Cold Night... Extended Forecast

Last night saw temperatures drop to near freezing levels in some areas of the state. Although these temperatures aren't breaking any records (upper 20s/lower 30s), they are still well below normal and just downright chilly. Mid 30s were recorded across northern Iowa along with some lower lying areas of the state, while the remainder of cities were just above the 40 degree mark. Normal lows for this time of year are upper 40s in the north and lower 50s in the south...

A quick glance at the temperatures over the next week show upper 60s and lower 70s today with quickly rising highs as southerly winds pick up. Tomorrow ranges from mid 70s to lower 80s with the weekend bringing 80s throughout the state. Monday and the start of another workweek has upper 70s to mid 80s forecasted. A system works its' way through the state and brings highs down for Tuesday, lower 70s to lower 80s currently expected as the front comes across the state during the day. Wednesday then shows the effect of this system on temperatures, with highs only in the 70s across the state. Lows throughout the next week range from the 40s & 50s tonight, moderating with the highs to 50s for Friday night through the weekend. Even after the next system they look to remain in the lower/mid 50s, although some 40s may be seen as well by Wednesday night.

As for precipitation, a weak wave expected to pass near the state on Saturday night. Although precipitation is shown to be light and mainly north of the state, some areas of northern and western Iowa have been introduced into some lower chances of rain on Saturday night. The next strong system looks to be over the Dakotas on Monday, working east on Tuesday with the low moving into Minnesota and pulling a cold front over the state. Currently some severe weather is being mentioned with this systems' movement on Tuesday afternoon across the state the threat is conditional on the features of front and low. Nonetheless, it does seem fairly likely that some rain/thunderstorms are possible Tuesday & Tuesday night. Another system is currently forecasted near the Memorial Day weekend, which is usually coincided with some type of severe weather outbreak. A lot of details on a system that far out are up in the air, however the pattern over the US does look to become more active as we near that weekend. Details of those systems will come into play as it nears, however I certainly hope the pattern can become more active as I go 'on call' for project TWISTEX on June 1. So far the crew has only been active for 3 days this month, with not much hope in sight currently.