Chaska Herald - Weather & Outdoors - Comments

"High" temp of only 1 above!

Greg Boe — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:18:31 -0600

"High" temp of only 1 above! Yes, our high temperature on Sunday was only one degree above zero. However after dipping down into the teens below zero once again on Sunday night, Monday's temperatures will seem almost "warm" by comparison as we should reach 20 degrees above zero.

Saturday certainly was slippery in Chaska. Much of the precipation that fell in town on Saturday night was in liquid form (due to warmer air aloft) which then promptly froze as it hit the colder surfaces below - including roads, sidewalks, car windows, etc. We received 0.12" of precipitation on Saturday, including just 0.7" of snow officially.

Our weather next week will feature chances of light snow every few days, with our daily high temperatures likely staying at or below our average for this time of year (24 degrees).

Our active winter weather

Greg Boe — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:57:02 -0600

Our active winter weather pattern continues into 2009. With the chance for snow in our forecast for today (Saturday), as well as a couple of days next week (Tuesday and Friday, as it looks right now), it appears as though 2009 is going to pick up right where 2008 left off. Our temperatures are expected to stay cold as well, so keep your coat and shovel handy!

What a December it's been!

Greg Boe — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:19:19 -0600

What a December it's been! Our temperatures last month varied from a balmy high of 41 degrees (on December 2nd and the 26th) to a frigid low of -20 degrees (on the 22nd). Our snowfall total for the month was a 27.2" (which equaled out to 1.77" of moisture).

Our temperatures in December of 2008 were a bit colder than 2007. Our average high temp was 22 degrees in both years, but our low averaged -1 in 2008 compared to 5 above in 2007....(another way to look at that comparison is this: in 2008 we suffered through 16 nights with temperatures below zero compared to only 12 sub-zero nights in 2007), and we received 22" of snow in 2007. In case you are curious, December of 2006 offered a snowfall total of just 1.4", while we enjoyed 19" in 2005 and only 1.5" in 2004.

What will 2009 bring to our city? It's hard to say just yet, but we have already reached 40% of my seasonal snowfall prediction of 68" and we still have 3 more months to go. Of course, Mollee, that means that you may need to brush 41 more inches of snow off your car before spring. However, if that makes you sad just look at the bright side: we are likely only 10 weeks away from our first 50 degree day of spring! Stay tuned.....

Ok, I'm sick of brushing

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:17:35 -0600

Ok, I'm sick of brushing snow off of my car EVERY day. Any chance all of this snow will melt so we can enjoy a very early spring?

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

So how does December 2008

Mark Olson — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:19:04 -0600

So how does December 2008 compare, regarding snow totals, with previous Decembers? (OK, you probably can't answer this question until tomorrow.)

Thanks for the explanation of weather patterns in north/south Chaska. This morning my car thermometer clocked -10 up on the bluff, and -12 at the office. In a word: COLD.

2.9" of snow in Chaska

Greg Boe — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:37:43 -0600

2.9" of snow in Chaska today! Well, our snowfall is pretty much done for today, and we received 2.9" of snow officially - bringing us back up to 9" on the ground in most Chaska backyards. We should see high temperatures at or slightly below our average of 22 degrees over the next week, with a chance of snow every couple of days (including New Year's Day). Winter is here!

Here we go again: more snow

Greg Boe — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:24:58 -0600

Here we go again: more snow is coming to Chaska! The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area, running from midnight tonight through 3 pm on Tuesday. Accumulating snow of 3 to 6 inches is expeceted across much of central Minnesota from late Monday through Tuesday afternoon. Winds will also increase on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in blowing snow and decreased visibility.

Yes Mark, you are correct,

Greg Boe — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:45:35 -0600

Yes Mark, you are correct, there is frequently a difference of a degree or two between "upper" and "lower" Chaska. When that difference stretches between 66 degrees and 67 degrees, for example, most people will never notice. However, I can recall days when the rain falling downtown would turn to snow as I would drive up 41 - and that change makes a slight 1 degree temperature difference much more noticeable! Thus, when our temperature is very close to that 'magic' 32 degree value, our snowfall totals can vary a fair amount between a backyard in northern and southern Chaska.

From a purely scientific standpoint, the dry adiabatic lapse rate dictates that a theoretical "column" of air will cool at a given rate as it rises in elevation (approximately 5.5°F per 1,000 feet). And while any hot air balloonist can tell you that "hot air rises," it is also true that as the air rises it will cool at a predictable rate. However, to make things even more interesting, "micro-climates" can also develop and influence the weather between nearby locations. For example, on a hot sultry summer afternoon it will frequently be breezy in northern Chaska (thus mixing the air and keeping the temperature a bit lower), while the river bluffs will often shelter downtown Chaska from those winds and allow their temperatures to climb several degrees higher. Certainly, spotty summer showers can sometimes provide your lawn with a free watering while someone a mile down the road sits and watches his or her grass turning brown with the dry summer heat. Your ability to leave your sprinkler in the garage relies on luck as well as the size and scope of a given rain event.

Whew...that was a long answer to a short question, wasn't it? To sum it all up: while Chaska doesn't have any big "lake-effect snow belts" as they do up near the Great Lakes, we can certainly enjoy differences in our weather conditions as we travel around our fair city.

And, one final thought: wasn't that 41 degree day a pleasant diversion from the weather we've been suffering through lately? It was a Christmas gift for each and every one of us! (except for those die-hard fans of winter, I suppose. For those of you who love winter, don't worry...there will be plenty more of that coming our way in the near future!)

The temps in the 40s threw

Mark Olson — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:18:41 -0600

The temps in the 40s threw me off. It felt downright tropical.

Greg -- regarding the temperature, I have a Chaska-related weather question:

My car thermometer often drops a degree or so when I'm driving down 41, from my home in north Chaska, to my job downtown.

Is this just a glitch, or is there a slight temperature difference between "The Valley" and "Up the Hill"?

Also, is there a discernable difference between rain, snow and other weather elements in the Minnesota River Valley, versus other parts of Chaska?

Very nice Christmas weather!

Greg Boe — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:35:31 -0600

Very nice Christmas weather! Our high temperature on December 26th was a balmy 41 degrees in Chaska...16 degrees above normal, and only 6 degrees away from a record high temperature (the record for December 26th is 47 degrees, set in 1959). Our snow pack has dwindled during this warm streak too, down to just 5" on the ground compared to 10" just before Christmas. Don't worry, all of you winter lovers out there, we may pick up a few inches of fresh snow on Monday/Tuesday, along with more seasonable temperatures for later in the week.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Thanks for the forecast

Mark Olson — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:58:33 -0600

Thanks for the forecast Greg.

I posted some tips for safe driving here: www.chaskaherald.com/news/public-safety/tips-safe-christmas-driving-5608

I'd like to stress: drive slowly and leave plenty of space between you and the next driver. (Nothing irritates me like a driver who tailgates me on ice.)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas travel forecast:

Greg Boe — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:23:26 -0600

Christmas travel forecast: This probably will not be a surprise to most people, considering what our weather has been like for the last several weeks, but there is a chance of more snow over the next several days. What may be a surprise, however, is the arrival of warmer temperatures and maybe even some rain/freezing rain into the mix. Our high temperatures may reach into the 30's, while our low temperatures may even stay at or above zero! I fully expect to see at least one person walking around in shorts with this mid-winter warm-up...but it won't be me!

Drive safely everyone, if your Holiday plans include some travel, and have a Merry Christmas!

More snow coming to Chaska?

Greg Boe — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:51:02 -0600

More snow coming to Chaska? Yes, after suffering through our coldest night so far this year, as our temperature dipped all the way down to -17 degrees last night, we are looking for more snow tonight! I am expecting around 2-4 inches of fresh snow tonight and Tuesday morning. I know what you're thinking: What...more snow....again?? I suppose we should expect that....after all, it has been at least a day or two since the last time it last snowed!! The long-range forecast is calling for .....you guessed it - more scattered snow later in the week. However, let's also hope for good holiday driving conditions as you travel (over the river and through the woods) to grandma's house on Christmas Day! Just how long will this snowy trend continue? Stay tuned.....

Last year was pretty measly

Greg Boe — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:45:06 -0600

Last year was pretty measly as far as snowfall goes. We had very few snowfalls of any substance last winter - in fact just three over 3" in December of 2007 (6.1" on Dec 1, 6.5" on Dec 4, and 4.0" on Dec 25), none in January of 2008, and none in February. We did finally enjoy a couple of wet and heavy snowfall events in the last few weeks of March, including around 8" on the 21st. However, all in all, the small amount of snow we received in December managed to stay around all winter due to cold temperatures, but our snowfall was well below average for the season. So far this year, our snowfall is going like gangbusters....27" so far....but we'll see if that trend continues over the winter. Keep in mind that we are almost 7" behind our average precipitation total throughout 2008, so we could use a good blanket of snow this winter to help ease that deficit when it all melts in March or April.

Mark, as for selective memory....that just might be what allows each and every one of us to live up here in "the tundra" year after year, with no depression or psychological damage...our own selective memory - so don't feel bad!

How does the 6 inches of

Mark Olson — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:59:39 -0600

How does the 6 inches of snow compare with last winter's snowfalls? I don't remember too many substantial storms, but I have selective memory when it comes to inclement weather.