So much rain in WI the last few days.

[shorty121]

I'm still learning a lot about weather so I wanted to start a thread on this and see what input you all have...
The last few days we have been getting so much rain here. It was bone dry for the longest time (like many places around the country) and now all of a sudden is just the opposite. We've gotten rain on and off for days, sometimes light, sometimes very heavy with flooding. It hasn't been as bad in Milwaukee as in western WI but we definately don't need any more rain. The rivers are very high and MMSD (sewer district) has had at least one overflow already into Lake Michigan this week. Our forecast calls for more rain every day at least until the weekend....
Anyone up to helping me understand why we are in the pattern we are in? Going from dry/drought conditions to wet/flooding conditions so quickly. I was just looking at the national radar and there's another round on the way. It just keeps coming. Jeez we don't need anymore...

Pic: NWS/NOAA 08/22/07 @ 15:56

Thanks for any info!
-Misty

[Ptarmigan]

You have cooler air coming out of Canada and warm air from the Gulf. Also, TS Erin's remnant is a factor. I feel for you because Texas got flooded recently. Also, a high pressure system over the southeast is a factor as well.

[craptacular]

Just to add a little bit more ...

The high pressure that Ptarmigan mentioned is what kept Dean moving west and away from the U.S., and in conjunction with another high off the coast of the northeast U.S., is also serving as a roadblock to prevent the front parked in the Midwest from moving. High pressure produces clockwise airflow in the northern hemisphere (the opposite of a low pressure center, such as the core of a tropical storm). So, the warm humid air from the gulf (including the remnants of Erin) is being sucked up around the west side of the high into the Midwest, and colliding with the cool air in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Where they mix is where we get the rain, and unfortunately, the blender is not moving off of us.

[shorty121]

Thanks you guys. I had a feeling Erin's reminants were involved, but wasn't sure.
Yeah seems many places are having flooding issues lately. The NWS warning map is just full of colors now.
How has it been by you in Madison craptacular? Have you had any flooding? I haven't taken a good look at the warnings yet.
Edit: I just saw on channel 4 that three people were killed in a lightning strike in Madison...wow.
I've just woken up to get ready for work....and to a thunderstorm ....... and to a flash flood warning.
Unfortunately I have about 18 miles to get to work tonight. I'll have to really keep my eyes open for water on the roads. I already hear that Greendale is having issues
Thanks again for the info, I'll probably have more questions tommorrow if you all don't mind.



Pic: NWS/NOAA 08/22/07 @ 20:57

[craptacular]

We have had some significant flooding in the county, but luckily, the stream behind my house has not gone over its banks. The big news in Madison tonight is that the north side got 2 inches of rain in about half an hour. Lightning hit a power pole which fell into a flooded street and bus stop area. A woman and her child were killed, along with a person who came off a bus to help. The bus driver and another child were shocked, but not killed.

edit: I see you edited your post to talk about the news.

[Siberian Express]

The rain, flash flooding is very wide spread in the bluff country of MN, WI and Iowa. Historic has been the word. More has fallen and more is on the way.

From the ARX WFO
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Rainfall and flooding of historic proportions struck parts of the Upper Mississippi River Valley on Saturday night, August 18th, continuing through Sunday, August 19th. Rainfall in excess of 10 to 12 inches fell in some areas, with the main swath of heaviest rain centered along a line from Claremont and Rochester, Minnesota to La Crosse, Viroqua and Muscoda, Wisconsin.

Some Higher Weekend Rainfall Totals (18th-19th)
Witoka, MN
17.00"
La Cresent, MN
11.58"
Zumbro Falls
8.14"
Utica, MN
14.00"
Rochester, MN (northwest side)
11.10"
Valley, WI
7.25"
New Hartford/Nodine, MN

13.40"
Viroqua, WI
9.73"
Rochester Airport, MN
7.05"
Stoddard, WI
12.41"
Dodge Center, MN
9.07"
La Crosse Airport, WI
6.99"
La Crosse, WI (south side)
12.20"
Westby, WI
8.05"
Theilman, MN
6.33"

[tropicana]

Thorugh 10am CT Aug 22, Madison WI has seen 11.03 inches of rain this August, a new record for not only the wettest August, but the wettest month ever on record (previous record July 1950 with 10.93 inches).

Through the end of the day on Aug 22, La Crosse WI has seen 12.32 inches of rain this month, a new record for August as well as the wettest month ever on record (previous record October 1900 12.09 inches)

-justin-

[Pebbles]

We feel for you down here in chicago-land. And looks like we are in for another round today even after lasts night wave after wave of downpouring storms. So much rain lately we found a couple of HUGE (bigger the a spread out hand) mushrooms in our lawn! Looked like they appeared overnight! Our lawn is cut every monday so picture me shrugging at how they grow that fast. Hang in there.. this can last forever right?

[craptacular]

Thorugh 10am CT Aug 22, Madison WI has seen 11.03 inches of rain this August, a new record for not only the wettest August, but the wettest month ever on record (previous record July 1950 with 10.93 inches).

Madison received another 3 inches or so yesterday, bringing the total up to 13.94, which obliterates the old record for any month by nearly 30%. It's rained twice today already, with more coming. I really hope we don't end up anywhere near doubling the old record for a month.

Pebbles, I know what you mean about the mushrooms ... I had a couple of monsters.