Monday, April 7, 2014

Current Conditions
Temperature: 47°F
Feels Like: 42°F
Wind: West @ 10 mph
Humidity: 83%
Pressure: 1009.2 mb ê

A whopper of a snowstorm gave way to spring temperatures over the weekend. After a large snowstorm hit and dumped a decent amount of wet, slushy snow on us Friday temperatures started to warm up and by Sunday almost all of the new snow had melted. The outlook for this week is very bright, with temperatures peaking in the mid-upper 60's by Wednesday. Currently, we are experiencing some mildly chilly, but enjoyable April showers, as rain and some fog are present. Temperatures are in the upper 40's and are expected to reach the upper 50's by the end of the day. There is a chance for some thunderstorms after about 2:00 PM, as rain is expected to continue for the better portion of the day.

This pressure map shows the current pressure systems and fronts moving through the country. Currently, low pressure systems dominate the eastern United States, with a plethora of upper atmosphere, low pressure troughs being present over every part of the country but the Pacific Northwest. Rain is also dominating much of the east, starting from about Minnesota-down, and continuing to the Atlantic Seaboard.

This Accuweather map shows the current weather patterns for Monday, where rain is likely over much of the viewing area. Some cool air will be coming down from central Canada, but temperatures will reach the upper 50's.

This shows the midweek predictions for the country. Warm weather is expected to push northeast from the Desert Southwest. The jet stream is taking a large dip, centered around the eastern seaboard. Chilly temperatures are expected to reach down into the New England area.

This is the prediction for the current warming trend expected to span the country this week. By Wednesday, the pleasant, warm temperatures are predicted to reach the area, bringing temperatures just shy of the 70's.

This shows the current jet stream pattern at 250 mb. Currently the major dip in the jet stream is in the center of the country, extending down into Texas.

This map shows the current surface conditions over the Midwest. Rain is currently being reported in moderate, continuous quantities at Eau Claire. Much of the viewing area is overcast.

This sounding from Minneapolis, Minnesota shows the current atmospheric conditions for the area. The LI value of 2.5 indicates stable conditions with shows possible. The KI value of 28 indicates a small chance for thunderstorms.