(4)  Topsy Turvy Fall Weather

The autumn season, which climatologically begins on September 1, featured the most fascinating pattern changes I’ve seen during my time in Wisconsin.  September was characterized by fairly warm conditions through most of the month, nearly daily occurances of morning fog, and a lack of rainfall.  This stagnant pattern abruptly changed on September 27 with the passage of a strong cold front, leading to an unseasonably cool and wet month of October.  Finally, another swing in the overall pattern led the Chippewa Valley back into a very mild and dry pattern as November began.  Some specific highlights include:

• only 0.66″ of rain in September (the first three weeks being completely dry)
• 4.7″ of October snow, with the earliest coming on the 12th
• an average November high temperature of 50.4 (over ten degrees above avg.)

     (3)  Another Snowy December

You may look at this selection and think, “What is so significant about this?”.  I mean after all, December is supposed to be cold and snowy in Wisconsin, right?  Well . . . a closer look at the climate records for the decade through 2006 shows a much different reality - five out of the first seven years registered extremely low snowfall numbers in western Wisconsin.  The tide has certainly turned, however, over the past three years with 2007 and ’08 both seeing more than 20″ of December snow in Eau Claire.  Here are a few stats which lead me to place December 2009 at number three:

• two significant winter storms, depositing a combined 18.2″ of snow in Eau Claire
• total snowfall of 19.8″ for the entire month
• the third straight “white Christmas” for the Chippewa Valley   

Posted under Hometown Weather

It’s that time of the year again . . . time for me to make my list, check it twice, and count down the top five weather events of the past 12 months.  This annual recollection of significant weather items is something I’ve done every year since 2004, but I have to say that 2009 presented some of the most diverse weather from month to month that I have experienced in my time here in the Chippewa Valley.  Compiling this list is tough simply because there are so many instances to choose from during the course of the year.  I have tried to narrow the field down to the five weather events that impacted the greatest portion of the Chippewa Valley.  So here we go . . .

     (5)  LACK OF MID/LATE WINTER SNOWFALL

This may seem somewhat trivial, but in the grand sceme of things it’s rather significant because of the sheer number of activities and businesses that depend on snow during the winter months, not to mention tourism.  In addition, the melting snowpack in late March/early April contributes valuable moisture into area lakes, streams, and rivers.  Here are a couple of alarming stats which lead me to place this within the top five:

• following 25″ of snow last December, only 16.6″ fell in Eau Claire from January 1 to March 30.  Normal snowfall in that same time frame is 31.1″.
• Between February 11 and February 17 the snow depth in Eau Claire was a meager Trace.  Also, March 5 was the last day we had a snow depth of an inch or more.

Each night at 10pm, and then again the following day during Live at 5 I will announce the next item on the list.  I will then post that selection on the weather blog.  Number four will be tonight (Tuesday) and will be added to the blog tomorrow.  I apologize if there is an event other than the five I’ve chosen you think should make the list, but again my goal was to pick the ones that bore the greatest impact on the Chippewa Valley as a whole.  Stay tuned for number four . . .

Chief Meteorologist Doug Michaels

Posted under Hometown Weather

The much talked about winter storm is underway, as snow moved into the Chippewa Valley early Wednesday evening.  Essentially all is going as I expected so far, with all snow through the remainder of Wednesday night.  In fact, looking at the thermal profiles of the atmosphere leads me to surmise that periods of mixed precipitation will be rare for the Chippewa Valley, with the best chance of freezing rain to our south.  There will be a couple of bouts of lighter snowfall as the storm continues to strengthen on Thursday, and then again Christmas Day as the storm becomes “stacked” or “occluded” (when the centers of both surface and upper level low pressure are on top of each other), and those are the most opportune times for some sleet or light freezing drizzle. 

Moisture feeding into the storm will be plentiful, and given the long duration (most of which looks to be snow) of the storm I’ve tweaked my snowfall forecast just a little to try and be more specific with regards to overall accumulation by Saturday morning.

One item of note . . . areas to the south with lesser amounts of snow stand a greater chance of freezing rain and/or sleet.  Any which way you look at it, travel will be difficult with either snow covered or icy roads.  Please take it slow if you’re doing any driving on Thursday or Friday!

Chief Meteorologist Doug Michaels

Posted under Hometown Weather

The winter storm headed for the Chippewa Valley just in time for Christmas will be a doozie, and different from the storm that dumped 13″ of snow on Eau Claire just a couple of weeks ago.  In fact, there will be two main (and important) differences:  more Gulf moisture (a LOT more), and longer duration.  The melted equivalent of the snow from that first storm was just over half an inch – total moisture from this storm will be nearly three times that number!!  So, does that mean we are in for 30″ of snowfall?  Well . . . no.  See, along with the moisture will come warmer air and that will ensure a much wetter and heavier snow than what we shoveled two weeks ago.  Unfortunately, that warmer air will also introduce precipitation type issues into the forecast, especially for areas to the south of Eau Claire where ice accumulations are possible. 

The second big difference I mentioned – longer duration – will mean more time for snow to pile up.  Most of the snow that fell during the storm earlier this month did so in a 12-14 hour period.  Several waves of moisture will mean periodic heavy snow from Wed. night through Friday night, while the slow moving nature of the storm keeps even light snow going into Saturday.  A congested upper level pattern is to blame – intensification will occur to our southwest but because the low pressure system has nowhere to go, it will be slow to lift out of the upper Midwest.  At this point I expect the heaviest snow accumulations over eastern Minnesota and far western Wisconsin (portions of St. Croix, Polk, and Barron counties), but I think most of the Chippewa Valley will receive at least 10″ of snow by Saturday morning.  Below is a map of my forecast snow totals through Saturday morning:

This will obviously be a high impact storm given the busy Christmas travel later this week so plan on plenty of extra time if you need to hit the road.  Also, don’t forget to pack a winter survival kit in the event you become stranded.  In any event, it will be a very white Christmas for the Chippewa Valley!

Chief Meteorologist Doug Michaels

Posted under Hometown Weather

It’s beginning to look a lot more probable that significant snow will affect your holiday travel.  The models have been flip flopping around and not agreeing, but take a look at the latest data coming in…it appears the Chippewa Valley will be hit head on with this winter storm!  Stay tuned and pack some patience if you’re traveling! Meteorologist LeAnn Lombardo

Model Data 1

Model Data 2

Posted under Weather

Each year I like to re-post my snow fence blog.  If you’re like me and have a long driveway…it almost becomes a necessity to put one up, or you won’t get out.  A blizzard watch has already been issued to our south for Tuesday and Wednesday, along with a winter storm watch for the Chippewa Valley…it’s time!

How can a snow fence help?

A properly placed snow fence can make all the difference between being snowed in (some folks may like this idea) and, smooth sailing down the driveway.

How they work:

As the snow and wind blow through the fence, the fence basically empties the air of snow before it reaches your driveway (or whatever feature you’re trying to keep the snow away from). Drifts that would normally fall on the roadway now form at the
location of the snow fence.

To be effective, snow fences must be properly designed and located with respect to the roadway in need of protection. Not all roadways will benefit from a snow fence.
A fence placed in the wrong location may not do an adequate job of protecting the road, and may even cause snow to accumulate on the roadway.

Height

Any standard size fence will help stop drifting snow. However, the taller the fence – the more snow will be trapped. One row of eight-foot fence is recommended for maximum efficiency. Multiple rows of shorter fence can also be used. One eight-foot fence can trap as much snow as five rows of four-foot fence. Height should be sufficient to store blowing snow during an average to above average snowfall year.

Length

Snow fence length determines the maximum amount of area that can be protected from blowing and drifting snow. Snow storage at the ends of a barrier is significantly less than near the center. It is recommended that the ends of the fence extend approximately 30 degrees beyond the desired protection limits to allow for wind variability. Fences should be set back from the edge of the roadway a distance of 35 times the height of the fence. For instance, if the snow fence is eight feet tall, it should be placed 280 feet back from the edge of the roadway. (8′ high x 35 = 280-foot set back)

Placement

The fence should be placed as parallel to the road and perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction as possible.

Helpful hints

• Fences should contain 40 to 50 percent open space to be most effective.
• Horizontal gaps are the preferred design.
• A gap of six to eight inches is needed between the ground and the fence to reduce the tendency of fences to become buried in drifts, which reduces storage capacity.

Meteorologist LeAnn Lombardo

Posted under Weather