March 31, 2014 - 6:45 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 58° F

Feels Like: 58° F

Wind: SE at 9 mph (gusting to 18 mph)

Barometric Pressure: 998.4 mb

Relative Humidity: 73%

Dew Point: 42° F

Figure 1 - Surface conditions map of the US.

Eau Claire today was a pretty warm and overcast for the most part. The drop in pressure and the southeast winds confirm the low pressure system that is moving in from the west (Figure 1). This will probably make the rest of the week pretty sloppy and wet. 

Figure 2 - Water vapor map of the US.

Figure 2 shows the amount of water vapor in the air. You can see how much there is around the Midwest, swirling around that area of low pressure. That will probably be coming down on us throughout the work-week as either snow or rain, depending on the ambient temperature that day.

Figure 3 - Wind map of the US.

The wind map in figure 3 shows that low pressure system and why we are getting the winds from the southeast. We'll probably be getting some precipitation tonight and into tomorrow, but later in the week for sure.

Figure 4 shows why we had such warm temperatures today (in addition to the overcast skies giving us a "blanket" effect). The Jet Stream is bringing warm air from the Pacific across the country. If this continues, we should continue to have warmer temperatures (in the mid 40s or so) throughout the week.

Figure 4 - Jet Stream above the US.

March 28, 2014 - 5:55 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 36° F

Feels Like: 30° F

Wind: NW at 8 mph

Barometric Pressure: 1021.1 mb

Relative Humidity: 70%

Dew Point: 21° F

As I suspected, we have winds from the northwest today and higher pressure. This led to a less cloudy day. This weekend looks to be partly cloudy with temperatures rising to the mid 50s by Sunday. The forecast for next week shows some rain/snow in the middle of the week, so I would guess we'll be seeing the barometer drop and winds from the south or southeast.

March 27, 2014 - 3:45 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 35° F

Feels Like: 30° F

Wind: SE at 6 mph

Barometric Pressure: 999.1 mb

Relative Humidity: 84%

Dew Point: 34° F

Figure 1 - Surface conditions in the US

Right now, there's a heavy, wet snow falling in Eau Claire. With the temperature just above freezing, the snow is melting right away, causing a very wet day. In figure 1, you can see the cold front coming in from the west bringing the rain/snow with it. The low pressure (the barometer is even lower than yesterday) dome can be seen in both figures 1 and 2. It is centered over Southern Minnesota/Northern Iowa, which is why we are getting southeast winds. Figure 2 shows that wind direction.

Figure 2 - Surface data from Unisys

In the surface wind map (Figure 3), you can also see the southeast winds. You can also see right where that cold front is by where the winds in the Midwest confront each other. This is where the cold, more dense air is wedging the warm, less dense air higher into the troposphere. This is what causes cloud formation and eventually precipitation. This is also why you can see in figure 1 that most of the areas of precipitation are right above that cold front.

Figure 3 - Surface winds map

Figure 4 shows the water vapor in the air. There is definitely a lot of moisture above Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin, shown in green. I would guess the precipitation will continue for the rest of the afternoon at least, changing back and forth between snow and rain. 

Figure 4 - Water vapor above the US

As the cold front and low pressure move out of the area, I would expect the next couple of days to be less cloudy, and the winds to be coming from the west or northwest.

March 26, 2014 - 9:15 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 34° F

Feels Like: 24° F

Wind: SE at 15 mph (gusting to 23 mph)

Barometric Pressure: 1008.9 mb

Relative Humidity: 73%

Dew Point: 19° F

Figure 1 - Surface map of United States

The barometer has dropped quite a bit since yesterday (1025.0 mb), which is why Wisconsin is mostly cloudy and, in some spots, snowing (Figure 1). Here in Eau Claire, we will definitely be getting some precipitation tonight and into the day tomorrow. 

Figure 2 - Surface data from Unisys. Low pressure system
centered above Northern Nebraska/Southern South Dakota.

In figure 2, you can see why we are getting the SE winds. The low pressure system bringing those clouds (as well as all the moisture they're carrying, shown in figure 3) looks to be centered over Nebraska. 

Figure 3 - Water Vapor Satellite image. The green shows large
amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere. 

Figure 4 - Jet Stream bringing warm, Pacific air to the Midwest.

The Jet Stream is bringing warm air from the Pacific Ocean into the area (Figure 4). This should mean much warmer temperatures in the coming days (maybe into the 50s on Sunday!). Much of that snow will probably be melting soon, so it will likely be a little sloppy for a little while.

March 25, 2014 - 1:30 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 16° F

Feels Like: 1° F

Wind: NW at 15 mph (gusting to 22 mph)

Barometric Pressure: 1025.0 mb

Relative Humidity: 43%

Dew Point: 0° F

Figure 1 - Subpolar Jet Stream scooping down into the
Midwest bringing cold air.

I'm back! After a (too short) spring break, I'm continuing my (almost) daily weather blog. During the break, we had a couple of warm-ish days, and Thursday was the Spring Equinox, or First Day of Spring. Unfortunately, no one informed the Subpolar Jet Stream, which is bringing frigid, continental polar air into the area (Figure 1). 

Figure 2 - Surface conditions map

A high pressure dome hovers over the Midwest, which is why we have mostly clear skies and cold wind today. The cold front pushing out to the East Coast, along with a system of low pressure (Figure 3), will combine with the low pressure system shown in figure 2 to the east of Georgia and Florida. This will bring a lot of precipitation and storms tonight and tomorrow to the Northeast.

Figure 3 - Surface data for New England. Notice the wind
spiraling counter clockwise around a point in Ontario and the
snow in Michigan and Canada; evidence of low pressure. 

As the Subpolar Jet straightens out, we should get warmer temperatures later in the week. This will probably bring precipitation as well on Thursday; rain during the day, turning to snow as temperatures drop overnight.

March 13, 2014 - 1:30 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 36° F

Feels Like: 27° F

Wind: S at 14 mph

Barometric Pressure: 1010.1 mb

Relative Humidity: 67%

Dew Point: 25° F

Another clear sunny day in the Chippewa Valley, though a little windy. In the surface map, it looks like a warm front is moving in from the west, which should bring some warm air with it. The wind is coming from the south today, and judging by the wind map in figure 2, it appears to be because of a low pressure system up in Canada. Also visible in the wind map is the high pressure system in the Southern US that is shown on the surface map. It looks like the low pressure and the cold front that were bringing violent storms to the New England area has, for the most part, moved on. There is still some precipitation in Maine, however, which is still near the low pressure system.

Figure 1 - Surface conditions map from Intellicast.com

Figure 2 - Wind map from earth.nullschool.net.

March 12, 2014 - 9:00 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 16° F

Feels Like: 16° F

Wind: Calm

Barometric Pressure: 1020.7 mb

Relative Humidity: 56%

Dew Point: 4° F

Figure 1 - Surface conditions map

Today was a fairly clear, sunny, day with some cloud cover. While not much is happening here, you can see from the surface map (Figure 1) that almost all of New England is getting hit. The storms are coming in behind the cold front that is moving through. Figure 2 shows the large low pressure system over the cold front in New England.

Figure 2 - Wind map of the US. Notice the huge low pressure
system around the cold front.

In figure 3, the difference of precipitation type on either side of the cold front can be seen. On the Atlantic side, the air is warmer and the precipitation is rain. The air is colder behind the front, bringing snow.

Figure 3 - Precipitation in New England. Green is rain, blue is
snow.

March 10, 2014 - 4:30 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions

Temperature: 50° F

Feels Like: 47° F

Wind: W at 8 mph

Barometric Pressure: 1002.7 mb

Relative Humidity: 85%

Dew Point: 33° F

Figure 1 - Jet Stream bringing warm air from the Pacific

It has been a beautiful day today! Temperatures made it into the 50s, causing a lot of the snow accumulation to melt. Figure 1 shows the Jet Stream bringing warm air from the Pacific to much of the country.

Figure 2 - Surface conditions for US. 

Figure 2 is a surface conditions map from Unisys, and Figure 3 is a surface map of the Midwest. You can see that the westerly winds we are getting right now and the drop in pressure are from the low pressure area hovering to the northeast of us.

Figure 3 - Surface data for Midwest. Eau Claire is getting westerly
winds from the low pressure area over Lake Superior.

In Figure 4, you can see the amount of water vapor in the air. Judging by the warm air, the low pressure, and the water vapor near by, I would expect at least a little bit of precipitation tonight/early morning. 

March 7, 2014 - 1:00 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions:

Temperature: 33° F

Feels Like: 27° F

Wind: W at 6 mph

Barometric Pressure: 1011.2 mb

Relative Humidity: 77%

Dew Point: 26° F

Today has been quite warm so far (I didn't have to warm my car up before going anywhere), with grey, overcast skies. In figure 1, you can see the clouds over Wisconsin and the low pressure system associated with them, as well as an advancing cold front. The cold front can also be seen in the wind map in figure 2, with the winds coming at each other then moving parallel to the front. That is why we are currently getting winds from the west.

Figure 1 - Surface map

Figure 2 - Wind map of the Midwest

It looks like it will be staying warm for a little while, with temperatures possibly getting into the high 40s early next week. That will be a nice change, but with all the snow we got this season, there will be a lot of melt. If you're like me and have a living room in the basement, get the electronics off the floor!

March 5, 2014 - 7:22 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions:

Temperature: 15° F

Feels Like: 3° F

Wind: E at 9 mph

Barometric Pressure: 1031.5 mb

Relative Humidity: 69%

Dew Point: 0° F

Today brought clear skies and relatively warm weather (at least, it got into the 20s). The high pressure in the area we have to thank for that. Figure 1 shows how little cloud cover there is over Wisconsin. In figure 2, you can see the Easterly winds in the Eau Claire area.

Figure 1 - Surface map from Intellicast.com

Figure 2 - Unisys surface map of Midwest

Moving into the end of the week, lower pressure will mean temperatures continue to rise and a possibility of precipitation on Friday. With warmer temperatures, that may come in the form of rain or freezing rain.

March 3, 2014 - 5:28 P.M.

Current Weather Conditions:

Temperature: 10° F

Feels Like: 1° F

Wind: S at 5 mph

Barometric Pressure: 1030.5 mb

Relative Humidity: 76%

Dew Point: -7° F

As the high pressure we've been subjected to lately moves on, clouds, snow, and warmer temperatures will move in with a decrease in pressure. Figure 1 shows the cloud cover and precipitation over Wisconsin right now. The jet stream can be seen in figure 2. This shows the jet stream coming across the country from the Pacific, as opposed to coming from Canada. This will probably bring some warmer temperatures in the coming days, but I would expect some precipitation as well.

Figure 1 - Surface conditions for the US

Figure 2 - Jet stream coming across from the Pacific Ocean