May 15th, 2014

The big L

Hey folks!

An interesting, though not very migrant-filled report tonight. Currently, a low pressure system is sitting over north-central Illinois, and looking at the wind map, its counterclockwise rotation is obvious. Unfortunately, in most areas, this rotation means unfavorable winds, be they westerly, easterly, or northerly. Only in a small slice of Illinois are the winds southerly, and a storm system is currently sitting right over that area. Storm activity is also present around the center of the system. Needless to say, there isn't much migration occurring tonight (moderate at most in some places), but it's interesting to watch the winds of the low pressure system, especially on such a beautiful wind map.

Tonight's winds

Looking now into the future, winds in Northern and Central Illinois are forecast to become northwesterly tomorrow, and then become weaker and weaker as they become more directly westerly on Saturday. All this activity should be unfavorable for the migrants, but birds will probably be moving Saturday night in the weak winds, as by then, the winds will likely take on a more southerly component. Keep an eye on that for sure. The southern Illinois forecast follows the same pattern but is slightly less lucky. With the introduction of high pressure tomorrow, winds will become weaker but are forecast to remain essentially northwesterly through Saturday at least. So it seems that throughout the state, especially in Southern Illinois, the migrants' resting period is being extended.

Predict what you'll find out there here.

One final note. Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday night I will be out camping, and will be unable to post migration reports. Never fear, though! You can make your own observations and predictions here:
Surface Analysis: http://bit.ly/ZmucFO
Wind map: http://bit.ly/1sU4LZl
National Composite Radar: http://bit.ly/ZJd7mw
Radar with specific sites in IL: http://bit.ly/1kJgk5e
Wind forecast for Northern and Central IL: http://bit.ly/14neVJd
Wind forecast for Central and Southern IL: http://bit.ly/124R3WX
eBird Illinois Bird Frequency Page: http://bit.ly/1nS3bao

And that's all for tonight, folks! Until Sunday night, over and out.