A less than sexy news item.
Minneapolis has thus far declared 5 snow emergencies in December. This is a record. To put things in perspective, Minneapolis on average only declares 6 for the entirety of Winter.
This winter is on track to be one of the coldest and snowiest on record. I predicted this in September considering the information that La Niña was winding herself up. This only spells disasters for North America especially along the trade winds, aka the US. So our walloping should be unsurprising.
However, California's continuing train wreck of 12" and counting rainstorm isn't. It is a behemoth and it is making for downright miserable conditions there in the southwest. I can't locate any hard data on accumulations but hopefully will in the coming days.
This weather phenomenon is called the Pineapple Express. This is a non-technical term for a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a strong and persistent flow of atmospheric moisture and associated heavy rainfall from the waters adjacent to the Hawaiian Islands and subsequently crossing the Pacific to North America, usually coming onshore in California and Oregon.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Metrodome
Sorry to anyone who may actually read this. I have been absent these past 10 days due to the overwhelming fact that it has been finals. Today is the very last day of term. I have completed all that is required of me. So, I can get back to the things I love: news, politics, weather, music, my computer...
The Vikings made the decision to play at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium after the Metrodome roof's critical failure. There were further holes put in the covering to relieve even more pressure. It also appears that it will take longer to fix than initially thought.
We still lost. I hope the Bears make a good showing in the playoffs.
On a personal note, I got a concussion outside the Metrodome the Monday following the blizzard. So, somebody was taking hard hits there. :)
Stay Safe and Merry Christmas!
The Vikings made the decision to play at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium after the Metrodome roof's critical failure. There were further holes put in the covering to relieve even more pressure. It also appears that it will take longer to fix than initially thought.
We still lost. I hope the Bears make a good showing in the playoffs.
On a personal note, I got a concussion outside the Metrodome the Monday following the blizzard. So, somebody was taking hard hits there. :)
Stay Safe and Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Minneapolis... or Hoth?
Taken from Being a Geek on Facebook.
I mentioned Hoth last night and it turns out, I'm not alone. Geeks like to have their fun.
Taken this afternoon like 36 minutes before I reposted it.
I mentioned Hoth last night and it turns out, I'm not alone. Geeks like to have their fun.
Taken this afternoon like 36 minutes before I reposted it.
Failure at the Metrodome
What else is new?
You know its a bad storm when even the Metrodome roof collapses. A failure of the teflon roof of the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome, long an eyesore of downtown Minneapolis, led to the collapse of the roof early Sunday morning. Men with shovels are clearing the snow off by hand.
The New York Giants were scheduled to play the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome this Sunday. In fact, had things gone as planned, the game would probably be at or near halftime right now. But the Giants were diverted to Kansas City, Missouri yesterday.
Now it appears the game will go on tomorrow in Detroit.
The Metrodome as it normally looks. And proof we have a growing season here.
As it looked this morning. One can normally see the roof puffed up above the roofline. I can't wait to take the train by there tomorrow on my way to the U. I'll try to snap some photos if it is still down.
Speaking of...
New York Daily News Article
Finally, a video taken by Fox showing the collapse inside the building.
You know its a bad storm when even the Metrodome roof collapses. A failure of the teflon roof of the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome, long an eyesore of downtown Minneapolis, led to the collapse of the roof early Sunday morning. Men w
The New York Giants were scheduled to play the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome this Sunday. In fact, had things gone as planned, the game would probably be at or near halftime right now. But the Giants were diverted to Kansas City, Missouri yesterday.
Now it appears the game will go on tomorrow in Detroit.
The Metrodome as it normally looks. And proof we have a growing season here.
As it looked this morning. One can normally see the roof puffed up above the roofline. I can't wait to take the train by there tomorrow on my way to the U. I'll try to snap some photos if it is still down.Speaking of...
New York Daily News Article
Finally, a video taken by Fox showing the collapse inside the building.
How I spent my day
I spent a lot of time perusing the nets reading about this storm and comparisons between Minnesota and the ice planet known as Hoth.
BLizzard Filya gave me the chance bake and make candy. My toffee came out soft which is not the result I was looking for. It still tastes like toffee...
Watched Navy beat Army. Again.
I got annoyed with someone for using multiple commas on Facebook instead of ellipsis (...). So, he was saying things like this:
I just about wanted to brave the roads to go find the bastard and hurt him. I'd even get on a smelly Tauntaun and go kick his ass! I told him that its not commas but periods. The commas just irk me. He said there was no difference. Probably also says irregardless.
/IRK!
BLizzard Filya gave me the chance bake and make candy. My toffee came out soft which is not the result I was looking for. It still tastes like toffee...
Watched Navy beat Army. Again.
I got annoyed with someone for using multiple commas on Facebook instead of ellipsis (...). So, he was saying things like this:
The snow is piling up,,,, should plow before tomorrow,,,,,, are any plows out on the road?,,,,,,, wonder if the mail is going to come?,,,,,,,,, any other experience out there in MinnieApple,,,,,,,,?
I just about wanted to brave the roads to go find the bastard and hurt him. I'd even get on a smelly Tauntaun and go kick his ass! I told him that its not commas but periods. The commas just irk me. He said there was no difference. Probably also says irregardless.
Snowfall Reports
It looks like Shakopee got the brunt of the storm. I live in Lakeville and we didn't get as much.
These are not the final totals. If you note the times, some are in the afternoon and even earlier. The final totals will likely be a few inches more.
These are not the final totals. If you note the times, some are in the afternoon and even earlier. The final totals will likely be a few inches more.
THE TOTALS BELOW ARE SEPARATED INTO SNOW...AND ICE AND SLEET
CATEGORIES...THEN BY AMOUNT...AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE
FINAL AMOUNT FOR EACH LOCATION.
**NOTE: DUE STRONG WINDS THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE DRIFTING
SNOW...AND THEREFORE SNOWFALL OBSERVATIONS WERE HIGHLY VARIABLE.
A GREAT DEAL OF ESTIMATING WENT INTO THESE SNOWFALL REPORTS.
SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT
INCHES LOCATION ST COUNTY TIME
------ ----------------------- -- -------------- -------
21.50 SHAKOPEE MN SCOTT 0654 PM
20.00 OAKDALE MN WASHINGTON 0247 PM
18.10 RED WING MN GOODHUE 0812 PM
18.00 EAST FARMINGTON WI POLK 0630 PM
18.00 3 SSW BURNSVILLE MN DAKOTA 0610 PM
18.00 MENOMONIE WI DUNN 0346 PM
17.50 RED WING MN GOODHUE 0506 PM
17.40 NEW RICHMOND WI ST. CROIX 0516 PM
17.40 LAKEVILLE MN DAKOTA 0906 PM
17.20 4 SSW MINNEAPOLIS MN HENNEPIN 0520 PM
17.00 2 N MENOMONIE WI DUNN 0620 PM
17.00 MAPLEWOOD MN RAMSEY 0334 PM
16.50 MINNEAPOLIS MN HENNEPIN 0600 PM
MEASURED AT THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. STORM TOTAL SO FAR.
16.30 HASTINGS MN DAKOTA 0826 PM
16.10 BLOOMINGTON MN HENNEPIN 0607 PM
15.50 EDINA MN HENNEPIN 0554 PM
15.20 CHANHASSEN MN CARVER 0600 PM
MEASURED AT THE NWS OFFICE IN CHANHASSEN.
STORM TOTAL SO FAR.
15.20 ST PAUL MN RAMSEY 0429 PM
15.20 WOODBURY MN WASHINGTON 0230 PM
15.00 1 SSW DELANO MN WRIGHT 0620 PM
14.00 6 NW RICE LAKE WI BARRON 0504 PM
14.00 WYOMING MN CHISAGO 0452 PM
14.00 EAU CLAIRE WI EAU CLAIRE 0410 PM
14.00 HASTINGS MN DAKOTA 0316 PM
14.00 PRIOR LAKE MN SCOTT 0309 PM
13.50 1 ESE CHASKA MN CARVER 0700 PM
13.50 ELK MOUND WI DUNN 0655 PM
13.50 3 WNW LADYSMITH WI RUSK 0415 PM
13.00 LAKEVILLE MN DAKOTA 0334 PM
12.90 1 SW ST PAUL MN RAMSEY 0214 PM
12.80 STANLEY WI CHIPPEWA 0520 PM
12.50 1 ENE CAMBRIDGE MN ISANTI 0630 PM
12.00 ISANTI MN ISANTI 0424 PM
12.00 RICHFIELD MN HENNEPIN 0418 PM
12.00 NEW BRIGHTON MN RAMSEY 0243 PM
12.00 FARIBAULT MN RICE 0909 PM
11.70 ST LOUIS PARK MN HENNEPIN 0249 PM
11.50 1 SE NORTHFIELD MN RICE 0350 PM
11.50 JIM FALLS WI CHIPPEWA 0119 PM
11.00 NORTH BRANCH MN CHISAGO 0218 PM
10.50 HUTCHINSON MN MCLEOD 0345 PM
9.90 CHAMPLIN MN HENNEPIN 0430 PM
9.90 WACONIA MN CARVER 0300 PM
9.50 ISANTI MN ISANTI 0158 PM
8.50 ANDOVER MN ANOKA 1225 PM
8.00 MANKATO MN BLUE EARTH 0715 PM
8.00 HAUGEN WI BARRON 0332 PM
7.00 4 S ST CLOUD MN STEARNS 0635 PM
6.00 WINTHROP MN SIBLEY 0820 PM
6.00 LITCHFIELD MN MEEKER 0415 PM
3.20 MURDOCK MN SWIFT 0310 PM
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Blizzard Continues
Hennepin County pulled its plows. MNDot has doubled its closures and then some. Snow Emergencies all over the place.
We are still in a Blizzard warning. We will be until 6 tomorrow morning. Otherwise, everything is going swimmingly.
We are still in a Blizzard warning. We will be until 6 tomorrow morning. Otherwise, everything is going swimmingly.
More Graphics!
Radar image saved at a quarter after 10 CST. It's a big snow band that is slowly but surely creeping Southeast.
There are of course of graphics...
This is a recent projection of accumulation. The Metro is now really in a swath that could see 20". Check out how tight the bands are North of the Metro. That shows how intense this Low pressure system is.A look at Road Conditions in the Twin Cities courtesy of the Minnesota Depart of Transportation (MNDoT). I-90 has closures as does MN-4. I-90 is not surprising. That one is closed frequently during winter storms. Other closures: MN-15, MN-22, MN-30, MN-86, MN-109, MN-253, MN-263, MN-270, US-14, US-59, US-71,US-75 and US-169.
It is here
And it is officially a Blizzard in my county. I don't know about the rest of the Metro but we be Blizzarding!The two southern counties of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area are Scott (West of I-35) and Dakota (East). They are in the Blizzard warning. Minneapolis and St. Paul proper are not. Could be that time will take care of that or they may not get to that point. It is the wind speed at the sustainable volume that helps constitute a Blizzard. Plus of course, the snow.
The snow stopped for a couple hours here in the wee hours. Then picked up again. It is coming down like a Blizzard.
Snow amounts
@ 0205
Issued by The Weather Channel
1:59 am CST, Sat., Dec. 11, 2010
The latest snowfall reports from The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN: Lakeville, 2.7"... Richfield, 2.6"... Hastings, 2.3"... Champlin, 1.0"... Delano, up to 4.5".
Again, I live in Lakeville.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Graphics!!!
-35What is a storm without graphics!?!?
So here's a few to start off the glut.
This is the projected cumulative amounts. I live in Lakeville which is just south of the southern split of 35. I'd indicate on the map but seriously. You'd never be able to find it in this mess.
Next...
Taken from the Wunderground. This is the doppler radar for the past hour or so. I will take this periodically throughout the storm. I may even wake up in the middle night just to save a few loops. I'm a dedicated Amateur Weather nerd.
Also....
Current (as in as I type this) these are the watches and warnings. You may be asking why I bother to repost the same graphic I did in a previous post. They are not the same. There are differences. As they affect me: no.
Finally, a radar from NWS.
So here's a few to start off the glut.
This is the projected cumulative amounts. I live in Lakeville which is just south of the southern split of 35. I'd indicate on the map but seriously. You'd never be able to find it in this mess.Next...
Taken from the Wunderground. This is the doppler radar for the past hour or so. I will take this periodically throughout the storm. I may even wake up in the middle night just to save a few loops. I'm a dedicated Amateur Weather nerd.
Also....
Current (as in as I type this) these are the watches and warnings. You may be asking why I bother to repost the same graphic I did in a previous post. They are not the same. There are differences. As they affect me: no.
Finally, a radar from NWS.
Hunkering Down
What to do during a Blizzard.
There's the always and oft-used TV. I do not doubt that that will be on and tuned to the Army/Navy game (GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!).
What could one do during a Blizzard?
One could....
...clean the house.
...really clean the house.
...do yoga.
...make lists.
...window shop online.
...make wishlists online.
...record yourself saying whatever comes to mind; keep it, listen to it in a year.
...read a book.
...read the bible.
...complete a crossword puzzle.
...play video games.
...take a nap, then take another nap.
...watch the snow fall.
...take pictures of the event itself!
...look at the weather nationwide and note again that Alaska is warmer.
...bake
...make candy.
...darn socks.
...reformat and reset the computer.
...clean out the attic.
...clean out the basement.
...redecorate.
...rearrange the living room.
...rip all the cds that you want to.
...redo your MP3 player.
...reorganize your photos/MP3/Videos/anything on that huge HDD!
...mope.
...crochet.
...knit a scarf.
...call a family member.
...start writing that Great American Novel
...listen to new music.
...pull out some paints and paint something
...clean out the kitchen cupboards.
...clean out the refrigerator.
...do the Christmas cards.
...dust
...start seeds for Spring (only 18 weeks away!)
...write poetry.
...do the laundry.
...study!
...do your homework!
...do some crafts
...do something with the dog
...do something! Anything!!!
Hope that all those effected by tomorrow's blizzard are safe and sound.
There's the always and oft-used TV. I do not doubt that that will be on and tuned to the Army/Navy game (GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!).
What could one do during a Blizzard?
One could....
...clean the house.
...really clean the house.
...do yoga.
...make lists.
...window shop online.
...make wishlists online.
...record yourself saying whatever comes to mind; keep it, listen to it in a year.
...read a book.
...read the bible.
...complete a crossword puzzle.
...play video games.
...take a nap, then take another nap.
...watch the snow fall.
...take pictures of the event itself!
...look at the weather nationwide and note again that Alaska is warmer.
...bake
...make candy.
...darn socks.
...reformat and reset the computer.
...clean out the attic.
...clean out the basement.
...redecorate.
...rearrange the living room.
...rip all the cds that you want to.
...redo your MP3 player.
...reorganize your photos/MP3/Videos/anything on that huge HDD!
...mope.
...crochet.
...knit a scarf.
...call a family member.
...start writing that Great American Novel
...listen to new music.
...pull out some paints and paint something
...clean out the kitchen cupboards.
...clean out the refrigerator.
...do the Christmas cards.
...dust
...start seeds for Spring (only 18 weeks away!)
...write poetry.
...do the laundry.
...study!
...do your homework!
...do some crafts
...do something with the dog
...do something! Anything!!!
Hope that all those effected by tomorrow's blizzard are safe and sound.
Increase in Predicted Storm Totals
Anyone remember the Halloween Blizzard of '91?
Well I don't. I was not living here then. I was in Illinois where we were readily plastered and blasted by icy storms. So, I have 0 memories of this fabled blizzard.
That is not to say I don't respect it. I just didn't experience it. I had a good Halloween that year, though it may have been a tit nipply.
This storm may be at those same levels. If you were here, this may seem very familiar. Models are predicting 10" on the low end and as much as 20" on the high end.
The biggest impact from this storm will of course be the snow itself but also the blowing and drifting due to the high winds. Again, sustained wind speeds need to be at least 35mph for a storm to qualify as a Blizzard. Then we win a shiny new Wii or something. After the storm moves out, there will be a bitter cold spell with highs struggling to get positive.
This weekend may be a good time to do some holiday baking. Get provisions now. If you have a fireplace, using it may be a great plan. I think we may be starting a fire and hunkering down.
Well I don't. I was not living here then. I was in Illinois where we were readily plastered and blasted by icy storms. So, I have 0 memories of this fabled blizzard.
That is not to say I don't respect it. I just didn't experience it. I had a good Halloween that year, though it may have been a tit nipply.
This storm may be at those same levels. If you were here, this may seem very familiar. Models are predicting 10" on the low end and as much as 20" on the high end.
The biggest impact from this storm will of course be the snow itself but also the blowing and drifting due to the high winds. Again, sustained wind speeds need to be at least 35mph for a storm to qualify as a Blizzard. Then we win a shiny new Wii or something. After the storm moves out, there will be a bitter cold spell with highs struggling to get positive.
This weekend may be a good time to do some holiday baking. Get provisions now. If you have a fireplace, using it may be a great plan. I think we may be starting a fire and hunkering down.
We shall see
Predictions for tomorrow's shindig, i.e. A Really Big Snowstorm, are piling up. With the track of the low drifting about 100 miles south of the Twin Cities, it appears we may be in the storm's sweet spot. That does not bode well.
Here's a picture of the possible track.
To be a blizzard, it has to have sustained wind speeds at or exceeding 35 mph. The predictions thus far, are not calling for that in the Metro area. We may be close so they are calling it "near Blizzard" conditions. With the white powder and the drifting possible. travel will be next to impossible.
Here's a picture of the possible track.
To be a blizzard, it has to have sustained wind speeds at or exceeding 35 mph. The predictions thus far, are not calling for that in the Metro area. We may be close so they are calling it "near Blizzard" conditions. With the white powder and the drifting possible. travel will be next to impossible.
A Weather Blog?
First Post.
Honesty is the best policy. So here we go.
I live in an icebox. It's a pretty sizable icebox. I get around, if you will. It's called Minnesota.
This summer it didn't feel like an icebox. It felt more like Missouri. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. It made me garden grow well. We got plenty of tornadoes. But like all people who live here, I knew the other shoe had to drop.
It did. And how.
November started beautifully. Then about the Armistice Day/Veteren's Day, it got cold. Two days later we got snow. And it hasn't left us yet.
Backing up a few weeks. On the 25th of October, we got a strangely intense storm called a Bomb Cyclogenesis. I shit you not. This was the equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane and went right over our heads. The center of the "eye" passed about 7 miles north of where I live. I actually saw the "eye". But the freaky thing was how hurricane-like the storm was. And how much it made one remember "The Day After Tomorrow". Climate change sucks.
So I started naming storms. The local NPR station asked people for names. There were replies like Octo-Bomb. But I thought that we should name them as they do hurricanes. So I did. I compiled lists to last several years. I made sure 2010-2011 had a list to begin with. I named the Bomb/Cat 3 land hurricane, Annika. And then promptly retired the name.
Since then we've had a few storms and the lakes and rivers have pretty much frozen over. Early mind you. Other names have been Bjørn, Cerise, Damek and Evelyn. Last Saturday's storm was Evelyn. They recorded only 5" at Chanhassen, our local NOAA office but I got 10"+ at my house. And that was the official measurement for Lakeville, where I live.
This Saturday, we have another storm rolling in promising white powdery shit once more. So I'm naming this one Filya. It's Greek for a Greek name: Phillip. Yeah. That makes no sense to me either. I just thought it was a neat name.
I decided that it wasn't enough to run my SNAFU blog. I needed to run one on MN weather. It's our favorite subject. We don't talk about it as a pleasantry. It's a real topic of interest up here!
So long story short (too late), here I am!
^_^
PS The List
Honesty is the best policy. So here we go.
I live in an icebox. It's a pretty sizable icebox. I get around, if you will. It's called Minnesota.
This summer it didn't feel like an icebox. It felt more like Missouri. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. It made me garden grow well. We got plenty of tornadoes. But like all people who live here, I knew the other shoe had to drop.
It did. And how.
November started beautifully. Then about the Armistice Day/Veteren's Day, it got cold. Two days later we got snow. And it hasn't left us yet.
Backing up a few weeks. On the 25th of October, we got a strangely intense storm called a Bomb Cyclogenesis. I shit you not. This was the equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane and went right over our heads. The center of the "eye" passed about 7 miles north of where I live. I actually saw the "eye". But the freaky thing was how hurricane-like the storm was. And how much it made one remember "The Day After Tomorrow". Climate change sucks.
So I started naming storms. The local NPR station asked people for names. There were replies like Octo-Bomb. But I thought that we should name them as they do hurricanes. So I did. I compiled lists to last several years. I made sure 2010-2011 had a list to begin with. I named the Bomb/Cat 3 land hurricane, Annika. And then promptly retired the name.
Since then we've had a few storms and the lakes and rivers have pretty much frozen over. Early mind you. Other names have been Bjørn, Cerise, Damek and Evelyn. Last Saturday's storm was Evelyn. They recorded only 5" at Chanhassen, our local NOAA office but I got 10"+ at my house. And that was the official measurement for Lakeville, where I live.
This Saturday, we have another storm rolling in promising white powdery shit once more. So I'm naming this one Filya. It's Greek for a Greek name: Phillip. Yeah. That makes no sense to me either. I just thought it was a neat name.
I decided that it wasn't enough to run my SNAFU blog. I needed to run one on MN weather. It's our favorite subject. We don't talk about it as a pleasantry. It's a real topic of interest up here!
So long story short (too late), here I am!
^_^
PS The List
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