Minnesota’s reverse lake-effect visible from space

Reverse Lake-Effect

Tuesday's skies offered some puffy cumulus development over woods and prairie. But cooler water over the big lakes across Minnesota suppresses the rising thermals that promote cumulus development. The "reverse lake-effect" phenomenon was clearly visible from space Tuesday afternoon. Here's NASA's MODIS Terra 250-meter resolution shot. I've taken the liberty to highlight a few key features.

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NASA via UW Madison

Now watch the lakes work on the cumulus zone in motion with NOAA's 1 km visible loop. Pretty cool stuff. Textbook.

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NOAA via College of Dupage

Dry around the edges

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June rainfall is above average so far in the eastern part of Minnesota. Most of eastern Minnesota has recorded 3" to 4"+ rainfall totals this month. But it's been dry out west, with just half an inch recorded this month in Minnesota's western baby bump around Ortonville and Browns Valley.

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June rainfall via Midwest Regional Climate Center.

Northwest flow continues

Minnesota's weather this week continues to be dominated by a weak northwest flow. That means cooler and generally drier air masses, with a punctuating cool front drifting south with spotty shower coverage Thursday. Friday's inbound high pressure cell is even cooler and drier, and sets up a very pleasant start to the big 4th of July weekend.

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NOAA

NOAA's NAM 4 km simulated radar tracks the spotty T-Shower line drifting south across Minnesota Thursday.

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NOAA

Here's the European model breakdown of events into next week. The best chance for a welcome shower arrives Thursday, and again next Tuesday with a chance on the evening of the 4th?

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Norwegian Met Institute

Stay tuned as we refine timing on any rain chances approaching on the 4th and 5th.