April 19, 2018

A Pleasant Surprise

Current Conditions

Temperature: 48 °F
Dew Point: 19 °F
Winds: N 7 mph
Pressure: 1031.8 mb
Visibility: 10 miles

Well today was a nice change from the weather Wisconsin has been getting. The temperatures were quite mild, reaching a high of 49 °F. Overall, the upper Midwest had mild temperatures today (figure 1).

Figure 1. High Temperatures for the United States on April 19, 2018.

Taking a look at the surface map, you can see Wisconsin is smack dab in the middle of the trough of the high pressure system that came down from Canada (figure 2).

Figure 2. Surface map of the United States on April 19, 2018.

The high pressure system that is now sitting in the Gulf of Mexico was the very same one that caused the huge snowstorm just last weekend. This huge trough has brought a lull in severe weather in the eastern United States for the time being. Just west of the Rockies there are a couple of low pressure systems causing some precipitation but not much. The moisture from the Pacific that's feeding the two low pressure system west of the Rockies is shown in figure 3.

Figure 3. Water vapor satellite image of the United States on April 19, 2018. 

Currently the sky is mostly clear with a couple of cirrus fibratus clouds and one or two lone cirrus cumulus (figure 4). These clouds paired with the northerly wind direction indicate fair weather ahead of us.

Figure 4. Cirrus fibratus clouds in Eau Claire, WI.

Previous Prediction

Yesterday's prediction was correct: there were clearer skies and warmer temperatures. However, the snow never did fall, at least not while I was awake. This was a pleasant surprise and not one that many are upset about I imagine. 

Prediction

For tomorrow, I predict the same conditions as today. The high pressure system seems to be sticking around in the area as well as the northerly wind, so skies will stay clear and warmer temperatures will continue.