Monday, Feb. 28th

Over the weekend we saw very cold temperatures on Saturday, followed by warmer temps on Sunday. The change in wind direction from north winds on Saturday to south winds on Sunday, helped aid in the warm up. Currently on campus, the temperature is 14 degrees F with light WSW winds. There is a high pressure system to the west of us accounting for the westerly winds and clearing skies. Because the current dew point is 5 degrees F and there are brilliantly sunny skies, precipiation is very unlikely. As the high pressure system moves south, we will have south/southwest winds tomorrow and warmer temperatures. The high for tomorrow is 36 degrees F, with mostly cloudy skies.

Friday, Feb. 25th

Currently on campus it is 13.5 degrees F but feels like 3.7 degrees F. Due to the large trough in the jet stream and the high pressure system roating the air clockwise, we have very light west winds and the sun is shining brightly (unlike this morning), so it doesn't feel too cold. The current cloud cover is about 10% with some low stratus clouds to the west. There is a slight chance of flurries this evening, as the dew point is at 1 degree F. Tomorrow's high is 14 degrees F and there is an increased chance of snow showers, especially in the morning.

Thursday, Feb. 24th

Currently the temperature is a pleasant 30 degrees F with light north winds at 6 mph. There was about 30% cloud cover before class, but now there is about 90% cloud cover with mostly stratus clouds. For the rest of today and into tonight we will continue to see cloudy skies, with temperatures dipping down to 11 degrees F. As mentioned in yesterday's blog, tomorrow will be cooler with a high of only 16 degrees F. This is due to the cold front that crossed over WI and the north winds we are getting from the storms to the south of us.

Wednesday, Feb. 23rd



Right now it is 30 degrees F with fair skies and light SE winds. The dew point is 23 degrees F, so there is a small chance of snow showers early this evening. The low for tonight is 19 degrees F. The low pressure system over Minnesota will cause the air to move in a counter-clockwise direction, giving us NW winds. Also, there is a cold front coming our way so we will most likely see cooler temperatures Friday and Saturday.

Tuesday, Feb. 22nd

The current temperature is 25 degrees F with south winds at 9 mph. There are partly cloudy skies with a mix of stratocumulus and cumulus clouds. The dew point is 14 degrees F, so unlike yesterday, there has been no precepitation. As the high pressure system moves east, it will continue to move the air in a clockwise direction, giving us more south/southeast winds. Tomorrow we will also see more clouds and warmer temperatures, with a high of 35 degrees F.





-->This is a picture I took of an icicle that has formed on the corner of my house... I'm scared to walk underneath of it!

Monday, Feb. 21st

According to the weather station on top of Phillips, it currently feels like 9 degrees F. There are 13 mph winds from the ENE. There is 100% cloud cover with light snow. The barometric pressure reading is rising slowly so the snow should be ending soon. The forecast calls for more clouds and simliar temperatures. There is a low pressure system right over Iowa causing the air to move in a counter-clockwise direction, accouting for our east northeast winds. Tonight we will see additional scattererd snow showers, finally ending early tomorrow morning. Hopefully the city will get the side streets and sidewalks plowed by tomorrow so we don't have to trudge through snow mountains again.

Sunday, Feb. 20th

Current conditions are 26 degrees F with a wind chill of 11 degrees F. There was heavy snow this afternoon, but now it has tapered off to a light snow. There is 100% cloud cover and 24mph east winds gusting to 30-40mph. Tonight's low is 18 degrees F and there will be strong winds along with an additional 4-6 inches of snow. The high for tomorrow is 20 degrees F and a few more inches of snow is expected. More moderate to strong winds from the east will cause blowing and drifting snow. Praying for a snow day!

View from RCU skycam at 5:30pm

Friday, Feb. 18th

It's nice to see the sun again! Yesterday was very gloomy, but today there are brilliantly sunny skies. The current temperature is 28 degrees F but it feels like 16 degrees F. If you can avoid walking over the bridge I would highly recommended it because it is very windy. There are 20-30 mph W wind gusts, making it feel a lot colder than it is. The current barometric pressure reading is 30.1 in Hg and is rising, accounting for the clear skies. Tonight will get down to 10 degrees F with a few passing clouds and moderate NW winds. Tomorrow's high is 31 degrees F and starting tomorrow evening we are in a Winter Storm Watch.

Thursday, Feb. 17th

Currently it is 36 degrees F and feels like 26 degrees F. Earlier today we reached 45 degrees F and had very dense fog, specifically advection fog. This type of fog is formed when a warm moist air mass blows over a cold surface (usually snow or ice). The winds have changed from south to west northwest and are gusting up to 28 mph. This change in wind direction is due to the low pressure system over northern MN. With the low pressure system the air is moving counter-clockwise, giving us the westerly winds. Along with this system will be cooler temperatures, as the high for tomorrow is 33 degrees F.

Wednesday, Feb. 16th

Current conditions are 47 degrees F under sunny skies with high cirrus clouds. There is a light 4 mph south wind and it feels like 50 degrees F. Tonight more clouds will move in and a chance of precepitation is possible. The high pressure system is moving southeast so we will see the back side of it. This means we will have more south winds and warmer temperatures. Tomorrow there is a high of 52 degrees F and mostly cloudy skies.
 
Comparing the current temperatures map to the current surface map shows how the two high presssure systems over the U.S. are leaving most of the country with warm temperatures and south winds.

Tuesday, Feb. 15th

Earlier this afternoon there were altostratus clouds and it was hazy. Now we have fair skies and a temperature of 39 degrees F. There are light south winds, caused by the high pressure system over the northeast pushing the air clockwise. The jet stream has leveled off so most of the U.S. is experiencing little or no precepitation and not as cold of temperatures. As the pressure system moves it will give us warmer temps as well as a chance for precepitation. Tomorrow there is a high of 43 degrees F and mostly cloudy skies.

Monday, Feb. 14th

This week is definitely going to diminish our snow banks. Right now it is 37 degrees F with light SW winds. It is partly cloudy with a wind chill of 32 degrees. Tonight it will get down to 24 degrees F with 10 to 15 mph S winds. Tomorrow should be very similar to today with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 39 degrees F. Happy Valentines day!

Sunday, Feb. 13th

Feels like Spring! The current temperature is 39 degrees F and it's dark out! We reached 45 degrees today and there were moderate W winds with partly cloudy skies. Tomorrow there is a high of 34 degrees F with stronger west winds. This water vapor map shows dark areas over MN which could head our way, meaning there is chance for precepitation.

Friday, Feb. 11th

This current surface map from intellicast.com shows how there is a warm front making a backwards "J" around MN and WI. In front of a warm front there is cold air and behind it there is warm air, so this would explain why it is still cold outside. The current temperature is 11 degrees F with very light SW winds. However, starting around 4pm, temperatures will start to increase rapidly as more clouds form and the warm front approaches. The high for tomorrow is 33 degrees F with a slight chance of percepitation due to the falling air pressure. Cheers to a warm weekend!

Thursday, Feb. 10th

According to the weather station on top of Phillips, the current temperature is 13 degrees F with a wind chill of 6 degrees F. There are sunny skies and very light W winds. The jet stream is shifting upward, and a small warm front is headed our way... which means warmer temperatures are in the forecast. The barometric pressure is continuing to fall, so there will be increasing clouds over night and into tomorrow.

Wednesday, Feb. 9th

Today is yet another very cold day. The current temperature feels like -6.3 degrees F (according to the temperature reading on top of Phillips). There are 15 mph W winds and completely sunny skies. The good news is a warm up is on the way. Tomorrow's forecast calls for light SW winds, increasing clouds, along with warmer temperatures. Tomorrow's high is 13 degrees F.

Tuesday, Feb. 8th

Very cold today. The current temperature is 7 degrees F, and feels like -8 degrees F. The sinking air from the high pressure system has given us mostly clear skies. The barometric pressure reading is falling rapidly, indicating clouds will form and allow for warmer weather. Tonight could get down to -20 degrees F with the wind chill. Tomorrow's high is 9 degrees F with moderate west winds.
  
(image from accuweather.com showing the bitterly cold weather much of the country is experiencing)

Monday, Feb. 7th

There is a cold front currently stretching from Kansas up to Michigan (shown in the map below) which has left us with colder temperatures. This has also caused a change in wind direction from south to northwest. It is 17 degrees F now with 100% cloud cover and NNW winds of about 12 mph. Tonight will be very chilly, with wind chills approaching -25 degrees F. Tomorrow will remain cold with a high of 5 degrees F and partly cloudy skies.

Saturday, Feb. 5th

100% cloud cover and light south winds has brought warm temperatures for WI. Currently in Green Bay it is 28 degrees F and could reach 33 degrees F - above freezing for the first time all year! There is a chance for snow tomorrow, along with more cloudy skies and warm temperatures. The forcast for Eau Claire is similar to Green Bay's forcast.

Friday, Feb. 4th

The current temperature is 28 degrees F, which is the warmest it has been in awhile. There is a light SW wind of about 10 mph and mostly sunny skies. More clouds will move in tonight, keeping the temperature in the 20s. Tomorrow will be a little warmer than today with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 31 degrees F. Tomorrow night and through Sunday there is a chance for snow showers. Overall this weekend should be a nice break from the bitter cold weather we've had all week. Plus, it's super bowl weekend - GO PACK GO!

Thursday, Feb. 3rd

This morning started off very chilly but as the day progressed it definitely warmed up. We were able to make it up to 24 degrees F, thanks to the southwestern winds. Currently it is 17 degrees F, with 14 mph wind gusts at times (I just went on a run and the wind definitely made it challenging). Tonight the temperature will drop down to around 10 degrees F with partly cloudly skies. Tomorrow there is a chance for some snow flurries with stronger SSW winds. The high for tomorrow is 30 degrees F - heat wave!

Wednesday, Feb. 2nd

Although today has been sunny and very pretty out, looks can be so deceiving. The current tempeture is 8 degrees F, but it feels like it is -5 degrees F. There a NW wind of about 10 mph. Tonight will get down to -3 degrees F, with wind chills in the negative teens. Tomorrow should be warmer as clouds move in and the wind direction changes to SW.

Snowfall Totals so far...

This is a chart from AccuWeather.com that shows total snowfall this winter season compared to to winter season last year. Notice how Minneapolis's snowfall total is already twice as much as last year, which is probably similar for the Eau Claire area as well.  

Tuesday, Feb. 1st

This afternoon there are sparse altocumulus clouds, with moderate winds from the NNE. The sky is hazy with patches of sun. Current temperature is 18 degrees F. The northeast winds will bring cold temperatures tonight with wind chills dropping to -15 degrees F. Tomorrow will be a little cooler with brilliantly sunny skies. More NNE winds, slightly stronger than today.