News 19 Forecast Team Blog

Wicked cold...

Blizzard conditions to our northwest and to our south left us with very little snowfall locally.  Winds blew a lot of the minimal snowfall all around yesterday as our temps dropped dramatically through the day.  The high yesterday of 43° actually came early yesterday morning before dropping into the single digits in the afternoon and below 0°before midnight.  That 53° temperature drop tied the all time record for one-day temp change in La Crosse.

Wind chills this morning reached an amazing -44° in Medford in Taylor county.  La Crosse dropped to between -25° and -35° this morning.  The National Weather Service sensor had some trouble recording data, so it is hard to give an actual temperature for La Crosse.  It appears that the problem has been fixed though.  You can get more information on how to calculate the wind chill at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/windchill.php.

Things will slowly improve as we head through the next few days.  The winds will calm a bit tonight so we won't be as cold tomorrow morning.  Although we may see a few chances of flurries the rest of the week, we shouldn't see any accumulations until the beginning of next week.

Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Mother Nature's fury...

Mother Nature sure doesn't want to let her grip on us go.  We've had temperatures below zero and topping the mid 40s over the winter so far.  A strong winter storm is approaching our area today.  It will only dump a few inches of snow on us, but the winds will cause it to seem like a lot more.  The National Weather Service issuee a WINTER STORM WARNING for our area today.  Usually a warning is issued when we're looking for a lot more snow, but, in this case, we're looking for near white-out conditions with extremely cold temps and wind chills down between -35° and -45°.

Frost bite can set it in as little as 10 minutes with wind chills that cold.  The winds will be between 20 and 40 miles per hour in our area, but much stronger to our south.  In fact, a blizzard warning is in effect for much or easter Iowa today because of the expected white out conditions.  We saw that particular warning issued last year.  I remember it well.  It was my first "blizzard" in my lifetime.  I'd love to see that again, but only from the comfort of my living room.

If you have to travel this afternoon and evening, make sure you bundle up and monitor the forecast before heading out.


Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Another chapter to be written...

One never can tell halfway through a season whether it is going to be memorable or not, but this year may be different. We have seen 43.4" of snow at the La Crosse Municipal Airport; that is already about our normal or average snow fall for an entire season, and we have two of our most prolific snow-producing months to go. That doesn't mean that the "snow" machine will continue to spit out inch after inch of that frozen blanket, but it does give us at least a chance of some pretty impressive numbers. In terms of temperatures it hasn't been particularly notable, but there's still time to rewrite a few records, even though we are past the time of the coldest normals.

This year, perhaps more than most, has seen wild shifts in temperatures. The next few days will bear this trend out. We will go from a high of 45 degrees on Monday(28th) to a low of -11 degrees on Wednesday(30th). That is a projected change of 56 degrees in just 36 hours. A good chunk of that change will occur Tuesday in the immediate wake of a strong cold frontal passage in the morning.

In addition, the  cold air will generate 2 to 5 inches of snow. With the winds picking up to 20 to 40 miles per hour, considerable blowing and drifting will occur. Travel will prove difficult, especially in the rural, open and higher terrain regions in the News 19 viewing area.

All in all, a day to stay indoors and ponder the question of whether we will remember the 2007-08 winter season.

Until next time;

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

Snowfall This Winter

It certainly has been a snowy winter, but how far off are we from a typical winter snowfall? As a meteorologist I enjoy looking into weather statistics to see how situations compare to the average. I apologize ahead of time if this puts you to sleep as I will be firing off a few statistics. In a typical winter, La Crosse will see just under 45 inches of snow. That's right almost four feet. Of course the snow pack won't typically be close 4 feet by the end of the year because a lot of the snow either melts or evaporates. So far this winter, La Crosse has witnessed over 40 inches of snow which means that since November we have almost seen a years worth of snowfall. December 2007 was the fifth snowiest December on record so that got us off to a quick start. The month of January is again above average in the snow department as we have already received almost 15 inches. I have mentioned it before, but around this time of the year I am usually ready for the snow to melt away. In my opinion I wouldn't have a hard time seeing a relatively dry February and March.

All of the statistics above refer to snowfall data prior to today. The area generally picked up an additional 1-3 inches since this afternoon. A few snow totals are listed below.

Until Next Time,

Andrew Thut
New 19 Forecast Team

Pet Week on Daybreak...

Pet Week on News 19 Daybreak concludes today with another feline friend.  Cindy Lou Who is between 8 and 9 months old.  She came to the Coulee Region Humane Society a few months ago as a stray.  While at the shelter, Cindy Lou has been spayed and vaccinated for distemper and rabies.  Her adoption fee has been reduced to $50 to help her find a new home quick!

They say she should do well with other animals and in a home with or without children.  As always, she'll need some time to adjust to her new surroundings and get used to the new people in her life.  She's currently living with other friends from the Coulee Region Humane Society at Petsmart.  Stop in today and see them if you want to adopt Cindy Lou Who or any of her friends.

Here's Cindy Lou:

If you want adopt one of our featured pets or any of the pets at the Coulee Region Human Society, give them a call at (608) 781-4014 or visit their shelter at 911 Critter Court in Onalaska.  They will be glad to help answer any questions and arrange and one-on-one visit with a furry friend.


Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Comparing Cold Blasts

The main story in the weather department lately has been the frigid weather. Temperatures have been in the single digits since last Thursday, a stretch of 8 days. Warmer air is on the way but the list of consecutive days below zero will extend to 9 as temperatures will seek the negatives again tonight. We haven't seen temperatures this cold since last February. Last February a cold blast lasted from January 31st to February 10th. But was that cold stretch actually cooler than our recent one? I dug back into some temperature statistics to find the answer. It turns out that the average high during the 2007 cold snap was 9.5 degrees while the average high during the latest cold snap was 8.5 degrees. As for the low, the average low in the 2007 blast of cold air was -9.5 degrees, and it was almost -12 degrees in the 2008 cold blast. While the amount of consecutive days with below zero temperatures was longer in 2007 (11 days), the latest stretch of frigid days has actually been colder. Below are some charts and data from both of the cold blasts.

If it is difficult to see this information you can click on the data or the charts and they will increase in size in a new window. Another interesting fact pertaining to the latest cold snap is the coldest temperature. This years coldest temperature is -22 degrees. It happened on two occasions. That is colder than last years coldest temperature when the low dropped to -19 degrees on February 5th.

Until Next Time,

Andrew Thut
News 19 Forecast Team

Pet Week on Daybreak...

We continue Pet Week here on Daybreak with two of the most adorable puppies ever.  Cassandra from the Coulee Region Humane Society brought two female Siberian Husky/German Sherpherd mix puppies.  They are two months old and were recently surrendered to the shelter.  They are looking for a wonderful home and a family that is ready to start a long relationship together.

These girls are full of energy and are very curious.  They'll need a family that has the time and the energy to give them lots of physical and mental exercise.  They'll also need to learn the basics such as house training and what not to chew on.

They have wonderful dispositions and they need lots of attention and training time so they can grow into great adults.

Here's Aubrie and Addison:

 

If you want adopt one of our featured pets or any of the pets at the Coulee Region Human Society, give them a call at (608) 781-4014 or visit their shelter at 911 Critter Court in Onalaska.  They will be glad to help answer any questions and arrange and one-on-one visit with a furry friend.


Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Cold Weather Continues...

Cloudy skies and cold temperatures definitely make it a bit harder to wake up in the morning. That was the case for me today as winter weather is starting to ware on me. Call it a case of the "Winter Blues." Usually I enjoy winter through December and the early part of January but after a while I am ready for warmer temperatures. A lot of people I have spoken with say they would prefer the colder temperatures over the warmer temperatures because they can always put more clothes on. I have to disagree as I was bundled up this weekend and I was far more uncomfortable than I would be in temperatures in the 90s. I'm not the only one who could go for relief from the cold, many people suffer from  Seasonal Affective Disorder, or winter depression. However, it is believed that the seasonal mood variation isn't caused by the cold but a lack of light. In La Crosse, January is one of the cloudiest months of the year with right around 17 cloudy days, but it is even cloudier in November and December. In places like Finland, where the amount of light in the winter is much less than it is here, 9.5% of the population suffers from SAD. Good news for the people of Barrow, Alaska, today was the first time they saw sunshine since mid November. Symptoms of the disorder, aren't always depression but often a lack of energy to perform every day categories. For those around the area that do suffer from SAD, there is good news tomorrow. We can expect plenty of sunshine, but that won't help warm temperatures up to much. Highs will likely rise into the mid to upper single digits. That will change as relief is on the way on Friday when highs return to the 20s.

Until Next Time,

Andrew Thut
News 19 Forecast Team

Pet Week on Daybreak...

Pet Week on News 19 Daybreak with the Coulee Region Humane Society continues with Melody.  She is a domestic short hair Brown Tiger feline.  She's between 2 and 3 years old with some white markings.  If you're looking for a laid back friend, then Melody is right for you.  She's slightly reserved, and not as high energy as other cats her age.  She's sweet and enjoys cuddling and getting attention from people, but she doesn't demand attention.  She would probably do well in a home with other cats and possible other dogs.  Melody would do well in a house without children or children over the age of 8.

She is not declawed and the shelter doesn't recommend getting her declawed because of her age.  You'll get to take Melody's scratching post home with you when you adopt her.  The pet experts will help you out with alternatives to getting her declawed.

All animals need time to adjust to their new home.  If you have other animals, the shelter asks that you set up a pet meet-and-greet.  This way your pet can meet the new guy at the shelter so their behavior can be observed to see if they will work together.  Once you get your new family member home, it is normal for them to hide or be cautious.  Just give them the proper time to adjust.  Don't rush it.

Here's Melody...

If you want adopt one of our featured pets or any of the pets at the Coulee Region Human Society, give them a call at (608) 781-4014 or visit their shelter at 911 Critter Court in Onalaska.  They will be glad to help answer any questions and arrange and one-on-one visit with a furry friend.


Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Pet Week on Daybreak...

Pets are lifelong companions, and it saddens me to see so many animals in humane shelters all across the country.  People don't realize the tremendous task it is to bring a pet into their household and they end up giving them away.  A pet is your child and an important part of the family.  I don't know what I would do without my Siberian Husky, Thunder.  I make sure he knows every day just how special he is.

Each day this week on Daybreak, we're teaming up with the Coulee Region Humane Society to help give some of these amazing animals a great home.

We started the week with Cassidy.  She's an American Pitbull Terrier between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.  Cassidy is an active pooch that will definitely get you outside more.  She also loves to cuddle up and keep you warm.  She is house trained if kept to a regular walking schedule.  She does like to jump and is startled by loud noises, so the folks at the Coulee Region Humane Society recommend a home without children or children over 5 years old.  They say she should also do well with other dogs and dog savvy cats.  Cassidy is pictured below.

Our next featured pet is Jasmine.  She's a 5 month old lab cross.  She was recently surrendered to the shelter and they want to find her a new home quick.  She is a puppy and acts like one too.  The ideal home for Jasmine is one where she can learn to not jump and bite and have a daily exercise routine.  She isn't house trained yet, and could go well with other dogs and cats.  A house with children over the age of 5 years old is recommended.  Jasmine is pictured below.



If you want adopt one of our featured pets or any of the pets at the Coulee Region Human Society, give them a call at (608) 781-4014 or visit their shelter at 911 Critter Court in Onalaska.  They will be glad to help answer any questions and arrange and one-on-one visit with a furry friend.


Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Old Man Winter's grip...

WOW!  What a weekend?!  The massive arctic air mass that we had been tracking all week delivered this weekend.  We saw highs on Saturday only at -2°F!  That wasn't as cold as last year though.  Looking back in the weather archives, we saw a big drop in temps the first couple of weeks of February.  Our high on February 4, 2007 was -4°F.  Our low Sunday morning was -22°F.  That was colder than what we saw last year.  The low on the morning of February 5, 2007 was only -19°F.

There were a whole lot of people up in Green Bay for what turned out to be the final Packer game of the season.  It was -2° at the start of the game and -4° by the end of the game.  The wind chill hovered around -24°!  I was happy to see everyone bundled up and keeping warm.  Except for the few women in bikinis, I'm sure everyone was fine.  I hope the coach of the Giants is alright.  His face was extremely red by the end of the game.  I'm sure he was feeling some pain especially on his nose.

I stayed warm this weekend by going to the AVP: Hot Winter Nights volleyball tournament at the La Crosse Center Saturday night.  It was really fun to be back "on-the-beach" in the middle of winter when it was so cold outside.  It was warm inside watching the guys and gals volley it out.   I will definitely go again when they come back.

Stay safe and warm these next few days with the snow falling today and the cold air still in place.  Look for 4" to 6" total accumulations by tonight once the snow comes to an end.  You'll need to leave a few extra minutes in the morning to clear your cars off before heading to work and back to school!

Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

The Siberian Express arrives...

Its called the Siberian or Arctic Express because that's where it originates.  The massive amount of cold air has been building up in the arctic region near Siberia, and flood gates have broken.  Our lows for the weekend will range from -10° to -20°.  All that cold air is pouring through the country this weekend.  Cities as far south as Atlanta saw their first snow in three years.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY has been issued for this evening through the day tomorrow.  Any and all exposed skin needs to be covered if you have to go outside this weekend.  If you do go outside take note of the safety tips below.  Frostbite can set in after as little as 10 to 20 minutes.  If you find yourself shivering constantly, that means you're in the beginning stages of hypothermia and it's time to get warm.

Stay warm and safe this weekend.


Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Cold snap...

One storm system is on the way out, but perhaps the most important element of the latest weather pattern shift is yet to be realized. First a look at snow totals from last night and today. Here's a link to the latest information: Area Snowfall Totals .

Now, on to the next phase of this mid-winter pattern. It involves another low pressure system coming in from the northwest. Light snow will fall, perhaps an inch or two, but the biggest threat will be from blowing and drifting snow, especially in the rural areas. Near white-out conditions will occur by Friday afternoon. In addition, the coldest air of the season will flow south into the area for the weekend.

It includes Saturday and Sunday highs near zero and overnight lows of -10 to -20. Wind chill values for Friday night and Saturday will be in the -20 to -35 degree range. All in all a great weekend to be indoors, if you want to avoid frostbite or worse.

The weather patterns are a result of cold air building up across Canada, some of the air straight from across the North Pole from Siberia. The north-south oriented jetstream will continue to funnel the air into the country this weekend and into much of next week. It should be a relatively dry weather pattern after Friday with only coupld of chances of flurries next week.

Until next time;

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

Extreme cold...

The coldest weather of the season is approaching us.  I have to say that I've had a hard time believing my own forecast these past few days.  I've been doing this a number of years now, and, believe it or not, this is the coldest forecast I have ever put out there!  I was in northeast Missouri in my last job.  That may sound warm, but it got cold very often during the winter.  It didn't stay that cold for too long, but it was cold!

Actual highs are going to really struggle to get above the 0° mark this weekend.  We're going to see wind chill values between -20° and -30° this weekend.  That is cause for concern if you plan on being outside.  I have a couple of graphics below for you to look over.  One is showing just how far south these cold temps will be extending.  The other is a safety graphic that you really need to pay attention to for this weekend.  When the temps get this low and the winds kick in, even a little bit, frost bite can set in after as little as 15 minutes.  That isn't anything to play with.  If you have to go outside for some reason, make it a quick trip.  Don't forget to take care of your pets and check on the elderly.  Make sure everyone stays really warm.  I know my heater will be working overtime this weekend.

Watch your car's health too.  Keep the tank above a half a tank of gas.  This will keep your fuel lines from freezing if there isn't enough gas in the tank.  You will need to go outside a couple of times during the day to start the car and let it run.  Don't turn it off until the inside heats up pretty good.  This will help your car start when you need it to.  Don't let it sit outside all weekend without moving or starting up.

CLICK HERE for more information on the wind chill.  You'll see the new wind chill chart as well as more information on the cold weather.

If you have any amazing stories from this weekend or awesome pictures, send them to me (zbrown@wxow.com) so I can share them with other readers and viewers.

Stay warm this weekend!

Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Stormy skies...

The weather in the short term is all about a passing storm. We have had some snow already and more is falling through tonight and Thursday. A total of 4 to 8 inches should fall in parts of the News 19 viewing area by 6 PM Thursday; the heaviest amounts southeast of La Crosse itself, the lighter amounts northwest. This part of the weather pattern will usher in some cold air, but the real Arctic, even Siberian, blast of air will come behind a storm system for Friday. That Clipper-type storm could produce a couple of inches of snow, but its big claim to fame will the cold air it pulls southward into the Seven Rivers Region.

Highs for Saturday and Sunday will struggle to reach zero degrees and overnight lows will drop to between 10 and 20 degrees below zero. The below normal temperatures are likely to continue well into next week. BRRRRRRR!!!!!

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

Large asteroid news...

Every so often I receive a call in the weather office that gets my juices flowing. Today was one of those days. The gentleman on the line said he heard that a large asteroid had a shot at hitting Mars. I hadn't been up to speed of late about astronomical news, so I asked him how large. He said it was the size of Texas and asked if it would affect the orbit of Mars. He also asked if some of the debris that would surely be ejected into space, could make it to earth, perhaps affecting our weather.

My initial thought was that if the object were Texas-sized I would already have heard about it. That would certainly be worthy of a national news story. I was a bit skeptical, but I tried to answer his questions as if it were true. No, I did not think that it would alter Mars' orbit. Yes, debris ejected into space could eventually make it to earth, but not in great enough quantity to affect our weather. (I love those kinds of challenging what-if questions.)

After thanking him for the call, I visited the NASA JPL website to check for updates. The asteroid in question, 2007 WD5, was only about 50 meters  or 164 feet in diameter; not exactly Texas-sized, but certainly a large piece of rock. It also turns out that more observations have been done and the path of the asteroid will take it past Mars without impacting its suface. Martians can breathe a sigh of carbon dioxide relief. An object that size would have made a half mile wide crater.

As a side note, the two functioning Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity would have escaped any hit by the asteroid, so they can safely continue to send data back to earth.

Lastly, scientists have been watching an asteroid named Apophis for a possible close approach to earth in 2029 and again in 2036, but the current calculations leave only a miniscule chance of a collision, so we can rest easy.

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist
  

What to wear?

As Joan Rivers says 'can we talk?'  I bring up Joan Rivers because she's the person that's always on the red carpet at awards shows talking about who the stars are wearing.  I've been emailed about my clothes before and I thought I'd touch on a few points that I've learned over the years.  This is more so for the men out there who wear suits.

Let's start with the jacket.  Typically, a gentleman wears a two or three-button coat.  I've seen so many different ways of buttoning the jacket.  Believe it or not, there is a "proper" way to button up.  On a two-button jacket, only the very top button is buttoned.  The lower one is left open.  One a three-button jacket, the middle button is always buttoned.  The top one is buttoned some of the time.  The bottom button is never buttoned.  This is from the early 20th century when King Edward the VII was too rotund to bottom this button and the people around him adopted this and it became the way to do things.  The button is also left undone to give you that crisp, fine tailored look.  You'll also keep from bunching up the fabric when digging into your pockets when the button is undone.

Double-breasted suits are also a big thing, but not everyone should wear them.  Traditionally, single-breasted suits tend to flatter the slim guy, while the double-breasted suit makes the broad look mighty.  Think about this, watch David Letterman sometime.  He most often wears a double-breasted suit.  He gets away with it because he sits behind a desk most of the time when the jacket is on.  Watch him during his monologue and notice how many times he fiddles with his buttons.  Is he uncomfortable with the way the jacket sits or is it just a nervous twitch?  You make the call.

The next topic for discussion is the necktie.  It started as a trend during the Thirty Year War when soldiers wore neckerchiefs tied around their necks.  It evolved into the late 17th with both men and women wearing laced cravats around their necks.  You can even see the Terracotta Warriors in China wearing knotted neckerchiefs around their necks.  The necktie, as it's become to be known, is standard business or formal attire.  Its also apart of many uniforms.  It gives the person a more dignified look.  The real reason to wear a tie is to cover the buttons on your dress shirt.

After tying the tie around your collar, the wide end should hang down to the center of your belt buckle.  It can either be tucked in to the waistband of your pants or left out.  If you wear suspenders, the wide end of the tie should just touch the waistband of your pants.  Depending on how big you want the knot to look on your neck, that will determine how low the wide end hangs down.  Here's a broadcast secret for you.  Next time you watch the news, look at the ties of the anchors.  The larger the knot, the shorter the tie will be if they stand up.  That is, if they stand up.  Most news anchors get away with a larger knot and shorter tie because they are sitting behind a desk and you never see it.  If the anchor is standing and they have a big knot, the tie can still be shorter.  As long as the bottom button is undone and you can't see their shirt, that is alright.  You should be able to see the tie otherwise.  My knots may not be that big, but my ties hang where they are supposed to be (from a fashion stand point).

I thought these would be some helpful tips in case someone points out to you that your tie is too long or short and that your jacket isn't buttoned properly.  I was able to Google all this information.  I encourage everyone to do that and read over the other great fashion tips out there.

Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Cold January weather...

It is now the middle of January and a cursory check of the average temperatures show that is the coldest time of the year. The average or normal temperature is at the bottom of the curve; even the coldest record lows occur at about this time in January. Of course, the averages are made up of all the extreme and not so extreme weather that have occured since records have been kept.

For the next week or so we will bolster the colder side of the equation and make up for some of the warmer readings earlier this month.

The colder air is coming in steps this time around. We got a shot of the chill today as highs slipped into the middle teens for the afternoon. The jet stream is starting to orient more north to south. As you look at this first map you will notice a weak overhead ripple in the jet. That ripple dragged in somewhat colder air that came from southern Canada. Colder air but only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. If you look at the eastern Pacific you will see another trough of low pressure moving in. That one will approach and pass through on Wednesday, triggering a batch or two of light snow and possibly slippery roads. We don't foresee a major snowfall, but a couple of inches are possible.

In this second graphic you will see the trough deepen over the central US and drag even more cold air into the country, but it is still not the main event.

That will come just in time for the weekend. Expect single digit highs and lows that will have miuns signs in front of them. Those readings should represent the coldest air of the season. The third map shows the expected jet stream pattern for Saturday and Sunday. If you are lucky enough to get Packer-Giant NFC Championship tickets, be ready for extremely cold weather.

Finally, this jet stream configuration could repeat itself, so don't be surprised by colder than normal temperatures for an extended period of time.

Until next time;

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

How time flies...

It is hard to believe just how fast time flies, until you reach a certain date that has some sort of significance to you.  For me, that date was last week.  I can't believe that it has been one year since I moved to La Crosse and began my early morning duties here at News 19.  I have had so much fun this past year getting to do things not everyone gets to do.  I loved being able to interview the Harlem Globetrotters when they came to town, and get to follow the US Fish and Wildlife Service on their trek to Lake City, MN to check on some mussel recovery.

I would have to say that the highlight of the past year was getting to fly on Fat Albert during the air show last summer.  In case you don't know what that is, Fat Albert is the cargo plane that travels with the US Navy Blue Angels and opens the show for the Angels.  Eight solid fuel rockets are strapped to the sides of the plane and they ignite sending you straight into the air at a 45° angle.  Once the desired altitude is reached, the pilot slams the stick forward to level the plane out and everyone is weightless for a few seconds.  That was a trip!  My legs went out from under me and if I hadn't been belted in, I would have been floating to the top of the plane.  After many twists and turns above the airport in La Crosse, my stomach didn't fare so well as we went to land.  I'll save you the details, but I was the only passenger to get his shirt dirty and need a breath mint after the flight.

The last year has also allowed me to meet so many wonderful students across the area with our Weather Academies.  This is a great tool to teach the younger generations about severe weather and how to be safe during those severe storms.  I love seeing the smiles on the kid's faces and answering the many questions they may have.

I've also enjoyed working with the great people at the station.  They have made my first year go really smooth and have been very helpful.  It's been a joy working with Amy DuPont and watching her develop with little Bryce.  Jordann Ojanpa has been a hoot to work with the last few months while Amy has been out.  What would a newscast be without a producer, director and production crew.  They are the best in the business.

The weather here is a far cry from the steamy temps in the south that I grew up with, but I have grown to love the seasons in the Seven River's Region and I look forward to what this year has in store.


Thanks for checking in!

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

What a weekend!

If you are anything like me, your eyes were glued to the television this weekend to watch the divisional playoffs. Of course, the Packer game was the center of my attention and I have to say while I am optimistic, the first three minutes had me feeling a little uneasy. Looking back after those first three minutes the Pack went on a 42-6 run. They definitely showed that although they are the youngest team in the NFL, they can over come adversity. Ryan Grant, started the game with two fumbles but he proved to the team that he was still the starting running back as he ran for over two hundred yards. The Packers were clicking on all cylinders by the end of the game and that is great news as they will carry the momentum at Lambeau field on Sunday. I was surprised at the outcome of the Dallas-New York game and I feel a lot more confident playing the Giants at home than Dallas away. Hopefully they can keep the story book season going but it is likely that will have to fight through the cold. While it probably won't be as cold as the Ice Bowl, the Frozen Tundra will definitely live up to its name next weekend.

Go Pack Go!

Andrew Thut
News 19 Forecast Team

Holiday party time at WXOW

It is the weekend coming up, but not just any weekend here at WXOW TV. It is Christmas party time, or perhaps we should call it the Holiday party since we are already into the second week of January. I always look forward to this seasonal event. We get a chance to rehash the year past with our longtime and faithful colleagues, and we get to know our new employee friends in a different, more open environment.

This year our party starts a little earlier for those that want to take in the Packer-Seahawk playoff game. Count me in!!! I say that with a little trepidation, though. The last time our party included a Packer playoff game, was in 2003  against Atlanta and the outcome was not pretty. The Packers lost 27-7 in a blowout at Lambeau. The mood was somber for awhile that year for WXOWers.

Of course, I also remember watching a Packer victory against San Francisco in January of 1996 when they were rebuilding toward a Super Bowl victory. I was so amazed after 30 years of futility, that they could beat the 49ers and get to the NFC Championship game. They did lose the next week to the Cowboys, but that still was a very special Christmas party.

Hopefully this year will bring a Packer victory and a great celebration.

By the way, in researching this entry I came across a complete history of Green Bay Packer playoff results. Here is the link: Green Bay Packer Playoff History.

The weather will be a bit dicey with the threat of light snow and slippery roads, but the storm won't be a big snow maker; maybe an inch or so; but we should be in relatively good travel shape for the weekend.

Until next time,
Have a great weekend!

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

The return of winter...

Man, it sure has been a very pleasant few days with these warmer temps around here.  It's actually been a nice break from the bitter cold weather and the constant snowfall.  Just like all good things, it must come to an end.  I am personally looking forward to a fresh coating of snow to cover up all the black and brown colored snow that has appeared due to the weekend snow melt.

The cold weather will also make a return this weekend.  Typically we should be in the mid 20s for our normal highs right now.  We'll be near that this weekend and into next week.  Lows will also tumble this weekend into the middle teens and then the single digits next week.

This winter has brought the entire country some really odd weather.  I still can't imagine the Sierra Nevada area getting the nearly 12 feet of snow this past weekend.  At some point, you won't have anywhere else to shovel or blow that snow to.  I'd think the only thing to do then would to stay inside and keep your doors clear so at least you don't get snowed in.  I'd also like to see snow tunnels built everywhere so you just walk through the tunnel to get to a neighbor or the store.  That might be fun.  The southeast has had an extremely warm winter.  I believe nearly 16 cities saw record highs Monday.  Plus the tornados that were seen all over the Midwest were amazing too.  Like Dan said, it's been over 160 years since the state of Wisconsin has seen a tornado in January.

I mention these facts because it goes along with the predictions for the winter season that the Climate Prediction Center put out.  They said that we would have an equal chance for a normal winter in the Seven River's Region.  The southwest and southeast had a very high percent that they'll have a warm winter, while the northwest had a very high percent that they'd have a wetter than normal winter.

I just thought that was a little interesting piece of information since I get several phone calls in the fall asking what the predictions were for the winter.  It looks like the forecasts are in line this year.


Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown, Daybreak Meteorologist

Tornadoes in January...

By now you have heard about the tornado outbreak in the middle of the country yesterday. True, it is very unusual to see tornadoes as far north as Wisconsin in January, but the right combination of warmth, humidity and storm dynamics were in place.

The stats for the month of January are pretty clear cut. We just don't get tornadoes in the middle of winter. Until yesterday, only one twister had been reported in January in the state of Wisconsin over the last 163 years. The last one happened in 1967, forty one years ago. Be careful of that fact however. Population has grown, and standards and awareness for reporting severe weather have changed, especially over the last 30 years or so. It probably means that more than one has occured, but they either weren't spotted in less populated zones or they may have been considered too small to be reported. No tornadoes have been reported in the month of February in Wisconsin.

That being said, tornadoes are still very rare in the cold season here in the northern part of United States. Here's another interesting fact to consider in the News 19 viewing area. It turns out that no tornadoes have been reported in December, January and February around here.

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

Active pattern...

We have avoided any major traditional weather problems, but have dealt with fog and near zero visibility over the last few days. The melting snow with the return of the milder weather meant a build up of moisture in the atmosphere. The problem will persist yet tonight, but look for improvement Tuesday and Tuesday night. It all means that me will see some sunshine for Wednesday.

Another low pressure area will then come into play for Thursday and since colder weather will be in  place expect snow to be the precipitation of record. The storm should be a bit stronger, so it has a potential for bringing shoveling snow for part of the Upper Midwest. The big question is whether the heavier snow will favor the News 19 viewing area. It is certainly possible, but our computer guidance is not real definitive right now, so keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to Thursday.

Behind that system colder air should return leaving us with highs in the 20s.

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

Warmer Weather on my Mind

What a temperature turn around we have witnessed over the past week! While many people might not be welcoming the snow melt so kindly, I can't complain. Although I have lived in Wisconsin my whole life, it was nice to go outside today and be comfortable. Today's high temperature was just short of 40 degrees and the warmer weather brought warmer destinations to my mind. Throughout my life I have been fortunate enough to take a vacation most years during late winter or early spring. When I was growing up my family and I visited Florida quite often. We usually went to Orlando but some of our other favorite Florida destinations included Daytona Beach and Busch Gardens in Tampa. My love for the warmer weather didn't go away as I grew up. I visited Tampa two more times throughout college and I also went to Cancun. Cancun was a trip of a lifetime but the city is very commercialized. While my work schedule will make it difficult for me to get back to a tropical paradise, I would love to visit a quieter tropical island just to relax. As far as Wisconsin's weather goes, temperatures will remain on the mild side through Tuesday but by Wednesday temperatures will hover close to the freezing mark.

Until Next Time,

Andrew Thut
News 19 Forecast Team

Warm up for the weekend...

Hooray for the weekend, especially one in which you can comfortably get in some outdoors time. Highs are expected to rise into the upper 30s to lower 40s for Saturday and Sunday. We can even revel in a bit of sunshine on Saturday, but Sunday won't feature much of old Sol as a trough of low pressure and moisture from melting snow create clouds that may even generate light drizzle.

This all brings about a possibility of some minor flooding, not this weekend, but for Monday and into Tuesday. A stronger storm system will tap into gulf moisture and produce a heavy, at least by January standards, amount of rain. The big lingering question is whether the heaviest will line up with the Seven Rivers Region.

Just another good reason to keep an eye on the forecast everyday.

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

Just use it...

Charlie Gibson spent time over the last several months interviewing the presidential candidates, and he asked each of them what their pet peeves in life were.  There were some very interesting answers.  I liked Joe Biden's answer when he said he doesn't like it when people talk loud on the phone.  I agree.  Whether in a restaurant, on a plane, or a waiting room, keep it down.  I found myself telling both my mom and dad to not talk so loud on their phone while we were out shopping or eating.

Jordann Ojanpa and I talked a little about our pet peeves, and I was surprised to find out she has a pet peeve about onions.  I'm not sure what that's all about.  I do agree with her when she said people should chew with their mouth closed nor should they talk with a mouth full of food.

I have a problem with certain drivers on the road.  First, the blinker situation.  Yes, there is a situation when it comes to the blinker.  Ever find yourself sitting at the stop sign waiting to turn, but a car's coming.  You wait and wait and the driver of the other car doesn't turn their blinker on.  The first thing I typically think to myself is, I could have turned already if the blinker had been on.  Automotive companies put the blinkers there for a reason.  Use 'em!

Another pet peeve has to do with stop lights.  When the light turns green, that means go.  I understand sitting at the light for a second to make sure no one decides to run the red light.  I'm a very cautious driver myself, but there isn't a need to continue to hold up traffic for more then a second or two.  When the light turns green, look around and go!

Ok, I'm off my soap box for today.  Enjoy the weekend, but make sure your umbrella is nearby in case a little shower passes by.  Temps will warm to the mid 40s by Sunday, and the snow will melt causing some minor flooding.  Keep an eye on the forecast through the weekend.

Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown
Daybreak Meteorologist

Back to work...

It's been hard to get back in to the groove after being on vacation over the Christmas holiday.  I'm sure most of you can agree that after being on vacation for a week, you find it hard to wake up those first couple of days after getting back.  I had a great time being home to see my family.  I've been home off and on since I first moved away, but this was the first time I have been home for Christmas in three years.

Amy DuPont asked me back in August what sort of meals I was really looking forward to when I went home then.  I had talked about an oyster roast as being one of my favorite types of "family style" meals.  Well, we didn't get to have one in August, but this time was different.  One of my oldest brothers brought about two and a half bushels of oysters to my parent's house.  A bushel is anywhere from 25 to 30 pounds.

There are many ways to purchase oysters.  You can get clusters of them which is where there are multiple oysters in shells in the same group.  You can also get singles.  That's where the clusters have been cracked apart from one another and you only open one at a time.  Oh, and the saying goes that oysters are only good to harvest and eat during the months with an "R" in them.

There are many ways to cook them.  You can fry them, turn them into stew, or steam them.  We prefer to steam them.  To do that, you place a small amount of water in the bottom of a steamer and then throw a load of the oysters in the basket and place it into the steamer for about half an hour depending on how juicy you want them.  The longer you cook them, the less juice there is.  Some folks in the south even eat the oysters raw.  That's a little too much for my taste buds, but my brother seems to like them that way.

After steaming, you throw them on a table with newspaper down and use an oyster knife  to pry open the shells and retrieve the meat inside.  Sometimes we dip them in a ketchup based sauce and eat them on a saltine cracker.  Like I said, there are many ways to eat them.

Below you will find a few pictures of our family oyster roast and what an oyster looks like.  Get out and try them sometime.  They may look gross, but they taste so good!

Thanks for checking in...

Zach Brown,
Daybreak Meteorologist

Cold beginning...

We are off to a rousing cold start in 2008. Temperatures dropped to subzero lows, and yet another night lies ahead with minus signs. It is the last hurrah for this latest cold snap as readings move quickly back into the middle 20s Thursday afternoon and 30s for Friday. Clouds will start to arrive again heading into the weekend, but the thermometer will continue upward toward the 40s for Saturday and Sunday. That trend will continue into early next week.

In addition, a powerful storm will move into the central United States for early next week, and you can expect a round or two of significant rainfall. Because of the warmer readings and the rain lots of runoff is likely and even some minor flooding, so be cautious in flood prone areas next week. Colder weather comes in for the middle of next week.

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist

2007: A Year in Review

2007 was a very memorable year in the weather department in what turned out to be the sixth wettest year in La Crosse history. Throughout the year the La Crosse municipal airport received 41.69 inches of precipitation. It was the wettest year in quite some time as you would have to look back to 1991 to find a year with more precipitation. Precipitation is what led to some of the most memorable weather events of the year. With the help of the National Weather Service, below is my listing of the top ten weather events of 2007.

 

10. December 1 Winter Storm

After the eighth driest November in La   Crosse, December started off with a bang. The first snow storm of the 2007-2008 winter season occurred during the first weekend of December and produced treacherous conditions that made driving difficult. The storm system started in the Rockies before pushing into the central Plains and eventually the Midwest. Initially the storm brought heavy snow which made for quick accumulations, but warm air advection from southerly winds caused the precipitation type to change to sleet by the early afternoon. The temperature at the surface was still in the mid to upper 20s, but warm air aloft caused the precipitation to fall in the form of sleet. The warm air mass continued to push northward and by the evening temperatures pushed near the freezing mark. At this point the precipitation became less widespread but on and off freezing rain fell in La Crosse. Most areas ended up reporting between 3 and 6 inches of snow and sleet accumulation. In most cases a quarter of these totals were from sleet alone!  The freezing rain arguably had the biggest impact on the area. Our station is located on top of the bluffs in La Crescent and the roads were more slippery than they were during the largest snow storm in La Crosse history which occurred last February. Believe it or not, it was so slippery on December 1 that some road crews were even pulled off the roads. The snowy start to the month was just an introduction to what became the fifth snowiest December on record.

9. Drought 2007

While it was the sixth wettest year in La   Crosse history, drought developed this summer. During June and July, up to 4" precipitation deficits produced moderate drought conditions across west central and central Wisconsin. Conditions became even worse by August for southeast Minnesota when a moderate to severe drought developed. Record rains eventually alleviated the drought in southeast Minnesota and west central and central Wisconsin but moderate drought continued in north central Wisconsin till mid October.

8. February Cold and Wind Chills

It is hard to think about winter, without thinking about cone chilling temperatures. That was the case last February as cold weather and wind created dangerously low wind chills for the area from February 2 - 5. The lowest wind chill recorded during the period was -42F at Monona, IA and Medford, WI. It was so cold that on February 4th the areas high temperatures were below zero. It was the coldest start to February since 1996 and the month eventually became to coldest February on record since 1989. Temperatures throughout the month generally ran around 8 to 9 degrees below zero.

7. December 22-23 Winter Storm

This storm should be fresh in your mind as it caused all sorts of traveling problems for the holiday weekend. A cold front passed through the region during the afternoon of Saturday, December 22^nd. Snow picked up and became heavy by the evening and snowfall rates reached 1 to 2 inches per hour. Snow totals were the highest near the Mississippi river and across western Wisconsin. By Sunday evening snow reports in La Crosse were as high as 14 inches and 11.4" officially fell at the La Crosse airport making it the 6^th largest December snow storm on record. Aside from just heavy snow, winds became increasingly strong on Sunday. At higher elevations and in open areas blowing snow produced drifting and near white out conditions.

6. February 28 - March 2 Winter Storm

This storm marked the second major winter storm in less than a week as it followed the largest snow storm in La Crosse history. The second storm dropped anywhere between 6 and 12 inches of snow throughout the News 19 Viewing area. Blowing and drifting snow was again a problem as many roads were closed. Snow wasn't the only issue with this storm, up to a quarter of an inch of ice in some locations made travel nearly impossible.

5. July 17 - 18 Flash Flooding

Not much of the area will remember this storm but areas struck by the storm had stories to tell that will go on for years to come. During the evening of July 17^th, thunderstorms dropped nearly 10 inches of rain near Marquette, IA. Flash flooding caused numerous mud and rock slides and debris flows. In Bagley, WI (Grant County) flood waters collected in valleys and sent waves of debris into area bridges and flood water were backed up into the community. Fifty people had to be rescued from their homes and around 400 homes were damaged in the village. The storm caused plenty of financial headaches… railroad tracks were washed out which caused damages over a million dollars.

4. June 7 Severe Weather

On June 7^th supercell thunderstorms developed which caused wind damage and large hail. 37 warnings were issued as a result of the event which produced up to baseball sized hail in Rockland and Bangor. Hundreds of cars were damaged at car lots in West Salem. This was the same storm that also produced the largest tornado in Wisconsin for 2007 in the northeastern portion of the state. That tornado caused a very impressive line of damage which was viewable from satellite images.

3. August Rainfall

Numerous rainfall records were set in Au