A look down a Rochester sidewalk Monday February 12th 2013

A strong storm system effected Minnesota Sunday and Monday this week greatly effecting the weather across the state. Northwest Minnesota saw the worst of the storm. Blizzard conditions with heavy snows totaling 15 inches I-94 was closed due to blowing snow with 45MPH winds seen. Our area was on the warm side of the low pressure system so we saw rain and warm temperatures. This system did not cause any issues in the weather department as the low pressure system passes through Northern Iowa then directly over the ares Sunday evening keeping the event mostly rain. The location of the low spread sent temperatures into the upper 30s with an area of light to moderate rain mixing with snow at times throughout the area on Sunday before tapering to drizzle. Eventually this drizzle did turn back light snow late Sunday into Monday but by then moisture was lacking so very low amounts were seen not even enough to have a decent report! Rainfall amounts on the other hand ranged  from 3 10ths to over 1 inch depending on where your located, western and northern areas saw the bulk of the rain. The rain melting a good chuck of the snowcover in the area and did little in the way of adding to it, however the area did not loose all of its snowcover and the entire area still has some degree of snow on the ground. Precipitation types changed several times throughout the duration of the storm so to make reporting easier rainfall amounts will include the total precipitation snow water in the rainfall reports.

Interesting notes: 

Snow depth here in Rochester is 3.0″ with a water content of 0.47″ 
More events this winter in our area have been rain and not snow.
Snowfalls over the winter so far are less then half of winters normal total.
Snowcover throughout the area ranging from 2-4″

Rainfall Reports

 Red Wing 1.18″
Cannon Falls 0.73″
Winona 0.64″
Dodge Center 0.63″
Preston 0.56″
W Downtown Rochester 0.42″
Austin 0.41″ 
Rochester Airport 0.31″

 

Depleting snowcover next to the garage February 12th 2013

Behind the storm there was a lack of cold air which is more typical of this time of year. The weather was actually quite beautiful today and it felt great after the cold temps earlier this month. With plenty of sunshine with light south winds moving over the area temperatures warmed into a pre spring-like mid to upper 30s. The slight feeling of spring, or at least the anticipation of it was definitely in the air! Interesting note, Today’s light winds, rising sun angle and sunny skies allowed for significant urban heating to take place with in the city of Rochester. Temperatures across many inner city stations were in the upper 30s with an isolated 40 or two near the Downtown areas including my station while other stations outside of the city remained in the lower 30s

Highs seen February 12th 2013

 Rochester Metro
West Downtown Rochester 41.F
Northwest Rochester 40.F
North River Court 38.F
Elton Hills 37.F
Quarry hill 37.F
Oronoco 36.F
Hart Farms 35.F
Byron 34.F
Rochester Airport 33.F
Stewartville 33.F

Entire Area

 Zumbro Falls 37.F
Red Wing 36.F
Cannon Falls 35.F
 Austin 35.F
Dodge Center 34.F
Winona 34.F
Preston 33.F
Canton 32.F