Thursday: 5/7/15

4:30

Current Temperature: 78° F 

Humidity: 48 %

Wind Direction: S

Wind Speed: 14 mph

Sky Conditions: Overcast

What was expected to be a stormy day, turned out to be a disappointment.  Storms were expected to starting rolling into Eau Claire around 2 p.m. but there has been no such thing.  Right now the temperature is 78°F and feels very humid.  The skies are overcast, but no severe storms in sight.  The storms and rain that was suppose to hit Eau Claire moved north towards northern Minnesota and Canada.

Tonight and tomorrow will be much of the same.  Temperatures will drop a little but there is still a good chance for rain. Winds should start to come from the northwest, which could cause the drop in temperature.

Figure 1: A cold front is approaching will should drop temperatures around 10 degrees.
The rain stayed to the north of Eau Claire 

Figure 2: The rain to the north will continue to move north, not reaching Eau Claire

Figure 3: Expect winds to switch to the north west tomorrow
and then after that, possibly some clear skies on Saturday

Figure 4:The conditions are right for rain in Minneapolis, however,
 for Eau Claire they are a little different

Figure 5: The water vapor map is showing little amounts for Minnesota and Eau Claire

Wednesday: 5/6/15

9:30 PM

Current Temperature: 63° F 

Humidity: 87 %

Wind Direction: SE

Wind Speed: 9 mph

Sky Conditions: Rain

Today was a little warmer than yesterday as the humidity increased.  The high was around 73°F with winds out of the south east and overcast in the sky.  There has been a moderate amount of precipitation the last 24 hours.  Starting at about 9 p.m. last night a light sprinkle fell from the sky, however it did not last long.  The next wave of ran came in about 11 am and lasted for around an hour, this soaked the ground pretty well but then the skies cleared a little bit allowing for the temperatures to rise in the afternoon.  The third string of rain started at about 7 p.m. tonight and it is still raining currently.  It should end pretty soon with another chance of rain starting at about 4 a.m. tonight.

Tomorrow there is a chance for thunderstorms starting at 2 p.m. This will last the entire night.  I can see the chance for storms tomorrow by looking at the earth wind map, it is showing a front currently siting in Wyoming and the Dakotas, this front is mixing winds from the north and south, and it will move towards the Eau Claire area tomorrow.

Figure 1: A lot of action across the United States is resulting in a rainy week.
Expect tomorrow to be much of the same

Figure 2: This cold front separating north and south winds to the
West will move towards Eau Claire tomorrow, resulting in more rain

Figure 3: The amount of water vapor in the air is sure to bring rain 

Figure 4: There is some rain in Western North and South Dakota, which will bring rain tomorrow

Tuesday: 5/5/15

4:30

Current Temperature: 68° F 

Humidity: 24 %

Wind Direction: SE

Wind Speed: 7 mph

Sky Conditions: Mostly Cloudy

Today is about the same temperature as yesterday, although much windier, with gusts up to 20 mph.   The sky is is mostly cloudy with the sun peaking through at some points. There is a chance for rain starting about midnight tonight, which should lead into more rain Wednesday and Thursday.  Right now there is some rain to the southwest near Winona, Minnesota, but it will will miss Eau Claire to the south.  The rain that could hit us is in Colorado right now, as some nasty fronts are riding East of the Rocky Mountains.

Tomorrow it will heat up a little bit as a warm front approaches, but this will also bring up the humidity, increasing our chance for storms.  There is a 40 percent chance for rain during the day and 30 percent chance at night.

Figure 1: A low pressure system in Colorado is causing heavy rain.
Expect temps to warm up tomorrow as the warm front and low pressure system approaches

Figure 2: Rain to the southwest in Colorado and Nebraska could hit us
tomorrow if they move towardsthe north a little bit

Figure 3: Strong winds from the South East will hit us tomorrow, East winds
almost always bring some rain, especially with the factors in play

Figure 4: The water vapor map is showing a real chance that Eau Claire
 gets hit with rain tomorrow and Thursday

Figure 5: This upper air sounding plot in East Colorado is showing
strong signs of an unstable atmosphere and rain falling from the sky

Monday: 5/4/15

2:00

Current Temperature: 70° F 

Humidity: 23 %

Wind Direction: N

Wind Speed: 9 mph

Sky Conditions: Mostly Clear

Right now the temperature is 70°F with the skies fairly clear and the winds out of the north.  This morning it was a little cool with the north wind moving a little faster than 9 mph, making it a great morning.  The high for today was 71 degrees.  Yesterday, a storm moved through around 7 pm.  This was probably the best storm Eau Claire has seen since the start of the year.  There was heavy rainfall and significant lightning.

Tomorrow there is a high of 63°F and a chance of thunderstorms after 11 am.  Chances greatly increase after 9 pm.  There is a chance for storms all week.  The stationary front currently sitting in Canada will move down closer to Minnesota tomorrow along with a high pressure system moving winds from north to south.  This will bring up warm air mixing with the cold north, giving us a great chance for storms all week.  There is also a lot of activity going on in the south west right now which could move up towards us later in the week.

Figure 1: A high pressure system is keeping the skies clear for now. 

Figure 2: Expect the winds to shift to the south as they rotate clockwise around the high pressure system

Figure 3: The water vapor in the air is bringing showers in the great plains area right now

Figure 4: This graph in Omaha Nebraska is showing a high chance for rain but not show much for lightning

Figure 5: Weather stations are reporting rain in Northern Kansas and Nebraska
this storm should stay to the south

Friday: 5/1/15

2:00

Current Temperature: 68° F 

Humidity: 28 %

Wind Direction: SW

Wind Speed: 14 mph

Sky Conditions: Cloudy

Just as the forecast predicted, today is gloomy with clouds in the sky and a chance of rain.  This morning it was sunny but around 11 am the clouds moved in and the wind changed direction.  The winds are now coming up from the south as they are streaming up the cold front that is approaching Eau Claire.  There is a slight chance of rain in an hour, but not a huge amount.  The water vapor map is showing a little amount just south of the Twin Cities, and heading towards Eau Claire.  I would expect a slight shower.

After this storm passes, tomorrow and the rest of the weekend will be beautiful.  Temperatures in upper 70s and the sun shining down.

Figure 1: A little amount of water vapor is located right below the
 twin cities, indicating rain is coming around 3 pm

Figure 2:A stationary front is approaching Eau Claire, after it passes the weather will be beautiful.

Figure 3: Winds are approaching from the SouthWest

Figure 4: Doppler radar showing rain about to hit Eau Claire

Thursday: 4/30/15

4:30

Current Temperature: 66° F 

Humidity: 28 %

Wind Direction: N

Wind Speed: 3 mph

Sky Conditions: Clear

Today is very similar to yesterday, temperature is 66 degrees with skies fairly clear, there are some cirrus clouds along with a few cumulus clouds.  The wind has died down a little bit as the high pressure system is almost sitting directly below Eau Claire.

Tomorrow we could see some showers as a cold front approaches.  Temps will cool a little bit and winds will transition from south and northwest after the cold front passes.

Figure 1: A cold front approaches which could bring some rain tomorrow. 

Figure 2: The cold front can be seen in this wind map, wind will switch from north to south then back to north
again which is certain to mix up the air a little and bring some rain. 

Wednesday: 4/29/15

5:00

Current Temperature: 66° F 

Humidity: 23 %

Wind Direction: N

Wind Speed: 12 mph

Sky Conditions: Clear

Today is very similar to yesterday, the current temperature is 66 degrees with winds coming from the North at 12 mph.  The sky is fairly clear with a few Cumulus Humulis in the sky.  Again a high pressure system sits in the Mid West clearing the skies and warming the skies.  The Entire United States is experiencing a warm except for a few areas in Washington.  Tomorrow should be exactly the same with temperatures in the 60s and a few clouds in the sky.  Friday there is a chance of precipitation with a trough approaching in Montana.  After that it will reach the upper 70s and possibly the 80s.

Figure 1: A high pressure system is currently sitting near Wisconsin, increasing temperatures and clearing skies

Figure 2: A slight wind is coming from North right now

Figure 3: The entire United States is experiencing above average temperatures. 

Figure 4: Little water vapor in the air will keep the humidity low

Tuesday: 4/28/15

5:30

Current Temperature: 70° F 

Humidity: 23 %

Wind Direction: N

Wind Speed: 9 mph

Sky Conditions: Clear

Today, was yet another warm day for Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  The temperature reached a high of low 70s, however, the sun was mainly covered the enitre day.  Expect that to change tomorrow.  Again there is not a lot of activity going on in the Unitied States as it is filled with High Pressure systems.  This should make for an excellent rest of the week and weekend.  A couple of cold fronts, other than that zero low pressure systems and zero warm fronts, leaving the severe weather chances very low.

This could be because of the Aleutian and Newfoundland lows are very weak, probably the weakest I have seen in a long time.

Figure 1: Aleutian Low, blowing very weak right now

Figure 2: Newfoundland Low is blowing very weak as well, opening up the skies in the United States

Figure 3: Zero action across the United States

Figure 4: Skies are clear and the air is warm in the Mid West

Monday: 4/27/15

4:30

Current Temperature: 68° F 

Humidity: 22 %

Wind Direction: N

Wind Speed: 14 mph

Sky Conditions: Clear

Today is absolutely beautiful, the skies are clear and the sun is shining bright.  This week is set to be in the upper 60s and 70s with the sky clear, a perfect week for Eau Claire Wisconsin.  In fact the entire United States is pretty clear. There is high pressure systems to the north and Low pressure to the north.  A cold front is approaching but it won't affect the weather to a serious degree.

Figure 1: The United States is very clear at the moment

Figure 2: Winds from the North are hitting Eau Claire, although not strong

Figure 3: Sky is very clear in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Figure 4: Jet Stream pattern is moving down to New Mexico and then staying East South

Wednesday: 4/22/15

8:30 PM

Current Temperature: 42° F 

Humidity: 29 %

Wind Direction: W

Wind Speed: 10 mph

Sky Conditions: Cloudy

Today, again, was windy cold as the temperatures remained in the 40s with zero sunshine.  Right now Eau Claire is reporting a mostly cloudy sky, but expect that to clear up by tomorrow morning and the sun to shine through.  Tomorrow we should expect a high of 52 degrees with sunny skies.  Right now the Dakotas are reporting clear skies and temperatures in 50s with not much of a significant wind.

The wind is coming from the north/ north west, resulting in colder weather from Canada.  I don't see this changing for the rest of the week.  Expect temperatures in 50s and a chance for rain on the weekend.  It looks as if a stationary front cold hit us by Friday/Saturday, resulting in some precipitation.

Figure 1: A low pressure system and cold front are allowing cold winds to hit Eau Claire from the north

Figure 2: To the west of Eau Claire, there are clear skies, expect
temperatures to be in 50s with sunny skies tomorrow

Figure 3: North West winds are hitting Minnesota and Wisconsin right now. 

Tuesday: 4/21/15

1:00 PM

Current Temperature: 36° F 

Humidity: 79 %

Wind Direction: W

Wind Speed: 20 mph, gusts up to 28 mph

Sky Conditions: Overcast

Right now the temperature is brutally cold, sitting at 36 degrees.  Last night and this morning snow flurries fell to the ground, however, all of the snow is gone because of the warmth of the ground and the air.  The winds are still coming in from the west at a great pace, because of the low pressure system to the northeast.  The sky is completely covered in stratus clouds and the humidity is high at 79%, good conditions for more rain.

Bemidji, Minneapolis, Duluth, and Eau Claire are all reporting rain, meaning it is likely we will see more in the next couple of hours.  However, the water vapor map isn't reporting much water vapor in the air in Minnesota and Eau Claire,  this could be a much greater storm if the conditions persist.  Minneapolis's upper air chart is showing the dew point and temperature reaching the same level very low in the atmosphere, resulting in precipiation.  Expect that chart to be very similar to the one in Eau Claire.

Tomorrow and Thursday will have very similar weather patterns with temperatures in the 40s and no sun. Expect Friday and Saturday to start to warm up.

Figure 1: Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting strong winds from the west
and moderate rain in some areas.  

Figure 2: The low pressure system just below Hudson Bay in Canada, is bringing
heavy northwest winds into Minnesota and Wisconsin

Figure 3: This chart is showing the temperature and dew point meeting
low in the atmosphere causing precipitation, minneapolis

Figure 4: The water vapor map isn't reporting a strong amount
 of vapor in the air in Minnesotaor Wisconsin. 

Figure 5: This illustration is showing a nice representation of the
weather pattern we have been experiencing this week

Monday: 4/20/15

5:45

Current Temperature: 41° F 

Humidity: 57 %

Wind Direction: W

Wind Speed: 12 mph, gusts up to 24 mph

Sky Conditions: Overcast

A huge low pressure system and cold front has greatly dropped the temperatures in the Mid West.  The low pressure system sitting North East of Lake Superior is bringing strong winds from the West and with this low pressure system is a cold front.  Yesterday this cold front brought rain in the morning and then a little last night.  The water vapor has cleared a little bit dropping to 57 percent relative humidity.  Because of this cold front and another elongated cold front in Texas to Georgia, expect temperatures to remain very cold for late April.  The south winds are not being allowed to move north.

This low pressure system along with multiple cold fronts is causing rain in the Eastern part of the United States.  Expect this to be a common theme all the way to Thursday

Figure 1: A Low pressure system and cold front, are causing a decrease in
temperatures and causing rain across Eastern U.S.

Figure 2: The strong winds from the low pressure system are visible
in this wind map.  

Figure 3: Right now the rain is most common on the eastern side of the US,
expect more rain in the Mid West later in the week

Figure 3: Not a lot of water vapor persists in the mid west right now

Figure 5: The struve chart is showing dew points and temperatures being lower than usual