May 8, 2018

Temperature: 65°F
Dew Point: 47°F
Wind: ESE 2 mph
Clouds: Altocirrus
Precipitation: 40%

Currently, in our area temperatures are still going to remain high today. With a high of 78°F today and a getting down to 57°F overnight. Currently, the air is getting closer to saturation (based on dewpoint and temperature) then it was yesterday, this may make the air feel thicker. A cold front is passing through, bringing temperatues down 8°F compared to yesterday. As this low pressure system moves in, there will be a series of rain events throughout the week.

Figure 1. Surface Forecast for 8:00 PM EDT (intellicast.com).

Today, Western MN will be getting a start to the large amounts of rain for the day. This first wave will miss Eau Claire because it is not coming directing from the SW in Eau Claire's path.

Figure 2. Radar at 9:30 AM EDT (weather.com);

There is a higher chance for Easter MN and Western WI to receive rain later tonight. The winds should continue to come from the SE (like they are now), there is a chance that precipitation will occur in the next 15-20 hours. If the precipitation t the south continues to develop, this could be the wave of rain that Eau Claire sees tonight.

Figure 3. United States Colored Water Vapor Satellite (accuweather.com).

May 7, 2018

Temperature: 84°F
Dew Point: 39°F
Wind: W 16 mph
Clouds: Cumulus

The cycle is over Wisconsin right now pulling air from the south to the east and back down. This pattern is driving the high temps that are being received on this sunny day. Temperatures will only fall tonight to a low of 56°F.

Figure 1. US Temperature For 5:00 PM EDT May 7, 2018 (wunderground.com).

The high pressure dome has created a shift in moisture in the Midwest (indicated by the dryline). The cold front is leaving the US to the SE and a warm from is going to follow over night continuing the warm temperatures. However, there is going to be a shift in temperatures throughout the week. Another cold front is going to be followed by a Low pressure system that could be bring and cool down temperatures to the 50s and 60s for this week. This will most likely by influenced by the continental polar air masses being brought down from the north.

Figure 2. Current surface (intellicast.com).

May 5, 2018

Temperature: 79°F
Dew Point: 32°F
Wind: S 6 mph
Clouds: Cirrus
Precipitation: 20%

Today, the jet stream is seated over Canada. This is a shift from earlier this week when it was divided the continent into the cool weather to the west and warm weather to the east, with the jet stream split in the middle.

Figure 1. Jet stream at 250 hPa (earth.nullschool.net).

The pattern change will continue tomorrow dropping a section of the jet stream southwest and staying up in the northeast. Different from last week, the SW will experience the hot temperatures and the NE will be cooler than the average.

Figure 2. A broad southward dip in the jet stream will set up over the eastern states this weekend while a large northward bulge in the jet streams develops in the West. (weather.com).

Leads to a cold front coming from the north bringing down high pressure system that is continued by the continental polar air masses. The Northeast will receive even more rain this weekend.

Figure 3. 24 hr Surface Forecast For 2:00 PM EDT May 6, 2018 (intellicast.com).

As for tonight, there is still some precipitation in the air. Therefore, there is a slight chance that there will be some rain around 9:00 PM tonight.

Figure 4. US Prevalent Weather For 8:00 PM EDT May 5, 2018 (wunderground.com).

May 3, 2018

Temperature: 72°F
Dew Point: 40°F
Wind: ENE 2 mph
Clouds: Clear
Precipitation: 20%

The low pressure system is still remaining in the same area of the US, carrying a stationary front. This front still continues to bring much rain and some severe storms alone this boundaries.

Figure 1. Current surface (intellicast.com). 

In this area, there is about 20% precipitation in the atmosphere. South of Eau Claire, there is influence of drylines causing heavier shifts in precipitation to the south. Places like Chicago are experiencing flood warnings from all the rain the past few days. 

Figure 2. United States Colored Water Vapor Satellite (accuweather.com).

As for tonight, by 8:00 pm Eau Claire might experience some rain. The shift in severe weather will be near/in Iowa and more of the impacts of precipitation will extend further to the NE.

Figure 3. US Prevalent Weather For 8:00 PM EDT May 3, 2018 (wunderground.com).

The easterly winds will continue to drive temperatures up for the day and into tomorrow, maybe even shorts can be enjoyed for more than one day.

May 2, 2018

Temperature: 63°F
Dew Point: 50°F
Wind: W 9 mph
Clouds: Altostratus
Precipitation: 20%

Another low pressure system is sweeping the US again continuing thunderstorms for certain areas today. The country is divided again by warm temperatures clashing with the colder temperatures to the west. There is a long stationary from extending from the west to the northeast. and an additional cold front below that. The border of the two fronts is where the severity of the thunderstorms are located mainly in the mid-south.

Figure 1. Current surface (intellicast.com). 

The areas of high precipiation are along the cold and stationary fronts described above. Nebraska and Kansas are going to be seeing the strong effects from this storm.

Figure 2. United States Colored Water Vapor Satellite (accuweather.com).

The figure below shows areas that are going to see rain tonight. The areas in red are at greater risk for strong thunderstorms. Eau Claire, WI should not see any rain tonight. If this storm continues to move from the southwest, then Thursday might be the day that Eau Claire sees some more rain. 

Figure 3. US Prevalent Weather For 8:00 PM EDT May 2, 2018 (wunderground.com).

May 1, 2018

Temperature: 69°F
Dew Point: 48°F
Wind: SW 13 mph
Clouds: Altostratus/Nimbostratus mix
Precipitation: 80%

The jet stream has split across the US. The eastern half is experiencing marine tropical air masses (SW winds bringing warmer temperatures) and the western section has continental polar air masses driving temperatures down.

Figure 1. Jet stream at 250 hPa (earth.nullschool.net).

Storms are going to develop along a cold front from southern and east central Minnesota across west central Wisconsin this afternoon and into the evening. A few severe storms will be possible. Temperatures will remain mild with a high of 72°F for the day. Tonight temperatures will fall to a low of 51°F

Figure 2. Current surface (intellicast.com). 

It is likely that storms will be likely throughout the week. Watch vertical development in the clouds to see if there is going to be severe storms. 

Figure 3. United States Colored Water Vapor Satellite (accuweather.com).

April 30, 2018

Temperature: 79°F
Dew Point: 45°F
Wind: SSE 22 mph
Clouds: Altostratus
Precipitation: 20%

Temperatures are high today with winds coming from the south. Today's high was 81°F and tonight temperature will stay on the warmer side with a low of 59°F. Where the line is carved in the wind patterns of Figure 1, shows the cold front dividing the US by cold vs warm temperatures.

Figure 1. Surface winds (earth.nullschool.net).

A warm front is crashing with the cold front, creating a series of thunderstorms over the Dakotas. If the low pressure system continues to move west, Wisconsin should see these strong thunderstorms tomorrow.

Figure 2. Current surface (intellicast.com). 

A stretch of high precipitation is extending from the Dakotas to Texas. South of the cold front, there is a moisture change indicated by the dryline on the surface map (Figure 2).

Figure 3. United States Colored Water Vapor Satellite (accuweather.com).

April 27, 2018

Temperature: 53°F
Dew Point: 35°F
Wind: NE 17 mph
Clouds: Cumulus Fractostratus
Precipitation: 20%

Today is a great day to watch the clouds. Figure 1 shows that in the Eau Claire area there is a cyclone moving over this area. Watch for vertical development in the cumulus clouds. If they continue to grow into Cumulonimbus clouds and the winds shift to strong SW winds, strong storms could be possible.

Figure 1. Surface winds (earth.nullschool.net).

However, because the wind is moving NE there is some precipitation likely. Right now there about 20% precipitation in the atmosphere. There is a drier streak across Eau Claire. And due to the fact that there is no rain forecast on the radar SW of Eau Claire, I do not think there is room for development for it to actually rain tonight.

Figure 2. United States Colored Water Vapor Satellite (accuweather.com).

The cold front is going to continue to move SE tonight with a series of Lows. This means that temperature will get down to the 30°F overnight. And for all of you who thought it would be time to finally sit out on your patio or have the first fire of the year, it will be 47°F by the time sun sets (8:06 p.m.). Make sure you bring a sweatshirt!

Figure 3. Surface Forecast for 8:00 PM EDT (intellicast.com).

April 26, 2018

Temperature: 65°F
Dew Point: 35°F
Wind: NNW 14 mph
Clouds: Cumulus
Precipitation: 20%

Temperatures remained relatively high today with stronger winds than usual. The high pressure system kept from any exciting weather from happening. Now the winds are coming from the NNW at 14 mph. That can lead to cooler temperatures starting tonight into tomorrow.

Figure 1. 12-Hour Surface Forecast (intellicast.com).

Most of the precipitation is showing between the two cold fronts to the east. The dry air in the SE is due to the winds coming from the north and circling back up in the cyclone pattern.

Figure 2. United States Colored Water Vapor Satellite (accuweather.com).

There is still a large gap when the next low pressure system will reach the Midwest. Therefore, if the NW winds continue, temperatures should be lower than they have the last few days. This pattern should stay for tomorrow and Saturday. No spring storms yet to worry about.

April 25, 2018

Temperature: 42°F
Dew Point: 28°F
Wind: NNE 7 mph
Clouds: Clear

The high pressure system over the Midwest is keeping the skies clear today with barely any clouds and temperatures in the 60s. The high for today is 60°F and the low for tonight is 37°F. Definitely weather to leave your windows open at night for a great sleep.

Figure 1. Surface Forecast (intellicast.com).

The Nor'easter (Maritime Polar air mass) is bringing a lot of rain into the Northeast today. The east coast also has sharp changes in moisture where the occluded front stands (this is indicated by the dry lines). Additionally, the south has a lot of precipitation forming from the Maritime Tropical (Gulf) air masses. This air mass is most likely causing humid conditions as well.

Figure 2. Jet stream at 250 hPa (earth.nullschool.net).

The continually shifting jet stream has moved us from large quantities of snow to above average temperatures for this area. The approaching 70 temperatures is unusually for April and will be high by the time it's May. If the trough continues to build in the jet stream to the east, the continental polar masses will bring cold air to the west and the Maritime Tropical will shift warm and humid conditions for the east half of the US. This will bring severe weather to those areas that are on the border of the Cold/Warm front. That means that severe weather could also strike in the upper Midwest as well.

Figure 3. Severe weather outbreak, tornado risk poised to strike central US next week (accuweather.com).

April 24, 2018

Temperature: 46°F
Dew Point: 36°F
Wind: Calm
Clouds: Cirrus

The big debate at this time of year (all April winter storms considering) is when can we officially turn off the heat and open the windows. Having 3 additional people living in your house, this can be an endless battle. These people who are from Wisconsin fear the cold. Like days like today where we will have a high of 63°F for the day and a low of 32°F at night, the near freezing temperatures make some people hesitant to open the windows. I would be for making this stuffy house feel like spring with the windows open. So, when will there be a low that is high enough at night to keep the heat off?

Figure 1. US Prevalent Weather For 11:00 AM EDT April 24, 2018 (wunderground.com).

Today, two low pressure systems have divided rain to the west and east of the Midwest/Midsouth. The rain should never reach Eau Claire if the patterns continue southwest.

Figure 2. Surface Forecast (intellicast.com).

The next few days it seems that there will be another high pressure system driving the temperatures back up. But not to last. A series of weather stations are predicting that there will be rain on Thursday (maybe due to the crazy patterns in the jet stream). But over the ocean by seattle, there is another low pressure system followed by a cold front. This next wave could be bringing the rain on Thursday.

Figure 3. United States Low Temperatures - Sunday, Apr 29 (accuweather.com).

Since, the temperatures are beginning to stretch to the 70°F marks, the jump in temperatures might last. My prediction is that by Sunday the lows will raise to high 40s/ low 50s and I will finally be able to tell my roommates to open the damn windows!

April 23, 2018

Temperature: 66°F
Dew Point: 27°F
Wind: S 1 mph
Clouds: Clear

Winds are still coming from the south (not very fast wind) and the sky is clear as ever on this warm day. The jet stream remains over Canada causing the influence of higher temperatures as well. There will be a high of 68°F and a low of 39°F tonight.

Figure 1. Jet stream at 250 hPa (earth.nullschool.net).

There is a low pressure system to the west (following a cold front). When this reaches Wisconsin it will cause a slight temperatures drop to the 50s and could create some possibility for rain.

Figure 2. Current surface (intellicast.com). 

April 21, 2018

Kaukauna, WI
Temperature: 56°F
Dew Point: 27°F
Wind: SE 6 mph
Clouds: Cirrus

The jet stream is predominately hovering Canada, today. Winds are coming from the SE at 6 mph. The marine tropical air mass is circling below the jet stream bringing up the warmer temperatures with the gulf winds.

Figure 1. Jet stream at 250 hPa (earth.nullschool.net).

The Cirrus clouds are indicating that the conditions will be fare and skies will be clear. Spring weather is upon up now that the temperatures have consistently stayed at above freezing and warmer conditions.

Figure 2. US Temperature For 1:00 PM EDT April 22, 2018 (wunderground.com).

A high pressure system is present over the Midwest. To the south, where there is a series of rain, a string of fronts are changing in type from stationary, to warm, to cold fronts.

Figure 3. current surface (intellicast.com).