After a relatively cool day today (well, cool compared to what we have had lately) the weather will quickly warm back up, reaching a high of 54 on Friday with a mix of clouds and sun along with blustery southeast winds.
A chance of rain moves in Friday Night into Saturday, leaving highs around 52 on Saturday. Rain should push out by Sunday, leaving it sunny through at least the middle of next week. Highs will continue to increase, lower 50s on Sunday, middle 50s on Monday, around 60 on Tuesday, before leaping into (at least) the middle 60s for Wednesday and Thursday.
There is a chance that we could see highs around 70 by the end of the week, along with a chance of thunderstorms! Spring fever will definitely be in swing by this time next week, and we will be looking back at March as only the seventh time in St. Cloud history that we have gone without any snow falling, along with one of the top 10 warmest Marches ever.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Photos of the Mississippi Ice Jam, Sauk River Flooding, and the Hennen's FAIL!
The girlfriend and I went on an adventure today to the site of the Mississippi Ice Jam along with a park where the Sauk River is flooding. Here are some of the pictures we captured (links will take you to the whole photo album):
Mississippi Ice Jam (in the Rice/Watab area) (MANY More at http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad224/weathrlver/Mississippi%20Ice%20Jam%202010/
The Sartell Dam
The Sauk River (more at http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad224/weathrlver/Sauk%20River%20Flooding%202010/)
The Hennen's Fail (taken at 3:07 while the temp was around 60... it said it was -48!)
Mississippi Ice Jam (in the Rice/Watab area) (MANY More at http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad224/weathrlver/Mississippi%20Ice%20Jam%202010/
The Sartell Dam
The Sauk River (more at http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad224/weathrlver/Sauk%20River%20Flooding%202010/)
The Hennen's Fail (taken at 3:07 while the temp was around 60... it said it was -48!)
URGENT: Flood Warning on Mississsippi due to Major Ice Jam near Watab
I've already been down there and checked out the ice dam. I am currently working on pictures and will have them up ASAP.
FLOOD WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN 1048 AM CDT THU MAR 18 2010 MNC009-145-191530- /O.NEW.KMPX.FA.W.0010.100318T1548Z-100319T1530Z/ /00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ STEARNS MN-BENTON MN- 1048 AM CDT THU MAR 18 2010 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES HAS ISSUED A * FLOOD WARNING FOR ICE JAM FLOODING IN... EAST CENTRAL STEARNS COUNTY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA... WESTERN BENTON COUNTY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA... * UNTIL 1030 AM CDT FRIDAY * AT 1030 AM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A SIGNIFICANT ICE JAM ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF SARTELL NORTHWARD THROUGH PINE POINT. THIS IS CAUSING WATER TO BACK UP ALONG THE RIVER AND INTO LITTLE ROCK LAKE. LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS REPORTED SEVERAL HOMES ON PINE POINT ARE ALREADY CLOSE TO BEING IMPACTED. FLOODING IS LIKELY IN IMMEDIATE LOWLAND AREAS ALONG THE RIVER AND POSSIBLY ALONG HARRIS CHANNEL AND INTO LITTLE ROCK LAKE. IF THE ICE JAM WERE TO BREAK ABRUPTLY...FLOODING IS LIKELY TO OCCUR FURTHER DOWNSTREAM ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI CHANNEL THROUGH SARTELL AND POSSIBLY INTO THE NORTH SIDE OF ST CLOUD. CONSIDERING THE EXTENT OF THIS ICE JAM AND LITTLE ICE MOVEMENT HAVING BEEN NOTICED THUS FAR...THIS ICE JAM MAY BE A PROLONGED EVENT. * SOME LOCATIONS THAT ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...PINE POINT...LITTLE ROCK LAKE...WATAB...SARTELL AND SAUK RAPIDS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... RESIDENTS NEAR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM JUST SOUTH OF RICE TO THE NORTH SIDE OF ST CLOUD SHOULD ACT NOW FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING AS THE ICE MOVES THROUGH THE RIVER.
Latest on the Sauk... Warm through tomorrow before a change...
The Sauk River is currently quickly approaching 7', a foot above flood stage. It is expected to level off there sometime within the next 24-36 hours before slowly going back down. While the forecast has the waters slowly receding, there is always the possibility that a surge could send the river back up. Seven feet is a moderate flood for the Sauk.
Meanwhile, the Red River to the north is in moderate to major flood stage in the Fargo and Grand Forks area. It is expected to crest at 38' in Fargo by the end of the weekend (3' below last years record crest) and at 48' in Grand Forks (just over a foot below last years record crest).
Most of the snow has already melted off, and the last bits of it (besides the huge mounds) should be gone by the end of the week. We reached a high of 53 on Wednesday, but should approach 60 Thursday.
After that, temps (and somewhat the weather) take a downturn. We will see a system that comes in from the north, bringing temps back to the 30s and lower 40s on Friday. A snow chance that was in the forecast has been taken out, as it looks like the precipitation will stay mainly south of the Twin Cities and mostly affect areas like Iowa and Kansas. We'll get back into the 40s next week before a mix bag of precipitation (rain/snow/freezing rain/sleet) moves in Tuesday through Wednesday. After that, trends show a very slow warm up, with maybe a rain chance for the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the Red River to the north is in moderate to major flood stage in the Fargo and Grand Forks area. It is expected to crest at 38' in Fargo by the end of the weekend (3' below last years record crest) and at 48' in Grand Forks (just over a foot below last years record crest).
Most of the snow has already melted off, and the last bits of it (besides the huge mounds) should be gone by the end of the week. We reached a high of 53 on Wednesday, but should approach 60 Thursday.
After that, temps (and somewhat the weather) take a downturn. We will see a system that comes in from the north, bringing temps back to the 30s and lower 40s on Friday. A snow chance that was in the forecast has been taken out, as it looks like the precipitation will stay mainly south of the Twin Cities and mostly affect areas like Iowa and Kansas. We'll get back into the 40s next week before a mix bag of precipitation (rain/snow/freezing rain/sleet) moves in Tuesday through Wednesday. After that, trends show a very slow warm up, with maybe a rain chance for the end of the month.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
URGENT: Sauk River to spill over banks later today... Moderate Flooding Expected
River depth and expected flood forecast as of 10 AM Tuesday by the NWS
The Sauk River unexpectedly rose a foot overnight, leaving it precariously just below flood stage this morning. It is expected that the Sauk will rise over the banks later today before possibly cresting around 7.0' on Thursday. A depth of 7' is considered a "Moderate Flood" for the river, and a good foot above flood stage. A Flood Warning in now in effect until further notice for the Sauk River in St. Cloud.
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1151 AM CDT TUE MAR 16 2010
...FORECAST FLOODING CHANGED FROM MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY FOR THE
FOLLOWING RIVERS IN MINNESOTA...
SAUK RIVER AT ST CLOUD AFFECTING STEARNS COUNTY
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL MONITOR THIS DEVELOPING SITUATION AND ISSUE FOLLOWUP STATEMENTS AS CONDITIONS OR FORECASTS CHANGE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
DO NOT DRIVE CARS THROUGH FLOODED AREAS. TURN AROUND...DON'T DROWN.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL RADIO OR TV STATION
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS FLOOD EVENT.
&&
1151 AM CDT TUE MAR 16 2010
...FORECAST FLOODING INCREASED FROM MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY...
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE SAUK RIVER AT ST CLOUD.
* UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
* AT 11:15 AM TUESDAY THE STAGE WAS 5.9 FEET.
* MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 6.0 FEET.
* FORECAST...RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE TO
RISE TO NEAR 7.0 FEET BY THURSDAY MARCH 18TH EARLY AFTERNOON.
* IMPACT...AT 6.0 FEET...TWO HOMES ALONG THE RIVER MAY EXPERIENCE
FLOODING.
* FLOOD HISTORY...THIS CREST COMPARES TO A PREVIOUS CREST OF 7.2 FEET
ON APR 25 2001.
Monday, March 15, 2010
ALERT: Flood Warning for the Sauk River until further notice... Minor Flooding Expected
Current hydrograph for the Sauk River
FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
224 PM CDT MON MAR 15 2010
...THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN
MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN...
MINNESOTA RIVER AT MONTEVIDEO AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...LAC QUI PARLE...
RENVILLE AND YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES
MINNESOTA RIVER AT GRANITE FALLS AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...RENVILLE AND
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES
MINNESOTA RIVER AT HENDERSON AFFECTING LE SUEUR...SCOTT AND SIBLEY
COUNTIES
MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR JORDAN AFFECTING CARVER AND SCOTT COUNTIES
MINNESOTA RIVER AT SHAKOPEE AFFECTING CARVER...HENNEPIN AND SCOTT
COUNTIES
MINNESOTA RIVER AT SAVAGE AFFECTING DAKOTA...HENNEPIN AND SCOTT
COUNTIES
MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT ST PAUL AFFECTING DAKOTA...RAMSEY AND
WASHINGTON COUNTIES
MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEAR HASTINGS L/D 2 AFFECTING DAKOTA...WASHINGTON
AND PIERCE COUNTIES
CROW RIVER AT ROCKFORD MN AFFECTING HENNEPIN AND WRIGHT COUNTIES
SOUTH FORK CROW RIVER BELOW MAYER AFFECTING CARVER COUNTY
SOUTH FORK CROW RIVER AT DELANO MN AFFECTING WRIGHT COUNTY
LONG PRAIRIE RIVER AT LONG PRAIRIE AFFECTING TODD COUNTY
MIDDLE FORK ZUMBRO RIVER AT PINE ISLAND AFFECTING GOODHUE COUNTY
MINNESOTA RIVER AT NEW ULM AFFECTING BLUE EARTH...BROWN AND
NICOLLET COUNTIES
COTTONWOOD RIVER AT NEW ULM AFFECTING BLUE EARTH...BROWN AND
NICOLLET COUNTIES
REDWOOD RIVER NEAR REDWOOD FALLS AFFECTING REDWOOD COUNTY
SAUK RIVER AT ST CLOUD AFFECTING STEARNS COUNTY
.AN WEAK UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM WILL ROTATE ACROSS WESTERN MINNESOTA
TODAY. A SECOND UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM WILL DIVE SOUTH ACROSS THE REGION
ON TUESDAY. BOTH OF THESE SYSTEMS WILL CAUSE SCATTERED AREAS OF
LIGHT RAIN ACROSS MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF WEST CENTRAL
WISCONSIN. HOWEVER ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS OF LESS THAN A TENTH
OF AN INCH IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. HENCE THE PRECIPITATION WILL
HAVE LITTLE TO NO IMPACT TO THE RIVER FORECASTS.
FOR AREAS THAT DO STILL HAVE A SNOWPACK WHICH IS MAINLY THE
WESTERN HALF OF MINNESOTA...TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY
A ROLE IN THE MELT. HIGHS ON TUESDAY WILL RANGE IN THE LOWER
TO MID 40 ACROSS CENTRAL AND WESTERN MINNESOTA. TEMPERATURES ON
WEDNESDAY WILL BE WARMER WITH HIGHS AROUND 50.OVERNIGHT LOWS TONIGHT
WILL DROP INTO THE LOWER AND MID 30S WITH UPPER 20S EXPTED FOR
TUESDAY NIGHT. THE WARM TEMPERATURES DURING THE DAY TIME HOURS WILL
CONTINUE TO HELP MELT THE SNOWPACK.
ICE AND DEBRIS JAMS REMAIN A CONCERN AS THIS EVENT UNFOLDS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
IF YOU OBSERVE AN ICE OR DEBRIS JAM PLEASE REPORT THIS TO
YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. YOU CAN EMAIL REPORTS DIRECTLY TO
THE NWS VIA MPX.SPOTTER@NOAA.GOV.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL RADIO OR TV STATION
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS FLOOD EVENT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE REFERENCE THE SPRING FLOOD MONITOR AT
WWW.CRH.NOAA.GOV/MPX/?N=SPRINGFLOODING
ALL LOWER CASE
DO NOT DRIVE CARS THROUGH FLOODED AREAS.
&&
MNC145-170123-
/O.CON.KMPX.FL.W.0017.100320T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
/STCM5.1.SM.100320T0000Z.100322T0600Z.000000T0000Z.NO/
224 PM CDT MON MAR 15 2010
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE SAUK RIVER AT ST CLOUD.
* AT 1:15 PM MONDAY THE STAGE WAS 4.7 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 6.0 FEET.
* FORECAST...RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY FRIDAY EVENING MARCH 19TH AND CONTINUE
TO RISE TO NEAR 6.3 FEET BY MONDAY MORNING MARCH 22ND. ADDITIONAL
RISES ARE POSSIBLE THEREAFTER.
* IMPACT...AT 6.0 FEET...TWO HOMES ALONG THE RIVER MAY EXPERIENCE
FLOODING.
* FLOOD HISTORY...THIS LEVEL COMPARES TO A PREVIOUS CREST OF 8.2 FEET
ON MAR 27 2009.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Continued chances of rain before sun comes back... Latest flooding information (including the Sauk, Mississippi, and Red Rivers)
Overnight tonight we will see a chance of light rain with areas of fog, lows reaching 36. Sunday will see fog early, cloudy through the day and high of 50. Rain chances again Monday and Tuesday with highs in the upper 40s around 50 before the sun breaks out for Wednesday/Thursday and highs get into the lower 50s. Rain comes back into the forecast Friday, with the chance of some s*n*o*w on Saturday.
Here is a list of all the Flood Advisories out for the Twin Cities watch area:
Flood Warnings (all until further notice unless otherwise noted):
An update on the Sauk River... I would expected a Watch/Warning to be issued within the next few days. According to NWS forecasts, the Sauk River near St. Cloud is expected to approach Minor Flood Stage by the end of next week. Meanwhile, the Mississippi at St. Cloud State will also be approaching Action Stage by the end of the week. As the week goes on I will attempt to bring pictures/video from the rivers as the Spring Flooding Season continues.
And for those up in the Red River Valley, the NWS Grand Forks has also set up a Flood Briefing Page. The Red River is expected to reach Major Flood Stage along its entire path, including Wahpeton, Fargo, and Grand Forks, and could approach the historic levels set just last year.
Here is a list of all the Flood Advisories out for the Twin Cities watch area:
Flood Warnings (all until further notice unless otherwise noted):
- SCOTT COUNTY UNTIL 230 PM CDT SUNDAY DUE TO ICE JAMS AND SNOW MELT
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT MONTEVIDEO AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...LAC QUI PARLE...RENVILLE AND YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT HENDERSON AFFECTING LE SUEUR...SCOTT AND SIBLEY COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR JORDAN AFFECTING CARVER AND SCOTT COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT SHAKOPEE AFFECTING CARVER...HENNEPIN AND SCOTT COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT SAVAGE AFFECTING DAKOTA...HENNEPIN AND SCOTT COUNTIES
- COTTONWOOD RIVER AT NEW ULM AFFECTING BLUE EARTH...BROWN AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- CROW RIVER AT ROCKFORD MN AFFECTING HENNEPIN AND WRIGHT COUNTIES
- SOUTH FORK CROW RIVER BELOW MAYER AFFECTING CARVER COUNTY
- SOUTH FORK CROW RIVER AT DELANO MN AFFECTING WRIGHT COUNTY
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT GRANITE FALLS AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...RENVILLE AND YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT NEW ULM AFFECTING BLUE EARTH...BROWN AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT MANKATO AFFECTING BLUE EARTH AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT GRANITE FALLS AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...RENVILLE AND YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT MANKATO AFFECTING BLUE EARTH AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEAR HASTINGS L/D 2 AFFECTING DAKOTA...WASHINGTON AND PIERCE COUNTIES
- LONG PRAIRIE RIVER AT LONG PRAIRIE AFFECTING TODD COUNTY
An update on the Sauk River... I would expected a Watch/Warning to be issued within the next few days. According to NWS forecasts, the Sauk River near St. Cloud is expected to approach Minor Flood Stage by the end of next week. Meanwhile, the Mississippi at St. Cloud State will also be approaching Action Stage by the end of the week. As the week goes on I will attempt to bring pictures/video from the rivers as the Spring Flooding Season continues.
And for those up in the Red River Valley, the NWS Grand Forks has also set up a Flood Briefing Page. The Red River is expected to reach Major Flood Stage along its entire path, including Wahpeton, Fargo, and Grand Forks, and could approach the historic levels set just last year.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Dense Fog Advisory through 9 AM -- More Rain through Weekend -- Latest Flood Watches/Warnings
Look! We have Lake Front Property for the next few weeks!
Once again, we have a Dense Fog Advisory out until 9 AM like we have had most days this past week. All the rain/melting snow along with temps staying above freezing (allowing more melting) is creating the endless dense fog-at-night situation for the moment. Complete advisory at the bottom of post.
I actually have some good news on the rain front! We should experience some more periods of drizzle and rain through the rest of the weekend, but then I think we will shed the rain and clouds and bring some SUNSHINE for next week! Woo! And with that will come warm(er) temps, with highs reaching the lower 50s by Tuesday. Temps over the weekend, though, should be in the middle 40s for highs.
Looking ahead (though I really don't want to), we see a possibility of some snow mixing back in next weekend. Take it with a grain of salt, as I don't want to put any trust in it at the moment.
Tonight Dense fog and drizzle, 35. Saturday Drizzle, early fog, 46. Sat Night Drizzle and fog likely, 36. Sunday Rain possible 47. Monday Mix of clouds and sun, 47.
Steams and rivers continue to rise, causing A LOT of Flood Watches and Warnings in the area. This is the list I could come up with (I may have accidentally left out locations -- there are just SO MANY at the moment!). Even though the Sauk is not listed, we need to watch it closely... and probably the Mississippi River shortly.
Flood Warning (all until further notice unless noted):
- NORTH CENTRAL SCOTT COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA UNTIL 700 AM CST SATURDAY DUE TO AN ICE JAM ON SAND CREEK (INTERESTS FROM JORDAN TO CARVER SHOULD BE AWARE OF RIVER RISES)
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT SAVAGE AFFECTING DAKOTA...HENNEPIN AND SCOTT COUNTIES
- CROW RIVER AT ROCKFORD MN AFFECTING HENNEPIN AND WRIGHT COUNTIES
- SOUTH FORK CROW RIVER BELOW MAYER AFFECTING CARVER COUNTY
- SOUTH FORK CROW RIVER AT DELANO MN AFFECTING WRIGHT COUNTY
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT MONTEVIDEO AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...LAC QUI PARLE...RENVILLE AND YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT NEW ULM AFFECTING BLUE EARTH...BROWN AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT HENDERSON AFFECTING LE SUEUR...SCOTT AND SIBLEY COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR JORDAN AFFECTING CARVER AND SCOTT COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT SHAKOPEE AFFECTING CARVER...HENNEPIN AND SCOTT COUNTIES
- COTTONWOOD RIVER AT NEW ULM AFFECTING BLUE EARTH...BROWN AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT GRANITE FALLS AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...RENVILLE AND
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES - MINNESOTA RIVER AT MANKATO AFFECTING BLUE EARTH AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT GRANITE FALLS AFFECTING CHIPPEWA...RENVILLE AND YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT NEW ULM AFFECTING BLUE EARTH...BROWN AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT MANKATO AFFECTING BLUE EARTH AND NICOLLET COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR JORDAN AFFECTING CARVER AND SCOTT COUNTIES
- MINNESOTA RIVER AT SHAKOPEE AFFECTING CARVER...HENNEPIN AND SCOTT COUNTIES
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
930 PM CST FRI MAR 12 2010
...ANOTHER ROUND OF DENSE FOG FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL
MINNESOTA...
.LIGHT WINDS AND ABUNDANT MOISTURE DUE TO CONTINUED MILD
TEMPERATURES AND MELTING SNOW WILL PRODUCE ANOTHER FOGGY NIGHT
OVER MUCH OF THE AREA INTO SATURDAY MORNING. THE FOG WILL REDUCE
VISIBILITIES TO BELOW A QUARTER MILE IN MANY LOCATIONS...WITH
LOCAL VISIBILITIES NEAR ZERO.
MNZ041-042-047>049-054>059-064>068-073>075-082-083-091-092-131130-
/O.NEW.KMPX.FG.Y.0011.100313T0400Z-100313T1500Z/
DOUGLAS-TODD-STEVENS-POPE-STEARNS-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-
KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-WRIGHT-YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-MCLEOD-SIBLEY-
CARVER-REDWOOD-BROWN-NICOLLET-WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-MARTIN-
FARIBAULT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...LONG PRAIRIE...MORRIS...
GLENWOOD...ST. CLOUD...MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...WILLMAR...
LITCHFIELD...MONTICELLO...GRANITE FALLS...OLIVIA...HUTCHINSON...
GAYLORD...CHASKA...REDWOOD FALLS...NEW ULM...ST. PETER...
ST. JAMES...MANKATO...FAIRMONT...BLUE EARTH
930 PM CST FRI MAR 12 2010
...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST SATURDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A DENSE FOG ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST
SATURDAY.
* VISIBILITY...WIDESPREAD VISIBILITY OF ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS.
* IMPACTS...LOW VISIBILITY MAY MAKE DRIVING HAZARDOUS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE
REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN...
USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Flood Watches and Warnings
There will be more on this later tonight and in future days, but currently:
Flood Warning in effect for the Minnesota (at Montevideo, Henderson, Savage), Crow (at Rockford), and South Fork Crow (at Delano, below Mayer) Rivers
Flood Watch in effect for the Minnesota River at Granite Falls, New Ulm, Mankato, Jordan, and Shakopee
All watches and warnings are until further notice. More later.
Flood Warning in effect for the Minnesota (at Montevideo, Henderson, Savage), Crow (at Rockford), and South Fork Crow (at Delano, below Mayer) Rivers
Flood Watch in effect for the Minnesota River at Granite Falls, New Ulm, Mankato, Jordan, and Shakopee
All watches and warnings are until further notice. More later.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Dense Fog Advisory through 9 AM Thursday... Rain through Saturday... Watch for Flooding
NWS Chanhassen Watches/Warnings as of 3 PM Wednesday... Gray is Dense Fog Advisory... Lime green is Flood Warning... Dark green is Flood Watch
A series of storms will be affecting the area throughout the beginning of the weekend, leading to many days with periods of rain over the whole area. By the end of the day on Saturday, a half an inch to an inch of rain is possible throughout most of the area from the systems.
These systems will keep the temps above freezing during both the day and night, with highs in the lower to middle 40s and lows in the middle to upper 30s. This will allow for continued rapid snow melt, and I would not be surprised if most snow (except for larger piles) will be melted away by the end of the weekend. One thing we will have to watch out for is rising rivers, especially along the Sauk locally. Meanwhile, a Flood Watch has already been issued for the South Fork Crow River below the town of Mayer affecting Carver County due to the rain and melting conditions.
A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for parts of Minnesota, including Stearns County, until 9 AM Thursday. Check the statement below for the details.
Tonight Rain and Fog 35. Thursday Rain, especially after noon, and Fog 43. Thursday Night More Rain 36. Friday Continued Rainy 45.
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED HEADLINE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
210 PM CST WED MAR 10 2010
...DENSE FOG ADVISORY FOR MUCH OF WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL
MINNESOTA THROUGH TONIGHT...
.A DENSE FOG ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT FOR MUCH
OF WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...GENERALLY WEST OF A
LINE FROM SAUK CENTRE...TO HUTCHINSON...TO NORTHFIELD TO RED WING.
VISIBILITIES OF A QUARTER OF A MILE OR LESS WILL PERSIST ACROSS
MUCH OF THE AREA TONIGHT. POCKETS OF NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY ARE
POSSIBLE... ESPECIALLY NEAR THE IOWA BORDER AND THE INTERSTATE 90
CORRIDOR.
MNZ047>049-054>058-064>067-073>075-082>085-091>093-110415-
/O.EXT.KMPX.FG.Y.0009.000000T0000Z-100311T1500Z/
STEVENS-POPE-STEARNS-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-KANDIYOHI-
MEEKER-YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-MCLEOD-SIBLEY-REDWOOD-BROWN-
NICOLLET-WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-WASECA-STEELE-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-
FREEBORN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...ST. CLOUD...
MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...WILLMAR...LITCHFIELD...
GRANITE FALLS...OLIVIA...HUTCHINSON...GAYLORD...REDWOOD FALLS...
NEW ULM...ST. PETER...ST. JAMES...MANKATO...WASECA...OWATONNA...
FAIRMONT...BLUE EARTH...ALBERT LEA
210 PM CST WED MAR 10 2010
...DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST THURSDAY...
THE DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST THURSDAY.
* VISIBILITY...WIDESPREAD ONE QUARTER OF A MILE OR LESS THROUGH
THIS AFTERNOON.
* IMPACTS...VISIBILITIES WILL BE NEAR ZERO IN SPOTS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE
REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN...
USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Forecast Hiatus: School and Medical
Yes, we are only a few days into this, but already a break is needed. The past few days there hasn't been a forecast due to more important school tests. The next few days there won't be one either -- I am going in for a medical procedure on Tuesday and am going to take the weekend and (at least) first half of the week off of forecasting to concentrate on the more important things. Should hopefully return to forecasting sometime later next week.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Melting Continues Throughout Next Few Days... Watching the Air Quality
Nice warm, sunny, hazy weather will continue over the next few days as we stay stuck under a high pressure system. The main concern because of that, though, will be the air quality. We will continue to have light winds, therefore not that much mixing, which will allow higher pollution levels as we get into the second half of the week. Air quality is currently hovering around the low moderate range, but could approach the high end of that scale after the rush hour tonight and into the next few days. Be prepared for air quality alert days by the end of the week. Highs through the weekend will be in the upper 30s around 40.
We will see a system move in Friday Night into Saturday -- it will be lacking moisture though. There is a good chance that most of what falls will be a mixture of rain/snow or freezing rain, and that it won't be much.
Steering currents want to put more systems back over our area as we get into next week. I'm on a wait-and-see approach right now about it. I'm still not confident about our "storm" next Monday and Tuesday -- count on probably seeing some moisture, but I'm not sure it will swing up far enough to get most of Minnesota in a good storm that we haven't seen in a while. (I wouldn't mind continuing to see the southland and northeast hit by the storms... I'm ready for no more snow!).
Tonight: Clear with some fog, low around 15. Wednesday: Fog in morning, turning sunny, high around 40. Thursday: Fog in morning, turning sunny, high around 40.
We will see a system move in Friday Night into Saturday -- it will be lacking moisture though. There is a good chance that most of what falls will be a mixture of rain/snow or freezing rain, and that it won't be much.
Steering currents want to put more systems back over our area as we get into next week. I'm on a wait-and-see approach right now about it. I'm still not confident about our "storm" next Monday and Tuesday -- count on probably seeing some moisture, but I'm not sure it will swing up far enough to get most of Minnesota in a good storm that we haven't seen in a while. (I wouldn't mind continuing to see the southland and northeast hit by the storms... I'm ready for no more snow!).
Tonight: Clear with some fog, low around 15. Wednesday: Fog in morning, turning sunny, high around 40. Thursday: Fog in morning, turning sunny, high around 40.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Beautiful start to spring... But melting leads to flooding...
We are going to try and revive my blogging! Woo! For those of you who have followed my blogs for years, you know that I would offer a detailed nightly forecast. Since then I had turned to mainly event-blogging (mainly Winter and Severe Storms). Well I am going to try and mix the old with the new... bring back daily weather thoughts (maybe not complete forecasts or very detailed, but enough to get you through the next day or so) with more detailed writings for the big weather events. We can build this blog together!
Ah, a beautiful day for the start of Spring! Birds chirping, bright blue sky with a bright yellow ball in the middle of it, temperatures in the middle 30s... Yes, a day where t-shirts are actually out in full force. We should enjoy this weather continuing through the rest of the week with highs approaching 40 especially towards the end of the week. We will continue to melt the snow pack that we do have, but just remember that anything that ponds up during the day and doesn't run off will freeze overnight, so take it safe on the roads in the mornings. We have a chance of a little rain/snow on Saturday, but I'm definitely not expecting much.
We are watching a potential system for the beginning of next week; latest model runs have that sagging southward at the moment. It is still something to keep an eye on, though.
Of course, melting is occurring at the moment -- we are down to approximately 11" of snow on the ground in STC, but there continues to be a deep snow pack to our south and west, ranging over 2' in areas. Updates within the past week (click on the links for more information) show that there is a good chance of flooding at Montevideo and also the Mississippi River below the junction with the Minnesota River (St. Paul and Hastings); the Crow River at Delano has a large chance of flooding; the Mississippi River above the Minnesota River (i.e. our area) has a 20-40% chance of flooding. Meanwhile, the chance of major flooding along the Red River has increased to 80% in the Fargo-Moorhead area and 60% in the Grand Forks area. While the conditions of the past few days have been ideal melting conditions to minimize the threat, any addition of moisture or rapid increase in temperature will likely increase all these flooding percentages. Also, temperatures in SW Minnesota haven't been able to get as high as we have the past few days, therefore they haven't been able to melt as we have been, leading to a lot more increased melting for them as the weeks go on.
Already today, sandbagging is occurring in Fargo and Grand Forks in anticipation of the upcoming flooding which has the potential to come close to last years historic flooding of the Red River. Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for the latest.
Forecast: 10-15 tonight with clear skies. Around 35 Tuesday and continued sunshine.
Ah, a beautiful day for the start of Spring! Birds chirping, bright blue sky with a bright yellow ball in the middle of it, temperatures in the middle 30s... Yes, a day where t-shirts are actually out in full force. We should enjoy this weather continuing through the rest of the week with highs approaching 40 especially towards the end of the week. We will continue to melt the snow pack that we do have, but just remember that anything that ponds up during the day and doesn't run off will freeze overnight, so take it safe on the roads in the mornings. We have a chance of a little rain/snow on Saturday, but I'm definitely not expecting much.
We are watching a potential system for the beginning of next week; latest model runs have that sagging southward at the moment. It is still something to keep an eye on, though.
Of course, melting is occurring at the moment -- we are down to approximately 11" of snow on the ground in STC, but there continues to be a deep snow pack to our south and west, ranging over 2' in areas. Updates within the past week (click on the links for more information) show that there is a good chance of flooding at Montevideo and also the Mississippi River below the junction with the Minnesota River (St. Paul and Hastings); the Crow River at Delano has a large chance of flooding; the Mississippi River above the Minnesota River (i.e. our area) has a 20-40% chance of flooding. Meanwhile, the chance of major flooding along the Red River has increased to 80% in the Fargo-Moorhead area and 60% in the Grand Forks area. While the conditions of the past few days have been ideal melting conditions to minimize the threat, any addition of moisture or rapid increase in temperature will likely increase all these flooding percentages. Also, temperatures in SW Minnesota haven't been able to get as high as we have the past few days, therefore they haven't been able to melt as we have been, leading to a lot more increased melting for them as the weeks go on.
Already today, sandbagging is occurring in Fargo and Grand Forks in anticipation of the upcoming flooding which has the potential to come close to last years historic flooding of the Red River. Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for the latest.
Forecast: 10-15 tonight with clear skies. Around 35 Tuesday and continued sunshine.
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