weather 2/29/12

Unfortunately, classes were not cancelled today due to the weather, however high schools throughout the area and into MN were cancelled due to icey roadways and snow. As of last night the pressure system was still to our south and was pumping up moisture with winds from the east/southeast. Around 10pm last we had already received around 5.5 inches of snow, but the precipiation then changed over to a freezing rain. There were a few acciendet along state street last night as well due to the icy conditions. There is more rain and ice to our south and evn further south there are tornado watches and warnings takking place. More than 15 tornadoes have already occured on the southern edge of this system and more are expected in the southeast today. In Branson, MO there have been already 13 deaths associated with the tornado outbreak and more tornadoes are moving into southern Kentucky.  Currently, the snow total is now up to 7.7 inches and the low pressure system is sitting right over the twin cities area and is spinning counterclockwise. However the system is now dying due to the occluded front associated with it. See map below.  Snow expectations  are around 2-3 inches for today and the winds are now from the south at 20mph. Addionally, the barometer has been steadily dropping since last checked around classtime yesterday.







Precip totals so far

weather 2/28/12

This storm that formed out in the Rockies also known as a Colorado low, will be the most significant storm for this entire winter. However, it appears that the worst of the storm will pass north of Eau Claire which is unfortunate for all of those, including myself who were hoping for classes to be cancelled tomorrow. The Eau Claire area is only expected to receive around 1-3 inches of snow, along with sleet, ice, and rain mixed in at times as well. There is also a small chance for there to be ice accumulating throughout the rest of Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. Regardless travel will be very hazardous and especially with the ice/sleet is not advised. As the low pressure system moves into the upper midwest moisture from the gulf will pump up into the region providiign the areas north where the system is moving with abundant snowfall, up to a foot in places or more. Areas to the south in the moist warmer air will recieve less snow, or just recieve rain/ice. Currently, the temperature is just above freezing and the winds are from the SE at 10mph. This is good news that there will be at least some snow in the afternoon. The graphics below illustrate the storm and its predicted track.

weather 2/27/12

An area of low pressure over the Southern Rockies is expected to head northeast and hit the Central Plains.  This system will be rich in both moisture from the low pressure system and gulf moisture hitting the cold air mass. Thus allowing for there to be very large snowfall amounts expected throughout MN and WI.  In the Eau Claire area about 4-8 inches of snow are expected throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, with rain/snow mixed in as well. As you head south and south west however, the storm will be less intense and will be mostly rain/snow mixed. There are a few possible tracks that this storm could have it could go farther north bringing Duluth more snow instead and Eau Claire only getting grazed by the storm or we could have up to 12 inches of snow if the storm decides to stay south.

weather 2/26/12

An occluded front and a low pressure system are sitting to the west of the eau claire region today bringing with it cloudy skies, warm temperatures, and a chance for precipitation into tonight and tomorrow. Winds are howling from the SW at 25 mph and the as the front moves through temperatures should be dropping by almost 20 degrees tonight. Most of the moisture is fore casted to stay to the south and there is only a 30% chance of snow tonight.

weather 2/25/12

The Eau Claire regions weather for today is clear skies with a high of 25 degrees today with high pressure dominating the region throughout the day. Into tonight a small front will be moving into the region bringing with it warm temperatures again and a slight chance of snow tonight and into tomorrow morning early. Another interesting weather event in the country is the area of low pressure  that is intensifying over New England and eastern Canada. Strong winds from the west will be blowing across the lower Great Lakes and eastern coast. See map below

Finally some colder air has moved into the eau claire area. The high today was 26 degrees and around 1pm there was snow flurries. No accumulations of snow, but the sight was welcoming. Tonight there is a 30% chance of snow flurries into the overnight hours and winds will be from the WNW at 25 mph. These winds will be funneling the colder air down into the area and the low for tonight will be around 14 degrees. The rest of the weekend looks like it will be around average for temperatures.

weather 2/23/12

Today is more of the same old warm temperatures with highs reaching around 40 degrees yet again today. currently the skies are cloudy with low stratus clouds moving in from the west. There is a slight chance of snow tonight due to the fact that there is a low pressure system sitting to our north and our south, however the chance of snow is only 30% through tonight and into tomorrow. Tomorrow's forecast looks like a few snow showers and winds will be from the WNW.