KeithOnThe9's Blog

Hurm ...

 Waaaaaayyyyy back in July I wrote of the large pile of landscaping rock sitting in my driveway ... it still haunts me ... and now it has a "friend" ...

 The Plan (note the important capitalization) was to be done with all stone moving by mid-July & then chill out for the summer ... but that was before the The Plan changed ...

 The change included building a larger flower bed/retaining wall around part of the back deck ... and that required dirt to raise the new bed a couple of feet before I could lay the stone ... & I, being the cost conscious person that I am, got a lead on some potentially free dirt that could head my way -- the catch: I had to wait a few weeks for it.

 So I waited ... and waited ... and waited ... but I certainly couldn't (& wouldn't!) complain ... after all, it was FREE!

 ... then the sad & dirty news arrived ... alas ... the free dirt was not to be ...

 So this week I called the nursary & had a few cubic yards of dirt delivered to the driveway ... right next to the mound of lingering rock ...

 My driveway is turning into a mountain range ... perhaps If I leave it all there for the winter I can open "Marler's Ski Resort/Bed & Breakfast"! ... or perhaps I'll just move it all over the next few afternoons after spending my mornings at the Fair! ...

 ... ahhh .. .the Fair! ... but that's for another blog!

 -Keith

 

Where am I? ... now that's a question ask almost daily ... that & "Where ARE my socks?" ...
... but I digress ...
Where am I? ... that's the question I've gotten over the past couple of weeks as my work attendance has been spotty of late.  I'm just on vacation ... I saved up a bunch of time & have crammed a lot of family traveling  into the weeks leading to the fair!
So I guess that answers the question - I'm not anywhere ... well I am, but not too far ...
See you for the fair!!!
-Keith

As we stagger through these first days of summer, I look out my front door and see rock.   A lot of rock.   A pile of rock in my driveway that appears to get smaller every evening, but then looks mockingly larger the next afternoon.  ... ...

A week ago we had 8 tons of landscaping rock dumped on our driveway (see my last post) ... I have somehow moved & spread approx. 13 tons ... ??? How is this possible? Is my rock breeding right there in my driveway? Are my crafty neighbors sneaking up the driveway in the night & cackling as they add to the pile?  Has my stoney mound created enough of a gravitation pull that rock from the nearby quarry tumbles my way when no one is looking?

... or perhaps I just need to keep on shoveling ...

-Keith

... the last few days of Spring are upon us ... Summer "officially" begins on Friday at 6:59pm with the Solstice ... and I'm ready!

If you ever watch me, you know I'm partial to slightly hotter & muggier conditions ... I'm not a fan of "oppressive", but good 80s & 90s are a preference for me.  It makes working outside feel more "real"? ... I don't know ... remember, I grew up in the South, so perhaps working up a good sweat in the Summer is just hardwired into my DNA ...

I'll be doing quite a bit of that this week ... with our pleasant stretch ahead of us, we have roughly a gazabillion tons of rock ready to be dumped via dump-truck on my driveway,  creating a large (and mocking) mountain of  stone just waiting to be wheel-barrowed around the yard ...

... hooray!? 

From the National Weather Service:

Tornado Safety Information

Before the Tornado...
Tornado watches highlight the area where tornadoes are most likely to develop. Continue with your normal activites, but keep informed of the latest weather information and be ready to get to shelter in case tornadoes develop quickly.

In the Home...
Go to the basement if possible. Get under a table, work bench, or some other sturdy furniture to avoid falling debris. A stairwell is also a good place to hide during a tornado.

If You Cannot Get to a Basement...
Go to a small interior room on the lowest floor. Closets, bathrooms, and interior halls afford the best protection in most cases, or try to hide under a bed. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with blankets. Stay away from windows.

In an Apartment, School or Office Building...
Move to the inner-most room on the lowest level or to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from windows. If in a hallway, crouch down and protect your head from flying debris. Avoid areas with glass and large roof expansions.

In a Mobile Home, Car, Truck or Other Vehicle...
Abandon these as quickly as possible. Seek a sturdy shelter or permanent structure. Remember that many deaths occur when people try to drive away in a vehicle, but get caught in the deadly winds. Avoid bridges since they act as wind tunnels.

Last year, Minnesota saw 18 tornadoes, the fewest since 1990. There were 2 EF-2 tornadoes, the strongest in Minnesota last year. One EF-2 tornado touched down on June 7th east of Pelican Rapids.  The other was on August 26th northwest of Eldred. There were no fatalities nor any injuries from any of the tornadoes in Minnesota last year.

Wisconsin had a quiet year for tornadoes, with a total of 18. Only 3 were rated EF-2, and the strongest one was rated EF-3. The EF-3 tornado occurred on June 7th, and was on the ground for 7 miles from just south of White Lake to just north of Markton. Four people were injured in tornadoes last year across Wisconsin, all on June 7th, but there were no tornado deaths.

 

Weather Permitting Today:

Tornado Watch/Warning Drills

The National Weather Service, Wisconsin Emergency Management, the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and other state, county and local agencies have come together to host Severe Weather Awareness Week activities. On Thursday, April 24th, simulated tornado watches and warnings will be issued to test the statewide warning and communications systems. The schedule for April 13th is as follows:

(all times CDT)

9:00 AM:  The National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado watch for Minnesota.

1:00 PM:  The National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado watch for Wisconsin.

1:40 PM:  The National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado warning for 9 counties of western Wisconsin (Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk and St Croix). Note that most cities and counties will activate outdoor warning siren systems.

1:45 PM:  The National Weather Service will issue a simulated tornado warning for Minnesota counties. Note that most cities and counties statewide will activate outdoor warning siren systems.

2:00 PM: The National Weather Service will issue an "End of Test" message using the Severe Weather Statement product. It should be stated that outdoor warning sirens will not be sounded again for this all clear, nor will there be any warning tone on NOAA Weather Radio.

6:55 PM:  Another simulated tornado warning will be issued for participating counties in Minnesota. Those counties are: Anoka, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Mc Leod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, and Wright.

A graphic of the counties participating in the evening drill is available at http://www.severeweather.state.mn.us/Documents/Partici
pating_Counties_Drill_Map2008.pdf

The 6:55 PM warning will be issued by all of the National Weather Service offices that serve Minnesota. It will be issued as a test of family preparedness in the home and for second shift workers.

From the National Weather Service:

Flash Floods

On a National Level...
Floods claim nearly 200 lives annually, force 300,000 persons from their homes, and result in property damage in excess of 2 billion dollars. Characteristically, 75 percent of flash flood deaths occur at night with half of the victims dying in their automobiles or other vehicles. It may be difficult to believe, but many deaths occur when persons knowingly drive around road barricades indicating the road is washed out ahead.

Last Year in Minnesota and Wisconsin...
Disastrous flooding struck southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin on August 18th and 19th. Eight people died that weekeend...  7 in Minnesota and 1 in Wisconsin. Most deaths occurred in vehicles. A statewide record for 24-hour rainfall was set in Minnesota when 15.1 inches fell 1 mile south of Hokah. One other flood fatality occurred in Minnesota on September 20th, when a boy playing near a creek died on the east side of St Paul.

Are You Prepared?
Assume a thunderstorm produces 6 inches of rain in less than 6 hours time near your community. Storms of this magnitude or greater occur several times each year in the U.S.  Would you know what action to take to protect yourself and the people who depend on you for safety? After a major flood event, one of the most common quotes from the survivors of the flood is the expression they did not believe it could happen to them or in their community.

Before the Flooding...
There is nothing anyone can do to prevent the occurrence of flash flood producing rainfall. However, by striving for sound flood plain zoning, developing an emergency action plan in advance of the disaster, purchasing flood insurance at least 30 days before the flooding, and being aware of the dangers associated with extremely heavy rainfall and flooding, there is a chance of decreasing the death toll and property damage that results from flash flooding.

From the National Weather Service:

Severe Weather Watches and Warnings, and How to Receive Severe Weather Information

Watches...
Are issued when conditions are favorable for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or flash floods. If you are in a watch area, continue with normal activities but also make plans to seek shelter if necessary.

Warnings...
Are issued when severe weather has been reported or is imminent. Seek shelter immediately if you are in or near the path of the storm. Warnings are issued by county and city names. Make sure you know the name of the county in which you live and the cities that surround you.

Advance Information...
The forecast and warning process begins one or more days ahead of time, when the threat area is determined. Hazardous weather outlooks are issued early every morning, and updated as conditions warrant.

If a Watch is Issued...
Local weather offices are staffed with extra personnel. State officials are notified and they pass the information to the county and local level. Counties and cities activate their spotter groups as the threat increases. TV and radio stations pass the word to the public.

If a Warning is Issued...
Warnings are disseminated swiftly in a multitude of ways, including TV, radio, and over the internet. Advances in technology have allowed people to receive warnings via cell phone, pager, and numerous other methods. Spotters provide important reports on the storm, and emergency officials carry out the plans that the emergency managers have developed. Updates are issued frequently until the immediate threat has ended.

A quick way of reaching many people is through the Emergency Alert System. Media outlets receive the warning information and disseminate it to you, often by interrupting programming. Many television stations use a crawl and other visual means.

Finally...
The tone alert feature of NOAA Weather Radio will also activate specially built receivers, sounding an alarm to alert you to the danger. County and local law enforcement centers are also warned of the impending severe weather, sometimes by using special phone lines and radio systems. Using the National Weather Service information, local and county officials decide if they should sound the outdoor warning sirens. and activate other warning procedures.

From the National Weather Service:

Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota and Wisconsin

April 21st through the 25th is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. More information on Severe Weather Awareness Week activities in Minnesota can be obtained from the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

April 21st through the 25th is also Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state of Wisconsin. More information can be obtained from Wisconsin Emergency Management .

---

Tornado watch/warning drills will be held on Thursday, April 24th.  A schedule for the tornado watch/warning drills appears at the bottom of the page.

---

Each day during our Severe Weather Awareness Week, a statement will be issued by the NWS Twin Cities providing more information about severe weather safety. The list of daily topics for Severe Weather Awareness Week is:

Monday, April 21st - Thunderstorms, Hail, Wind and Lightning

 

Thunderstorms, Hail, Wind and Lightning

Thunderstorms...
Affect relatively small areas when compared with most other storms. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts for 30 minutes. Despite this size, all thunderstorms are dangerous. Severe thunderstorms produce large hail or winds of at least 58 mph. Some wind gusts can exceed 100 mph and produce tornado-like damage. Many communities will sound their outdoor sirens for very damaging straight-line winds. When a severe thunderstorm threatens, stay inside a strong structure. Mobile home occupants should go to a more permanent structure.

Hail...
Is another product of thunderstorms that annually causes nearly one billion dollars in damage throughout the United States. Many of the losses are incurred by farmers. The most common diameter is pea size, but hail can be as large as golf balls and baseballs. In extreme cases, hail can reach grapefruit size. Large hail stones fall at speeds faster than 100 mph and have been known to kill people.

The largest hail stone in Minnesota last year was 4.25 inches in diameter, or the size of a softball. This occurred on June 20th near Harris. Hail storms that day produced $25 million in damage in various parts of Minnesota.

The largest hail stone in Wisconsin last year was also 5.5 inches in diameter, the second largest in Wisconsin history. The massive hail fell in Port Edwards and Wisconsin Rapids on June 7th, and resulted in $45 million of damage.

Thunderstorm Winds...
Thunderstorms can produce strong wind gusts. These straight-line winds have been known to exceed 100 mph. For this reason, you should treat severe thunderstorms just as you would tornadoes. Move to an appropriate shelter if you're in the path of the storm.

The strong outrush of wind from a thunderstorm is often called a downburst. One of the primary causes is rain-cooled air, which accelerates rapidly downward, producing a potentially damaging gust of wind.

Strong downbursts are often mistaken for tornadoes. They can produce extensive damage and are often accompanied by a roaring sound similar to that of a tornado. Downbursts can easily overturn mobile homes, tear roofs off of houses, and topple trees. People who are camping are especially vulnerable, due to trees toppling on their camp sites.

The highest thunderstorm wind gust last year in Wisconsin was 90 mph, on August 13th, in a swath from New RIchmond to Glenwood City.

The highest thunderstorm wind gust in Minnesota last year was 85 mph, occurring on June 19th near Goodridge.

Lightning...
Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which on a national basis kills more people than tornadoes in a given year.

Lightning kills around 100 Americans annually, with about 300 injuries. Last year, 3 people in Madison, Wisconsin were killed by lightning on June 22nd, and one more Madison resident was killed by lightning on June 27th. There was one lightning fatality last year in Minnesota; a man was killed June 8th at Bowstring Lake in Itasca County. There have been many deaths and injuries over the years, most in areas such as camp grounds, although people have been injured indoors when talking on the phone.

The following are some lightning safety tips...

1. All thunderstorms produce lightning. It is surprising that so many people are not aware of this.
2. Get inside a building or enclosed vehicle. Many fatalities occur when the warning signs are ignored.
3. If caught in an open area with lightning all around, crouch down immediately! Put your hands on your knees but do not lie down on the ground.
4. Do not use a telephone or electrical appliance. A nearby lightning strike can travel through the phone or power lines right into the home.
5. Avoid seeking shelter beneath lone trees.

Myths and facts about lightning...

Myth: If it's not raining, there is no danger from lightning.
Fact: Lightning often strikes away from heavy rainfall, and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.

Myth: Rubber soles of shoes or rubber tires on a car will protect you from being injured by lightning.
Fact: Rubber provides no protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection from lightning (if you are not touching metal in the car).

Myth: People struck by lightning carry an electrical charge and should not be touched.
Fact: Lightning-strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately.

Myth: Heat lightning occurs after very hot summer days and poses no threat.
Fact: What is referred to as "heat lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction.

Hey guys ...

Here's the National Weather Service's official snow totals maps:

 

Hey guys ... here's a look at our snow totals around the region from our happy "little" late-March snow event ...

From the National Weather Service:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
518 AM CDT TUE APR 01 2008

...MARCH 31ST SNOWFALL TOTALS REPORTED THUS FAR...

THE TOTALS BELOW ARE SEPARATED INTO SNOW...AND ICE AND SLEET
CATEGORIES...THEN BY AMOUNT...AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE
FINAL AMOUNT FOR EACH LOCATION.


SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

INCHES  LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
  8.00   NEW BRIGHTON             MN  RAMSEY           1230 AM
  7.50   GLENCOE                  MN  MCLEOD           1200 AM
  7.50   ST PAUL                  MN  RAMSEY           1015 PM
                 COMO LAKE.
  7.50   WEST ST PAUL             MN  DAKOTA           0930 PM
  7.00   4 NE RUSH CITY           MN  CHISAGO          0955 PM
  7.00   1 S RICE LAKE            WI  BARRON           0950 PM
  6.80   4 S MAPLE PLAIN          MN  HENNEPIN         0950 PM
  6.50   CLAYTON                  WI  POLK             1056 PM
  6.50   ST JOSEPH                MN  STEARNS          0415 PM
  6.00   CAMBRIDGE                MN  ISANTI           0912 PM
  6.00   GLENCOE                  MN  MCLEOD           0842 PM
                 VERY HEAVY...SLUSHY SNOW.
  6.00   ST PAUL                  MN  RAMSEY           0655 PM
                 AT COMO LAKE.
  5.80   NORTH ST PAUL            MN  RAMSEY           0912 PM
  5.50   MINNEAPOLIS              MN  HENNEPIN         0100 AM
                 AT THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL INTERNATIONAL
                 AIRPORT
  5.50   EDEN PRAIRIE             MN  HENNEPIN         0927 PM
                 MEASURED BY RETIRED NWS METEOROLOGIST IN
                 CHARGE.
  5.50   LAKEVILLE                MN  DAKOTA           0910 PM
  5.50   SAUK RAPIDS              MN  BENTON           0423 PM
  5.40   CHANHASSEN               MN  CARVER           0100 AM
                 0.46 OF LIQUID EQUIVALENT
  5.20   FRIDLEY                  MN  ANOKA            1209 AM
  5.20   5 NW RICE LAKE           WI  BARRON           0613 PM
  5.10   CHANHASSEN               MN  CARVER           1054 PM
  5.00   ST CLOUD                 MN  STEARNS          0100 AM
  5.00   8 SW GRANITE FALLS       MN  YELLOW MEDICINE  0906 PM
  5.00   FARIBAULT                MN  RICE             0745 PM
  5.00   MANKATO                  MN  BLUE EARTH       0641 PM
  5.00   ST PAUL                  MN  RAMSEY           0439 PM
                 MEASURED AT THE ST PAUL CAMPUS BY STATE
                 CLIMATOLOGIST.
  4.80   WOODBURY                 MN  WASHINGTON       0527 PM
                 MELTED DOWN TO 0.65 INCHES.
  4.50   HAMMOND                  WI  ST. CROIX        0745 PM
  4.50   HUTCHINSON               MN  MCLEOD           0726 PM
  4.50   2 S RICE LAKE            WI  BARRON           0555 PM
  4.00   8 S HILLMAN              MN  MORRISON         1000 PM
  4.00   3 NE MENOMONIE           WI  DUNN             0940 PM
  4.00   HASTINGS                 MN  DAKOTA           0940 PM
  4.00   SPRINGFIELD              MN  BROWN            0915 PM
                 WATER EQUIVALENT 0.56 INCH.
  4.00   ANDOVER                  MN  ANOKA            0903 PM
  4.00   ST JAMES                 MN  WATONWAN         0842 PM
  4.00   RICHFIELD                MN  HENNEPIN         0700 PM
                 WATER EQUIVALENT 0.67 INCH.
  4.00   PLYMOUTH                 MN  HENNEPIN         0650 PM
  4.00   WELCOME                  MN  MARTIN           0641 PM
  4.00   FARMINGTON               MN  DAKOTA           0600 PM
  4.00   GILMAN                   MN  BENTON           0527 PM
  4.00   RUSH CITY                MN  CHISAGO          0515 PM
  4.00   ANNANDALE                MN  WRIGHT           0442 PM
  4.00   6 N BOYD                 WI  CHIPPEWA         0430 PM
  3.50   LITCHFIELD               MN  MEEKER           0600 PM
                 WATER EQUIVALENT 0.40 INCH.
  3.50   HUTCHINSON               MN  MCLEOD           0442 PM
  3.40   EAU CLAIRE               WI  EAU CLAIRE       0100 AM
  3.40   EAU CLAIRE               WI  EAU CLAIRE       1100 PM
  3.00   VINELAND                 MN  MILLE LACS       0640 PM
  3.00   WASECA                   MN  WASECA           0426 PM
                 SNOW AND SLEET ACCUMULATION.
  1.20   4 NW JIM FALLS           WI  CHIPPEWA         0640 PM
  1.00   GLENWOOD                 MN  POPE             0600 PM
                 WATER EQUIVALENT 0.06 INCH.
  1.00   ELLENDALE                MN  STEELE           0420 PM
                 ALL SLUSH.

Hey guys ... here's a look at yesterday's snow totals ...

From the National Weather Service:

SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

INCHES  LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
  3.00   SPRINGFIELD              MN  BROWN            0548 PM
  3.00   MORGAN                   MN  REDWOOD          0800 AM
  2.10   REDWOOD FALLS            MN  REDWOOD          0600 AM
  2.00   BROWNTON                 MN  MCLEOD           1030 AM
  1.80   EDEN PRAIRIE             MN  HENNEPIN         1121 AM
  1.70   CHANHASSEN               MN  CARVER           1200 PM
  1.50   HASTINGS                 MN  DAKOTA           0548 PM
  1.50   FRIDLEY                  MN  ANOKA            1029 AM
  1.50   NEW LONDON               MN  KANDIYOHI        0922 AM
  1.50   ZUMBROTA                 MN  GOODHUE          0800 AM
  1.50   HUTCHINSON               MN  MCLEOD           0700 AM
  1.30   2 SW ST PAUL             MN  RAMSEY           0443 PM
  1.20   MENOMONIE                WI  DUNN             0548 PM
  1.20   RICHFIELD                MN  HENNEPIN         0635 PM
  1.20   MINNEAPOLIS              MN  HENNEPIN         0100 PM
                 REPORT FROM THE MSP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
  1.20   WOODBURY                 MN  WASHINGTON       1109 AM
  1.10   8 W ST CLOUD             MN  STEARNS          1114 AM
  1.10   WATERTOWN                MN  CARVER           1000 AM
  1.10   MAPLE GROVE              MN  HENNEPIN         0920 AM
  1.00   WATERVILLE               MN  LE SUEUR         0630 PM
  1.00   ST CLOUD                 MN  STEARNS          0600 PM
  1.00   ANDOVER                  MN  ANOKA            1055 AM
  1.00   ELLENDALE                MN  STEELE           0845 AM
  1.00   MANKATO                  MN  BLUE EARTH       0840 AM
  1.00   MAPLEWOOD                MN  RAMSEY           0800 AM
  1.00   LITTLE FALLS             MN  MORRISON         0800 AM
  1.00   BUFFALO                  MN  WRIGHT           0800 AM
  1.00   FAIRMONT                 MN  MARTIN           0800 AM
  1.00   FARIBAULT                MN  RICE             0800 AM
  1.00   MILACA                   MN  MILLE LACS       0800 AM
  1.00   WACONIA                  MN  CARVER           0700 AM
  1.00   LESTER PRAIRIE           MN  MCLEOD           0700 AM
  0.90   EAU CLAIRE               WI  EAU CLAIRE       0548 PM
  0.90   ROBERTS                  WI  ST. CROIX        0800 AM
  0.80   ONAMIA                   MN  MILLE LACS       0800 AM
  0.60   FOREST LAKE              MN  WASHINGTON       0800 AM
  0.50   GILMAN                   MN  BENTON           1121 AM
  0.50   ALBERT LEA               MN  FREEBORN         0800 AM
  0.50   SPRING VALLEY            WI  PIERCE           0800 AM
  0.50   HAMMOND                  WI  ST. CROIX        0800 AM
  0.50   WINNEBAGO                MN  FARIBAULT        0800 AM
  0.30   7 S HILLMAN              MN  MORRISON         0610 PM

Here's the "Official" data for wind chills on Sunday morning!!

WOW!

From the National Weather Service:

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
658 PM CST SUN FEB 10 2008 ...LOWEST OBSERVED WIND CHILLS DURING SUNDAY MORNING... THE FOLLOWING TABLE DISPLAYS THE LOWEST OBSERVED HOURLY WIND
CHILLS FROM SUNDAY MORNING AT SEVERAL CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN AIRPORTS. ONLY ROUTINE
OBSERVATIONS TAKEN AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR WERE USED FOR THIS
COMPILATION. THEREFORE...LOWER WIND CHILLS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. LOCATION              LOWEST OBSERVED WIND CHILL          TIME
-------------------------------------------------------
-------
ALBERT LEA MN....................-44......................8 AM
ALEXANDRIA MN....................-48......................7 AM
APPLETON MN......................-46......................8 AM
BENSON MN........................-48......................4 AM
BLAINE MN........................-39......................9 AM
BUFFALO MN.......................-39.....................10 AM
CAMBRIDGE MN.....................-41......................8 AM
CANBY MN.........................-35......................9 AM
CRYSTAL MN.......................-39......................8 AM
EAU CLAIRE WI....................-38......................7 AM
EDEN PRAIRIE MN..................-40......................9 AM
FAIRMONT MN......................-40......................7 AM
FARIBAULT MN.....................-38......................9 AM
GLENCOE MN.......................-39......................7 AM
GLENWOOD MN......................-47......................7 AM
GRANITE FALLS MN.................-42......................9 AM
HUTCHINSON MN....................-42......................6 AM
LADYSMITH WI.....................-43......................7 AM
LITCHFIELD MN....................-44......................6 AM
LITTLE FALLS MN..................-45......................5 AM
MADISON MN.......................-41......................8 AM
MANKATO MN.......................-42......................8 AM
MAPLE LAKE MN....................-40......................8 AM
MENOMONIE WI.....................-39......................7 AM
MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL
INTL AIRPORT MN..................-39......................5 AM
MONTEVIDEO MN....................-35......................5 AM
MORA MN..........................-38......................8 AM
MORRIS MN........................-36......................4 AM
NEW ULM MN.......................-43......................9 AM
NEW RICHMOND WI..................-38......................8 AM
OLIVIA MN........................-43......................6 AM
OSCEOLA WI.......................-35......................6 AM
OWATONNA MN......................-39......................6 AM
PAYNESVILLE MN...................-44......................9 AM
PINE CITY MN.....................-36......................4 AM
PRINCETON MN.....................-44......................7 AM
REDWOOD FALLS MN.................-43......................6 AM
RICE LAKE WI.....................-42......................4 AM
ST CLOUD MN......................-44......................7 AM
ST JAMES MN......................-40......................9 AM
ST PAUL MN.......................-36......................1 AM
STANTON MN.......................-37......................8 AM
STAPLES MN.......................-46......................8 AM
WASECA MN........................-38......................7 AM
WILLMAR MN.......................-44......................7 AM THE BELOW TABLE RANKS THE LOWEST WIND CHILLS FROM THE ABOVE
TABLE. LOWEST OBSERVED WIND CHILL......LOCATION..................TIME
-------------------------------------------------------
-------
1....-48........................ALEXANDRIA MN.............7 AM
1T...-48........................BENSON MN.................4 AM
3....-47........................GLENWOOD MN...............7 AM
4....-46........................APPLETON MN...............8 AM
4T...-46........................STAPLES MN................8 AM

Here's a look at our Monday, January 21, 2008,  snowfall totals from the National Weather Service:



 INCHES  LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
  6.50   ALBERT LEA               MN  FREEBORN         1159 PM
  6.00   KIESTER                  MN  FARIBAULT        0548 PM
  5.00   ELLENDALE                MN  STEELE           0612 PM
  3.00   MANKATO                  MN  BLUE EARTH       0612 PM
  2.80   NORTH MANKATO            MN  NICOLLET         0612 PM
  2.50   ST JAMES                 MN  WATONWAN         0601 PM
  1.20   MENOMONIE                WI  DUNN             0919 PM
  1.10   EAU CLAIRE               WI  EAU CLAIRE       1100 PM
  1.00   WINTHROP                 MN  SIBLEY           0548 PM
  0.90   MINNEAPOLIS              MN  HENNEPIN         1200 AM
                 MEASURED AT THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL
                 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
  0.80   CHANHASSEN               MN  CARVER           1200 AM
  0.80   HASTINGS                 MN  DAKOTA           0603 PM
  0.80   FARMINGTON               MN  DAKOTA           0601 PM
  0.70   RICHFIELD                MN  HENNEPIN         0930 PM
  0.70   2 SW ST PAUL             MN  RAMSEY           0855 PM
  0.70   NEW ULM                  MN  BROWN            0617 PM

Hey Guys ...

With our lakes starting to freeze, here's a list of recommended minimum ice thicknesses from the DNR. Click for more info:(http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/sa
fety/ice/icecard.pdf)

These are rough guidelines for new clear ice only:

• 2" or Less  - STAY OFF!
• 4" - Ice Fishing
• 5" - Snowmobile or ATV
• 8" - 12" - Car
• 12"+ - Small to Medium truck

Enjoy & Stay Safe!

-Keith

 

 

WINTER STORM WARNING THROUGH SUNDAY AM (12/2)

 Snow began this morning & will continue through the afternoon with a mix of snow and sleet likely to develop late this afternoon & into this evening. The mix should extend from the southern metro to southern Minnesota where freezing rain is possible along the I-90 corridor. Windy conditions will blow and drift the snow (gusts 20 – 30 mph). Wind chills will be below zero (certainly uncomfortable, but not extremely dangerous).

 

Timeline

Saturday Afternoon: Heavy snow bursts with breezy conditions.  Expect reduced visibilities & hazardous driving conditions.  Additional 3” – 5” by evening. (RUNNING TOTAL: 4”-7”)

Saturday Evening: Warm air aloft plays havoc with precip types … Sleet will mix in at times, even some freezing rain/ice across the southern viewing area.  Additional 1”-2” (limited by sleet) (RUNNING TOTAL: 5”- 8”+ (southern ice))

Saturday Night: Snow mixed with sleet … perhaps even some minor sleet accumulations on top of the snow.  Freezing rain across the I-90 region.  Additional accumulations <1”. (RUNNING TOTAL: 5”- 9” (some sleet / .25” ice south))

Weekend Totals: 5” – 9” (sleet & icing are the limiting factors from the Metro to the South)

Look for an updated timeline this evening.