Issued at 4:54 PM CDT, Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
Note: Today’s high temperature of 72 degrees at the Duluth Airport came 4 degrees shy of tying the record high of 76 degrees.
Weather History:
On this date in 1987, a record high temperature of 76 degrees occurred at Duluth, MN.
Weather tidbits for Duluth, MN:
*Year to date 70 degree days: 3
*Last year up to this date: 1
*Year to date 60 degree days: 10
*Last year up to this date: 1
Note: Fire Danger was rated as Very High once again Today across all of Northern Minnesota with all of Northwest Wisconsin under High or Very High Fire Danger per DNR website.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Today’s Weather:
A powerful lake breeze front moved rapidly west/south off Lake Superior This Afternoon which was accompanied by a sudden wind shift to the E/NE and falling temperatures from 70-75 degrees to 40-45 degrees in a matter of minutes! A cloud of dust reducing visibilities to a few miles also occurred for a brief time at the onset of the wind shift/temperature drop! Strong convergence was occurring with this boundary Today, but the lack of moisture precluded the development of any precipitation.
Mostly sunny-partly cloudy skies were found across our area Today with high temperatures in the middle 60s to lower 70s with 850 mb temperatures as of 4 PM ranging from +4 to +10 degrees C from northeast to southwest across our area. Note: Much colder air associated with zero to -12 degree C H85 temperatures and surface temps in the 30s were lurking north-northeast of our local area This Afternoon. Winds Today were out of the west, north, or east generally under 15 mph, but stronger winds have developed late Today especially near Lake Superior.
Surface map late This Afternoon featured an area of high pressure (1026 mb) centered in Northern Ontario Province with a cold front surging west/south off Lake Superior.
Today’s 500 mb analysis:
Northwest flow aloft prevailed across the Upper Midwest Today per RUC model analysis with an upper level trough affecting areas west of the Rockies Today while an upper level low (546 meters) tracks east across Northern California. 90-120 meter 12 hour 500 mb height falls were occurring Today near this system across parts of California and Nevada per RUC model analysis.
Tonight through Wednesday Night:
Cold front will continue to drop west/south through the rest of our area early Tonight, otherwise high pressure will be in control of our weather as it sets-up to our north during this period. Lows Tonight and Tomorrow Night will be in the 30s but some 20s are likely in the typical cold spots. Highs Tomorrow will be in the 40s and 50s with maybe a few 60s in far Western-Southern areas. North or east winds at 5-15 mph will occur Tonight through Tomorrow Night, but stronger winds of 15-35 mph will continue mainly This Evening near Lake Superior. Skies during this period will be clear-partly cloudy.
Extended Forecast:
High pressure heads off to our east for Thursday and Friday with dry conditions prevailing around our area. Highs for Thursday and Friday will be in the 50s and 60s but it will be cooler near Lake Superior. Lows Thursday Night and Friday Night will be in the 30s and 40s. The upper level trough/low pressure system currently moving into the Western U.S. will track out onto the Southern/Central Plains by late this week before tracking east/northeast toward the Southern Great Lakes or Ohio Valley region by late this weekend/early next week. It still appears that the bulk of the rain associated with this storm will pass to our south due to strong high pressure remaining in place across Central Canada.
5 Day Forecast for Duluth/Superior
.Tonight… Windy at times. Partly cloudy. Low 30 to 35. Wind east to northeast at 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 35 mph This Evening.
.Wednesday… Much cooler compared to Today. Mostly sunny. High 50 to 55 but cooler near Lake Superior. Wind east at 10 to 20 mph.
.Wednesday Night… Mostly clear. Low 27 to 32. Wind east at 5 to 15 mph.
.Thursday… Partly cloudy. High 55 to 60 but cooler near Lake Superior.
.Thursday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 35 to 40.
.Friday… Partly cloudy. High 60 to 65 but cooler near Lake Superior.
.Friday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 38 to 43.
.Saturday… Mostly cloudy. High 51 to 56 but cooler near Lake Superior.
Normal High Temperature Tomorrow 52 degrees
Normal Low Temperature Tomorrow 31 degrees
Tim
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