Updated: 04/03/2009 8:01 AM KSTP.com | Print Story
By: Chikage Windler

WINDLER: Chik's Pics: Where Have I Been Lately?

Chikage Windler - Meteorologist READ ALL OF CHIKAGE'S "CHIK'S PICS" BLOGS EMAIL CHIKAGE READ BIO  READ ALL OF CHIKAGE'S BLOGS ABOUT AUSTEN

I've done it again.  Gotten waaaaaay behind on my blogging.  Now, I'm resolving to catch up.  Seems like those minutes at the end of my day that used to be dedicated to blogging now end up getting eaten up by answering email, Tweeting (kstpweather is now on Twitter), and other odds and ends.  I haven't stopped taking my 'Chik's Pics"...I've just not been posting them as often as I'd like.  So if you're in the mood to check out lots and lots of weather pics, here's your chance.

Want to read my previous blog?

WINDLER: Viewer Pics - The Tale of the Shrinking Snowman

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 - Veterans Park in Richfield 

The weather: sunny skies with just the right amount of fair-weather cumulus clouds.  High of 45 (below the norm of 50, but at least it wasn't snowing!!!).  I had never been to Veterans Park before, but decided to check it out and take the quick walk around the lake.  I ran into a handful of people out walking their dogs or just out for a stroll.  They were wearing winter coats, but smiling all the same.  Maybe Spring WILL finally spring...just maybe!

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 - Fish Lake Regional Park in Maple Grove

The weather: more like February than April, and that was no April Fool's joke!  At least the morning snow flurries and wintry mix had tapered by the time I took my "Chik's Pics" at Fish Lake.  I stopped by right after doing a school talk about being a meteorologist at nearby Heritage Christian Academy.  The clouds were thick, the coating of snow was still on the ground, and the wind was blustery.  It was definitely NOT the kind of day most people expect in April!  Oh, by the way, our high was a cool 37 degres!  My pics were the perfect backdrop for a couple weather cliches: "No day at the Beach" and "Not exactly a picnic in the park."  'Nuff said.

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 - Snow Burst in the Metro

The weather: miserable!  A spring snowstorm hammered parts of Northern & Western Minnesota, but didn't totally leave the Twin Cities alone.  A burst of heavy snow hit between 8:30 and 9am that changed rain and a wintry mix over to quickly accumulating snow!  I watched it out the patio door and I'm not kidding, those had to be the biggest flakes I've ever seen!  I called them "cow-sized" flakes.  The photos just don't do the snow justice at all.  My little girl Austen was infatuated by the snow...really cute.  As quick as the snow came, it went, turning back to rain.  Then in the afternoon, some thundershowers developed, dropping pea-sized hail on parts of the Metro including Edina and Richfield!  We did get cold enough at night to pick up some more snow...the official snow total for the storm at MSP was 1.1"  Nothing compared to the 27" snowfall total in Campbell, MN (Wilkin county in the western part of the state).  There were quite a few spots with snow totals of a foot or more!  High: 46.  International Falls got enough snow to catapult them to a record for the snowiest season ever! 124.2" this season eclipsed the 116" inches set back in 1995-96.  March definitely went out like a lion!

I'll post more as I get the time...really...I will!

Thanks as always for reading my blog!