Warm dry summer weekend
For once, the timing is perfect for a classic Minnesota summer weekend.
A building ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere should give us a rare sunny, very warm and storm free summer weekend. By my count we've had either severe weather or rain on 5 of the past 8 weekends this summer in Minnesota dating back to late June.
High temperatures this weekend should be in the 80s pretty much statewide, except along the North Shore where temps will be in the 70s near the lake. The mercury will push 90 in southern Minnesota including the Twin Cities metro area.
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The warm dry (more typical) late August weather will linger through Monday. The next chance for any thunder appears to be on Tuesday as a cool front sweeps through, and sweeps away much of the humidity leaving a cooler more comfortable pre fall air mass with temperatures in the 70s and dew points in the 50s.
MPR warning generates tornado picture:
Check out the photo of this tornado from August 11th near St. James. It's an interesting study in how modern technology, MPR's statewide network and aware listeners combined to capture the photo and potentially keep people out of harm's way.
Weather savvy MPR listener Jay Knaak describes the events in an email after listening to warnings on MPR's International Falls 88.1FM.
From: Jay Knaak
Posted At: Friday, August 20, 2010 9:59 AM
Posted To: Press Releases - MN
Conversation: Tornado
Subject: Tornado
To MPR:
Just thought this was something interesting to tell you about his. Recently I was listening to MPR on 88.1 International Falls where I live. A tornado warning was issued for southern MN near St.James MN on Aug 11th, where I was raised. Warning was for 5 miles north and 4 miles west of the town. I text my Mom and asked her if she was close to it. She was in a neighboring town but called a friend near the warning, who was previously unaware of the tornado . The friend went outside and looked around, and snapped this cell phone picture. MPR could have potentially saved lives and at least prompted a good picture. Good job MPR
Jay Knaak
It's amazing what a few heads up people and a little modern technology can do to stay ahead of Mother Nature.
I'm away for a much needed vacation next week in northern Minnesota. Craig Edwards will capably steer the MPR weather ship form the Eden Prairie Weather Lab South next week.
Have a great weekend!
PH