The end of January always seems to be the point in time when people start asking themselves why in the world they live in Wisconsin during the winter.  But, just when it seems like you’ve had enough, the sun starts staying up a little later each day and setting a bit later each night…more daylight always makes it easier!   Our average temperature is now on the upswing and the jet stream is bobbling back and forth.  I was looking back to some stats from 2009 and noticed on January 28th…our low was -17.  Only three days later on January 31st, we hit 43 degrees!  Changes can happen quickly at the end of January and the beginning of February, so hang in there, it won’t be long before we’re all talking about heat and humidity!

Meteorologist LeAnn Lombardo

Posted under Weather

Normally, a cloudy and foggy day wouldn’t be anything real exciting in January.  The past week, however, has featured some mid-winter picture opportunities for photographers and weather buffs alike.  There have been at least three mornings over the last week in which ‘hoar frost’ could be found clinging to trees and other loose hanging objects outside.  Hoar frost occurs when there is moisture in a cold layer near the ground.  The moisture condenses into ice crystals and floats through the air until it comes in contact with an object whose temperature is colder than that of the air, such as a bare tree branch or needles on a pine tree.  The ice crystals then stick to the branch.  When you wake up and peek outside around daybreak, it almost appears as if there are fine snowflakes sticking to the tree when in reality it is the ice crystals, or hoar frost.  Typically the frost melts or evaporates away once the sun is out for a couple of hours.  The following are a few photos sent to the station today displaying hoar frost on various objects.  Enjoy . . .

Posted under Hometown Weather

We’ve been below average the entire month of January so far with our warmest day being 19 degrees on January 6th, and we won’t even talk about the wind chills!   It all changes this week though with the jet stream getting pushed north into Canada, allowing southerly winds to pump in some warmer air.  By Wednesday, we’ll be about 15 degrees above our average of 20, topping out in the mid 30s.  It may not be shorts and t-shirt weather, but a sweet reward for what we’ve been through the last few weeks.  Enjoy!

Meteorologist LeAnn Lombardo

Posted under Weather

If you’re an avid outdoorsperson who likes to snowmobile, ice fish or ski, you’re probably pretty happy with the weather the last few weeks.  Temperatures have been plenty cold to thicken up the ice on area lakes and we’ve certainly seen our share of snow!  The Climate Prediction Center is still sticking with it’s warmer than average winter with El Nino in place, so we’ll have to wait and see if we make up for this cold in January and February.  We’ll be below average the first full week of January, but a warm-up is on the way for the second week.  Temperatures by then will be in the low to mid twenties, so you may even find it bearable to be outside! Remember to keep an eye on outdoor pets during the cold, as well as any ice build up on your furnace vent.  This can cause carbon monoxide to build up in the house resulting in sickness or even death.  Stay alert and stay warm!

Meteorologist LeAnn Lombardo

Posted under Weather

     (2)  Unusually Cool Summer

I remember chatting with folks about what they remember most about this past years weather, and more than 50% responded with the cooler summer conditions.  It was only three years ago when we experienced one of the hottest July’s in recent history (avg. high of 90.3 degrees in July 2006), and that made my yearly countdown list.  Well, turnabout is fair play and the cooler temperatures during the summer of 2009 ranks number two on my list.  Here are some reasons why:

• one of the top five coolest July’s in Eau Claire
• very low number of severe weather days
• four days with a record low-high temperature

     (1)  Well Below Average Yearly Precipitation

It seems like this is becoming an annual topic here in western Wisconsin – the lack of “normal” yearly precipitation.  “What is normal?” you may ask.  Average annual rain and snow should total about 32″ from January through December.  Now, it isn’t unusual for the winter months to be drier because the air in the atmosphere is much drier.  During the spring and summer months, however, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico (and to a lesser extent the Pacific Ocean) flows north into the upper Midwest.  This moisture is then used by frontal boundaries and upper air systems to produce our rainfall during the warm season.  Here are a few factors that led me to my decision to make this the number one weather event of 2009:

• a deficit of SEVEN inches from normal
• 9 out of the 12 months were BELOW average
• widespread SEVERE drought conditions for much of the summer

There they are . . . the top five weather happenings of 2009.  All in all, much of the year was pretty quiet.  What does 2010 hold in store for western Wisconsin?  I guess we will find out in the coming months!

Chief Meteorologist Doug Michaels

Posted under Hometown Weather