WNTV Blog for AM Tuesday: The New Year Approaches

On The Edge
By Todd Nelson

Tick tock, tick tock... Why do I always feel like the world is going to flip upside down when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve? Maybe I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the much hyped "Y2K Bug" 14 years ago. Other than being cold, I'm hoping there are no glitches as we turn the page to a new year Tuesday Night.

Thru the end of December, we'll have seen 11 sub-zero nights, all of which have occurred in December! January is typically the coldest month of the year with 10 sub-zero nights; December typically sees around 6. According to NOAA's NOWData, the Twin Cities has around 24 sub-zero nights during the entire winter season; the threat of sub-zero nights generally fades by early March.

Extreme cold is helping to shove the storm track just south of the Twin Cities Metro. Another fast moving clipper system will dive through the High Plains towards Chicago during the day Tuesday and bring a plowable snow chance to Chicago by New Year's Day!

I am happy to report that teens are in the forecast by the end of the week, that'll feel nice. Don't get used to it though as another cold blast looks to arrive early next week. UGH! -Todd Nelson
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MONDAY NIGHT: Light snow tapers early. Gradual clearing and cold again!. Low: -13. Feels Like: -25F Wind: WNW 5.

NEW YEAR'S EVE DAY: Clouds thicken, light snow possible in extreme southern MN (generally alon I-90). High: -1. Feels Like: -25F. Winds: N 5-10

NEW YEAR'S EVE NIGHT: Chance of a few flurries in southern MN, still very cold. Low: -10. Feels like -25F

NEW YEAR'S DAY: Cold! A few flakes to ring in 2014?. High: 1. Feels Like: -20F

THURSDAY: Increasing sun, still quite cold.Wake-up: -10. High: 0

FRIDAY: Warmer! Increasing clouds, light snow possible over night. Wake-up: -12. High: 11.

SATURDAY: Lingering AM snow. Breezy. Wake-up: 8. High: 18.

SUNDAY: Light snow, turning colder again. Wake-up: 1. High: 10.

MONDAY: Harsh wind returns. Wake-up: -12. High: -2.
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This Day in Weather History

December 31st

1999: Balmy end to the 2nd millennium over Minnesota with temperatures in the 30's over central and southern Minnesota near midnight.

1937: Damage done by flood at Grand Marais. 18 inches of snow dumped on Grand Portage.

1913: New Ulm had its fortieth consecutive day without precipitation.
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Wind Chill Concerns
Surprise, surprise. Wind chill concerns continue across parts of the Midwest, where temperatures seem to be their coldest.

...VERY COLD WIND CHILLS EXPECTED THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...

A REINFORCING BLAST OF ARCTIC AIR WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY. NORTHWEST WINDS COMBINED WITH CONTINUED COLD TEMPERATURES WILL PRODUCE WIND CHILL VALUES OF 20 BELOW ZERO TO 40 BELOW ZERO AT TIMES. THE COLDEST AIR WILL BE FOUND NORTH OF A LINE FROM ALEXANDRIA TO MORA...WHERE A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT. SOUTH OF THAT LINE...A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT.



Forecast Highs Tuesday
High temperatures across the Upper Midwest will once again struggle to get above zero for some locations.



U.S. Highs From Normal Tuesday
It's pretty impressive to see high temperatures nearly 25F below average across the Upper Mississippi Valley, but not that far away, we see high temperature forecasts nearly 15F above average!



New Year's Eve Night
If you have plans to ring in the New Year across the northern tier of the nation, make sure you bundle up. Take a look at the cold temps expected by AM Wednesday!



New Year's Eve Forecast
For all the folks heading out and about on New Year's Eve, here's a look at the weather forecast across the country.



Hot Dog?
Thanks to my good friend Michelle Surgeson for this interesting picture out of La Quinta, CA where temperatures have been consistently reaching the upper 70s to lower 80s across much of southern California. At first glance, you would think that this pooch is trying to keep warm by the fire, but in fact, the fire is not lit and is laying on the cooler patio blocks! Looks like a "ruff" life!



Cold Cat
On the contrary, this cat is laying on a heat vent trying to keep warm. Thanks to my good friend, Matt Dux for this picture out of Kansas City, where Zeus is hogging all the heat!



A Pooch on the Porch
Might as well stay on the animal train... Thanks to @MMilliken47 for this pooch on the porch picture from snowy Belgrade, ME. Snow reports of a foot or more came in after a quick hitting snow storm blew through on Sunday.



Northeast Sunday Snow Map
Here are some of the snow totals from that particular snow event across the northern New England States.



More on the Maine Power Outages
Here's more on the power outages across parts of Maine from the BostonHerald.com

"PORTLAND, Maine — Another snowstorm has knocked out power for more Maine homes and businesses as a stormy December featuring more than 2 feet of snow and a prolonged ice storm draws to a close.
The National Weather Service says the latest snowstorm Sunday night brought the snow total to 26.2 inches in Portland. That's more than double the snowfall in the typical December.
Central Maine Power says about 5,500 customers lost electricity in the latest storm. Bangor Hydro Electric, which is still dealing hundreds of outages from last week's ice storm, says about 1,600 homes and businesses are now in the dark.
Meterologist Mike Cempa says the new year could start the way the old one ended, with another snowstorm. He says a costal storm is on tap for Thursday and Friday."

(Photo Courtesty: Shirley Spong Lynn from Downeast Region, ME)



More Snow on the Way
Here's the snow potential through AM Thursday. Note the narrow band of potentiall heavier snow from the High Plains to the Great Lakes to the Northeast during this time. Areas near the Great Lakes Region could see some of the heaviest tallies around New Year's Day (Wednesday) and Thursday.



3 Day Precipitation Outlook
According to NOAA's 3 day precipitation outlook, there will be more precipitation across the southern tier of the nation in the form of rain. Some of this could be heavy, especially across southern Texas, where there has already been some heavier tallies over last few days.



A Wet December (for some)
December has been a fairly soggy month, especially across the Southeastern U.S. and the higher elevations of the Pacific Northwest.

Precipitation Past 14 Days



Precipitation Past 30 Days



U.S. Drought
Here's an interesting look at the Drought from this year to last. Note how much more widespread the drought was in the 2012 across the Plains than it is today. However, note how the drought has become much worse across in the western part of the country, espeically in California.



How Much Rain Are We Talkin' Here?
According to the Palmer Drought Severity Index:

"The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) (known operationally as the Palmer Drought Index (PDI)) attempts to measure the duration and intensity of the long-term drought-inducing circulation patterns. Long-term drought is cumulative, so the intensity of drought during the current month is dependent on the current weather patterns plus the cumulative patterns of previous months. Since weather patterns can change almost literally overnight from a long-term drought pattern to a long-term wet pattern, the PDSI (PDI) can respond fairly rapidly."

This is how much additional precipitation is needed bring the (PDI) to -0.5. This shows that parts of California need a foot of liquid precipitation or more!!



Thanks for checking in and have a great rest of your week ahead!
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @TNelsonWNTV

WNTV Blog for AM Monday: Colder with Clippers

Thinking Warm Thoughts!

After the recent blast of Arctic air, I think we all need a little reminder that warm air still exists somewhere around the globe!

Here's a nice warm view from my good friend Megan Gehrke who arrived in St. Lucia in the eastern Caribbean this weekend!

Here's another one from the warm tropical beaches, where another one of my good friends Jennie Moren also has the right idea!

And one more from the National Weather Service out of Miami, Florida on Sunday morning. What a stunning sunrise!

Back to Reality

Some of the coldest air across the entire nation was located across the Upper Midwest on Sunday morning, where air temperatures dipped into the -10s and -20s (nearing -30F across the far north). Here's a shot from Pimushe Resort located in central/northern Minnesota (near Bemidji) where temperatures dropped to the -20s and wind chills values neared -40F on Sunday morning!

Here's another cold shot from my aunt Marsha, who braved the cold early Sunday morning for this sunrise photo near Crosby, MN! BTW, she said she also heard the rumble Friday night from the Midwest meteorite I mentioned in Sunday's weather blog... pretty cool!

BIG Change!

This is an amazing map, which shows the power of the front. Note the near 50F swing from Saturday to Sunday.

Sunday Morning Temperatures

Here's the national temperature map from Sunday morning. Note that there are near -30F temperature readings across the far north! YIKES!!

Sunday Morning Wind Chills

When you factor in the wind, it felt MUCH colder...

Wind Chill Concerns

Dangerous wind chills will be in place through early this week as bitter cold continues to lodge itself into the Lower 48. Wind chill values could be as low as the -40s across the far north!

It is important to keep in mind that if you plan on spending ANY time outdoors, dress appropriately! With temperatures as cold as they are/will be, frost bite can occur within a matter of minutes!

Cold Into the New Year

As we ring in the new year, the cold air is here to stay. If you have plans for New Year's Eve, here are the expected low temperatures by AM Wednesday, which look mighty cold across the far north.

Forecast Highs Wednesday (New Year's Day)

Here are the chilly high temperatures forecast for New Year's Day on Wednesday, which will still be sub-zero across the far north and into the northern New England States.

Highs From Normal New Year's Day (Wednesday)

High temperatures from normal and Wednesday (New Year's Day) will still be well below the norm across much of the eastern two-thirds of the nation.

U.S. Snow Cover 2013

According to NOAA's NOHRSC, nearly 31% of the nation is covered in snow.

Interestingly, by this time last year there was nearly double the amount of U.S. snow coverage (64%).

Early Week Forecast

We say goodbye to a very soggy weekend across the eastern third of the nation, but colder air and more precipitation will continue into the early week ahead. Clipper systems with light snow accumulations will dive in from Canada, while continued rain chances will continue across the deep south from southern Texas to the Mid-Atlantic Region.

This Week's Precipitation Forecast

The upcoming week ahead looks soggy once again for folks from southern Texas to the Mid-Atlantic region. The southern tier of the nation will be warm enough for rain, but the precipitation across the northern tier of the nation will be cold enough for some snow accumulations

Somewhat Snowy Outlook

Looking ahead through early next week, clipper systems will help to freshen up the snow cover from the High Plains to the Great Lakes and the Northeast. Notice the narrow band of snow cover these clipper system will provide over the coming days.

More Wintry Weather

Interestingly, some of the heavier snow (thru Monday) will be found across parts of Maine, where some folks are still without power after the major ice storm blew through places from Michigan to Maine nearly 1.5 weeks ago!

Here's a story from the HuffingtonPost.com:

"Michigan bore the brunt of the storm as nearly 600,000 homes and businesses lost power, and as of Friday afternoon, about 60,000 customers remained in the dark. Maine reported almost 12,000 outages and in eastern Canada, nearly 62,000 still hadn't had their power restored, including 33,000 in Toronto."

Read more HERE:

(photo courtesy: @lisa51966 from Litchefield, ME)

Thanks for checking in and have a great week ahead!

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @TNelsonWNTV

WNTV Blog for AM Sunday: 50F Temperature Swing in One Day

Nothing Better Than Fresh Ice
Ahh, there's at least one thing I like about Minnesota in winter and that's a good sheet of outdoor ice! I was up early enough to catch the outdoor Zamboni doing it's thing. This was prior to the record 47F high set at the MSP airport!




Blizzard Warnings...
Thanks to the National Weather Service out of Bismark, ND for the compilation of ND DOT cameras from midday Saturday. The images show the initial surge of Arctic air into the Lower 48 with near ground blizzard conditions as 30+mph wind gusts tore through the region.



Here were all the blizzard warnings (in red) that were in place across the Upper Midwest through the weekend as the Arctic front plowed south.



Cold Air Plunges South
WOW! What a front! Take a look at the high temperature from normal map across the nation from Saturday to Sunday. There's a 50F+ temperature swing there in just 1 day!

Highs From Normal Saturday
Look at how warm the central and eastern part of the country was from normal. Some even setting record highs!



Highs From Normal Sunday
You know the cold front is powerful when it can drop temperatures as much as 50F+ in the other direction! Instead of being nearly 25F warmer than average, some spots will be nearly 25F colder than average on Sunday!



High Temperatures Sunday
Actual daytime high temperatures will have a tough time even reaching 0F across parts of the Upper Midwest!



Forecast Lows Sunday Night
If you think that's cold, how about the forecast low temperatures for Sunday night! YIKES!



Waterlogged Eastern U.S.
Take a look at the forecast radar below; note the big blob of moisture that pushed through the Southeast on Saturday and will wrap up over the Northeast on Sunday. The Arctic air mass from the Upper Mississippi Valley will help to bring a wintry mix from the Lower Mississippi Valley to parts of the Northeast on Sunday and Monday.



Tracking the Lows
These are the two storm systems that will be bringing inclement weather to the eastern half of the country through early next week. The southern Gulf low is the one that will bring the heaviest quantities of moisture to the eastern third of the country. Interestingly, it will be mixing with some colder air to the far north, so heavier snow is going to be an issue across parts of the Northern New England States through early next week as well! The northern low skipping across the Great Lakes Region is the low responsible for the Arctic invasion that will be permeating through the eastern part of the country through the New Year!



7am Sunday to 7am Monday



Precipitation Potential
According to NOAA's HPC 2 day precipitation forecast, from 7pm Saturday to 7pm Monday there will be a heavy swath of moisture from parts of the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast. Some 1" to 2"+ amount can't be ruled out. This could certainly bring a few flooding concerns to the table where heavier rain accumulates. Keep in mind that some of this moisture will also be in the form of snow where colder temperatures exist across the far north.



Winter Storm Watch
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for parts of the northern New England States for heavy snow potential of 6" to 10" from PM Sunday - AM Monday.



Snow accumulations through early next week look particularly interesting across parts of Maine. However, nuisance to shovelable snow may be possible from parts of the Great Lakes to the New England States during thru early next week.



Space Odyssey
It's not much, but it's kind of cool. It's a picture of the International Space Station as it flew over the National Weather Service office in Charleston, West Virginia



If you're interested in seeing the International Space Station or any other satellite with you're own eye, check out this cool website from SpaceWeather.com - All you have to do it put in your zipcode and it spits out the satellite that may be visible (weather permitting) in your area!

See more HERE:



Speaking of Space...
There were several reports of flashes in the sky and louds rumbles coming from the Upper Midwest on the night of December 27th. The National Weather Service out of Duluth, MN has a nice thread on what some encountered as an apparent meteorite dashed through the sky.

See More HERE:



Meteorite From Iowa
Here's video of a meteorite from Iowa on the 26th of December

Video courtesy Andrey Anisimov - See HERE:



Purchase of the Day?
Not sure why some of us feel the need to have the biggest TV there is, but check this one out! It's an 85" and you can have it for only $40,000 !!

Check out the listing on Amazon HERE:



New Year's Eve Night Temperature Outlook
Here's the temperature outlook for New Year's Eve Night/AM New Year's Day. Note how cold it looks across parts of the Upper Midwest and the Northeast... YIKES!



Here's the apparent temperature forecast for New Year's Eve Night near the time the clock strikes midnight... It looks pretty cold!



Early January Wind Chill Outlook
The extended wind chill outlook looks pretty cold through early January  across much of the eastern part of the nation. According to NOAA, here are lowest wind chills possible from January 2nd - January 6



Antarctic Researchers Trapped
This is an interesting story coming from the bottom of the world, where a group of researchers are trapped in heavy sea ice!

"AN Antarctic rescue mission has suffered a setback after two icebreakers abandoned efforts to free a research ship stranded deep in sea ice.
A group of Australian scientists, explorers and tourists has been stuck on the Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy since Christmas Day.
The ship, with 74 people on board, sent a distress call after becoming trapped in heavy sea ice, which has continued to expand around it over the past three days near Antarctica."

Read the full story from News.com.au HERE:



Thanks for checking in, have a great rest of your weekend and don't forget to follow me on Twitter @TNelsonWNTV