March 2, 2018

Cloudy 

Current Conditions

Temperature: 41 °F
Dew Point: 20 °F
Winds: NNE 4 mph
Pressure: 1029.5 mb
Visibility: 10 miles

This morning started out partly cloudy with a temperature of 21 °F. There were no winds and visibility was 5 miles. As the day continued temperatures climbed up to 43 °F and winds picked up to 2 mph from the south.  

 In figure 1 the surface map shows a series of low pressure systems out on the west coast that are creating a mix of precipitation events. The midwest has a high pressure air mass moving past and a low pressure system moving in. 

Figure 1. Surface map of the United States.

Out on the east coast a 'bomb cyclone' is hitting the northeast hard. This is a rapidly evolving low pressure system created from cold air coming down from the north and hitting warm, moist air over the ocean. This can be seen on the wind map in figure 2.  In the United States bomb cyclones are most common on the east coast because cold air from Canada is able to mix with warm air over the Atlantic Ocean.

Figure 2. Wind map of the United States showing the bomb cyclone on the east coast.

 The water vapor satellite also shows the 'bomb' cyclone. 

Figure 3. Water vapor satellite of the United States.

Previous Prediction 

 I expected clear skies but instead skies were mostly cloudy. The temperature was a tad cooler most of the day though.

Prediciton

For tomorrow, I predict warmer temperatures due to the low pressure system moving in. this will also mean more cloud cover. This weather should make for a nice weekend of bike riding along the Chippewa River!