What A Day!!

Currently as of the Noon hours temperatures ranged from the mid 30s to lower 40s where snow cover still remains over the state, but where the snow is gone temperatures have rose dramatically into the 50s and 60s, with Keokuk reporting a temperature of 67 degrees! Highs over some portions of the states may get into the lower 70s before the day is over. This warm air is bring brought up with the southerly winds that are in place, this has persisted the past couple of days allowing for dense fog as the snow melted throughout the state. Expect this to be the last day of the warm-up however as the storm system responsible for the strong southerly winds is finally making its' way across the plains today. The system will usher in winds from the north for tomorrow as it is off to the east of the state, but not before bringing in slight change of rain/snow to the state as well as potential severe weather for the plains.

Expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies over the state today, with some patches of dense fog as well as showers (especially central and east). Tonight expect to see some rain showers persist in the southeast, with a few snow showers beginning to work in over the remainder of the state. By Tuesday expect only scattered snow showers mixed in over central and eastern Iowa, especially south. We remain dry over the state until the next quick system looks to come in beginning Wednesday night and lasting through Thursday night. Temperatures today in the upper 30s to lower 70s across the state, with a drastic temperature gradient along where the snow pack ends/begins. Lows tonight in the mid 20s to lower 40s from northwest to southeast. Highs Tuesday see the change back over to colder air from the north, mid 30s to mid 40s across the state. Teens to mid 20s on Tuesday night, highs on Wednesday in the mid 30s to near 40 over the state. Wednesday night has the return of precip chances over mainly western Iowa, lows in the mid to upper 20s. Thursday precip chances continue over the entire state, highs ranging from lower to upper 30s from northwest to southeast; meaning a mix of snow rain possible. By Thursday night expect the precipitation to be confined to eastern Iowa with lows from the mid teens to upper 20s from west to east. Ending the week with highs near 30 in the north to the mid 30s in the south; lows teens to twenties...

On a regional note, severe weather possible this afternoon/evening over portions of eastern KS/OK/TX northeastward into central Illinois. The biggest area of concern will be centered over southern MO and northern AR. Damaging wind gusts the main concern, although a tornado or two is possible. This threat moves off to the east tomorrow, encompassing areas of IL/IN/OH/KY/TN with mainly damaging winds as the threat. Won't be surprised to see a few rumbles of thunder of southeastern Iowa today as well with the first severe threat of the year for 2008!