<big>It's time to <b>"ask Mike"</b> once again!</big>

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It's time to "ask Mike" once again!

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Posted: May 19, 2008

Replies Posted: 23 comments

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It's time to "ask Mike" once again!

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It's time to "ask Mike" once again!

Frequently, friends or family will say to me, "you know, I've always wanted to ask a question about the weather".

This is your chance to do the same...I am opening my blog to whatever questions you may have, and I'll do my

best to answer them.

To get things started, here's a question many people have been asking...just how much snow fell during the past winter?

The National Weather Service office in Green has just released the final snowfall totals for portions of central, eastern and

northern Wisconsin. The information is listed below, along with the current 30-year average winter season snow totals.

2007-08 Total average

Wausau 78.1" 58.6"

Rhinelander 83.3" 66.7"

Merrill 57.6" 55.4"

Marshfield 84.8" 49.8"

Stevens Point 76.5" 44.5"

Wisc. Rapids 64.4" 46.6"

2007-08 snow totals for other locales in our area:

Phelps 106.0"

St. Germain 75.3"

Minocqua 59.1"

Laona 93.8"

Shawano 67.3"

Rosholt 66.2"

Clintonville 63.3"

Waupaca 74.4"

Wautoma 98.9"

Hancock 85.4"

Posted by: Arden Location: Rudolph
Hi Mike, My question is about barometric pressure and wood burning stoves. Would you please tell me what affect barometric pressure has on wood burning? There are days when my stove stinks of smoke and it usually involves a weather change. I would appreciate your insight on this. Also, would you know of any way to prevent the nasty stench of the wood stove? Thanks in advance!

Posted by: Travis Location: Loyal
what kind of winter do you expect from this point this winter? above or below averge snow fall?

Posted by: Ryan Location: Aniwa
Can you explain why areas around Merril and Antigo often experience significantly lower temperatures than the Wausau area and many times its colder than areas to the north. I also have a suggestion. I spend a lot of time in the UP for work but more importantly for recreation and I would appreciate more forecast emphasis on this area. I do realize time is limited and you have to cover the areas your viewers are most concerned with. Thanks

Thanks for the question and comments... The fact that Merrill and Antigo can have much lower overnight temperatures than locations farther north is most likely due to a combination of factors, including the specifics of local topography, soil type, the location of the official National Weather Service thermometers, etc. Both locations--while having different particular topographical characteristics--exhibit a similar situation in that cooler air is able to pool in those locales. Think of the air as a fluid; both warm and cool masses of air "flow" in certain characteristic patterns, with areas of cooler air (which is more dense than surrounding or nearby warmer air) hugging the ground and settling in locations of lower topgraphy. The predominant soil type in an area can also have an influence on the temperatures in the lowest portion of the atmosphere. Lighter soils, such as those with a large amount of sand (as in the case in Adams County which also can exhibit cooler overnight lows), or those with more silt and less clay (as is the case in the Antigo area) which allow for more thorough moisture drainage will hold less moisture for evaporation back into the atmosphere. The drier the air is, the more effectively heat can be radiated upwards through the atmosphere at night, which causes a lower air temperature. Finally, while the National Weather Service uses a standardized format for locating thermometers (2 meters off the ground, and many of the weather stations at airports), there can be vastly different landform characteristics for the areas surrounding the airports. For example, Lake Wausau is immediately adjacent to the Downtown Wausau Airport (the current official weather measuring station for Wausau),and the presence and proximityof the warmer lake waters can have some influence on the air temperature at the airport, including where the weather instruments are located. Regarding your comments about forecasts and weather information for the UP...please send an email to me at mbreunling@wsaw.com.

Posted by: Chris Location: Mosinee
Mike I'm sure you don't want this to be a 'bird discussion' group but I was interested re the absence of robins. I too have noticed this recently. Agree that this could be a bad omen as have lived in the area for 30 years & do not recall robins going so early. Thought the hummingbirds were gone too but saw one yesterday (9/10)flitting around my feeder.

Posted by: David Location: Ringle
Mike, I'm surprised that someone of your caliber would allow those fake radar sweeps that you often show on your Titan radar. They are truly misleading to the public, making them believe that every time the sweep goes by that the image is updated. You really should eliminate these.

Thanks for your comments. Our Titan radar system is the fastest direct link to the National Weather Service (NWS) radar network available to anyone in the news media. Part of the system is the display of an enhanced amount of data available from the four NWS radar sites closest to our area. To designate these radars, the system adds to the display the sweep lines. We can in-part display the additional radar data from these four sites either with or without the sweep lines showing. The inclusion of the sweep lines on-air does not detract in any way from the timeliness of the dispay of the radar information...

Posted by: Ronald Swensen Location: vesper
When will you have weather for vista users I don't have xp anymore and I miss myweather. thanks Ron

Thanks for the very good question Ron! I'll pass your comment along to the appropriate person!

Posted by: Alex Location: Wausau
Is it going to rain in Tomahawk on Saturday?

Hi Alex...There is a chance of a few showers early, otherwise the forecast for Tomahawk for the rest of the day is dry...

Posted by: Ginnie Location: Wausau
HI Mike, I think this question is weather related . . . I have just noticed that the robins and the red wing black birds are gone from my propery east of Wausau. Yesterday I noticed a large number of robins in the Gleason area that appeared to be grouping together. (Large number, as in 30 ) My parents say that this is not a good sign. Do you have any idea as to why these migratory birds appear to have migrated so early? Thank you Ginnie Mootz

This is a very good question Ginnie! My initial thought is the observed behavior might be a reaction to the current dry weather conditions that have developed during August--the birds may be gathering in areas where there is more of a plentiful supply of food (insects, berries, and worms) and water. Of course the other implication of this behavior is that unfavorable weather conditions are ahead, which could include the temperature trend as well as rainfall, either or both of which could prove detrimental to survival. Does this behavior indicate an early and harsh winter could be ahead? Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that...

Posted by: Rebecca Location: Adams
Will it rain here on monday and tuesday ?

Hi Rebecca...sorry I did not respond to your question sooner...some rain did fall across the area on Monday, August 4, and there were a few isolated showers over central and northern Wisconsin on Tuesday, August 5.

Posted by: Sarah Location: Arkdale
I would just like to comment on the job that Mike does with the weather in the southern part of the viewing area. you never fail to mention us down here in Adams County. Thanks! I would also like to mention that other weather members on your team (LeAnn) rarely mention us down here. For example, one of the last terrible morning storms we had, we had no warning that it was even near Adams county b/c LeAnn failed to mention that. She only mentioned that it was serious south of the viewing area. Well, Adams is in the viewing area please stop ignoring us! To sum up I would just like to remind that Adams is in the viewing area and it would be nice if we weren't ingnored - especially in the morning! Thanks again Mike you do do a great Job!

Thanks for the comments Sarah! There is quite a large area of central and northern Wisconsin that our broadcast signal reaches to, and it is very important to provide coverage for the entire length and breadth of the area...

Posted by: Robb Location: Wausau
You ask a very good question Robb... the location of the city of Merrill in relation to the Wisconsin River, as well as local topographical features favors the pooling of cool air at night, which can lead to lower overnight temperatures thatn nearby locales. Mike, I asked about the difference in low temps between Wausau and Merrill. You mentioned that perhaps it involves the 2 city's relationship to the river. Someone else suggested that to me, a year or so ago. They even suggested that maybe Merrill was at a lower altitude than us. That can't be so as the river flows here and not to Merrill. There must be an actual reason for the temperature difference, and what you offered really isn't sufficient. I don't ask for or require an immediate answer. But I know that you're the smartest guy in the area. If you don't know why, I can accept that, but hope that you might direct me to a more complete source of info. Thank you. Robb

Thanks Robb... I had mentioned in my original response that the fact the overnight temperature reading in Merrill is so often lower than Wausau was likely due to a combination of factors, which included proximity to the river, as well as topographical and landform considerations. Even if it is true the official listed elevation of Merrill is higher than that of Wausau, it is still possible for the local situation in Merrill to be such to allow for cool air drainage and pooling into the area where the official temperature readings are measured.

Posted by: Katie Location: Wisconsin Rapids
Is there such thing as Heat Lighting? And where does it come from?

This is an often asked question. Lightning cannot occur unless there is reasonably significant upward motion in the atmosphere, the kind of upward motion that causes showers and thunderstorms to form. The upward motion leads to a separation of electrostatic charge in the atmosphere and between the developing clouds and the ground, which can lead to a lightning flash (electrical discharge)if the charge build-up is substantial enough. The term "heat lightning" refers to the incorrect idea that lightning can occur in fair sky conditions when it is warm, especially at night. In reality, the flash in the sky is due to lightning from a shower or thunderstorm somewhere in the distance.

Posted by: Alex Location: Wausau
I have always been wondering where the wind comes from. Could you please tell me where it does.

The wind blows because of differences in air pressure that develop at various geographical scales from the local area to hundreds or thousands of miles. Air pressure changes result from uneven heating or cooling of the earth's land surface or water. As the land or water is heated unevenly corresponding changes in the air pressure (or weight of the air over a given area) develop, which sets the air into motion (wind).

Posted by: Roland Location: Rome,WI
A number of times lately, you have stated that the Fox River in Washara County is flooding.Then you go on to say that this river affects SE Wisconsin. This is not true.There are two Fox rivers in WI. The one in Washara County flows into Lake Winnabago,past Appleton and Green Bay and then into Lake Michigan. The other one starts in Waukesha County and flows south into IL.

Thanks for your comments. You are correct...there are two distinct Fox Rivers in Wisconsin. The one causing flooding currently in southeastern Waushara County is also affecting Green Lake and Winnebago Counties, while the "other" Fox River is prompting a Flood Warning for Kenosha County in Wisconsin as well as Lake County in Illinois. When I mentioned the Fox River that was affecting "Waushara County and other locales in southeastern Wisconsin" I meant that portion of the state including Green Lake and Winnebago Counties as well. In the future I'll be sure to be more specific and precise in my wording...

Posted by: weathergirl Location: Wausau
I always tune into the 7.3 digital channel for weather updates. It's great but one thing I think that would make it better would be to show the radar constantly. It could just be in a small box. I hate it when there's a storm or it's raining and I have to wait for the tempurature map and all the other things to go through before the radar comes back.. Anything you can do?

You have a very good observation. I'll do some checking to see if this would be possible. In the meantime, remember we will provide live updates on the channel from the Storm Team 7 Weather Lab whenever severe weather threatens or is occurring in the area, and these updates will include plenty of radar information.

Posted by: Randy Location: Amherst
I visited the energy fair over the weekend and was thinking about getting a windmill or wind turbine but first i need to know the average wind speed for amherst wi thank you Randy

I suggest you contact the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. 1225 West Dayton Street, Madison 53706-1695. Phone: 608-263-2374. Email: stclim@aos.wisc.edu

Posted by: Robb Location: Wausau
Hi Mike, glad to see "Ask Mike" again. I've long been curious why the low temp for Merrill will usually be 3 to 4, and sometimes 10 degrees lower than that of Wausau. In fact, Merrill often claims the lowest temps in a 50 or more mile radius. Thank you for your time and consideration. Robb

You ask a very good question Robb... the location of the city of Merrill in relation to the Wisconsin River, as well as local topographical features favors the pooling of cool air at night, which can lead to lower overnight temperatures thatn nearby locales.

Posted by: Jeffrey Location: Wausau
Hi, Mike; I wanted to let you know that I think your Titan system is quite impressive! I enjoy watching the fly-in view 3-D graphics of thunderheads and the real backgrounds of actual sites in the Central Wisconsin Area with a "simulated precipitation" video of whatever condition is forecasted--now that is really cool! Whoever designed this deserves some praise. I'm sure it cost enough but this was a good budget decision (you can tell your producer and GM I said that). It makes me turn to TV-7 to watch weather a whole lot more now. Keep up the good work! Can't wait for severe thunderstorms this summer; those are a blast and really allows Titan to shine! Jeffrey

Thanks for the comments Jeffrey! The Titan system is quite impressive, and offers many good features to help us analyze storms, and display that information for our viewers.

Posted by: Jane Location: Marshfield

You ask a very good question! It has been rather windy the past few days because during the day stronger winds at altitudes away from the earth's surface have been brought-down to the surface. Here's how this works: During the day, as the sun continues to rise through and across the sky, the solar energy warms the ground, which in turn warms the air just above the ground. As this continues for a while, the pockets (officially called "parcels" in meteorology-lingo) of heated air near the ground are warmed sufficiently to cause them to rise, and as they rise they encounter levels of the atmosphere where the wind speed is faster. Also as the air parcels rise they cool, and when they have reached an altitude at which the surrounding air is warmer they begin to settle back to the earth's surface. But in the process they bring the increased momentum (speed) encountered above also back to the ground. As this "convective" process continues many, many, many times across an area, the wind speed near the ground increases, because of the combined momentum (speed) transfer of all the air parcels. This process naturally diminishes during the evening as the sun sets and the heating of the ground slows.

Posted by: CA Location: Wausau
Mike I have relatives in the Waukesha area and I am wondering how the flooding of the Fox River is affecting them ? (My brother's work is near the river in downtown Waukesha. How high is the river over flood stage and when do they see it settling? Are all the rivers in that part of the state flooding? Who decides if a river is at risk of flooding and do they ever give notice of flooding in advance to business sp they can prepare. i knpw that they had closed the downtown on Monday before the river crested. (Even the state building was closed -it's right on the river too. Please don't use my full name on tv. Just say CA writes... Thanks, Carolann Kneser

Hi CA...Sorry to learn of the flood concerns those you know are facing. The National Weather Serivice (NWS) monitors river and stream levels, and has specialists on staff who work in coordination with the other meteorologists in the office to predict the impact of precipitation on levels into the future. For rivers in southeastern Wisconsin, the NWS office in Sullivan (Milwaukee) has river monitoring and flood warning jurisdiction. You can access the flood-related information from the office webiste at: www.weather.gov/mkx On the main webpage, look down the left-hand side of the page and click-on the "AHPS/River Info." link under the 'Rivers/Hydrology' header. On the next page, click on the nearest location to your point of interest, and the river update will be provided.

Posted by: Jerid Location: Wausau
Hey Mike, I work outdoors and everyday our crew hopes for a rain day, but it never seems to come. Lately it seems to only rain after we are done (4:00 P.M.) And never seems to rain in the daytime much anymore. Am I crazy or has the weather pattern shifted to an unusually higher amount of rain at night?

You ask a good question! But first, let me say you are not crazy! We were in a weather pattern during early June which favored the development of rain showers during the afternoon, but this is not a permanent situation

Posted by: concerned listener ur not takin chad completely off the air r u? hes a great weathman as so urself. keep up to good work.

Thanks for the kind comments. Chad is still with us here at channel 7, but he is has some different responsibilities. You can stilll see Chad on the noon newscasts, and he will be assisting with severe weather coverage as well.

Posted by: June Location: Deerbrook
Where is Katie Obrien, I miss her.

Katie left the station in early May to pursue other career options.