Congratulations Henry Morgan for 50 years and Chas Schroht for 15 years of being a COOP weather observer for the National Weather Service. They are both from Faribault, and are clearly dedicated to making weather observations for their community!![]()
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Original post from National Weather Service:![]()
www.facebook.com/NWSTwinCities/posts/pfbid0EPPq5c13YAnfhzuc3rzH3DPAjhkbyyZY8sLYww3rpjvtRjnaYQmgX7...
Don't be surprised if you see some flurries or light snow tomorrow (Thursday) morning on the back side of this storm system. However, of more interest, check out the soil temperatures compared to last year, courtesy of the Chanhassen National Weather Service office! It's been warm, and any snow will easily melt on ground impact.
NEW RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE! At 2:30 p.m., Faribault reached 81 degrees, which is a new record high temperature for this date. The former record high was 80 degrees set 74 years ago, in 1950.
Mady Keilen sent us this video of dime-sized hail near Northfield Middle School tonight to our Rice County Skywarn Snapchat account! If you haven't added us on Snapchat yet, what are you waiting for? Add us at "ricecoskywarn"
It's beginning to look a lot like, Christmas? Lots of pea-sized hail tonight near Shieldsville as reported by our certified storm spotter Anne Schmidt. Northfield is also getting in on the action tonight!
The National Weather Service presented its winter outlook this afternoon, and in Rice County, there is a 33-40% chance for above-normal precipitation from December to February, contrasting last year's warmest winter on record. Drought conditions persist but are not expected to worsen.![]()
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A weak La Niña is developing, likely leading to a slow winter onset with variable temperatures and potentially prolonged winter conditions into spring. The outlook suggests a mix of snow and rain, with above-normal precipitation favoring the East Coast and Great Lakes.![]()
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Temperatures may be slightly cooler than normal, but are generally expected to be around normal here in Rice County.![]()
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Models suggest a chaotic temperature pattern with frequent warm and cold outbreaks, similar to the 2022-2023 winter. Below-normal temperatures may persist into March and April, indicating a prolonged winter season. It could be a real roller coaster ride with these frequent warm and cold outbreaks and mixes of snow and rain.![]()
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One last thing. wind chill advisories, watches, and warnings are now a thing of the past. Instead, cold weather advisories will be issued around -25 degrees, and extreme cold warnings will be issued around -35 degrees.
The growing season should come to an end tonight.![]()
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A FREEZE WARNING will go into effect on TUESDAY from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sub-freezing temperatures in the mid to upper 20s are expected. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.![]()
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Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent outdoor water pipes and irrigation systems from freezing, wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.
AURORA ALERT!![]()
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If you missed the big show in May, or you thought it was amazing enough to want to see it again, tonight and Thursday night may be your best chance since then!![]()
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Look in the Northern sky after dark, and get away from city lights.![]()
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If you're looking to take some photos (to share with us, of course!), here are some helpful tips:![]()
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Use a Tripod!![]()
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iPhone settings (no specific order):![]()
1) Use Night mode (iPhone 11 and later) or manual mode (third-party apps).![]()
2) Set exposure: 10 - 30 seconds![]()
3) ISO: Start between 200 - 400 and adjust as needed![]()
4) Turn off flash![]()
5) Focus: Manual or Infinity![]()
6) Use a 3-second timer to avoid any camera shake![]()
7) Turn on RAW Max if it is available on your phone to get the best quality![]()
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Android settings (no specific order):![]()
1) Use Pro/Manual/Night mode![]()
2) Set exposure: 10 - 30 seconds.![]()
3) ISO: Start between 200 - 400 and adjust as needed![]()
4) Turn off flash![]()
5) Focus: Manual or Infinity![]()
6) Use a 3-second timer to avoid any camera shake![]()
7) Turn on RAW if it is available on your phone to get the best quality
Today is September 20th, and it's the 6 year anniversary of one of the worst tornado outbreaks in Rice County history. Faribault, Northfield, Morristown, and surrounding communities came together to help each other clean up. Thankfully, no one died, and there were only a few minor injuries.![]()
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It has been stated that one of the first widespread uses of the cellular-based "Wireless Emergency Alerts" was during this storm system, and its use could have saved dozens of lives in Northfield, as patrons at the Red Barn Farm all had their cell phones alert at the same time, and everyone took shelter minutes before the barn was destroyed.![]()
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How did this storm system change the way you look at how you view tornadoes, and how you receive warnings?![]()
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(Video is from Kamp Dels in Waterville, Minnesota, caused by an EF1 tornado with winds of 90-100 miles per hour. This tornado touched down at approximately 6:26 p.m., and grew to be about 500 yards wide. It didn't leave the ground until 7 1/2 miles later, stopping short of Caron Lake in Rice County.)
The hail threat in some of these cells is very real. At 5:58 p.m., ping-pong ball sized hail (1.5" in diameter) was reported near the Rice/Goodhue County border just southwest of Kenyon.