Issued at 2:42 PM CDT, Monday, March 19th, 2012
- Occasional showers, possible thunderstorms Tonight with areas of fog
- Tuesday-Wednesday rain chances for NW Wisconsin and EC-NE Minnesota
- Late week rain chance area-wide
- Might get a 1 day break from the east wind on Tuesday near Lake Superior
Weather Tidbits:
-High temperature of 79 degrees at International Falls, Minnesota on Sunday, March 18th was 4 degrees warmer than Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. (weatherunderground)
-High temperature of 80 degrees at Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota on March 17th was the earliest 80 degree temperature in weather history. The previous record was March 23rd, 1910.
-Low temperature of 50 degrees at Duluth, Minnesota on March 18th was the 1st time since October 12th, 2011 with a low temperature of at least 50 degrees.
-Today marks the 3rd consecutive day with a high temperature of at least 70 degrees at Duluth, Minnesota (March 17th-19th) October 6th-8th, 2011 was the last time we had 3 days in a row with a high temperature of at least 70 degrees.
-110 severe weather reports and 18 preliminary tornado reports in the U.S. on Sunday, March 18th, 2012. Nebraska: 13 tornadoes. Oklahoma: 4 tornadoes. South Dakota: 1 tornado. Note: 3.00″-4.25″ diameter hail also fell in Todd County South Dakota at around 10pm Sunday Night. (SPC)
High temperature report for Sunday, March 18th, 2012
Source: National Weather Service Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, MN: 73 degrees
International Falls, MN: 79 degrees
Brainerd, MN: 77 degrees
Hibbing, MN: 77 degrees
Ashland, WI: 82 degrees
Hayward, WI: 78 degrees
Two Harbors, MN: 73 degrees
Silver Bay, MN: 72 degrees
Grand Marais, MN: 70 degrees
Ely, MN: 75 degrees
Orr, MN: 79 degrees
Eveleth, MN: 79 degrees
Bigfork, MN: 77 degrees
Grand Rapids, MN: 75 degrees
Moose Lake, MN: 77 degrees
Hinckley, MN: 79 degrees
Cloquet, MN: 77 degrees
Cass Lake, MN: 74 degrees
Floodwood, MN: 77 degrees
Kabetogama, MN: 78 degrees
Madeline Island, WI: 80 degrees
Park Falls, WI: 79 degrees
Saxon, WI: 80 degrees
Upson, WI: 78 degrees
***RECORD EVENT***
Duluth, Minnesota:
A record high temperature of 73 degrees on Sunday, March 18th, 2012. The previous record was 67 degrees set in 1918.
International Falls, Minnesota:
A record high temperature of 79 degrees on Sunday, March 18th, 2012. The previous record was 66 degrees set in 1918.
Twin Cities, Minnesota:
A record high temperature of 79 degrees on Sunday, March 18th, 2012. The previous record was 71 degrees set in 1921.
St. Cloud, Minnesota:
A record high temperature of 77 degrees on Sunday, March 18th, 2012. The previous record was 70 degrees set in 1910.
Rochester, Minnesota:
A record high temperature of 80 degrees on Sunday, March 18th, 2012. The previous record was 60 degrees set in 2010 and 1945.
Today’s Weather Summary for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies occurred Today with areas of dense Morning fog. There’s been a few rain showers here and there, but nothing too significant. Another very warm and humid day for March. Highs were in the 70s, except mid 40s at the Duluth Harbor and upper 50s in Superior. Dewpoints were mainly in the 50s with mid-Afternoon PWS ranging from 0.90-1.30″ which is extremely high for March. Winds Today were out of the south or east at 10 to 20 mph.
Today’s Upper Level Analysis:
S/SW 500mb flow was in place over the Upper Midwest as a large upper level trough covered the Rockies while an upper level low heads north into Southern Saskatchewan Province per water vapor satellite imagery. A massive upper level ridge continued to cover the Southern/Eastern U.S. and Eastern Great Lakes per RUC model analysis. 850mb temperatures as of 2pm ranged from +9 to +12C in Minnesota.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Tonight (March 19th)
Strong area of low pressure of 984-988mb will move from Southern Saskatchewan to Western Manitoba Province by dawn. A cold front attached to this low will continue to move very slowly to the east and should make it through the West half of Minnesota by late Tonight. A moist southerly flow will continue in our area ahead of this front Tonight with lows mainly in the 50s, but 40s will be common near the head of Lake Superior. Dewpoints in the 50s, 850mb td’s around +10C and PWS of around 1.00″ will lead to the possibility for some heavier downpours in the showers that do develop in our area Tonight. There will also be enough instability in place especially before Midnight to trigger some thunderstorms…The thunderstorm threat is greatest in Northcentral through Eastcentral Minnesota into Northwest Wisconsin. Northeast Minnesota, including the Arrowhead and North Shore shouldn’t have much of a thunder threat Tonight. CAPE <1000 j/kg with shear of around 30 knots along with 1km helicity of 100-200 m2/s2 will be enough to trigger isolated strong to severe thunderstorms before 10pm This Evening. The Brainerd Lakes, Aitkin, Hinckley, Grand Rapids, Bigfork and International Falls are at greatest risk for stronger storms with gusty winds and possibly some hail being the main threats along with dangerous lightning strikes, this threat also includes most of Northwestern Wisconsin. Skies will remain considerably cloudy Tonight with areas of fog. Winds will be out of the south or east at 5 to 15 mph. Note: Rainfall totals will generally range from 0.25-0.50″ Tonight with locally higher amounts up to 1.00″ near any thunderstorm.
Tuesday and Tuesday Night (March 20th)
A cold front will continue it’s slow eastward track during this period. Looks like the front will get hung up in Northwest Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota by Tuesday Night. Showers are possible Tomorrow and Tomorrow Night with the greatest risk expected to be in Eastcentral-Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin. Isolated thunderstorms could also develop in Northwest Wisconsin Tuesday Afternoon/Night. Highs on Tuesday will mainly be in the 60s with some 70s possible in Northwest Wisconsin. Lows Tuesday Night will generally be in the 40s. South or west winds are forecast during this period at 5 to 15 mph. Note: Additional rainfall totals of 0.25-0.50″ are possible during this period in Eastcentral Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Extended Forecast, Wednesday-Friday (March 21st-23rd)
Upper level low over the Southcentral U.S. will move slowly toward the N-NE, passing south of our local area by late in the week. This system looks like it will bring some occasional rain to Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin, especially from Thursday into Friday. On Wednesday, the chance for showers will be greatest in Northwest Wisconsin with mainly dry conditions expected for Northern Minnesota. High temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s from Wednesday through Friday although it will be cooler near Lake Superior. Lows for Wednesday Night and Thursday Night will be in the 40s to around 50 degrees.
Long Range Forecast (March 24th-30th)
Upper level low should be exiting to our east on Saturday (24th) Looks like a mainly dry weekend for our area with high pressure passing by to our north. Could get some more rain between Monday-Wednesday (26th-28th) as a new low pressure system moves in from the west. Doesn’t look like will see any big cool snaps into next week, except around Lake Superior where it will remain a tad on the chilly side with easterly winds this weekend into early next week.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Considerable cloudiness. Areas of fog. Occasional showers developing by mid or late Evening and continuing Overnight. A thunderstorm is also possible. Low 50 to 55. Around 40 closer to Lake Superior. Wind south to southeast at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
.Tuesday… Scattered showers. Areas of fog early. Considerable cloudiness. High 66 to 71 but it may be cooler closer to Lake Superior. Wind south to southeast at 5 to 15 mph, becoming southwest at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60% early and 30% during the Afternoon.
.Tuesday Night… Mostly cloudy. Rain possible. Low 45 to 50. Wind north at 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
.Wednesday… Variable cloudiness. Showers possible. High 60 to 65 but in the 40s near Lake Superior. Chance of rain 20%.
.Wednesday Night… Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 40 to 45.
.Thursday… Mostly cloudy. Showers possible. High 50 to 55 but cooler near Lake Superior. Chance of rain 30%.
.Thursday Night… Mostly cloudy. Rain possible. Low 40 to 45. Chance of rain 40%.
.Friday… Mostly cloudy. Rain possible. High 45 to 50. Chance of rain 40%.
Normal temperatures for Today
High: 35
Low: 19
Sunrise Tuesday: 7:11 AM CDT
Sunset Tuesday: 7:22 PM CDT
Tim
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