Sunday, March 2, 2008

More Winter

Although the last several days and today will feel like we are gaining on spring compared to winter, we aren't quite finished with winter yet. A fairly strong storm system is expected to move just south and east of the state this afternoon and overnight. There is plenty of warm air overrunning the system, allowing temperatures today to range from the low 40s in northwest Iowa to the mid 60s in southeast Iowa! In fact this system will bring precip ranging from snow and sleet, to rain and even thunderstorms in some portions of the state. Expect rain to be the primary form throughout the southeastern quarter of the state, a mix or rain/snow is expected in the northwestern portion of the state. However, the amounts should be fairly light thus no major hazards are expected.

It is the portion in between, that will likely have rain turning into snow and is also expected to get significant enough precip accumulations to warrant some hazardous wording. Currently the Des Moines NWS along with the Omaha NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for portions of the state. These areas within the advisory are expected to receive 2-4 inches of snow with isolated higher amounts. This will occur after some rain accumulation during the day, allowing for a slushy mix on the roadways.

Other potential problems today will include the patchy flooding or ponding of water due to the snow melt and precipitation. More updates on this system and any potential problems tonight...

2 comments:

adambuck66 said...

I was bored at work and looking at what was coming this way from the Pacific. I admit i don't know much but to me it looks as if there is a large formation off of the west coast. I was wondering what the 10 day forcast of this formation is?

Jayson Prentice said...

Currently I don't see any formations off of the Pacific coast, were you looking at a forecast map that had this formation? Our next major system doesn't look to come for a while and therefore nothing significant is expected for the next week.