Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Current Conditions:
Temperature: 44°F
Feels Like: 39°F
Wind: Northwest @ 9 mph
Humidity: 89%
Pressure: 1005.9 mb é

Overcast and rainy conditions continue, though their likelihood should decrease as the week progresses. Today has been entirely overcast, with drizzle on and off for the better part of the day. The large low pressure system that has been leading to all the precipitation is currently centered directly over the state, which will allow for continued overcast conditions and a potential for precipitation until around the end of the weekend. High pressure systems in the west should start to move east and begin clearing skies. We should also expect a bump in temperatures back into the mid-50's as we hit the second half of the week. 

This map shows the pressure and frontal systems currently over the country. The main cold front that is pushing that has been pushing the storm eastward has developed another occlusion, which will most likely lead to a weakening of the system, as it is cutting off its moisture supply. There are a few high pressure systems that will be pushing through, helping to clear skies in the latter part of the week.

This is an Accuweather map that is predicting summer trends. Conditions for our area, for much of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and for Florida and Georgia and expected to be typical. Unfortunately for the southwest, the drought is expected to continue to quench the area. 

This map shows the current jet stream patterns for the country. The large circular area in the center coincides with the low pressure system that has been affecting much of the country since Sunday. This trough has been pretty stuck for some time now, though it appears to be shifting to the east.

This map shows the current surface data for the Midwest. Like much of the preceding week, conditions are very overcast for most of the viewing area, with precipitation spotty, but present over a wide range of the map.

This sounding shows the atmospheric conditions for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently, there is some atmospheric activity in the form of non-severe storms. The cloud deck is also very low, as the humidity level shows very saturated conditions.