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Lew Wurdeman

Farmington, Minn.

Lew Wurdeman

After setting up a personal weather station (PWS), Lew began operating the web site FarmingtonWeather.com in 2007. Since that time Lew has been providing weather data to the local community as well as for national and international distribution. Lew is also a trained weather spotter and is affiliated with the NOAA eSpotter program and the Skywarn system. Serious weather is reported to the appropriate agencies for purposes of putting out weather alerts and tornado spottings, etc. When Lew isn't watching the sky, he is taking pictures for his event and commercial photography company or doing web design and hosting through his web hosting company.

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Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter

Posted by Lew Wurdeman

Last update: February 2, 2010 - 11:03 AM

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Punxsutawney Phil apparently didn't see his shadow and predicts another six weeks of winter.  However that is Pennsylvania which doesn't mean a lot here in Minnesota.  Pennsylvania doesn't have the Alberta Clipper, or the Calcutta Clipper as popularized by Dennis Green.  As a result, we have a longer winter than any other of the other 48 states, at least at this altitude.

Governor Sarah Palin signed into law a bill making the marmot the official weather predictor for Alaska.  I enjoyed a quote I found on the LA Times site:

"Like many Americans these days, marmots look obese, rather like a plus-size ground squirrel after Thanksgiving dinner.

Except marmots are vegans."

Not to be outdone, and not to take anything from Governor Pawlenty, I have decided to change things up a bit.  I have declared Farmington Fred the gopher, my official weather predictor.  Farmington Fred decided to stay in his burrow and continue to hibernate for the remainder of the winter, something I wish I could do.  So Fred didn't have a shadow, but then I didn't either when I went out to take snow measurements, so like Phil, Fred also predicts a lot more winter, but unlike Phil in Punxsutawney, I think we will have winter for a couple more months, not just 6 weeks.  

We had another .7" of snow since midnight and like yesterday's snow, it was light and fluffy.  I think this was the fluffiest snow I have measured since I started monitoring the weather in 2007.  Normally the snow to water ratio is 10:1, the 3.1" of snow would have yielded .31" of water, but it only amounted to .11" of water, almost a third of what it would normally be.  This isn't the wet sticky stuff for making snowballs or snowpeople so the kids won't be happy, but whoever is clearing the snow will be happier shoveling this light fluffy stuff compared to the normal wetter snow.

Since I am stealing quotes, here is one more, from the move "Groundhog Day".  Bill Murray playing the role of Phil, the weatherman said:

"When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter."

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As much snow as all of last month

Posted by Lew Wurdeman

Last update: February 1, 2010 - 9:21 PM

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January was a very mixed up month....started off very cold, then got very warm, and rain like I have never seen in January before.  To contrast that, February has started out with 2.5" of light, fluffy snow and the snow storm isn't over yet.

Fortunately the wind is almost non-existant, so there is no drifting, at least so far. 

Because the roads were cold and dry betore the snow, they shouldn't be very slippery, unlike all the ice during the January thaw.  In fact, my road was so slippery the post office quit delivering my mail.  Just wish they had told me.

Tomorrow we will find out if Punxsutawney Phil will predict six more weeks of winter, or if he will predict a shorter than normal winter. 

Do you wish to place a wager?  What do you think the answer will be?  I predict it will remain cloudy tomorrow (so what else is new) so Phil won't see his shadow and winter will continue as normal, as normal as a Minnesnowta winter can be.

Keep it between the ditches!

 

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Snownami Part 3 - 6.5" snow yesterday, more today

Posted by Lew Wurdeman

Last update: December 25, 2009 - 1:47 PM

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As of last night Farmington had 6.5" more of snow added to the 4.5" the day before gave us 11" through Christmas Eve.  A lot of snow, but now the Snownami we were warned about.  Maybe it was worse elsewhere in the Twin Cities, but not such a problem on this end of town.

Another 2.5" so far today brings us to over a foot I thought we might get and we aren't done with the snow yet.

Through yesterday the temps were below freezing which made blowing or shoveling the snow not so difficult.  The temps went up between yesterday and today, making the snow much heavier and of the type that clogs snowblowers.  I gave up on doing anything with the snow today and might need to hire a pickemup truck equipped with a plow to clear my driveway.

Early today we even had rain here which "washed" the snow off the trees that looked so pretty the night before.

Merry Christmas to everyone from Farmington Weather!

Lew
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Snownami Pt. 2 - It arrives in time to mess with after work traffic

Posted by Lew Wurdeman

Last update: December 23, 2009 - 7:24 PM

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Earlier in the day we got .2" of snow, not much at all, just a nuisance.  Starting around 6pm, the snow was moving into Farmington at a heavier rate, dropping another .5" in an hour but still only .7" for the day.  The wind is blowing around what is there which affects visibility but doesn't impact those home snug like a bug in a rug.

It appears we are about half way through this portion of the front with the possibility of another small storm path to follow later in the night.  It appears the biggest part of the storm is hitting Illinois and Wisconsin.  Relatives in Madtown and Wausau won't be happy as they had record setting snows last year.  To the south and west it hasn't gotten cold enough to turn to snow yet, so they are getting mixed sleet, drizzle, and rain which will certainly turn to snow before long.  We are actually better off having temps below freezing so we don't get that frozen slick surface under the snow.

Don't venture out unless you have to...emergencies like Grandma's hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.
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Snownami coming our way!

Posted by Lew Wurdeman

Last update: December 22, 2009 - 5:24 PM

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Yesterday we got .2" snow here in Farmington with another .6" from midnight until this morning and then nothing to speak of during the day.  That gives us 6.5" for the month and 11.3" of snow for the season. 

We still don't have the coming storm on the radar, but the weather service says we can expect 8"-12" or more, depending on where you live and how the storm tracks.  Some places south and east of us might actually get rain depending on the temp.

Having a white Christmas is always nice as long as we don't have to travel in a snow storm, or worse, a blizzard.

Drive safe, leave early, take your time, arrive safe!

FarmingtonWeather.com
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Not much snow yet in Farmington

Posted by Lew Wurdeman

Last update: December 8, 2009 - 11:14 PM

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At 11pm it had snowed an even 3" here today but it was light and fluffy with a water content of .15".  Half the normal amount of that many inches of snow.  The fluffy snow and high winds are causing drifting.

The prediction still calls for 7-12" for this area before the storm leaves the area, chased by a cold blast...brrrrr.

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Next Entries >>

  • Feb. 9, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 9:30 P.M. Weather Report

    We should have some sunshine Wednesday. However, it will be cold, Chris Shaffer reports (1:00).

  • Feb. 9, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 6:30 P.M. Weather Update

    The snow is gone and the sun will return for Wednesday, Chris Shaffer reports (1:00).

  • Feb. 9, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 4 P.M. Weather Report

    Mostly Sunny and cooler Wednesday and we could get more snow Friday, Chris Shaffer reports (1:02).

  • Feb. 9, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 11 A.M. Weather Report

    There will be some patchy snow showers Tuesday with temps dropping, Mike Augustyniak reports (1:03).

  • Feb. 9, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 7 A.M. Weather Update

    Another inch or so of snow should fall on the Twin Cities on Tuesday, Mike Augustyniak reports (1:00).

  • Feb. 8, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 9:30 P.M. Weather Update

    The storm is starting to die down in the Twin Cities Monday night, Chris Shaffer reports (1:00).

  • Feb. 8, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 6:30 P.M. Weather Update

    The storm should pass by noon on Tuesday, Chris Shaffer reports (1:00).

  • Feb. 8, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 4 P.M. Weather Update

    Temperatures won't drop off too much over Monday night, Chris Shaffer reports (1:00).

  • Feb. 8, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 11 A.M. Weather Update

    Snow will continue through the day for central and southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, Mike Augustyniak reports (1:00).

  • Feb. 8, 2010 - WCCO 4 News 7 A.M. Weather Update

    Another few inches of snow are expected to fall on Monday and Tuesday, Mike Augustyniak reports (1:01).

Minnesota regional forecasts

CityWed.Thu.Fri.Sat.Sun.
Albert Lea
Partly Sunny
-3/16
Mostly Sunny
13/24
Snow
15/24
Cloudy
10/24
Partly Sunny
2/15
Alexandria
Partly Sunny
-4/14
Partly Sunny with Flurries
7/20
Flurries
9/22
Cloudy
3/18
Mostly Sunny
-2/16
Bemidji
Partly Sunny
-9/19
Intermittent Clouds
2/20
Flurries
7/20
Mostly Cloudy
1/18
Mostly Sunny
2/18
Brainerd
Partly Sunny
-14/20
Partly Sunny
3/16
Flurries
6/25
Mostly Cloudy
3/22
Mostly Sunny
-2/18
Crookston
Partly Sunny
-3/16
Partly Sunny with Flurries
4/20
Flurries
7/22
Mostly Cloudy
0/16
Mostly Sunny
1/15
Detroit Lakes
Partly Sunny
-3/16
Partly Sunny with Flurries
6/20
Flurries
9/23
Cloudy
3/17
Mostly Sunny
-1/14
Duluth
Mostly Cloudy
-1/17
Partly Sunny
6/20
Mostly Cloudy
8/23
Partly Sunny
4/21
Partly Sunny
3/19
Ely
Mostly Cloudy
-22/20
Partly Sunny
-8/26
Partly Sunny
-2/22
Partly Sunny
2/20
Partly Sunny
0/21
Grand Marais
Mostly Cloudy
7/22
Mostly Cloudy
10/23
Partly Sunny
5/26
Mostly Cloudy
9/25
Partly Sunny
11/28
Hibbing
Partly Sunny
-13/19
Partly Sunny
-5/21
Flurries
-1/22
Partly Sunny
0/20
Mostly Sunny
-3/20
International Falls
Partly Sunny
-16/18
Intermittent Clouds
-3/20
Partly Sunny
2/19
Partly Sunny
-3/16
Mostly Sunny
-4/20
Mankato
Partly Sunny
-2/14
Mostly Sunny
13/23
Flurries
13/25
Cloudy
9/24
Partly Sunny
-1/15
Minneapolis
Mostly Cloudy
6/18
Mostly Sunny
13/23
Flurries
14/27
Cloudy
10/24
Partly Sunny
4/17
Montevideo
Partly Sunny
0/16
Mostly Sunny
9/20
Flurries
12/23
Cloudy
6/22
Partly Sunny
6/14
Moorhead
Partly Sunny
-1/15
Partly Sunny with Flurries
8/21
Flurries
9/24
Cloudy
2/17
Mostly Sunny
-3/14
Red Wing
Mostly Cloudy
-10/18
Mostly Sunny
6/20
Flurries
11/26
Mostly Cloudy
10/26
Partly Sunny
4/20
Redwood Falls
Partly Sunny
-5/18
Mostly Sunny
12/21
Flurries
11/22
Cloudy
5/21
Partly Sunny
0/17
Rochester
Mostly Cloudy
1/16
Mostly Sunny
9/22
Snow
13/24
Mostly Cloudy
8/23
Partly Sunny
4/16
Saint Cloud
Partly Sunny
-16/20
Mostly Sunny
6/20
Flurries
9/26
Cloudy
6/23
Partly Sunny
-1/21
Thief River Falls
Partly Sunny
-3/15
Intermittent Clouds
3/20
Flurries
6/19
Mostly Cloudy
-1/14
Mostly Sunny
1/15
Worthington
Partly Sunny
3/19
Mostly Sunny
13/23
Flurries
12/25
Cloudy
6/19
Partly Sunny
1/13
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