April 2020 Observations and Discussion

[Niko]

Attm, 44F under partly cloudy skies

[Niko]

Cant wait for warmer weather to move back in. In the meantime, it looks like BN temps for the next 2 weeks. Where was this trough in the Winter when it was wanted. Now, its not welcomed! Go away cold!

[Tony]

Those squalls that will be arriving later today mean business. Expecting heavy precip in the form of snow/ice in many areas. Going to be an interesting afternoon.

[St Paul Storm]

Those squalls that will be arriving later today mean business. Expecting heavy precip in the form of snow/ice in many areas. Going to be an interesting afternoon.

It’s been squalling here on and off all morning. Rapid reductions in visibility when they roll in. Fun to watch for sure.

[Stormhunter87]

Been super busy lately so haven't really had time to post, butt uh winter won't let go. Looking like light snow Sunday oddly enough the euro is going big.

[Niko]

Attm, 43F w light wet snowshowers

[james1976]

Had a couple squalls move through. Both dropped big sleet pellets. Almost like hail.

[bud2380]

45 degrees and snow.  Unreal.  Never seen that before. 

[St Paul Storm]

Sunshine and about 1/2mi visibility. Ripping good at times.

[Niko]

This just in:

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather StatementNational Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac MI234 PM EDT Thu Apr 9 2020MIZ047>049-053>055-061>063-069-070-076-092045-Midland-Bay-Huron-Saginaw-Tuscola-Sanilac-Genesee-Lapeer-St. Clair-Oakland-Macomb-Wayne-Including the cities of Midland, Bay City, Bad Axe, Saginaw,Caro, Sandusky, Flint, Lapeer, Port Huron, Pontiac, Warren,and Detroit234 PM EDT Thu Apr 9 2020Occasional showers will persist through the afternoon. Some ofthese heavier showers will contain a mix of rain, heavy snow andsmall hail. A rumble or two of thunder will also remain possible.Brief intervals of wind gusts up to 40 MPH are also expectedwithin the heavier showers.

[snowstorm83]

Omaha airport has been reporting blowing dust lmao it needs to rain

[westMJim]

Just had a period of hail here. The size is around pea size but there is enough of the hail to partly cover the ground.

[Hawkeye]

The Cedar Rapids airport gusted to 60 mph this afternoon.  I don't doubt it.  The wind has roared over the last couple hours.

[westMJim]

There was a period of pea size hail yesterday afternoon that partly covered the ground. Then overnight there has been enough snow to cover the ground and the roof tops. At this time it is 32 here with that trace of snow on the ground.

[Hawkeye]

The weekend is looking, potentially, much milder than it was a few days ago.  The Euro has us up to 60/62 Sat/Sun.

[Stacsh]

It's like we are going into late Nov...

[westMJim]

1965 Palm Sunday Tornados

Today is the 55^th anniversary of one of the biggest tormado outbreaks in Michigan.

The winter and early spring of 1965 was colder then average with March come in with a mean of just 26.9° that was a departure of -9.5° and there was a record snow fall of 36.0” There was 15” of snow on the ground on the 24^th That March had snow on the ground every day. April did not start out much better as there was a snow fall of 3.9” on the 1^st and there was a total of 6” on the ground on the 2^nd  It f did warm up to more spring like temperatures by the 6^th and on April 11^th the temperature shot all the way up to 72 at Grand Rapids. 75 at Kalamazoo, 70 at Muskegon thus setting the stage for one of the largest tornado outbreaks in Michigan history.

At least twelve tornadoes touched down and raced across Michigan on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, carving several paths of destruction. In Michigan, 53 people were killed and 800 injured. Ernie Ostuno, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service , explained all the ingredients necessary for a classic, destructive outbreak came together that day. And following the event, terminology evolved -- including the present-day "watch" and "warning" -- to better communicate the threat of severe weather.

Western and central Michigan experienced most of the tornado touchdowns that day. Eight spawned from supercell thunderstorms, impacting several counties.  Five people were killed  In a powerful F-4 with winds estimated in excess of 207 mph, which formed near Allendale in Ottawa County and tracked east to Comstock Park to the Cedar Springs area. About 35 homes were destroyed and nearly 200 others damaged. One of the injured died days later. The tornado created about $15 million in damage. One person was killed in an F-1 tornado that formed in Allegan County and moved into Barry County. Five homes were destroyed and another 25 were damaged. Barry County experienced, an F-3 with winds estimated in excess of 158 mph. Kalamazoo County also saw an F-3 tornado. It destroyed four homes and injured 17 people. An F-4 tornado was recorded in Clinton and Shiawassee counties. One person was killed, and several homes were damaged or destroyed. Three F-2 tornadoes moved across Montcalm and Gratiot counties. As the survivors of one F-4 tornado emerged from their shelters, most had no idea another F-4 twister was on its way.. They tracked about 30 minutes apart through Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties, killing at least 35 people. About $32 million in property was destroyed. An F-2 tornado near Bay City tore roofs off homes and an auto A second F-2 twister near Tuscola damaged a lumberyard and destroyed a few barns.

I lived in Bay City at the time and I still remember how the sky turned a blue green color that day.

[Niko]

Gorgeous, beautiful day outside w temps in the 40s. Highs topping off in the 50s. Ahhhh, Spring in the air feels so good. Cant wait to see some severe Springlike storms down the road. Looking forward to that.

[Niko]

Tom

 

In Arizona where you currently are, did you ever experience any venomous snakes around your property? I hear they seem to be popular in Cali and Arizona. When I travel to Greece in the Summer, my place there is on a mountain, so even though I was told that snakes are rare, I always keep my eyes open when I am there, just in case one pops up. One morning (long time ago), I opened my door to have my coffee outside my patio and there was this huge snake right in front of me. Ran inside in a heartbeat. Had to call a professional (mind you, in Andros Island, Greece, by the time someone comes, it will take a min) ,luckily they came in a hour and took care of it. Btw, I hate snakes.

[Tom]

Tom

 

In Arizona where you currently are, did you ever experience any venomous snakes around your property? I hear they seem to be popular in Cali and Arizona. When I travel to Greece in the Summer, my place there is on a mountain, so even though I was told that snakes are rare, I always keep my eyes open when I am there, just in case one pops up. One morning (long time ago), I opened my door to have my coffee outside my patio and there was this huge snake right in front of me. Ran inside in a heartbeat. Had to call a professional (mind you, in Andros Island, Greece, by the time someone comes, it will take a min) ,luckily they came in a hour and took care of it. Btw, I hate snakes.

Yes, there are rattlesnakes on the hiking trails that I go on right by my place.  Thankfully, in our complex, there are no snakes only some small lizards and lots of birds.  Occasionally, we do get javelina's (wild pig) that venture inside and tear up all the vegetation when there is a lack of food but due to the above normal precip there is abundance out in the wild.  Lot's of green showing up on the mountainside and open desert.

 

Visiting Greece is on my bucket list of places to visit and I have several contacts who have invited me to their places near the islands.  I love seafood and lounging at beaches so that would be a perfect destination!  The scenery looks amazing out there.

[Niko]

Yes, there are rattlesnakes on the hiking trails that I go on right by my place.  Thankfully, in our complex, there are no snakes only some small lizards and lots of birds.  Occasionally, we do get javelina's (wild pig) that venture inside and tear up all the vegetation when there is a lack of food but due to the above normal precip there is abundance out in the wild.  Lot's of green showing up on the mountainside and open desert.

 

Visiting Greece is on my bucket list of places to visit and I have several contacts who have invited me to their places near the islands.  I love seafood and lounging at beaches so that would be a perfect destination!  The scenery looks amazing out there.

Yep, we have quite a few lizards as well, but no pigs lol. I really enjoy mountain views. Arizona is on my list as well. Best part is when that wind kicks in and starts coming down the mountain. I am sure its the same in Arizona, but at night in Andros, you most of the time need a jacket or a light sweater. Temps in July can dip into the 50s.

 

Great idea, i recommend you travel to Greece. You will definitely gain a few pounds though from all the delicious food. Beaches, nightlife and etc are superb. What islands are your friends from? If you are ever in Andros or Chios island, let me know. I can hook you up w great hotel rates. I'll treat ya to a Greek coffee Frappe!

[Hawkeye]

A nice area of rain moved across my area this afternoon/evening.  I picked up a solid 0.45".

[Stormy]

Only 0.05” here. Some decent storms in southern Iowa currently. Hopefully they can move far enough north to reach here.

[Stormy]

Tom

 

In Arizona where you currently are, did you ever experience any venomous snakes around your property? I hear they seem to be popular in Cali and Arizona. When I travel to Greece in the Summer, my place there is on a mountain, so even though I was told that snakes are rare, I always keep my eyes open when I am there, just in case one pops up. One morning (long time ago), I opened my door to have my coffee outside my patio and there was this huge snake right in front of me. Ran inside in a heartbeat. Had to call a professional (mind you, in Andros Island, Greece, by the time someone comes, it will take a min) ,luckily they came in a hour and took care of it. Btw, I hate snakes.

There also are some poisoness snakes anywhere in the southern two thirds or more of the USA. There supposedly have been rare sightings even as far north as southern Iowa in the past.

[Stormy]

1965 Palm Sunday Tornados

Today is the 55^th anniversary of one of the biggest tormado outbreaks in Michigan.

The winter and early spring of 1965 was colder then average with March come in with a mean of just 26.9° that was a departure of -9.5° and there was a record snow fall of 36.0” There was 15” of snow on the ground on the 24^th That March had snow on the ground every day. April did not start out much better as there was a snow fall of 3.9” on the 1^st and there was a total of 6” on the ground on the 2^nd  It f did warm up to more spring like temperatures by the 6^th and on April 11^th the temperature shot all the way up to 72 at Grand Rapids. 75 at Kalamazoo, 70 at Muskegon thus setting the stage for one of the largest tornado outbreaks in Michigan history.

At least twelve tornadoes touched down and raced across Michigan on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, carving several paths of destruction. In Michigan, 53 people were killed and 800 injured. Ernie Ostuno, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service , explained all the ingredients necessary for a classic, destructive outbreak came together that day. And following the event, terminology evolved -- including the present-day "watch" and "warning" -- to better communicate the threat of severe weather.

Western and central Michigan experienced most of the tornado touchdowns that day. Eight spawned from supercell thunderstorms, impacting several counties.  Five people were killed  In a powerful F-4 with winds estimated in excess of 207 mph, which formed near Allendale in Ottawa County and tracked east to Comstock Park to the Cedar Springs area. About 35 homes were destroyed and nearly 200 others damaged. One of the injured died days later. The tornado created about $15 million in damage. One person was killed in an F-1 tornado that formed in Allegan County and moved into Barry County. Five homes were destroyed and another 25 were damaged. Barry County experienced, an F-3 with winds estimated in excess of 158 mph. Kalamazoo County also saw an F-3 tornado. It destroyed four homes and injured 17 people. An F-4 tornado was recorded in Clinton and Shiawassee counties. One person was killed, and several homes were damaged or destroyed. Three F-2 tornadoes moved across Montcalm and Gratiot counties. As the survivors of one F-4 tornado emerged from their shelters, most had no idea another F-4 twister was on its way.. They tracked about 30 minutes apart through Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties, killing at least 35 people. About $32 million in property was destroyed. An F-2 tornado near Bay City tore roofs off homes and an auto A second F-2 twister near Tuscola damaged a lumberyard and destroyed a few barns.

I lived in Bay City at the time and I still remember how the sky turned a blue green color that day.

I think the first tornadoes from that event dropped down in eastern Iowa. Northern Indiana also got creamed from a double barreled monster among others. I’ve read a book and several articles about that event, but can’t remember it all.

[Stormy]

The Cedar Rapids airport gusted to 60 mph this afternoon.  I don't doubt it.  The wind has roared over the last couple hours.

Top gust was 49 mph here that day.

[westMJim]

Happy Easter!

The models have backed off on how deep the low for tonight into tomorrow will get. And it seems as if it may be more to the north into Ontario. It still looks windy none the less and we will have to watch for power outages and even some wind damage.

There was a little rain here over night and I recorded 0.05" of rain fall. At this time the temperature here is 48 with cloudy skies. 

[Tom]

Happy Easter everyone!  Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, may we all reflect on the power of Faith and Prayer while our nation endures this pandemic.  It will be quite odd not going to Easter Mass today and probably watching a recorded Mass on YouTube.  My parents have been watching Polish Mass via YouTube and its been an interesting experience.  Nonetheless, I hope you all enjoy time with your family and friends today.

 

 

[Niko]

There also are some poisoness snakes anywhere in the southern two thirds or more of the USA. There supposedly have been rare sightings even as far north as southern Iowa in the past.

Thanks for that info. As long as they don't reach MI.

[Niko]

Attm, 50F under cloudy skies. My area is under a High Wind Watch. Yikes. Rain moving in lata tanight and could be hvy at times b4 ending Monday, followed by much colder temps and very strong winds.

 

Happy Easter to those that celebrate today.

 

For those who don't know, today is "Palm Sunday" for us Greeks, so, for all Greek Orthodox, next week is holy week and Sunday (April 19th) is our Greek Easter.

[Niko]

 

High Wind Watch

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac MI

442 AM EDT Sun Apr 12 2020
 

MIZ047>049-053>055-060>063-068>070-075-076-082-083-122000-

/O.CON.KDTX.HW.A.0001.200413T1200Z-200414T0000Z/

Midland-Bay-Huron-Saginaw-Tuscola-Sanilac-Shiawassee-Genesee-

Lapeer-St. Clair-Livingston-Oakland-Macomb-Washtenaw-Wayne-

Lenawee-Monroe-

Including the cities of Midland, Bay City, Bad Axe, Saginaw,

Caro, Sandusky, Owosso, Flint, Lapeer, Port Huron, Howell,

Pontiac, Warren, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Adrian, and Monroe

442 AM EDT Sun Apr 12 2020
 

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH

MONDAY EVENING...
 

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph

  possible.
 

* WHERE...Portions of southeast Michigan.
 

* WHEN...From Monday morning through Monday evening.
 

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down large treen limbs and

  power lines. Power outages are possible. Tents may be blown

  over. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile

  vehicles.

 

[Hawkeye]

Models are showing another possible snow system tracking w-e through the region on Friday.

 

Update:  The Euro has shifted well south and very weak.

[Hawkeye]

We have warmed above expectation this afternoon... into the mid 60s with light wind.  It's pretty nice.  The 30s on only few counties away, though, so our cool/cold week will begin shortly.

[Stormy]

Had a high of 69° here, but the temperature has plummeted down to 39° currently. This system was kind of a dud here with only around 0.40” storm total so far. Will soon add a bit to that.

[Hawkeye]

0.32" of rain today, 0.78" system total.

[Niko]

Greeks celebrating (partying from their balcony's and on the streets) in Greece, "Thessaloniki" (north of Athens). I've been to that part of Greece. Have friends and family there, but mostly in Athens and Pireaus

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/greeks-seen-having-corona-party-220000769.html

[Stormy]

Storm total rainfall here 0.56” then.

[Niko]

Storm total rainfall here 0.56” then.

Big windstorm for my area on Monday. Winds could top off at 50mph or greater.

[Niko]

Attm, its a mild 54F w rain. Colder air follows w temps Monday nite falling into the 20s. Highs all week remain BN w temps in the low to mid 40s and nighttime lows in the mid to upper 20s. Yikes! At least we will have full sunshine to go along w the chilly airmass.

[OKwx2k4]

I know this is April but May 2013 is looking real comparable to the next few days.