May 2018 Observations and Discussion

[Niko]

While it is unusual for it to get this warm in May today and tonight we are going to see something much more unusual. Today we will get rain from a tropical system in May. Between 1851 and 2015 there have only been 22 tropical systems in May. ( only 4 of them were Hurricanes)  At this time I have no knowledge of any of the 22 have brought moisture into Michigan!

At this time Grand Rapids is on track for this May to be the 6th warmest on record this is after April being one of the coldest on record.

The next item is that it looks to cool down as we head into June so at this time the up and down patter looks to continue. (wouldn’t it be odd if June was one of the coolest of record?)

It might seem like it will be cooling down in June because you are used to all of this insane heat, but, in reality, it will just be going back to normal. Temps being in the 70s and lows in the 50s are pretty common (average temps for June). I don't see any real drop of temps in June, where record lows would be setting up. In fact, it will being back in the 80s before ya know it by mid June.

[Niko]

Currently, a blend of clouds and sunshine as SEMI prepares for the remnants of TS Alberto. Isolated tornadoes are possible w this system. Very moist, tropical airmass developing.

[Minny_Weather]

 

While awaiting today's forthcoming rains of tropical origin from #Alberto, it's almost fitting that we'll see heavy downpours later today that will likely smash the old wettest monthly May on record.  All we need is about .25" of precip to set a new monthly record.

 

It is impressive to see the spin on radar from Alberto even though it has tracked over land this far north...feeder bands across C IL are pouring rain in areas that need it badly.

It's nice to see Western Nebraska get hit hard. Nothing worse than seeing the Platte River dried up so rain out there means more than it does here.

[Hawkeye]

I picked up 0.54" overnight.  This has been a month of 0.3-0.6" rainfalls.  My May total is sitting at 3.89", a bit below avg.

 

A stripe of 2-4" has fallen from Peoria northward to Princeton this morning.

[Minny_Weather]

The airport picked up 0.83" yesterday. With the continued moderate rainfall past midnight I think they got at least 0.9". We got more in my neck of the woods as we had that initial cell around 2pm that the airport didn't get. Baby steps. We'll finish below average but at least this gets us out of a dust bowl-like May. 

[OKwx2k4]

While it is unusual for it to get this warm in May today and tonight we are going to see something much more unusual. Today we will get rain from a tropical system in May. Between 1851 and 2015 there have only been 22 tropical systems in May. ( only 4 of them were Hurricanes) At this time I have no knowledge of any of the 22 have brought moisture into Michigan!

At this time Grand Rapids is on track for this May to be the 6th warmest on record this is after April being one of the coldest on record.

The next item is that it looks to cool down as we head into June so at this time the up and down patter looks to continue. (wouldn’t it be odd if June was one of the coolest of record?)

I don't know that I have ever found anything analogous to a tropical system going straight north like that (over land) without anything to steer it while being protected by a continental humid ridge. Pretty neat set of circumstances there! Glad you pointed that out! You're always on the ball with that stuff. Always appreciated, friend!

[Stacsh]

While it is unusual for it to get this warm in May today and tonight we are going to see something much more unusual. Today we will get rain from a tropical system in May. Between 1851 and 2015 there have only been 22 tropical systems in May. ( only 4 of them were Hurricanes)  At this time I have no knowledge of any of the 22 have brought moisture into Michigan!

At this time Grand Rapids is on track for this May to be the 6th warmest on record this is after April being one of the coldest on record.

The next item is that it looks to cool down as we head into June so at this time the up and down patter looks to continue. (wouldn’t it be odd if June was one of the coolest of record?)

 

I remember one tropical storm remnant coming through Western Michigan in June on a Friday or Saturday (was playing in a golf tournament, why I remember) about 10 years ago.  Any history on that? 

[westMJim]

I remember one tropical storm remnant coming through Western Michigan in June on a Friday or Saturday (was playing in a golf tournament, why I remember) about 10 years ago.  Any history on that? 

According to the Detroit NWS the only tropical systems that entered Michigan in June are 1. a unnamed storm on June 28^th 1960 and 2. Candy on June 26 1968.  However, there are indications that just last June Cindy may had led to the massive flooding in Bay, Midland and Isabella counties. That one is not on the list. So, it may not be out of the question. However in looking at years 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and did not find at tropical system to affect Michigan. But at Grand Rapids on June 6^th and 7^th  2008,1.48” fell on the 6^th and 1.31” fell on the 7^th and the day were Friday and Saturday. That may be the storms you are thinking of.

[jaster220]

Alberto looks like a small hurricane on radar with feeder bands spiraling around it. Impressive in ways already posted and also that it'll be deepening as it comes thru. How often do you see that in May??  Looks like it's making a bee line for Tom's place

 

[jaster220]

..and in your (other) wx news..

 

Civil Emergency Message

TNC003-015-021-027-031-035-037-041-043-049-055-061-081-083-085-
087-099-101-111-117-119-125-133-135-137-141-147-149-159-161-165-
169-175-177-181-185-187-189-301745-

NONE
CIVIL EMERGENCY MESSAGE
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION NASHVILLE TENNESSEE
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1035 AM CDT WED MAY 30 2018

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION NASHVILLE TENNESSEE.

...CIVIL EMERGENCY MESSAGE FOR A BLUE ALERT FOR TENNESSEE...

THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HAS ISSUED A STATEWIDE
TENNESSEE BLUE ALERT FOR STEVEN JOSHUA WIGGINS. WIGGINS IS LISTED
AS A PERSON OF INTEREST BY THE DICKSON COUNTY SHERIFF`S OFFICE AND
THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION NASHVILLE TENNESSEE IN THE
SHOOTING DEATH OF A DICKSON COUNTY DEPUTY ON MAY 30TH, 2018.
WIGGINS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING WIGGINS, PLEASE CONTACT THE
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION NASHVILLE TENNESSEE AT
1 8 0 0 T B I F I N D.

$

 

[Tom]

Alberto looks like a small hurricane on radar with feeder bands spiraling around it. Impressive in ways already posted and also that it'll be deepening as it comes thru. How often do you see that in May??  Looks like it's making a bee line for Tom's place

 

20180530 Tropical Remnant Alberto.PNG

That "eye wall" on radar might swipe my area...as I write this, I just heard a clap of thunder as storms are starting to fire up in the seasons soupiest airmass to date.  I just mowed the lawn and I'm sweating big time.

[Niko]

Alberto looking impressive on radar. Wtf...looks like an Hurricane.

[St Paul Storm]

That "eye wall" on radar might swipe my area...as I write this, I just heard a clap of thunder as storms are starting to fire up in the seasons soupiest airmass to date. I just mowed the lawn and I'm sweating big time.

Looks like a hurricane heading for Lake Michigan! An outer band developing toward Peoria wrapping into the system as we speak. Very cool.

[Niko]

Skies starting to cloud up here and the air feels very tropical. Winds are picking up a bit as well.

[Stacsh]

According to the Detroit NWS the only tropical systems that entered Michigan in June are 1. a unnamed storm on June 28^th 1960 and 2. Candy on June 26 1968.  However, there are indications that just last June Cindy may had led to the massive flooding in Bay, Midland and Isabella counties. That one is not on the list. So, it may not be out of the question. However in looking at years 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and did not find at tropical system to affect Michigan. But at Grand Rapids on June 6^th and 7^th  2008,1.48” fell on the 6^th and 1.31” fell on the 7^th and the day were Friday and Saturday. That may be the storms you are thinking of.

 

Hmm, might just be thinking of a cut-off low, but 2008 sounds about right.  thanks!

[westMJim]

I just cut the grass and boy it is very humid out there. Came in and took a shower. As for the temperature it is a reported 86 at GRR with a DP of 71° here at my house I have a  temperature of 91° and a DP of 70° It is partly cloudy here with broken dark clouds moving in from the SE the winds have also picked up and are SE a reported 15 MPH at the airport but more like 25 MPH plus here at my house.

[Tom]

I just cut the grass and boy it is very humid out there. Came in and took a shower. As for the temperature it is a reported 86 at GRR with a DP of 71° here at my house I have a  temperature of 91° and a DP of 70° It is partly cloudy here with broken dark clouds moving in from the SE the winds have also picked up and are SE a reported 15 MPH at the airport but more like 25 MPH plus here at my house.

Doesn't it feel like we are living near the Gulf Coast?  Sheesh, this is a crazy airmass for late May standards.  I heard the PWAT's are near or exceeding record territory.  Boy, we have certainly seen some fascinating weather around here over the past several months.

[Stacsh]

NW quadrant of Alberto might come right through here later this evening.  That would be cool.  

[james1976]

Hope your bday was great Tom!

Yeah Alberto looks cool on radar.

[Tom]

Hope your bday was great Tom!

Yeah Alberto looks cool on radar.

The towering cumulonimbus clouds are exploding here as this buoyant airmass is working its magic.  It sorta feels like a tropical system is knocking on my door.  Pretty cool experience.  I'm going to take a walk around the neighborhood before the storms come rolling in.

[jaster220]

Alberto looking impressive on radar. Wtf...looks like an Hurricane.

 

Looks like a hurricane heading for Lake Michigan! An outer band developing toward Peoria wrapping into the system as we speak. Very cool.

 

Hope your bday was great Tom!

Yeah Alberto looks cool on radar.

 

 

[jaster220]

That "eye wall" on radar might swipe my area...as I write this, I just heard a clap of thunder as storms are starting to fire up in the seasons soupiest airmass to date.  I just mowed the lawn and I'm sweating big time.

 

I just cut the grass and boy it is very humid out there. Came in and took a shower. As for the temperature it is a reported 86 at GRR with a DP of 71° here at my house I have a  temperature of 91° and a DP of 70° It is partly cloudy here with broken dark clouds moving in from the SE the winds have also picked up and are SE a reported 15 MPH at the airport but more like 25 MPH plus here at my house.

 

Knowing I'd not have a chance to do mine in time today, I had to do it last evening just before dark. With the outflow breeze from some storms west of Kzoo and night setting in, it was actually reasonable and I barely sweated at all. I figured to be a sweat ball as it had been 92F about 5 pm. Pleasantly surprised how it turned out tbh

[St Paul Storm]

Latest HRRR showing that line of storms west of Chicago falling apart before reaching downtown. That would be an amazing collapse.

[BrianJK]

Latest HRRR showing that line of storms west of Chicago falling apart before reaching downtown. That would be an amazing collapse.

Was just looking at radar returns wondering if I’m actually going to get squeezed out in the middle. Pouring buckets on both sides of me. Very weird scenario

[Tom]

Latest HRRR showing that line of storms west of Chicago falling apart before reaching downtown. That would be an amazing collapse.

I can see the dark clouds just to my west.  These storms are crawling.  I really hope they hold together for 2 reasons...1) Break the record  2) Experience some tropical downpours

[BrianJK]

I can see the dark clouds just to my west. These storms are crawling. I really hope they hold together for 2 reasons...1) Break the record 2) Experience some tropical downpours

It’s here

[Tom]

It’s here

Made it here as well. It was pouring for about 10 min, let up a bit ago, but some heavier cells are creeping their way here.

[Jaycee]

Made it here as well. It was pouring for about 10 min, let up a bit ago, but some heavier cells are creeping their way here.

Nada here! Lol what’re the odds eh? I think we’ll be fine but it’s muggy af so some rain cooled air would be nice.

[Tom]

Holy crap...

 

[BrianJK]

Very heavy cell hit. Yard flooded, power flickered, house shaking thunder.

[OKwx2k4]

Holy crap...

 

Wow. Tropical indeed!

[Tom]

We did it...Chicago just experienced it's wettest May on record with 8.21" of rain.  Yesterday's rainfall out in the western burbs was what you'd expect from a subtropical storm.  Meantime, I'm going to enjoy the dry and seasonal weather starting tomorrow...one more day of running the A/C today with temps approaching near 90F and humid.

 

 

 

 

 

Friday could be a bit chilly near the lake...interesting to note, that on the graphic below, the year ('78) had an ENSO neutral summer, which ended up having a weak Nino for the following Winter.  

 

 

[Tom]

"Friday night Boomers"???  All the models are picking up on a long-lasting MCS Friday night that races across S NE.  Last nights 00z Euro crushes LNK, misses OMA....the high rez NAM is suggesting the southerly route as well....I think someone on here is going to get hit hard Friday night....

 

 

[BrianJK]

I knew we got hit pretty good here. Ended up with 3.00” and multiple roads and underpasses flooded. Crazy part is the majority of that rain fell in under an hour. Really hoping going forward we can get some “normal” rains instead of these deluges we’ve experienced this month.

[Bryan1117]

"Friday night Boomers"??? All the models are picking up on a long-lasting MCS Friday night that races across S NE. Last nights 00z Euro crushes LNK, misses OMA....the high rez NAM is suggesting the southerly route as well....I think someone on here is going to get hit hard Friday night....

 

 

Ouch! Even though I wouldn’t be surprised if we completely missed out on storms again here in Omaha, given how our Spring has trended around here.

[Niko]

No effects from Alberto for my area in terms of rainfall, but did experience its clouds and a few breezy conditions along w a surge of tropical airmass, which had dews in the 70s, ugh!

[Niko]

Drier weather coming tomorrow as a CF will usher in some relief from this heat. Weekend looks splendid!

 

Some upper 40s are possible tomorrow nite and early next week IMBY, b4 80s return by mid week.

[Niko]

@ Jaster

 

You probably had a better shot w Alberto than I did.

[jaster220]

We did it...Chicago just experienced it's wettest May on record with 8.21" of rain.  Yesterday's rainfall out in the western burbs was what you'd expect from a subtropical storm.  Meantime, I'm going to enjoy the dry and seasonal weather starting tomorrow...one more day of running the A/C today with temps approaching near 90F and humid.

 

 

 

 

 

Friday could be a bit chilly near the lake...interesting to note, that on the graphic below, the year ('78) had an ENSO neutral summer, which ended up having a weak Nino for the following Winter.  

 

 

 

tease, tease, tease..

 

@ Jaster

 

You probably had a better shot w Alberto than I did.

 

Yep, around 1/2" fell in two rounds. Just perfect actually. Enough to water all the garden plants and flowers without compounding the saturated ground water and basement scenario. I think I can finally mop-n-dry it out this weekend. Started back on the 11th 

[Niko]

 

 

 

Yep, around 1/2" fell in two rounds. Just perfect actually. Enough to water all the garden plants and flowers without compounding the saturated ground water and basement scenario. I think I can finally mop-n-dry it out this weekend. Started back on the 11th 

I figured you will benefit more from Alberto's rains then my area. Congrats buddy!

 

Glad your basement is drying out nicely. Have ya thought of any possible solutions that might help solve this issue you are having w it?