4/30/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 67
Feels Like: ??
Wind: S @ 17 mph
Relative Humidity: 33%
Cloud cover: Overcast Altostratus Clouds
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1013.9 mb (Converted from 29.94 in)

Another great day to be alive here in Eau Claire, WI! The weekend was a perfect day to be outside and exploring the landscape. In my case I was chasing turkeys around the woods and taking in the sights and sounds mother nature had to offer. This meant a lack on internet connection which kept me from posting. The skies were clear and the temperatures though chilly at 4:30 am rose to the 60's in the afternoon. The winds increased on Sunday afternoon which made the temps a little less enjoyable for those in shorts and t-shirts.

My last forecast was good and no real discrepancies.

The forecast for the next few days is not looking as good as today's weather. Today we are looking to hit temps near 80. Then later tonight as an area of low pressure moves in and convergence of a cold and warm front we will see a chance for some showers which will turn to thunderstorms later during the day on Tuesday. We will have to see how things line up to know if there is a chance for severe storms or not. As of right now it isn't very likely to see severe storms from the system.

Current surface conditions from the NWS.

4/27/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 54
Feels Like: 50
Wind: S @ 14 mph
Relative Humidity: 38%
Cloud cover: Partly Cloudy
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1006.0 mb (Converted from 29.70 in)

Little on the gloomy side here in Eau Claire today. The morning started out with some lower level Stratus morphing into Stratocumulus clouds which spit a very brief sprinkle of rain out but there really wasn't enough upward growth or height to the clouds to bring any measurable amounts of precipitation with them. Though the wind is out of the south the breeze is chilly due to the low relative humidity and the cold front pushing in.

Status clouds near Fall Creek, WI this morning which produced a few minor sprinkles.

My forecast from the other day was pretty solid.

The forecast for this afternoon and tomorrow is looking like a wide variety. A cold front is pushing through and cutting of the remainder of the warm front which was coming up from the southwest. Combine this with the area of low pressure we are not in there is a chance for some scattered showers. Not major is going to come from the storm as the warm front is almost no longer anymore due to being cut off. The weekend looks like it will be nice with clear skies and temperatures hitting near 70 on Sunday.

Current surface map from the NWS.

4/25/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 46
Feels Like: 43
Wind: SW @ 6 mph
Relative Humidity: 50%
Cloud cover: Clear
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1023.5 mb (Converted from 30.21 in)

Good morning everyone! Going to be another great day here in Eau Claire. Yesterday was great till around 5 o'clock. A layer of Altostratus clouds (photo to come) moved in and the picked up out of the E/NE making those who were in shorts and a t-shirt looking for another layer.

My forecast from the other day was about spot on.

The forecast for the rest of today is looking great. We are still located in the area of high pressure and the temperatures should reach the low 60's. The clouds will start rolling in later tonight in to the early morning. Then there will be a chance for some spotty rain tomorrow afternoon. Temps should still reach near 60 but will depend on the amount of cloud cover we receive and the timing of sunlight. Till next time...

Current surface conditions from the NWS.

4/23/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 55
Feels Like: 54
Wind: S @ 6 mph
Relative Humidity: 34%
Cloud cover: Clear
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1024.8 mb (Converted from 30.26 in)

Clear and beautiful day here in Eau Claire. A high pressure system has been situated over us for the past few days leading to great weather and a lack of activity. This trend will continue over the next couple days. So there really isn't much to talk about. Till next time!

Current surface model from the NWS. Notice the low pressure system and the storms associated with it in the SE.

4/20/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 42
Feels Like: 42
Wind: Calm
Relative Humidity: 55%
Cloud cover: Partly Cloudy
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1014.7 mb (Converted from 29.94 in)

Looking to be a nice day here in Eau Claire. Partly cloudy skies with Cirrostratus partly blocking the sun but not fully. The temperatures should be approaching mid-50's by early to mid afternoon. We are currently situated almost directly in the middle of a high pressure system which will be leading to uneventful conditions for the next few days and giving us the calm winds currently.

My forecast from the other day was good. The precipitation I forecasted to be South of the Eau Claire area stayed JUST South. We headed to Osseo, WI which is about 20 mins South of Eau Claire and we ran into a brief flurry of snow around 4:30 PM but it only lasted for about 5 mins.

The forecast for the next few days is looking great. Temperatures should be approaching and possible hitting the mid-60's. As we remain in the high pressure system there is now real chance for precipitation.

Current surface conditions from the NWS.

4/18/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 33
Feels Like: 24
Wind: E @ 12 Mph
Relative Humidity: 70%
Cloud cover: Overcast
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1014.7 mb (Converted from 29.94 in)

Gloomy day here in Eau Claire. Overcast skies and cool temperatures don't put much excitement into the day. Not much to talk about at the current moment but that could change later today.

My forecast from Monday was pretty good. No real flaws to be found.

The forecast for later today and tomorrow is looking better than it was a few days ago. Earlier in the week there was a chance of precipitation but looks like that chance is gone now. There is some precipitation off to our Southwest but looks like the high pressure over Canada will keep it south of Eau Claire and drive it further away as the day goes along. Tomorrow we should see the skies clearing as the day progresses and temperatures should approach 50 deg F.

Current surface map from the NWS. Note the precipitation over Iowa which will not quite make it into the northern portions of Wisconsin.

4/16/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 28
Feels Like: 17
Wind: NW @ 13 Mph
Relative Humidity: 69%
Cloud cover: Overcast
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1016.1 mb (Converted from 29.97 in)

What a change from New Orleans...snow fell all day on Saturday and through most of the day on Sunday here in Eau Claire. The massive low pressure has moved off to the East and is not creating havoc for the east coast. There is still a slight chance for a little more precipitation throughout today but very minor compared to the dumping we got over the weekend. Totals are adding up to around 10" depending on your location around the area. Areas to the East (Green Bay) got considerably more snow.

Snow falling on Saturday after I returned from New Orleans.

Snowfall piled up after the first round of plowing.

My last forecast was pretty good though the snow lasted a bit longer than expected.

Tomorrows forecast looks clear. An area of high pressure will be moving in bringing up clear skies and some sun to hopefully clear off the roadways. Temperatures should be in the high 30's with a very slight breeze.

Current surface map from the NWS.

4/14/2018

Current Conditions at New Orleans, New Orleans Lakefront Airport (KNEW)
Temp: 76
Feels Like: 76
Wind: S @ 18 Mph
Relative Humidity: 85%
Cloud cover: Overcast
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1009.6 mb (Converted from 29.83 in)

Quick update as I am sitting at the airport awaiting my flight into Chicago. Things are starting to ramp up with the storm across the United States. I took a quick look at the current surface map and wanted to share it with you all (Figure 1). You can see a strong line of thunderstorms extending south from Illinois to the Texas. That line of storms will be bringing a chance for flash flooding to New Orleans and many other portions of the south. There is a large trough in the jet stream which is assisting this storm to move along to the north/northeast along with aiding the rotation...at least it seems to me..probably not a real thing (Figure 2).

(Figure 1) Current surface map from the NWS. 

Image from earth.nullschoo.net showing the 250 mb winds, note the trough over the U.S. The winds in the turns are faster than those going in a straight line as a general rule.

4/13/2018 "The Big Easy Part 2"

Current Conditions at New Orleans, New Orleans Lakefront Airport (KNEW)
Temp: 67
Feels Like: 65
Wind: SE @ 8 Mph
Relative Humidity: 91%
Cloud cover: Clear
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1014.2 mb (Converted from 29.97 in)

Good morning all! Yesterday was a beautiful day in New Orleans which required the use of sunscreen and minor sun burns were still achieved for us Wisconsinites which have been tucked away in our jackets throughout the winter. However, we have been focused on the storm building back in Wisconsin as our travel plans have us scheduled as the brunt of the storm is hitting the Wisconsin/Minnesota region.

My forecast for the New Orleans area yesterday was right on.

Today's forecast for New Orleans is a similar repeat of yesterday for the morning but later this afternoon into the evening we will start to see an increase in clouds and a chance for rain turning to thunderstorms by Saturday afternoon/evening.

Eau Claire's forecast is still not looking good. A large low pressure system is about to push into the area bringing with it a rain which will eventually switch to snow later Friday evening and continue through Saturday afternoon. The winds are going to be strong by Mid-Western ideals (20-30 mph).

Current surface conditions from the NWS.

Current warnings and watches from the NWS, see weather.gov for a legend of the warnings associated with the colors.

4/12/2018 "The Big Easy"

Current Conditions at New Orleans, New Orleans Lakefront Airport (KNEW)
Temp: 71
Feels Like: 71
Wind: SE @ 15 Mph
Relative Humidity: 51%
Cloud cover: Clear
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1020.0 mb (Converted from 30.14 in)

Good morning from New Orleans. Sorry for the lack of posting, but I have been busy with my American Association of Geographers Conference and exploring the city. The weather here has been beautiful compared to Eau Claire. Today the temps here are expected to hit almost 80 deg F....probably going to lead to a nice sun burn if I can get outside a little later today. New Orleans in on the edge of a high pressure which is leading to the clear skies and warm temperatures. The weather here in New Orleans has been uneventful all week with mostly clear skies and temps in the high 60's to 70's with continual sun.

Beautiful weather here in New Orleans. Picture is taken on Canal street.

The same cannot be said for the weather back in Eau Claire. Wisconsin is situated in the middle of a low pressure system which has the temps around the 40's with fog/mist in the air. Current wind are out of the North but will be switching to out of the East later tonight into tomorrow. Continued rain, freezing rain, turning to snow will continue through Saturday into Sunday. Hoping the system shifts to the North so I can make it home on Saturday. I will be trying to keep an eye on this as the weekend gets closer. I will be traveling early Saturday, so hopefully I will be able to post an update Friday night.

Current surface conditions from the NWS.

4/8/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 32
Feels Like: 27
Wind: NW @ 5 Mph
Relative Humidity: 40%
Cloud cover: Overcast
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1018.6 mb (Converted from 30.03 in)

The last few days here in Eau Claire have been uneventful but Friday had a wide variety of weather. The morning started out with a mini-blizzard like action with strong winds out of the West (Video below). Then overcast skies gave way to partly cloudy skies and sun. The remainder of the weekend was uneventful with sun on Saturday and Sunday starting out sunny and giving way to overcast skies in the afternoon.

My forecast from Thursday was fair but missed the nasty winds which made their way in on Friday morning.

Tomorrows forecast is looking fair except for the early morning. There is some light precipitation in Minnesota currently which will be moving in to the area in the overnight to early morning. Hopefully it will not disrupt my flight out of Eau Claire in the morning. I will talk to you all from New Orleans on Monday at some point.

Current surface conditions from the NWS.

4/5/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 28
Feels Like: 19
Wind: W @ 9 Mph
Relative Humidity: 66%
Cloud cover: Clear
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1020.2 mb (Converted from 30.08 in)

Blue clear sky day here in Eau Claire. The morning started off below zero but has quickly risen to near the freezing point. As the sun appeared over the horizon there was an apparent temperature inversion from looking at my neighbors wood stove smoke. Before the sun had fully made it above the horizon the smoke was going straight up (Figure 1). Then after the sun fully appeared above the horizon the smoke was going sideways due to the temperature inversion (Figure 2).

(Figure 1) Smoke going straight up just before the sun made it over the horizon.

(Figure 2) Smoke going sideways from the temperature inversion.

My forecast from yesterday was pretty good but I didn't predict the cold temperatures this morning.

Tomorrows forecast is looking like a chance of precipitation tonight into the early morning hours. Then the skies should clear up and the sun will be shining through. The polar vortex is located over Canada right now which will continue to keep our temperatures cool.

Current surface map from the NWS.

4/4/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 18
Feels Like: 6
Wind: NW @ 10 Mph
Relative Humidity: 49%
Cloud cover: Clear
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1022.0 mb (Converted from 30.14 in)

Calm after the storm here in Eau Claire. Average snow fall totals from yesterday are in the 7" range. The area of high pressure is now workings its way in bringing with it colder temperatures and clear skies. The storm which passed through yesterday has ramped up to a larger system off to our East.

View from my garage this morning after the snow from Tuesday.

View of the snow depth. The area with low snow close to the camera was shoveled around 6:00 pm and the area in the top or back of the image was never shoveled all day.

My forecast from yesterday was pretty spot on.

Tomorrows forecast is looking pretty clear until the afternoon. Temperatures will reach the mid-30's. There is a slight chance of rain or snow in the afternoon. The system which will bring the precipitation is off the West again and we will have to watch the formation as the day goes along.

Current surface conditions from the NWS.

4/3/2018 Snow Day!

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 30
Feels Like: 20
Wind: NE @ 13 Mph
Relative Humidity: 88%
Cloud cover: Cloudy
Precipitation: Snow
Pressure: 1011.7 mb (Converted from 29.84 in)

Snow filled day here in Eau Claire, WI. Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 1:00 AM. The snow has been falling off and on since last night but the snow is starting to pile up around the noon hour. We are currently on the edge of cold front which is driving the precipitation into the region. The appearance of frontal lifting of moisture into the atmosphere.

View from my garage of the snow falling around noon.

My forecast from yesterday was good thus far. Wait and see how long the snow lasts.

Forecast for tomorrow should be clear once the snow leaves later tonight and into the early morning hours. Temperatures will cooler as we end of in the high pressure dome on the back side of this storm.

Current surface map from the NWS.

4/2/2018

Current Conditions at Chippewa Valley Regional, WI
Temp: 28
Feels Like: 22
Wind: S @ 5 Mph
Relative Humidity: 66%
Cloud cover: Overcast
Precipitation: None
Pressure: 1017.0 mb (Converted from 29.99 in)

Sorry for the absence as we have had interesting weather on Saturday which brought snow to the Eau Claire Area. Pockets of snow flurries were flying while the sun was out during the evening hours of Saturday but the majority of the snow which stuck to the ground fell during the dark hours and into Sunday.

Image of the snow fall over night on Saturday and snow still falling early in the morning on Sunday in Fall Creek, WI.

Currently there the skies are overcast but the skies are bright. The south winds are not really doing a whole lot for the temperature. These calm conditions are not going to last for much longer.

My forecast from Friday was pretty good. The snow appeared when I predicted.

The forecast for the next few days looks like a snowy one. A low pressure system located off to our West over Wyoming and extending into Minnesota will be blowing in by this evening via the jet stream. Look for the snow to start later this afternoon into the evening hours. Then snow almost all day tomorrow with chances decreasing as the day goes along.

Current surface condition from the NWS. Notices the low pressure and precipitation off to the west of WI and MN.