Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
@ashafferwx.bsky.social
Retired TV meteorologist, UW-Madison graduate in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences. Bike commuting, mountain biking, windsurfing, skiing, backpacking, canoeing. Protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee Ward 8.
Probably my last day windsurfing - but an absolute blast at Bde Maka Ska. Gusts in the 35mph range. Water temps around 45°.
November 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Probably my last day windsurfing - but an absolute blast at Bde Maka Ska. Gusts in the 35mph range. Water temps around 45°.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
A Black Hawk helicopter. SWAT teams repelling to the roof. 300 agents. Flash-bang grenades. A TV crew.
“It’s 20,000 of them running through my house like we got Saddam Hussein in the closet."
For all that, fed prosecutors filed no criminal charges against anyone who was arrested.
Stunning report.
“It’s 20,000 of them running through my house like we got Saddam Hussein in the closet."
For all that, fed prosecutors filed no criminal charges against anyone who was arrested.
Stunning report.
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A Black Hawk helicopter. SWAT teams repelling to the roof. 300 agents. Flash-bang grenades. A TV crew.
“It’s 20,000 of them running through my house like we got Saddam Hussein in the closet."
For all that, fed prosecutors filed no criminal charges against anyone who was arrested.
Stunning report.
“It’s 20,000 of them running through my house like we got Saddam Hussein in the closet."
For all that, fed prosecutors filed no criminal charges against anyone who was arrested.
Stunning report.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
While not quite the same as last night, tonight's aurora has still had its moments! Taken just SW of the Twin Cities.
November 13, 2025 at 3:32 AM
While not quite the same as last night, tonight's aurora has still had its moments! Taken just SW of the Twin Cities.
So far not seeing anything in south Minneapolis - hopefully it pops up!
If clear tonight - especially closer to sunset but after dark, tonight could be another big night of northern lights in Minnesota and elsewhere. #mnwx
Northern lights just now at Lake Harriet - and you can see reds and greens with your naked eye.
November 13, 2025 at 12:34 AM
So far not seeing anything in south Minneapolis - hopefully it pops up!
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
AOC: "It is unconscionable that what we are debating right now is legislation that will give 8 senators over $1 million a piece & we're robbing people of their food assistance & healthcare to pay for it. How can we vote to enrich ourselves by stealing from the American people?"
November 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
AOC: "It is unconscionable that what we are debating right now is legislation that will give 8 senators over $1 million a piece & we're robbing people of their food assistance & healthcare to pay for it. How can we vote to enrich ourselves by stealing from the American people?"
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
Does anyone have a tip for the closest place to drive from SW Minneapolis that's likely to be darker/good viewing?
If clear tonight - especially closer to sunset but after dark, tonight could be another big night of northern lights in Minnesota and elsewhere. #mnwx
Northern lights just now at Lake Harriet - and you can see reds and greens with your naked eye.
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Does anyone have a tip for the closest place to drive from SW Minneapolis that's likely to be darker/good viewing?
For people who have never seen the Northern Lights/aurora - they're not as vibrant as the photos, so if you look outside, and the skies are clear, not cloudy - but it looks like there are "city lights" near you - that's the northern lights happening. Look for greens and kind of a deep red/magenta.
If clear tonight - especially closer to sunset but after dark, tonight could be another big night of northern lights in Minnesota and elsewhere. #mnwx
Northern lights just now at Lake Harriet - and you can see reds and greens with your naked eye.
November 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
For people who have never seen the Northern Lights/aurora - they're not as vibrant as the photos, so if you look outside, and the skies are clear, not cloudy - but it looks like there are "city lights" near you - that's the northern lights happening. Look for greens and kind of a deep red/magenta.
If clear tonight - especially closer to sunset but after dark, tonight could be another big night of northern lights in Minnesota and elsewhere. #mnwx
Northern lights just now at Lake Harriet - and you can see reds and greens with your naked eye.
November 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
If clear tonight - especially closer to sunset but after dark, tonight could be another big night of northern lights in Minnesota and elsewhere. #mnwx
Northern lights just now at Lake Harriet - and you can see reds and greens with your naked eye.
November 12, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Northern lights just now at Lake Harriet - and you can see reds and greens with your naked eye.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
What in the heck is a "Cannibal CME?" We might see the results in the sky above Minnesota Tuesday evening.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Rare "Cannibal CME" may trigger northern lights show Tuesday evening
A northern lights show is possible above Minnesota Tuesday evening.
www.mprnews.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
What in the heck is a "Cannibal CME?" We might see the results in the sky above Minnesota Tuesday evening.
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
#mnwx
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
This map of storm reports shows just how localized lake effect snow can be.
It's all highly dependent on where the band comes in, and you can see a significant gradient of snow accumulations over just a couple miles.
It's all highly dependent on where the band comes in, and you can see a significant gradient of snow accumulations over just a couple miles.
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This map of storm reports shows just how localized lake effect snow can be.
It's all highly dependent on where the band comes in, and you can see a significant gradient of snow accumulations over just a couple miles.
It's all highly dependent on where the band comes in, and you can see a significant gradient of snow accumulations over just a couple miles.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
You have travel plans to/from Chicago Monday? No you don’t!
Heavy lake effect snow is likely. Add this to everything going on with air travel, and you can bet flights are getting canceled too.
Heavy lake effect snow is likely. Add this to everything going on with air travel, and you can bet flights are getting canceled too.
November 10, 2025 at 12:51 AM
You have travel plans to/from Chicago Monday? No you don’t!
Heavy lake effect snow is likely. Add this to everything going on with air travel, and you can bet flights are getting canceled too.
Heavy lake effect snow is likely. Add this to everything going on with air travel, and you can bet flights are getting canceled too.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
Lake Michigan was unusually warm in October, with the average surface water temperature in October hovering around 4½ degrees higher than the 30-year average of just over 57 degrees, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Lake Michigan water temps remain abnormally warm into fall
Because of climate change, the Great Lakes are gradually warming, raising concerns about effects on the food chain, scientists say.
trib.al
November 8, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Lake Michigan was unusually warm in October, with the average surface water temperature in October hovering around 4½ degrees higher than the 30-year average of just over 57 degrees, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
This is a two second exposure, but I can see Northern Lights with the naked eye in Forest Lake!
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
This is a two second exposure, but I can see Northern Lights with the naked eye in Forest Lake!
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
They start tabulation in about a half hour, after they eat their Wheaties.
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
They start tabulation in about a half hour, after they eat their Wheaties.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
Mesovortices are a few miles across; they form as a way to balance an extreme discontinuity in angular momentum. In the buzzsaw-like eyewall – that ring of winds spiraling around the eye – there's an incredible amount of extreme wind and "angular momentum." But in the eye, there's hardly any.
October 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Mesovortices are a few miles across; they form as a way to balance an extreme discontinuity in angular momentum. In the buzzsaw-like eyewall – that ring of winds spiraling around the eye – there's an incredible amount of extreme wind and "angular momentum." But in the eye, there's hardly any.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
#Melissa makes landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope as a powerful category 5 hurricane. For the latest updates visit hurricanes.gov
October 28, 2025 at 5:06 PM
#Melissa makes landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope as a powerful category 5 hurricane. For the latest updates visit hurricanes.gov
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
A 10am EDT update from the National Hurricane Center now puts Melissa's sustained winds at 185 mph. Full text: www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh...?
October 28, 2025 at 2:06 PM
A 10am EDT update from the National Hurricane Center now puts Melissa's sustained winds at 185 mph. Full text: www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh...?
Nightmare scenario on Jamaica taking place today.
At NBC 6 since 4 am and until Melissa’s landfall this morning. Impacts in Jamaica are increasing as their strongest hurricane on record approaches. Winds 175 mph (280 km/hr) with gust factor of 1.5x➕ speeded up by hills & mountains. 13 ft (4 m) storm surge. 30-40 inches (1000 mm) storm total precip
October 28, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Nightmare scenario on Jamaica taking place today.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
A star-studded view Inside Hurricane Melissa overnight as it further intensified toward Category 5 strength.
Senior meteorologist @matthewcappucci.bsky.social was on the NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight and the poetically peaceful – and perilous – center of the atmospheric buzzsaw:
Senior meteorologist @matthewcappucci.bsky.social was on the NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight and the poetically peaceful – and perilous – center of the atmospheric buzzsaw:
October 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
A star-studded view Inside Hurricane Melissa overnight as it further intensified toward Category 5 strength.
Senior meteorologist @matthewcappucci.bsky.social was on the NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight and the poetically peaceful – and perilous – center of the atmospheric buzzsaw:
Senior meteorologist @matthewcappucci.bsky.social was on the NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight and the poetically peaceful – and perilous – center of the atmospheric buzzsaw:
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
"A majority of western Alaska’s weather balloon network was not operating during the landfall of the storm last weekend due to staffing constraints inflicted by the Trump administration..."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump cuts probably hindered warning process for Alaska storm that displaced hundreds, experts say
Reductions in weather balloon launches could have degraded forecasts that residents depend on to prepare
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"A majority of western Alaska’s weather balloon network was not operating during the landfall of the storm last weekend due to staffing constraints inflicted by the Trump administration..."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This storm, it's wind + storm surge, plus rivers of rainwater coming down the hills and mountains is going to devastating. Please start thinking of how you can support people affected by donating, as those organizations will need help.
10/27 5am EDT: #Melissa has strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph winds and a 917 mb central pressure, confirmed by the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters. Conditions in #Jamaica will rapidly deteriorate later today and tonight.
See hurricanes.gov for the latest details.
See hurricanes.gov for the latest details.
October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This storm, it's wind + storm surge, plus rivers of rainwater coming down the hills and mountains is going to devastating. Please start thinking of how you can support people affected by donating, as those organizations will need help.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
NOAA hurricane hunters flying aboard a P-3 Orion aircraft ("Kermit") are monitoring Hurricane Melissa as most aircraft steer clear. The storm poses a catastrophic threat to Jamaica and Haiti.
The crew are among the many federal workers working without pay during the US government shutdown.
The crew are among the many federal workers working without pay during the US government shutdown.
October 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
NOAA hurricane hunters flying aboard a P-3 Orion aircraft ("Kermit") are monitoring Hurricane Melissa as most aircraft steer clear. The storm poses a catastrophic threat to Jamaica and Haiti.
The crew are among the many federal workers working without pay during the US government shutdown.
The crew are among the many federal workers working without pay during the US government shutdown.
Reposted by Meteorologist Aaron Shaffer
Here she is in April saying that bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements "penalize the majority of people who drive" to "cater to a small minority." Pure transportation resentment politics. Farthest thing from a bike advocate.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEGj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEGj...
October 22, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Here she is in April saying that bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements "penalize the majority of people who drive" to "cater to a small minority." Pure transportation resentment politics. Farthest thing from a bike advocate.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEGj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEGj...