Storms on the Horizon

Today's weather was fairly mild.  Walking into the school this morning, the sky was overcast.  The temperature was on the cooler side.  However, the sun eventually broke through and remained for the remainder of the day.  Mixed cloud cover ranged from clear to scattered.  A light SE wind was present for most of the day.

Figure 1 shows a significant amount of low pressure surrounding the area. Based on that, I predict an increase in cloud cover tomorrow and a likely chance of precipitation.  Wind should also switch directions and possibly increase with the front(s) moving through.  Temperature will decrease due to the approaching cold front.

Figure 1.  Current weather map from The Weather Channel.
Significant amount of low pressure around the country.

Calm Conditions

On my way into work this morning, the temperature felt a lot colder than it looked.  A light wind from the W was present.  When I left work earlier this evening, it felt much warmer.  Clear conditions were present and a few cirrus clouds.

Figure 1 shows that there is currently a stationary front in the area.  Until something causes this to move, the mass of cold air behind the front will remain in place.  Based on the stationary front and high pressure, there will be minimal changes in the weather tomorrow.  Cloud cover will be clear to scattered.  Temperature will be about the same as today.  If any wind is present, it will be a light wind out of the west until the high pressure moves through.  Precipitation will be unlikely due to the high pressure.

Figure 1.  Current surface map from The Weather Channel.

Minimal Changes

Except for early this morning and late this afternoon, I wasn't able to get outside and make any weather observations.  However, my predictions were fairly accurate based on what I did see.  Early this morning, the sky was overcast with stratus clouds.  The temperature was still cold, but it was still fairly early.  By the time I was walking home late this afternoon, the sky was clear to scattered consisting of primarily cirrus clouds.  Temperature was still very warm, which was supported by the recent snow melt.

A quick glance at Figure 1 might indicate that some precipitation is in store for us in the near future.  However, a closer examination reveals an occluded front, which means that the storm is basically cut off from its energy source. Thus, I believe the storm will have run its course by the time it reaches Eau Claire.  With the low pressure moving through, a light wind should start coming from the SW by tomorrow.  Temperature will be roughly the same as today, possibly a little warmer.  Cloud cover will be scattered to broken. There will be a small chance of precipitation.

Figure 1.  Current weather map from The Weather Channel.

High Pressure

My predictions from yesterday were very accurate due to the high pressure in the area.  For most of the day, the sun was out along with scattered clouds. The clouds today weren't as obvious to me.  After looking through the field guide, I'm still not totally sure.  They were definitely some type of cumulus though since they had the round, puffy features.  However, their changing sizes and patterns threw me off.

The temperature was fairly warm.  However, the position of the jet stream prevented it from being much warmer.  As shown in Figure 1, there is a significant trough in the jet stream.  This trough is bringing a cold, continental polar air mass south into our area.  If the trough in the jet stream moves farther east, then it could bring a warmer, continental tropical air mass north. This would increase the temperature in the area.

Based on the current high pressure, there will be minimal changes in the weather tomorrow.  Cloud cover will remain scattered.  No precipitation. However, temperature will increase due to a SW wind carrying a continental tropical air mass.

Figure 1.  Map of the jet stream from Intellicast.

Minimal Snow

To be honest, today was something of a letdown.  I actually don't mind snow for the most part, and I was looking forward to one more big snowfall. However, this storm fell far below the early predictions.  By the time I got up early this morning, it was already snowing.  It was coming down steadily on my way into school.  However, the temperature was still fairly warm.  As a result, a lot of the snow melted when it reached the ground.

By the time I was walking home late this afternoon, the snow was done falling.  It only amounted to a couple of inches.  Stratus clouds remained in the sky after the snowfall was over.  Light wind conditions were prevalent for most of the day.

Figure 1 shows two high-pressure systems in the general area.  Based on that, I predict a fairly calm day tomorrow.  Clear to scattered sky conditions.  A light N/NW wind will reduce the temperature.  Precipitation will be unlikely.

Figure 1.  Current surface map from The Weather Channel.