(Please see also the grooming reports below)
After the coldest possible weather pattern now, one of our warmest patterns will arrive this week.
High temperature forecasts*:
Saturday 3/14: 47-51
Sunday 3/15: 49-54
Monday 3/16: 50-56
Tuesday 3/17: 40-50
Wednesday 3/18: 34-40
Thursday 3/19: 35-42
Low temperatures may stay above freezing Monday night and/or Tuesday night, but other nights, lows should be below freezing.
Many thanks to the groomers for getting out quickly in these final days of excellent snow.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Itasca County Ski Trails
Legion, Cowhorn, Golden Anniversary and Alder Pond were groomed today after the six inch snowfall yesterday. County plans to groom Wabana and Big Ridge on Thursday but will not get Suomi/Amen groomed this week.
Sugar Hills trail conditions
The forcast was right on, six inches of new snow at Sugar Hills. With the windy conditons there was a considerable amount of drifting especially on the Thunders. I packed the new snow and set a striding track today on most of the system. While the trail is skatable, the skate lane is marginal, the track however looked very good, with the possible exception of the areas where the drifting was the worst. The plan is to groom the skate lane before the weekend. Good Skiing.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Major Winter Storm Tuesday
Specific forecast amounts (these are Mon-Wed totals):
5" in Grand Rapids (John Latimer's forecast).
4-5" in Brainerd
8-9" Bemidji
3" Twin Cities
18" International Falls to extreme northern Itasca Co.
7" Duluth
10" in Virginia and Ely
12" over much of the northeastern corner of MN.
The heaviest band of snow this morning has set up exactly where it set up yesterday-- from between Fargo and Grand Forks to International Falls. In this line to maybe 30-40 miles southeast of this line, another 12"+ will fall today, particularly towards International Falls. That will bring totals to the 15" to 20" range in those locations. International Falls is definitely the bullseye for snowfall this winter. This storm will bring their season total to at least 110".
Another band of mixed precipitation is moving northward from southern Minnesota and will reach Brainerd and Grand Rapids this afternoon. The snow will become much heavier over Duluth and up the North Shore this evening as the main low becomes organized in Wisconsin. Grand Rapids and Brainerd will be between these two areas of heaviest snow, so total snowfall may amount to only 3-6", but most likely around 5".
Temperatures will be below zero all day in the northern Red River Valley but be in the 20s much of the day in Duluth. The farther west you go, the colder it will be. Subzero temperatures should be found over the entire area by Thursday morning.
Temperatures will likely be back in the 30s and 40s by this weekend.
----------------------
3-5" has already fallen from between Fargo and Grand Forks to International Falls. Expect some continued light snow and maybe some freezing drizzle tonight, mostly from Longville to Grand Rapids and points northward. We may get about a half inch in Grand Rapids and Bemidji and another 1-3" in far northern Itasca County and Koochiching County.
The main portion of the winter storm will move into northern Minnesota on Tuesday. The snow will be relatively light during the morning hours but will increase during the late morning between Fargo and International Falls. During the afternoon, an additional area of snow will move in from the southwest and spread over the rest of the KAXE listening area. The heaviest snowfall rates will occur during the late afternoon and early evening. There should be an additional 5-10" with this main portion of the storm. The snow will end from southwest to northeast late Tuesday night and be followed by windy and cold conditions as the temperatures drop to near zero. Blizzard conditions will likely occur in the Red River Valley. The coldest temperatures will be found Thursday morning (teens below zero) before milder weather returns by this weekend.
This storm will probably add a week to the ski season.
5" in Grand Rapids (John Latimer's forecast).
4-5" in Brainerd
8-9" Bemidji
3" Twin Cities
18" International Falls to extreme northern Itasca Co.
7" Duluth
10" in Virginia and Ely
12" over much of the northeastern corner of MN.
The heaviest band of snow this morning has set up exactly where it set up yesterday-- from between Fargo and Grand Forks to International Falls. In this line to maybe 30-40 miles southeast of this line, another 12"+ will fall today, particularly towards International Falls. That will bring totals to the 15" to 20" range in those locations. International Falls is definitely the bullseye for snowfall this winter. This storm will bring their season total to at least 110".
Another band of mixed precipitation is moving northward from southern Minnesota and will reach Brainerd and Grand Rapids this afternoon. The snow will become much heavier over Duluth and up the North Shore this evening as the main low becomes organized in Wisconsin. Grand Rapids and Brainerd will be between these two areas of heaviest snow, so total snowfall may amount to only 3-6", but most likely around 5".
Temperatures will be below zero all day in the northern Red River Valley but be in the 20s much of the day in Duluth. The farther west you go, the colder it will be. Subzero temperatures should be found over the entire area by Thursday morning.
Temperatures will likely be back in the 30s and 40s by this weekend.
----------------------
3-5" has already fallen from between Fargo and Grand Forks to International Falls. Expect some continued light snow and maybe some freezing drizzle tonight, mostly from Longville to Grand Rapids and points northward. We may get about a half inch in Grand Rapids and Bemidji and another 1-3" in far northern Itasca County and Koochiching County.
The main portion of the winter storm will move into northern Minnesota on Tuesday. The snow will be relatively light during the morning hours but will increase during the late morning between Fargo and International Falls. During the afternoon, an additional area of snow will move in from the southwest and spread over the rest of the KAXE listening area. The heaviest snowfall rates will occur during the late afternoon and early evening. There should be an additional 5-10" with this main portion of the storm. The snow will end from southwest to northeast late Tuesday night and be followed by windy and cold conditions as the temperatures drop to near zero. Blizzard conditions will likely occur in the Red River Valley. The coldest temperatures will be found Thursday morning (teens below zero) before milder weather returns by this weekend.
This storm will probably add a week to the ski season.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Ski For Peace and Season's End Ski Social Sat. March 7th, Bemidji
Ski For Peace, an informal ski tour promoting peace locally and globally will be held Saturday, March 7th on the Three Island County Park ski trails north of Bemidji. There will be a peace gathering at 2:00 p.m. at the dam / picnic area along the Turtle River. Participants are invited to share thoughts or poetry on peace or environmental concerns followed by ski touring on the scenic Three Island Park trails. The north parking lot provides the closest parking access to the dam / picnic area. Directions to the Three Island North Parking lot: Highway 71 north to Turtle River, left on to County #23- 2miles, left on to Three Island Park Road - one mile to parkinh lot.
The Bemidji Area Cross Country Ski Club is sponsoring the Season’s End Ski Social at the 71 Bar in Turtle River immediately following Ski For Peace from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Aaron Tank and Drew Warne-Jacobsen as well as an appetizer bar. For more information call 586-2575.
The Bemidji Area Cross Country Ski Club is sponsoring the Season’s End Ski Social at the 71 Bar in Turtle River immediately following Ski For Peace from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Aaron Tank and Drew Warne-Jacobsen as well as an appetizer bar. For more information call 586-2575.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Weather Big Picture for March 2-8
(Friday evening update):
Scattered light snow showers will be possible tonight. A significant snowstorm will likely move into the Upper Midwest on Tuesday, followed by very cold temperatures. The forecast track of this storm will certainly change, so it's not certain if we'll actually get significant snow. However, all available numerical weather prediction models presently indicate significant snowfall over at least part of northern Minnesota from this storm, so the chances of significant snow are greater than we've seen over any time during the past two months.
Temperatures at this time of year are tough to predict. The numerical weather prediction models are incapable of accounting for the warming effects of sunlight over snow-covered ground in late winter and early spring, so high temperatures often climb far above their predicted values. We may have subfreezing high temperatures Saturday, but highs may reach above freezing Sunday and Monday. Temperatures will be dropping well below freezing at night, allowing for nice spring conditions on trails that aren't too exposed to direct sunlight.
(Original post):
This week will bring mostly dry weather with warming temperatures. Highs will be in the low 20s Monday, near freezing Tuesday, near 40 Wednesday, mid 30s to 40 Thursday, and mid 30s Friday. Low temperatures might stay above freezing Wednesday night and Thursday night, which would enhance any melting this week, but clearing skies at night would allow the snow to refreeze and really keep the melting in check. By this coming weekend (March 7/8), we should have subfreezing high temperatures again.
Enjoy the upcoming spring conditions!
Scattered light snow showers will be possible tonight. A significant snowstorm will likely move into the Upper Midwest on Tuesday, followed by very cold temperatures. The forecast track of this storm will certainly change, so it's not certain if we'll actually get significant snow. However, all available numerical weather prediction models presently indicate significant snowfall over at least part of northern Minnesota from this storm, so the chances of significant snow are greater than we've seen over any time during the past two months.
Temperatures at this time of year are tough to predict. The numerical weather prediction models are incapable of accounting for the warming effects of sunlight over snow-covered ground in late winter and early spring, so high temperatures often climb far above their predicted values. We may have subfreezing high temperatures Saturday, but highs may reach above freezing Sunday and Monday. Temperatures will be dropping well below freezing at night, allowing for nice spring conditions on trails that aren't too exposed to direct sunlight.
(Original post):
This week will bring mostly dry weather with warming temperatures. Highs will be in the low 20s Monday, near freezing Tuesday, near 40 Wednesday, mid 30s to 40 Thursday, and mid 30s Friday. Low temperatures might stay above freezing Wednesday night and Thursday night, which would enhance any melting this week, but clearing skies at night would allow the snow to refreeze and really keep the melting in check. By this coming weekend (March 7/8), we should have subfreezing high temperatures again.
Enjoy the upcoming spring conditions!
Sugar Hills trail conditions
Good Sunday Morning, the trail damage done by a "lost" snowmobiler has been smoothed out and where the Striding track wiped out it has been reset. The cold snow didn't give the best results, but at least the trail is smooth again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
