Impressive Rains

A large complex of showers and thunderstorms moved across the region early Saturday morning, producing some rather impressive rainfall totals in the process. Had about an inch in my rain gauge, but there were higher totals to the south and west: 2.25 inches in Lancaster, 2.12 inches in Caledonia, 1.78 inches in Genoa, 1.61 inches in Gays Mills, and 1.42 inches in Richland Center. Fortunately there were few flooding problems, as the ground was dry enough that it could handle some excessive rainfall. Some unusually cool and dry air has been flowing into the region this weekend, making it feel much more like early May than mid-June. A warming trend is expected to begin this week, with temperatures rebounding into the 80s by midweek (and possibly going higher by next weekend). Hopefully this expected summerlike weather will stick around for awhile.

Also have to welcome Tropical Storm Alberto to the weather scene. Alberto is the first named storm of the 2006 Atlantic season, and is expected to visit Florida this week, albeit as a very weak system. I will probably mention tropical weather frequently during the summer. Tropical systems rarely affect us in Wisconsin, but sometimes the moisture from a system can spread cloudiness and rain this far north. Nonetheless, tropical weather has always been a point of interest for me, so don't be surprised to see some tropical talk here from time to time.