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).