9:20 AM, January 12.  Temperature: 11°, wind chill: -1°.

Yes, it does feel cold outside!  With highs today only reaching the middle teens and strong northwest winds, some would say it’s downright brutal outside.

This certainly isn’t the coldest weather we’ve experienced in the Chippewa Valley.  In fact, our low temperature average for this time of the year is 5°, while our average high is 23°.  But with readings in the 40s and low 50s earlier this week, you can’t help but feel chilled to the bone!  At least I do.  I don’t mind the snow, but I really don’t like the colder weather, especially when the utility bill comes.  There must be a mouse or a hamster spinning that wheel for me in the electric meter…

The talk about arctic air’s return has me thinking about something we haven’t discussed much this winter: wind chill.  The last few years, wind chill readings from -15° to -30° were not unheard of in western Wisconsin.  This year, as you know, it’s a different story.  But as I take a quick look at the long range temperature projections, I can tell you wind chill is something we’ll have to get a little more used to again.

Wind Chill Chart --- Courtesy: National Weather Service

Most have a basic understanding of wind chill, but if you don’t, that’s perfectly fine.  In short, the colder and winder conditions are, the colder it feels outside.  Check out the chart on the left, courtesy of the National Weather Service.  If the morning temperature is 0° and the wind is northwest at 15 mph, the wind chill is -19°.   Hopefully never this case, but -20° with a 15 mph wind, the wind chill will be -45°.  Why is the wind chill important?  If you study the chart, you’ll see different colors.  Frostbite can always occur anytime the temperature is below freezing, but it the process is much quicker when the wind chill is -18° or colder.

I’ll end today’s blog post with a trivia question I hope you’ll take a stab at.  Even if you don’t have a clue, don’t be afraid to chime in explaining how the cold affects you.  I would love to hear from you, and part of my job is helping people understand weather.  And, no cheating!   Stay tuned for more from Beyond the Forecast…

Posted under Hometown Weather, Weather

I  just learned a neat fact today.  Did you know last winter $2.1 billion was spent on tourism?**  Yes, billion with a “B”.  It’s a bigger number than I would have guessed!  Now, break that number down over the season, and on average, tourists spent about $20 million per day.  Wow!  Last season, that kind of green during a period of white certainly put a smile on many business that depend on winter tourism.

I’ll admit: I like mild weather, but I love the snow too.  However, after a few cold and snowy winters, I thought the recent mild patterns were a nice change of pace.  Unfortunately, my thoughts aren’t exactly helpful to businesses that depend on winter tourism.  When I look outside the window (blog post written pre-snowfall), I don’t really think of winter.  I think of spring, and spring activities like jogging, biking, prepping the garden, etc.  I’m sure many of you think of spring too.  Yes, the physical lack of snow has hit some winter recreation businesses hard.  But one has to admit the brown ground doesn’t help the mood!  Many businesses are open, pleading with people to come enjoy what they have to offer.

View from Christie Mountain near Bruce, WI (1/11/2012)

Let me give you a real life example.  My uncle, a ski instructor at a ski hill in northwest Wisconsin, wrote me an email, telling me they were open for business.  A paraphrased version, here’s what he wrote:

 “We are 100% open to skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing!  Also, the crosscounty skiers are using the 12 miles of trail that is north of the hill.  So pass this on to whoever needs to see it.  It would make a great story on the nightly news that “YES” we still have winter.  Send them up!”

His ski hill, like most, makes their own snow.  In fact, the latest report states a 22″ base will all lifts running and nearly all trails open.  You could never guess that just by looking outside. 

There’s plenty of natural snow in Wisconsin too; you just have to know where to find it.  Since December 1st, Eau Claire has only received 7.7″ of snow.  Did you know in the same time frame, Hurley, WI has accumulated 30.0″?  Neighbor Eagle River hasn’t done too bad too, though much less – 16.5″.  Of course, these two locations are in far northern Wisconsin, in the Lake Superior snowbelt.  They typically receive 55″ to 65″ per year, about half credited to lake-effect snow.

Most Ski Hills in Good Shape in Wisconsin --- Image Courtesy: Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism

I had a nice phone conversation with a representative from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism this morning.  She told me they are “not too worried yet,” and that the tourism industry in Wisconsin is quite resilient.  She stated many small businesses have done a good job adapting to mild and dry weather streaks, offering additional products or unique promotions.  She said it’s the hotels, restaurants, snack shops – businesses of that nature – that have taken the biggest hit.  Think of it…if you’re a skier and you stop for snacks along the way or to gas up…it makes a difference!

Now, to find those snowshoes…looks like I’ll have to get the ladder!  Thanks for reading and safe travels tonight and tomorrow.  The roads will be icy.  Stay tuned for more from Beyond the Forecast…

**Figure provided by Wisconsin Department of Tourism

Posted under Hometown Weather, Weather