Thursday, April 24, 2014

Current Conditions
Temperature: 43°F
Feels Like: 38°F
Wind: Southeast @ 9 mph
Humidity: 93%
Pressure: 1007.3 mb ê

A cloudy and rainy day in the Chippewa Valley is expected to remain until later this evening. A low pressure system that has not moved much has been keeping rain in the area since late yesterday evening. The occluded front has disappeared, as expected, between yesterday and this afternoon. Current conditions are expected to clear later this evening, as winds shift from the east-southeast to the west-northwest, most likely pushing the storms out of the area. The extended forecast has a bump in temperatures tomorrow into the upper 60's, followed by another drop and more chances for precipitation.

This maps shows the current pressure and frontal systems around the country. Yesterday, there had been an occluded front off of the northern portion of the stationary front that runs through Iowa and Missouri. This front has since disappeared, as it was cut off yesterday. 

This weekend we should expect a cool down in temperatures across the Upper Midwest. There is a potential for rain/snow this weekend, as well. Severe storms are expected to push across the Texarkana area.

This shows the current jet stream patterns over the country. A trough starting around northeastern Montana and dipping all the way down to west Texas is leading to the potential for large snowfall in the Northwest within the next couple days. 

This map shows the current surface conditions for the Midwest region. Currently, moderate to heavy rain is present over much of Minnesota, extending into northwestern Wisconsin. Heavy snowfall is present in the Duluth area. Cloud cover extends west to the eastern border of the Dakotas.

This sounding shows the atmospheric conditions for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently, KI values indicate that there is mild atmospheric activity in the area in the form of non-severe storms.