning is ahead of a warm front that will push in, and help more showers and storms develop this afternoon.  There is a chance for some strong to severe storms this afternoon into the evening.  The amount of severe weather will depend on how much sunshine we get.  Our chances for severe weather does include, damaging winds, large hail and even some isolated tornadoes, along with heavy rain.  The timing of any severe weather this afternoon/evening looks to be after 3:00.  Highs today will be in the middle to upper 80s.

 

We stay warm and muggy for tomorrow and Thursday before a cold front moves in on Friday, bringing another chance for showers and storms, and then some cooler and LESS HUMID air.

 

By the weekend, our highs will be in the lower 80s.

 

Friday, August 6, 2010

 

A nice day yesterday and another nice day today, with high pressure keeping our weather quiet.   Mostly sunny skies and highs around 80 today.  There is a very slight chance for an isolated shower as we head into the overnight hours, especially in southwestern Minnesota.  Hopefully you can enjoy today, because the heat and humidity are coming back!

 

We're going to be getting into an unsettled pattern, with chances for showers and storms, mainly later in the evening and into the overnight hours.  A storm system is going to be moving in tomorrow, bringing the chance for showers and storms late in the afternoon and into the evening.  That storm system will then stall out and keep the chance for showers and storms into next week.

 

This storm is also going to be bringing heat and humidity back.  Highs will be around 90 with dewpoint in the 70s.  Get ready to be in the air conditioning for several days.

 

Ribfest is going on a Riverfront Park in Mankato.  Today will be super pleasant.  Again, the mugginess will return into the weekend, with chances for isolated showers and storms, but certainly not a complete washout.

 

I'm off on Monday, so I'll see you back here on Tuesday.

 

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

 

Much better out at Farmfest today, with MUCH lower humidity and comfortable temperatures.  I'll be back in the studio on Friday!

 

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

 

Oh boy was it a warm and muggy day out at Farmfest yesterday.  Today will be another warm and muggy day, with highs in the middle 80s.  It won't be AS muggy today, but it'll still be an uncomfortable day.  We'll see partly sunny skies and the very slight chance for an isolated shower, especially this afternoon.  The good news is that more comfortable conditions are on the way for tomorrow and Friday.

 

Our dewpoints will be in the upper 50s to near 60 as we move into Thursday and Friday, which is much more comfortable.  Our high temperatures will be in the lower 80s with mostly sunny skies. 

 

The weekend will be warmer and muggier, with highs in the middle to upper 80s and dewpoints creeping back into the middle to upper 60s.  There is a slight chance for some isolated showers or storms late Saturday into early Sunday.

 

Better chances for rain enter the forecast as we head into next week.

 

I'm back in the A/C today, but will be back at Farmfest tomorrow from 9 until noon.  It also sounds like I'm going to talk weather at the Forum Tent around noon tomorrow with Lynn Ketelson and Governor Pawlenty.

 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

 

I'm out of the office today because I'll be at Farmfest.  Stop by the KEYC Building and say Hi.  I'll be there from 8 until Noon.  It's going to be a warm out!

 

 

Monday, August 2, 2010

 

Hard to believe we're into August!  We'll be looking for a warm and muggy few days and the chances for some showers and storms today.  The rain chances will be brought to us by two areas of low pressure systems.  There's chances for rain nearly at any given point today, but it's not going to be a washout today.  The best chance for rain comes in late this afternoon and into this evening.  A weak cold front is set to move through this evening, bringing a better chance for showers and storms.  Unfortunately, cooler and less humid air is not really behind this front, so it'll still be warm and muggy for Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

There is a slight chance for showers and storms late Wednesday into Thursday.  There are more chances for rain over the weekend as well.

 

As far as temperatures go, highs will be in the middle to upper 80s for today, tomorrow and Wednesday.  We cool into the lower 80s for Thursday and Friday, with lower humidity as well.

 

See you at Farmfest on Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM to Noon!

 

Friday, July 30, 2010

 

Most of our rain came overnight and into this morning.  The image I've included is radar estimated rainfall from doppler radar.  The numbers are reports from airport observation sites.  There is still a very slight chance for some isolated showers today as the low pressure system moves East.  Because of the extra clouds today, our highs are going to be held back into the middle 70s.  The good news is, we get the rain out of the way today and set the stage for a nice weekend.

 

High pressure will build in, meaning mostly to partly sunny skies and highs in the low to mid 80s for both Saturday and Sunday.

 

Late on Sunday an isolated shower or storm can't be ruled out, but there's a better chance of that as we head into Monday.

 

Farmfest starts on Tuesday at the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.  The weather is looking great for the 3-day event.  I'll see you out there on Tuesday and Thursday!

 

Thursday, July 29, 2010

 

Yesterday was certainly a day you wish we could bottle up and save and today will be pretty similar.  Look for mostly sunny skies and highs around 80 with comfrotable humidity levels.  We're watching a low pressure system off to the west that will move in and bring the chance for showers and storms, starting after midnight and into tomorrow. 

 

This next storm does present the chance for some heavy rainfall for some of us.  There remains some disagreement between our forecast models.  One wants to bring the heaviest rain right over the heart of our viewing area.  Another wants to keep most of it in southwestern Minnesota into northwestern Iowa.  That being said, we all should be on the lookout for some heavier rainfall as we move into Friday.  Some of us could easily pick up over an inch of rain.  Because of tomorrow's rain, highs will be held back into the 70s.

 

The weekend looks quiet, with mostly to partly sunny skies and highs in the low to mid 80s.  Monday brings another chance for showers and storms, so you could call it a weekend sandwich, with rain on Friday and again Monday.

 

Tuesday looks quiet for the start of Farmfest.  Some isolated showers may be around for day 2.

 

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

 

Yesterday's cold front passed us by with NO severe weather reports across our area.  The bulk of the severe weather was along or north of I-94.  Some of us could have used some rain and we got some, but not a lot.  We picked up 0.15" here at KEYC and most other reports are on the light side.  There was some heavier rain along the Iowa-Minnesota border.  The image I've included shows reports from airport observation station.  The colors you see are radar estimated rainfall amounts.  As high pressure moves in, we'll see quiet conditions today. 

 

The humidity will drop through the day. Highs will top out around 80.  It'll be a super comfortable night, with lows in the upper 50s and mostly clear skies.  Should be a great night to open up the windows.

 

Tomorrow will pretty much be a repeat of today.  A storm system will move in and bring back the chance for rain starting Friday.  The upcoming weekend looks quiet with highs in the middle 80s.

 

There's another chance for rain as we head toward next Monday.

 

Farmfest kicks off next Tuesday at the Gilfillan Estate near Redwoof Falls.  Next Tuesday looks quiet with mostly to partly sunny skies and highs in the lower to middle 80s.  The long range forecast hint at highs around 90 for Wednesday and Thursday.  Hopefully, it'll be a little cooler than that!!  I'll be there next Tuesday and Thursday, so I hope you stop by and say hi!

 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

 

Midday Update:  It's looking more and more like we'll have a cap in place this afternoon, preventing most storm development.  Remember, a cap is a layer of warm air in the mid atmosphere which prevents storm development.  That cap doesn't look like it will break until after 7 or 8:00 tonight.  This doesn't mean there won't be an isolated storm this afternoon, but the chances aren't that high.  If a storm does pop-up this afternoon, it could be on the strong to severe side, with damaging winds and large hail.  And any of these isolated storms that get enough wind shear with them could produce an isolated tornado, though the chances aren't that high.  The better chances for severe weather comes this evening, with damaging winds and large hail.  The picture I've included is from one of our models.  It's for 10 PM this evening.  Outside of a few isolated storms, it keeps us quiet until after 8 PM.

 

It's going to be a warm and muggy day, with highs around 90 and dewpoints in the lower to middle 70s.  The saving grace will be a southwest breeze, gusting to 20 mph.  But, it's still going to be warm and muggy and for that reason, a heat advisory is in effect from noon until 7 PM for much of the area.  We'll see more comfortable weather move in tomorrow behind a cold front.

 

That front will bring showers and storms as we head into the evening and overnight hours.  There is a chance for isolated storms this afternoon.  There is also a chance for some strong to severe storms.  In fact, we have a slight risk for severe weather.  The greatest threats will be damaging winds and large hail, along with some heavy rain.  There is a very small chance for an isolated tornado, especially if a storm gets going early and has enough rotation to it.  It is hard to get tornadoes to form from storm systems that move in from the northwest, but there is a very small chance.  The best chance for storms looks to come in this evening, after 6:00 and continue into the early overnight hours.

 

More comfortable conditions will be with us starting tomorrow and Thursday, with highs around 80.  There is another chance for showers and storms late Thursday and into Friday.

 

The weekend looks quiet, with partly sunny skies and highs in the middle 80s.  Yesterday it looked like some rain chances would be with us, but those look to go much farther south now.  Another chance for rain is in the forecast for Monday.

 

Monday, July 26, 2010

 

 

After a round of showers and storms on Friday night, the weekend turned out to be quiet.  We'll see another quiet day today, with mostly to partly sunny skies and highs in the lower 80s.  We'll start to see the humidity increasing as we move through the afternoon.

 

Tomorrow will be a warm and muggy day, with highs around 90 and dewpoints getting into the lower 70s.  This will happen ahead of a cold front that will move in late Tuesday, in the evening and overnight hours, bringing showers and storms.  There is a chance some of those could be strong to severe.  The main threats would be large hail and damaging winds.  There is also the possibility for some heavy rain.

 

The rest of the week does hold the chance for some isolated showers and storms, mainly later in the evening and into the overnight hours.  Not all of us will see the rain, but nonetheless, there is still a slight chance.  Otherwise look for partly sunny skies and highs in the lower 80s.

 

RAGBRAI kicked off this weekend  in Iowa.  RAGBRAI, or Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is moving across the northern part of Iowa.  Tonight, they'll stop in Algona before starting out for Clear Lake early tomorrow morning.  Today will be good, but tomorrow is looking warm and muggy with highs in the lower 90s and dewpoints staying in the 70s all day.  Tomorrow night brings the chance for showers and storms as a cold front moves through.