We have counted down the top ten weather events of the year and now it is time to put it all in perspective with some year-end numbers. How does 2012 compare to normal? If you guessed it was warmer and drier than normal, you are correct. It is not too hard to figure out if you had looked at the top ten weather events. Most of them had to deal with abnormally warm and dry conditions. Without further ado, here are the numbers for 2012 in Wausau:

• Average High: 58.1  (normal 53.1)
• Average Low: 37.6  (normal 33.7)
• Mean temp: 47.9  (normal 43.4)
• Precipitation: 29.46″  (normal 32.41″)
• Snowfall: 51.7″  (normal 59.6″)
• Highest Temp: 98 on July 16th
• Lowest Temp: -14 on January 20th

The first thing I want to draw your attention to is the average high temperature. As far as the records I have available indicate, 2012 had the highest average high temperature in Wausau’s history. The second highest average high temp occurred in 1998 when it was just 58.0. So it appears we beat that record by just one tenth of a degree. However, it was not the hottest year in Wausau history if you go by the mean temperature. The mean temperature in 1998 was 48.7 which means we were almost a degree shy of the “hottest year ever” in Wausau. Now some of you might be wondering how we could have beat out all of those dust bowl years from back in the 1930s. Well, those years did have some of the hottest Summers on record, but the Winters were typically cold so the yearly mean kind-of “averaged out”. As far as the avrage low temperature goes, it is tied for third on the list for the warmest average low temp. 2012 is tied with 1987 which had an average low temp of 37.6. Higher on the list is 1931 which had an average low of 38.3 and 1998 which had an average low of 39.3.

Even though I spent a lot of blog time complaining about the lack of rain this year, the precipitation total actually ended up only about 3 inches below normal. I certainly would have been happy with an extra 3 inches of rain for my garden, but at least we had enough rain to pull us through most of the growing season. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for areas south of Marathon county where total precipitation was much less. Snowfall was surprisingly close to normal for the year, checking in at 51.7 inches, but that number is a bit deceiving. During January, Febraury and March of this year we had piddly little snowfalls from time to time (only one big one). No one could enjoy snow-related activities very much. The just at the end of the year in December we ended up with 21.8 inches of snow which really brought the number up close to normal. However, even in December we could not get out on the snowmobile trails because the first 5 inches of snow we received melted!

In some respects, 2012 was not as extreme as some recent years. The difference between the highest and lowest temps this year was 112 degrees. In 2011 the difference was 115 degress (warmest temp 94 and lowest temp -21). In 2009 the difference was a whopping 116 degrees! The most extreme year in recent memory was probably 1996 when the difference between the highest and lowest temp was 122 degrees (warmest temp was 91 and the coldest was -33).

What about the new daily records for the year? In this case, 2012 looked a lot like 2010 when we had many record high temps and many record warm low temps, but not records for cold. In fact, we have gone another year with no new record low temps during the winter. We haven’t experienced a record low during the Winter (the months of December, January, and February) since 1996. Here are the records:

Record High Temps:

• 47, January 10th
• 45, January 11th
• 61, March 10th
• 63, March 11th
• 75, March 14th
• 68, March 15th
• 72, March 16th
• 78, March 17th
• 78, March 18th
• 76, March 19th
• 78, March 20th
• 76, March 21st
• 71 (tie), March 22nd
• 88, May 19th
• 96, July 4th
• 96 (tie), July 5th
• 98 (tie), July 16th
• 93, August 30th
• 62 (tie), November 22nd

Record Low Temps: None

Record Warm Low Temps:

• 44, March 12th
• 44, March 15th
• 55, March 17th
• 54, March 18th
• 55, March 19th
• 57, March 20th
• 60, March 21st (the earliest we have ever had a low temp of 60)
• 57, March 22nd
• 53, March 23rd
• 74, July 5th
• 59, October 24th

Record Cold High Temps: None

Record Precipitation:

• 0.60 inches, February 29th
• 1.61 inches, July 19th
• 2.34 inches, October 25th
• 0.54 inches, December 20th

Record Snowfall:

• Trace, October 6th
• 10.9 inches, December 20th

And while I am in the mood to spit out all kinds of numbers, we always do a monthly recap, so how about the stats for December of 2012? December of 2012 was very similar to last December (2011) as far as temperatures go (well above normal) but much higher on the snowfall end of things. Once snowcover enveloped the land after the big storm on the 20th, temperatures were about normal to a little below. It was the first half of the month that was “hot” by Winter standards with a near record high temperature of 58 on the 3rd. So for December 2012 in Wausau…

• Average High: 31.6  (normal 26.5)
• Average Low: 19.1  (normal 11.4)
• Precipitation: 1.61 inches  (normal 1.36 inches)
• Snowfall: 21.8 inches  (normal 13.9 inches)
• Highest Temp: 58 on the 3rd
• Lowest Temp:

Posted under Monthly Recap, Records, Seasonal Items, Uncategorized, Weather NEws

Like it or not, winter is almost here.  Snow, ice, cold, wind and the accompanying dangers are sure to come.  With this in mind, it’s a great idea to freshen up on winter weather terms and safety tips.  The National Weather Service has put together some very thorough information regarding winter weather.   Please take time to read through it below.  It might just be your biggest helper this winter!

Protect yourself and your family before the first winter storm strikes.

What Makes a Winter Storm?Cold air: Below freezing temperatures in the clouds and near the ground are necessary to make snow and ice. Moisture: Needed to form clouds and precipitation. Lift: Something to raise the moist air to form clouds and precipitation, such as a front.

Where Do Winter Storms Develop?

Storms that affect Wisconsin develop over southeast Colorado, northwest Canada, and over the southern Plains.  These storms move toward the Midwest and use both the southward plunge of cold air from Canada and the northward flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to produce heavy snow over the region.

“Alberta Clippers,” which develop in the lee of the Canadian Rockies and move southeast toward Wisconsin, not only bring accumulating snow, but also strong winds and extremely cold air to the state.

“Lake effect” snowstorms develop as cold air moves across the relatively warmer waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.  Moisture from the lakes is then deposited as heavy snow within several miles of the shore.

Be Prepared…Before the Storm Strikes

At home and at work…
Have available:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and commercial radio
• Extra food and water. High energy food or food that requires no cooking is best
• First-aid supplies
• Emergency heating source, such as a fireplace or space heater — make sure you have proper ventilation

In cars and trucks…
Plan your travel and check the latest weather reports to avoid the storm. If you do travel:

• Check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins
• Carry a winter storm survival kit that includes: blankets/sleeping bags, flashlight with extra batteries, first-aid kit, knife, high-calorie non-perishable food, extra clothing to keep dry, sand or cat litter, shovel, windshield scraper and brush, tool kit, and booster cables
• Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines
• Try not to travel alone
• Let others know your timetable and primary and alternate routes

Information Statements and
Public Service Announcements

(Note: Some files are in .doc format.)

Be Informed! — Products issued by the NWS
Be Prepared! — Prepare before winter storms strike
Be Safe! — What to do if caught in a winter storm
How a Winter Storm Forms
Wisconsin Records — Winter’s records and extremes
Wind Chill Chart
Public Service Announcements — Winter safety and awareness topics

Printable Winter Safety Brochure

The NWS Winter Weather Awareness Page — National page

Posted under Uncategorized, Weather Safety, Winter Weather

Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sun. Nov. 4th.

Be sure to set you clock back by one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.

This is also a good time of year to get in the habit of testing and replacing the batteries in all of the smoke detectors in your home.

Posted under Uncategorized

Droughts, pestilence, famine, and locusts.  Does this conjure up images of plagues from the Bible?   Well we certainly have at least the drought in large parts of the Midwest.   As a kid I remember when it got really dry and hot, the grasshoppers started to show up.  I recall unloading oats on hot, sunny early August days and having those little critters hop out of the elevator right into my face.  Of course they were harmless to me, but they do claim their share of vegetation.   When their numbers swell out of control then can clean off a field.  Thank goodness this is rare.  But it got me thinking, are conditions ripe for an outbreak? 

As it turns out, in order to have a big grasshopper invasion you need to have a  few favorable years for their development followed by a near perfect year.  Generally, warm and dry spring and summers increase their egg laying, speed up maturity, and minimize fungus and diseases which tend to wipe them out.  Factors like cold, wet spells after an early warm dry start to spring can mess them up.  Now we did have that cool, wet period in April after the dry, hot March.  I wonder how that will play into it?   Also if the drought and hot temperatures get too intense, that can stunt them as well, by limiting their food sources.  It seems like the perfect grasshopper population set up is to have a warm, overall dry summer with just enough periodic rain to keep the vegetation growing.

You can learn much more about grasshopper biology, life cycle,  and management from the following link as put together by North Dakota State University Ag Department.    http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/pests/e272-1.htm#Life

Posted under Uncategorized

So you love gazing up into the sky to watch the clouds swirl by?  How much do you really know about clouds?  Take this cloud quiz and find out.  Answers are listed at the bottom of the page.  Have fun and good luck!

1. True or false.  We only get cumulus clouds in the summer.
2.  What is the name of thin, wispy clouds located high in the troposphere that are composed primarily of ice crystals?

3. Where would a lenticularis cloud more likely be found?  A) near a mountain, B) over the ocean, C) over a desert

4. If it is completely overcast, does UV radiation from the sun still make it to the ground?

5. True or false.  The cloud ceiling is the height of the top of the cloud.

6. Can clouds over Wisconsin contain snowflakes even in the summer?

7. Which of these clouds would be lower to the ground?  A) cumulonimbus, B) stratus, C) altocumulus

8. When it is cloudy at night, is the low temperature normally warmer than when the skies are clear?

9. What type of cloud would you find an “overshooting top” in?

10. True or false.  Clouds have different shades to them because each one is composed of different kinds of gases.

11. A typical thunderstorm cloud grows how tall?  A) 1000 feet, B) 30,000 feet, C) 100,000 feet

12. Are than any clouds in the stratosphere?

13. A rotating wall cloud may eventually produce what?  A) hurricane, B) hot conditions, C) tornado

14. Green colored thunderstorm clouds often produce what?

15. There are several types of particles in the atmosphere that water vapor condenses on to make cloud droplets.  Name two of those particles.

16. A halo around the sun or moon usually means what type of cloud is present in the sky?  A) stratus, B) cirrostratus, C) mammatus

17. True or false?  When cumulus clouds line up in parallel strips on a breezy day, the cloud patterns are called “cloud streets”?

18. Which of these cities has the cloudiest climate?  A) Dallas, B) Seattle, C)Milwaukee, D) Washington D.C. 
19. Would sinking air motion help to break up a cloud, or maintain it?

20. In the U.S, do clouds tend to dump more of their precipitation on the west side or the east side of mountains?

**If you get 10 right consider yourself a cloud apprentice.  If you get 15 right, your head is in the clouds for sure. If you get all 20 right, you should have been a meteorologist!

 Answers:  1) false, 2) cirrus, 3) A, 4) yes, 5) false, 6) yes, 7) B, 8) yes, 9) cumulonimbus, 10) false, 11) B, 12) yes, 13) C, 14) hail, 15) dust, salt, soot, 16) B, 17) true, 18) B, 19) break up, 20) west side

Posted under Education, Uncategorized

Photo from the Associated Press

A boat that was part of the five million tons of “stuff” thrown into the Pacific Ocean during the massive Japanese earthquake and tsunami has been spotted off the Canadian Coast. 

The Associated Press is reporting that the 65-meter long boat is moving toward land, 160 miles off the coastline of British Columbia. 

To put that in perspective, if you were driving down Interstate 39, that’s about 20 miles farther than the distance between Wausau and Madison!

The horrific earthquake and tsunami struck Japan just over one year ago on March 11, 2011.  More than 15,000 people died and it brought about one of the biggest nuclear power plant scares in years.    

According to The Toronto Star, there is no environmental concerns over the abandoned ship, but mariners in the Pacific Ocean need to take warning because “the vessel poses a potential navigational hazard.”

Photo from National Geographic

Posted under Earthquake, Environment, Flooding, Geology, Natural Disasters, Nature, Oceans, Tsunami, Uncategorized, Weather History, Weather NEws

Before I get into my main topic, I wanted to mention that “solar winter” is now over.   This is the darkest quarter of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, which runs from November 5th through February 5th.  Essentially it covers the period from 1.5 months on either side of the Winter Solstice, which is in late December.

Speaking of winter, we sure have had a lot of dry days around here.  I looked back to find all the days since November 1st in which we’ve had either .01″ of rain or more, or at least 0.10″ of snow or more in the Wausau area.  Below are the results.

November:  2

December:  10

January:  12

February:  0

So in summary, since November 1st, we’ve only had measurable precipitation on about 24% of the days.   Normally it’s about 35% of the time around here.  It will certainly be interesting to see if this trend changes as we head into the end of winter.   Everybody that talks to me keeps saying, “we’re going to pay for this, or we’re going to get buried in March.”  You just never know.   It might just wait until next winter to pile up on us.

Posted under Uncategorized

Perhaps you remember back to this time in 2011 when Milwaukee, Chicago and a long strip from Oklahoma to Lower Michigan were paralyzed by a  massive blizzard.  From late on January 31st to early on February 2nd, roughly 18 to 24 inches of snow buried the southeast tip of Wisconsin into northeast Illinois.  Winds gusting to 5o or 60 mph whipped the snow into huge drifts over 8 feet deep in spots.  Many cars were stranded even in downtown Chicago.  Chicago had it’s highest 24-hour snowfall in this storm, with 20″.  Their storm total was over 21 at O’Hare.  Massive waves were generated on Lake Michigan as well.

This storm largely missed central and northern Wisconsin with just an inch or so about as far north as Stevens Point.  There is an excellent writeup with many stunning pictures and graphs from the Chicago National Weather Service Office.  You can check it out here,   http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/?n=2011blizzard

A little bit later that week, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX was hit with ice, a bit of snow, and unseasonably cold conditions.  You may recall it made a snarled mess of air and land travel into that area prior to the Super Bowl.  I’m sure when they booked the Super Bowl there years in advance, they weren’t expecting something like that.

We don’t expect any major problems in Indianapolis this year leading up to the Super Bowl.  However there could be some light rain there Tuesday afternoon or evening.  Temperatures will be unseasonably warm actually, in the 50s and 40s much of the week.  It’s possible some more rain may sneak into that region for the weekend, but it is still uncertain.

Posted under Uncategorized

As you probably know, the winter so far has been quite a bit warmer than normal.  It stands to reason then that there would be less ice cover on the Great Lakes than usual for this time of the year.  According to the map below from NOAA, it appears that about 90% of the surface of the Great Lakes are still ice free.  Some of the shallower portions and edges of the lakes are froze over.  For example the Bay of Green Bay is pretty much covered along with areas near the coast around Ashland and Bayfield.  A small area northwest of Isle Royale in Lake Superior is ice covered.  So are a few pockets in southwest Lake Michigan and near the Mackinac Bridge.  The portion of Lake Huron that is most covered with ice is the little finger that juts out north of Saginaw.    Lake Erie has some ice cover on its western flank.

There are a few interesting implications from the lack of ice cover on the Great Lakes.  One is that if  some cold arctic air  actually comes across the open waters there should be high amounts of lake effect snow.  The long fetches of relatively warm, moist air over the lake rising up into cold arctic air masses are the perfect set up to produce lake effect clouds and snow.   It’s probable large parts of the lakes may stay open right into spring, so I see no reason why the lake effect snow would shut off in February, like some years.  Secondly, winds off the lakes will tend to keep temperatures a bit milder in the Great Lakes States than they would be if they were completely iced over.  

Posted under Uncategorized

As you know, sometimes snow is wet and heavy and other times it is dry and fluffy.  The scientific term we use to describe this changeable nature of snow is the snow to water ratio.  Essentially this boils down to how many inches of snow will fall for every 1 inch of water.  An average ratio around Wisconsin in the winter is about 10 to 1. 

Well with the snow coming through Friday the snow to water ratio is expected to be about 20 to 1 or even 25 to 1.  That is because the air from the cloud level to the ground will be exceptionally cold for a snow event.  The ice crystals will form and gather in such a way that a lot of extra air will be stacked inside the snowflakes.  This makes them pile up in height quicker once they reach the ground.  It also will make it a very fluffy, powdery light snow.  So under this scenario, if we get about an inch of snow in Wausau Friday, it would only have about .05″ of water in it!  Even the areas of southern Wisconsin that are expecting around 5″ of snow Friday, would only be picking up about .25″ of actual moisture.  This is great news in terms of shoveling.  It will be very easy to move and not put nearly the strain on your back.  It is also a wonderful type of snow for skiing and sledding on.  It won’t even make your pants too wet if you roll around it for awhile.

On those occasions when the air is quite humid and warm, perhaps in the lower to mid 30s and the storm is tapping deep moisture levels, our snow ratios can be as low as 7 to 1.  That is if seven inches of snow falls it would have a whopping 1″ of water in it.  This is the sloppy, heavy mash potato type of snow that is very difficult to shovel.  On the plus side it packs really well and make great snowmen and snowball fights!  It is also the type of snow that works good as a base for snowmobile trails.  This is because it doesn’t squish down to nothing when sleds r0ll over it, unlike the dry powdery snow.

Well, hope you enjoy all the types of snow the rest of the winter.  See if you can notice all the nuisances in flakes, textures, and weights.

Posted under Uncategorized