April 5, 2018

Brrrrr!

Current Conditions

Temperature: 35 °F
Dew Point: 19 °F
Winds: WNW 7 mph
Pressure: 1016.9 mb
Visibility: 10 miles

Today was uneventful with the high pressure system in the region. This morning the temperature was a whopping 9 °F with no winds and sunny skies. The temperature peaked at 37 °F earlier today and winds have stayed pretty calm for the most part. The cold weather is due to the jet stream dipping down into the states and pulling cold air with it (figure 1).

Figure 1. Wind map of the United States. The jetstream is dipping into the United States pulling down cold air.

The high pressure system in the region is shown in figure 2.

Figure 2. Surface map of the United States on April 5, 2018.

Skies are clear in the Eau Claire area, but several low pressure system are approaching from the east and may bring cloudy weather with them. The western United States is experiencing some heavy rains with warm air off the ocean moving inland. For once, the east coast is catching a break in weather and things are relatively calm.

Previous Prediction

My prediction was spot on; warmer temperatures and clear skies with the occasional cloud here and there.

Prediction:

Tomorrow I expect things to be the same as today; temperatures in the mid-30s and low winds. However, the cloud cover should be heavier with the incoming low pressure systems (figure 3).

Figure 3. Predictive surface map for April 6, 2018.