Image from KCCT Skycam showing the lack of snowcover continuing January 2nd
Over the New Years Holiday weekend a strong storm system hit bringing high winds which took down trees and ripped shingles off homes. It also brought much cooler weather nearly 20 degrees cooler then on Friday. The cause of the high wind was from a strong area of low pressure that was gathering strength as it moved into the area of the UP of Michigan. The strong gradient created strong Northwest winds over 45MPH at most stations in the area, in one case at Grand Meadow a significant wind gust of 55MPH was recorded. At the Rochester International airport the highest gust was 49MPH. The winds did cause a few issues taking down some branches, even a few trees. A report of a large tree coming down came in from Austin as a result of the wind. Precip in this storm started off as rain as temps were in the upper 30s, then ended as light snow. Unfortunately precip minimal in the storm system across the entire area coming out to less then one 10th of an inch at most locations. Rochester has 0.02″ of rain when the temp was 37.F and just over quarter inch of snow once the temp dropped into the mid 30s, becuase of the lack of snowfall, blowing snow did not cause problems as was at first expected.
Strongest wind gusts observed
Grand Meadow 55MPH
Canton 50MPH
Rochester Airport 49MPH
Eyota 49MPH
Dexter 49MPH
Preston 49MPH
Kellogg 48MPH
Austin 48MPH
Winona 44MPH
Cannon Falls 43MPH
Dodge Center 43MPH
Reports
Austin 8 inch diameter dead tree uprooted
Blowing and drifting snow January 1st 2012 Clayton,WI
Because I am still in my hometown of Clayton, Wisconsin for winter break, I decided to post the storms effects here at my home. The storm was quite a bit different here approximately 115 miles north of Rochester.
Large snowflakes falling December 31st 2011
Instead of rain changing to snow the temp was around 32.F so it was sleet then it quickly changed to heavy snow. The flakes were very large at times, the largest I’ve seen in a long time! A 4.0″ of snow accumulated. While the winds were calm at first during the time the snow was falling, overnight the winds picked up and were strong through January 1st. We had wind driven moderate snow showers and blowing snow to go along with this. While the winds were not as strong as around Southern Minnesota, my gauge had a gust of 35MPH.
D, are you happy to back up north for a while? Are you enjoying the climate is SE MN? The UP LES belts got pounded from this event…
Yes I am happy to be back up north becuase it gave me more of a chance to experience more of a “real” winter Southern Minnesota is just not getting yet! I am also enjoying the Southeastern Minnesota climate as well, It is definitely different to what I’m used too. It’s not as prone such things like snow and cold as my hometown is, in fact forecasted highs are expected to be in the middle 40s when I arrive back down there later this week. It’s also much windier there, its something about the less trees and more fields that causes more wind. It will be interesting to see how Spring comes to Southeastern Minnesota in comparence to home.