While I was present throughout much of this year's weather that occurred throughout the state of Iowa, it was helpful to read through some of these great products that the Des Moines National Weather Service has issued over the past couple of days. It will remind you of the bitter cold that was endured...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Melting Ice
The past couple of days left parts of the state under a few tenths of an inch of ice, while other parts saw plenty of melting snow due to the rainfall that was occurring. This rapid melting and additional...
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Mixed Precipitation...
The Holidays have been busy, thus I'm sure with everyone traveling the road conditions have been important to many. There hasn't been too many problems thus far, with mainly some snow and blowing snow to contend with on the roads. Yesterday was quite warm with a warm front moving north over the state...
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Even More Snow!!
While the first brush of snowfall has made its' way over much of the state during the overnight hours it will keep a few flurries or snow showers around in the central/eastern parts of the state early today. A dusting to a few inches may be expected from central to eastern Iowa, the eastern third of...
Monday, December 22, 2008
A little more snow...
Another storm system will clip the state tonight and continue to produce some light snowfall through Tuesday night. While snowfall amounts are not expected to be too high, just below advisory criteria,...
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 20) Update #2
Light to moderate snowfall combined with strong northwesterly winds have allowed travel conditions across the state to deteriorate throughout the day. Most of north-central and northeast Iowa have been...
Winter Storm (Dec. 20) Update #1
The Blizzard Warning has been expanded to include areas along and north of Highway 20, and areas along and west of I-35. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for northeast Iowa where snowfall amounts and winds will still create hazardous conditions, but won't quite reach blizzard criteria. Snowfall...
Friday, December 19, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 20)
The third winter storm of the week is headed towards the state and will begin early tomorrow and continue into Sunday. Areas along and northern of highway 30 are most likely to be effected by this storm, and this is where there are currently Winter Storm Watches issued for north-central and northeast...
Winter Storm (Dec. 18) Recap
A dangerous winter storm created havoc for much of the state of Iowa, and surrounding locations. Snowfall was prominent throughout the northern half of the state where 5 inches or greater was seen. ...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 18) Update #4
The winter storm has arrived! Widespread reports across the southern half of the state of sleet and freezing rain, with some accumulation and icing already occurring. Some areas of southeast Nebraska have already reported a half inch of sleet, and other reports of an eighth of an inch of ice accumulation....
Winter Storm (Dec. 18) Update #3
Our potent winter storm is taking its' time to move through the plains, the low pressure system is currently over eastern Colorado and is expected to make its' way off of the Rockies this evening. Rapid pressure falls have been occurring over western Kansas, indicating that the low should move to the...
Winter Storm (Dec. 18) Update #2
The National Weather Service offices that cover the state of Iowa were busy last night, issuing several different winter weather advisories/warnings. A quick overview of these warnings: A Winter Weather...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 18) Update #1
Winter Storm Watches still are to remain in effect until later tonight where they will likely be changed over to some type of winter storm warning, whether it be for snow, or sleet/freezing rain. This...
Winter Storm (Dec. 18)
The entire state of Iowa is now under a Winter Storm Watch for Thursday and Thursday night, with significant accumulations of snow, ice, and sleet possible dependent on your location in the state. A storm system is expected to develop during the afternoon hours on Thursday, with a low pressure center...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 16) Update #3
The snow has subsided over most of the state, with only a few flurries or light snow showers over eastern Iowa. Total snowfall amounts were generally 3-4 inches over the state, with a few locations seeing...
Winter Storm (Dec. 16) Update #2
Light to moderate snow has continued across the state for much of the morning hours, accumulating snow at a slow but steady pace. No official snow amounts besides the NWS in Johnston (1/2 inch) have came out, although I can say Ames looks to have nearly 2 inches of snow on the ground at this time....
Monday, December 15, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 16) Update #1
A winter weather advisory has been issued for all but the extreme portions of northwest Iowa beginning tomorrow morning and continuing into Tuesday night. Areas under this advisory may see 2-6 inches of snowfall with some isolated higher amounts possible. The heaviest snowfall is still likely to be...
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 16)
Our next winter storm will make its' way into the state by tomorrow morning, and with the frigid air in place it will undoubtedly be an all snow event for the state. As our storm system that affected...
Winter Weather (Dec. 14-15)
Plenty of updates today with this strong system moving through the plains states, and directly over the state of Iowa. As the low pressure system moves through Wisconsin tonight, expect continued northwesterly winds at 20-30 mph with higher gusts. With frigid temperatures and these high winds, the...
Amazing Cold Front
The cold front that has been plunging southward today continues to do so through nearly the entire plains states. This front not only has such deep cold air behind it that is creating below zero readings...
Welcome Back Winter...
Winter tried to take a break from the state, with temperatures rising well above freezing in some areas and the sun shining brightly. It didn't last too long though as a strong cold front and low pressure...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Dec. 8-9 Ice/Snow Accumulations
Although blowing snow continues to create some problems, the snow is exiting the state and we will just be left with the wind and cold to deal with. Snow accumulations were not as high as expected for...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 8-9) Update #2
Precipitation has been falling off and on throughout the entire state this afternoon and into this evening. While the northern third of the state has seen this precip turn over to snow, other areas of central Iowa are seeing freezing rain, while the southern third is hanging onto rain. This type of...
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Winter Storm (Dec. 8-9) Update #1
Well I know the previous post mentioned that a better idea of snow accumulations would be presented in this update tonight, but honestly there can't be that much accuracy stated at even this point. Tonight's...
Winter Storm (Dec. 8-9)
The first true winter storm may end up slicing through the state of Iowa on Monday night and through Tuesday. Winter Storm Watches have been issued for several counties through both central and eastern Iowa where snowfall accumulations of 4-6 inches are currently forecasted. Other areas of the state...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Dec. 3 Snow Accumulations
Snow amounts today weren't as heavy as anticipated, with the line of snow moving through quicker and being narrower than forecasts. Accumulations still caused plenty of travel hazards, as over a dozen...
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
More Snow!
A cold front has made its' way into and through northwest Iowa this evening, and will continue to move southeastward through the overnight hours. Behind this cold front will be another shot of cold air, and along with it a chance at a few hours of moderate to heavy snowfall. A large portion of the...
Monday, December 1, 2008
Nov. 29 - 30 Snowfall Totals
Light to moderate snowfall continued for several hours from Saturday night through Sunday, leading to snowfall totals of over 6 inches in some portions of Iowa. Although much of western Iowa missed out...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Snow Continuing...
Snowfall began across the state yesterday evening, and has continued through the nighttime hours and into the morning hours today. The snowfall should continue over much of the state this morning, moving slowly eastward and out of at least the western half of Iowa by this evening. Overnight tonight...
Saturday, November 29, 2008
A bit of snow...
Some light rain and snow showers are moving across the state this morning and should continue to do so this afternoon. Overnight tonight we should see it turn over to an all snow event with some accumulations possible, especially over eastern Iowa. These scattered showers will taper off on Sunday,...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Great Thanksgiving Forecast
This week couldn't turn out too much better for those that are getting their holiday break to enjoy some good food, some family/friends, and I suppose some good shopping! The temperatures should be near/above normal for most of the state, and even better is that we look to stay mainly dry into the...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Book Pre-Release: Natural Scenes
As I mentioned within a previous post, a book featuring images that I've taken over the course of the last several years is being released for sale. I've got a good amount completed, and thus have issued...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Downright Cold!!
Earlier this week we saw some temperatures in the lower teens over a large portion of the state. We did manage to bounce back with some warm temperatures early on Wednesday, but have since dropped back down into the chilly conditions. Tonight we are setting ourselves up for an even colder night than...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Few Updates...
Been a busy last couple of weeks on my end, which may be why you aren't seeing as in-depth forecasts and as frequent forecasts as usual. Currently working on finishing a thesis project entitled "Synoptic Environments Associated with Significant Tornadoes in the Contiguous United States". Once it is...
Monday, November 17, 2008
Cold Night Ahead...
With clearing skies and calming winds over the state tonight due to a high pressure not too far away, we'll see some cold temperatures tonight across the state. Lows are likely to range in the teens across most of the state, with near 20 lows near the Missouri. The coldest temperatures should be in...
Friday, November 14, 2008
Holding off Winter...
We've made it through another system with little snow accumulations across the state. A few of the past storms have accumulated snow in some areas of Iowa, but these snowfalls thus far have only lasted a day or two. With the next system not in sight for another week, we'll have at least one more without...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Another Round... Rain Only?
The forecast for Tuesday's weather system wasn't completely on target, especially the Tuesday evening into Wednesday prediction of the potential for more snow. Many in the northern third of the state woke up to some snow on the ground Tuesday morning, with some areas receiving up to an inch on the...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Mixed Bag...
A decent storm system is spinning over the central plains states, bringing rainfall to much of the plains states. A few severe thunderstorms, even a couple tornado warnings, are ongoing over Texas and previously in Kansas. The event for Iowa is just beginning, as one weakening band of rainfall is...
Sunday, November 9, 2008
More Snow?!?
After Thursday night and Friday's snowfall across the state, we saw more snow flurries and some light freezing rain across the state over the weekend. Temperatures across the state were also representative of winter's arrival as the highs today ranged from the mid 20s to mid 30s across the state. ...
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Accumulating Snow!!
It's quite late, and with work starting up in less than 8 hours I just don't see the time to make a large update. Essentially to recap this strong weather system so far, we saw the thunderstorms move through the state prompting some severe and tornado warnings in the far western sections on Wednesday...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Severe Weather Update #2 (Nov. 5)
A severe thunderstorm watch has now been issued for portions of western Iowa, this watch goes until Midnight tonight. A line of individual thunderstorms has developed along the cold front and has rapidly gained severe weather characteristics, with the potential for large hail and damaging winds. The...
Severe Weather Update (Nov. 5)
4:56 PM Update - A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for portions of Monona county in western Iowa. A portion of a line of severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds and severe hail will move into the state over the next 45 minutes. This will likely be the first of a few severe thunderstorm...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Wednesday Severe Weather
A strong lee cyclone will continue to move eastward tonight and through tomorrow, situating itself near the Nebraska/South Dakota border by mid-afternoon. This low will begin to occlude with the development of a potential secondary low near the KS/NE borders tomorrow afternoon as well. As the low...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Midweek Thunderstorms & Their Severe Weather Risk
Before getting into the detail of thunderstorms for midweek, a quick recap on what was a sunshine-filled day with record setting high temperatures for the second straight day in November! Highs ranged from the lower 70s in extreme eastern Iowa to the lower 80s across extreme western Iowa. Record highs...
Very Warm... & Thunderstorms
High temperatures today were able to reach the 70s throughout most of the state, although some cloud cover kept the eastern portions of the state slightly cooler. And a weak boundary also kept the warm air from reaching too far east. The mid to upper 70s were prominent in the western third of the...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wonderful Weekend!
Just when you think we might be getting into the thick of Fall and see the temperatures really tumble down, we get a week like this week has been. Although cold in the first half, we've warmed up very well and featured highs in the 70s across much of the state today. These above normal temperatures...
2009 Weather Calendars!
The Iowa State student chapter of the American Meteorological Society has completed our 2009 Weather Calendar! This is our main fundraiser for the year, in which the proceeds go towards several of the community outreach events that we do such as elementary school talks. The calendars are printed on...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Above Average Temperatures!!
At least for the highs for the remainder of the week, we'll see above average readings for nearly the entire state. The lows will hover from near normal, to above normal for the remainder of the week as well. The latter half of the week will see clear skies, making what appears to be a great Halloween...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Severe Local Storm Conference Papers
The American Meteorological Society's Severe Local Storms Conference got underway today in Savannah, Georgia. This conference features nearly a full week of presentations about every type of severe weather imaginable, from hail, lightning and tornadoes, to hurricanes and climate relations to severe...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Windy & Chilly!!
After a cold front moved through last night, additional cold air was pushed into the state as a Canadian high pressure system scooted in behind the cold front and associated low pressure. These two pressure systems combined to give much of the plains some strong gusty winds today, and Iowa was definitely...
