As Brian mentioned yesterday, we smashed the record highs across northcentral Wisconsin yesterday. High temps were in the upper 70s to low 80s. We will likely break the record for record warm low temps today as well. The record in Wausau is a very vulnerable 47 set back in 1963. Our low this morning was 61 and if the temperature does not drop down to 47 before midnight tonight then we will have another record. As far as the record high today, I don’t think we will break it. The record is 76 set back in 1963. Even though temps started out very mild, the clouds are a bit thicker today and this will probably keep a lid on the temps. I expect low to mid 70s in the area but not quite 76.

People tend to welcome the out of season warmth and I would certainly welcome some out of season precipitation – something (rain or snow)  heavy. Unfortunately, the front that is moving through tonight and Saturday has picked up speed. It is now starting to look like rain amounts will be less than a half inch and it will be overwith by midday Saturday. Boo! Yesterday it had looked more like a soaking rain for most of the day on Saturday and up to an inch in the rain guage. Now it looks more meager and short-lived. However, there is still hope! Another significant storm system will be moving through the upper Midwest on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. This one again has the potential to produce heavier rain. Keep your fingers crossed.

Even though it feels like summer outside, we haven’t experienced any summer-like severe weather yet, which gives us more time to prepare by learning how to identify severe storms. The NWS is traveling across the viewing area this Spring offering free Severe Storm Spotting Classes. Next week there is a session in Manawa (Monday, 6:30pm) and in Waupaca (Wednesday, 6:30 pm). You can find more details here

Some other reminders:

With the rain coming into the area later tonight and Saturday morning, remember that you can keep “trak” of it by using iTrak – our interactive radar technology on the weather page at waow.com. It is really handy during severe weather when you can zoom in on individual storms and find out what type of threat each storm represents.

Also, starting today we now have a StormTrak9 fan page on Facebook. If you are on facebook just search StormTrak9 and you will find the page. We will be using this page for announcements and forecasts in the future.

Have a fine Friday! Meteorologist Justin Loew.

Posted under iTRAK, new media, Records