Windy & Warm

We finally will see the warm temperatures and more spring like conditions today with the aid of strong southerly winds this afternoon. Winds will be 10-20 mph with 30 mph or greater gusts at times. This strong wind is much needed for those interested in severe weather tomorrow, as just above the surface these strong southerly winds are also occurring and bring moisture straight from the Gulf to the north. As we go through today, expect to see both the temperature and the dew point rise as the winds bring in warm air and moisture.

High temperatures today from the mid 60s in northeast Iowa to the mid 70s across southwest Iowa under partly cloudy skies. Lows tonight will reflect the increased moisture, near 50 to mid 50s from north to south are expected with mostly cloudy skies. Moisture return continues along with warm temperatures on Thursday, a low pressure system should setup just to the west of the state in eastern Nebraska. This low combined with its' associated fronts will setup a potentially significant severe weather event for areas of the plains state during the evening hours. Currently the risk extends from eastern NE/KS/OK into western IA/MO/AR; with the highest risks including southwest Iowa. Severe threat likely to contain large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes; with the risk mainly during the evening and early overnight hours for the state of Iowa.

More details on tomorrow's severe weather threat in a later severe weather forecast update...