Our cut-off low pressure system continues to rotate above the northern plains and western great lakes regions, and is making sure it squeezes out as much moisture as possible before it leaves. Scattered snow showers are rotating across portions of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa at this...
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25 Overview
The Christmas Snowstorm/Blizzard of 2009 has came to an end across most of the plains, with some lingering snow left over the Great Lakes region and the far eastern plains states. Widespread blizzard conditions creating major travel delays and cancellations with airport and road closures. These conditions...
Friday, December 25, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25 Update #6
The Christmas Blizzard and Winter Storm of 2009 has taken its' toll thus far with several roads and interstates becoming closed last evening and continued to be closed this morning. Much of western...
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25 Update #5
The Christmas Blizzard of 2009 is well underway with the expansion of blizzard warnings to include parts of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and other areas. Interstates and other major highways are now being closed by the DOT's and other areas are advising no travel. With winds on the increase...
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25 Update #4
Our first round of snow across the northern plains has came to an end, and we are now looking towards a digging trough in the western plains and its' associated low pressure system that should strengthen...
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25 Update #3
Some hefty snow falling across Iowa currently, with some very large flakes being reported in many areas. Thus far I currently measure 3.25" of snow, with snow currently falling at a 1"/hour rate. There is some fairly hefty snow falling across parts of the state currently, with 2"/hour or...
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25 Update #2
A mix of sleet, snow, and freezing rain has fallen today across the plains states. Areas are now seeing some moderate to heavy snow across northern Iowa and adjacent areas, creating hazardous travel...
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25 Update #1
Roadways across northern Iowa and adjacent areas are slick in spots this morning as a layer of ice has fallen during the overnight hours, and may continue to lightly accumulate this morning across parts...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 23-25
A significant winter storm is making its' move at one of the busiest travel times of the year for the central and northern plains. Not only will significant snowfall accumulations of 10-20 inches...
Christmas Blizzard?!?!
Another major winter storm is expected to impact the central plains beginning today, and continuing through Friday and perhaps into the weekend for portions of the eastern Plains. Snowfall accumulations well over a foot are possible across a large area of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and...
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A Light Wintery Mix
A weak low pressure system will move across the plains during the day today and into the overnight, creating a mix of wintery precipitation across the state of Iowa and some decent snowfall amounts across parts of the northern plains. The state of Iowa will roughly be split in thirds as far as...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Arctic Air & Snow Depth Wrap-Up
The blizzard has came to an end across the plains, with many areas are finishing the digging out process today under clear skies and calmer winds. Storm totals for the state of Iowa were featured...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 7/8 Update #6
Snowfall has came to an end over much of the central plains, with some snow still falling over the eastern plains and the great lakes regions. While the snowfall has ended, the winds are continuing...
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 7/8 Update #5
A great tool that the Iowa Environmental Mesonet has came up with and is now featuring on their front page. This is a graphical representation of all the snowfall reports that have came in within...
Winter Storm: Dec. 7/8 Update #4
The winter storm is in full swing, with blizzard-like conditions beginning to occur across portions of the plains. Many road departments are now urging to not travel as winds have increased and...
Winter Storm: Dec. 7/8 Update #3
The morning GFS (12z) model forecast continues the trend to indicate significant snowfall accumulation across the plains states, similar to this mornings NAM model forecast. Total snowfall accumulations...
Winter Storm: Dec. 7/8 Update #2
The National Weather Service in Des Moines, IA has now upgraded much of their region to a Blizzard Warning based upon the latest snowfall forecasts and expected wind speeds. Their opening line in their issuance is "...AN EPIC AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WINTER STORM TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...". ...
Winter Storm: Dec. 7/8 Update #1
Snow has begun to fall across much of the plains states, with several inches of accumulation already being reported in some areas where the snow has been falling much of the morning. Schools and...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Winter Storm: Dec. 7/8
A significant winter storm is expected to impact much of the plains states beginning tonight and continuing through Tuesday and into Wednesday. Winter Storm Warnings have been issued as far west...
Sunday, December 6, 2009
A Return to Snow... Lots of Snow...
My wife and I arrived back onto U.S. soil on Saturday morning, at the rainy and unseasonably cold port of Tampa, Florida. From their we left the airport in the early afternoon and arrived into the...
Friday, November 20, 2009
Snow in KC & More...
I spent the day on Monday attempting to forecast the cut-off low pressure system that rolled through Kansas and Missouri, bringing thunderstorms, moderate to heavy rainfall, and some fairly heavy snows to areas along the borders of KS/NE/MO. This was one very difficult system, with varying temperatures...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Rain & Snow for the Plains
A fairly potent storm system is working its' way onto the central plains and will bring significant chances of rain and even snow to areas. The large trough that will work onto the plains will become...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Another Week of Sun!
Although not as warm as the previous week that was full of sunny conditions, this week will continue to have a nice fall feel to it with above normal highs through the remainder of the work week. Under the clear conditions we'll see highs average in the upper 50s across northern Iowa, near 60...
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Sunshine Continues...
It has been amazing to be able to see the sun for so many consecutive days! Today will be a bit breezy with southerly winds blowing up warm air at 15-25 mph with some higher gusts possible. ...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Enjoy the Day! - New Blog Feature
You can't ask for too much more from a early November day across the state of Iowa. Temperatures are ranging from the upper 40s to the upper 50s across much of western and central Iowa; with the 40s across the eastern third due to some lingering cloud cover. We'll likely see a few more days...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Light Rainfall
A band of light rain continues to work across portions of western Minnesota and western Iowa, stretching from just northwest of Des Moines, IA to near Fargo, ND. Typical rainfall values from this...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A 'Normal' Start to November
After a top ten coldest and wettest month of October across the state of Iowa, and likely so for nearby areas as well, we look to start off the first full week of November in a fairly 'normal' fashion. Temperatures look to be near normal, likely a few degrees below; and precipitation looks to...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Snow Totals Through Oct. 29
The map below is courtesy of the Interactive Snow Information web page, it shows the latest snow depth information provided at 1AM this morning. I have switched the views to a high contrast on the...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Oct. 28/29 Snowfall
Snow has been falling this morning in the mountain regions of the west, with upwards of 4-6" already being reported in several areas with an additional foot plus still to fall this afternoon and into...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Oct. 28/29 Storm System
A potent storm system will setup a closed upper-level low over the inter-mountain west during the morning hours tomorrow, that will continue to progress northeastward into the northern plains on Thursday. This upper level low will evolve into a deep trough as the strong flow aloft pushes the closed...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New Blog
I have begun the process of switching over to a new blog, and soon a new website. Okay, maybe I shouldn't say soon as there may be a good amount of time before a new website is really complete enough to show to the world.
But, I have imported all of the posts from my previous blog, Iowa...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Been A Long Time...
I kept telling myself that it had been a long time since I had gotten an update on the blog. And I figured as we start to see the first flurries of snow fall across northwest Iowa tonight that this is as good as time as any to give a nice little, welcome snow message.I've been very busy as of late...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Fall Already?!?
The past couple of days after a cold front passage have definitely had that fall feeling to them, with highs barely into the 70s for much of the state and lows being down into the 50s and even some 40s there in some portions of Iowa. The cool and calm nights led to some dense fog in low lying areas,...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Much Quieter
After a busy weekend for portions of the state we have set into a much quieter pattern for the remainder of the week, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 80s and lower 90s across the...
Sunday, August 9, 2009
August 9 Severe Weather Update #1
A morning supercell is moving through portions of central Iowa, currently just west of Fort Dodge capable of producing 1" to 3" diameter hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm has been severe for quite some time this morning, beginning near the Iowa/Nebraska border and moving east/northeast...
Friday, August 7, 2009
Severe Weather Potential - August 7 Update #3
Despite the hopes for convection before sunset, it does not appear likely as sunset is within an hour or two and there is not even a watch issued for potential development. Some cumulus is occurring in the warm sector, however, temperatures at 700hPa have increased to 14C directly over the most likely...
Severe Weather Potential - August 7 Update #2
Convective inhibition remains strong, however, confidence has increased that the inhibition will yield to convection during the late afternoon or evening hours across portions of the warm front in South Dakota and Iowa. Thunderstorms that do develop are likely to be supercellular with the threat for...
Severe Weather Potential - August 7 Update #1
Not much for changes in the going forecast or in the current analysis of things across the plains states. Watching clearing skies across the Dakotas and Nebraska, which should also work into western Iowa during the early afternoon hours. Warm front currently located along and just east of the Missouri...
Severe Weather Threat - August 7
Morning convection continues across southwest Iowa, with additional showers/thunderstorms spread throughout the state and spreading eastward at approximately 30-40 mph. These thunderstorms and showers should continue through the morning hours across much of the state, with cloud cover also remaining...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
A Few Rounds of Storms
Sunday night did bring a few severe weather reports across the state, mainly of marginally severe hail around an inch in diameter and several wind gusts of 60 mph or so. The wind was strong enough to take down a few trees and power poles in a line roughly along Highway 30 from Sioux City towards Fort...
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Cool & Calm July
Iowa has been both on the cool and calm side of the weather for the month of July despite a few events that have hit some parts of the state hard, including a few tornadoes and some very damaging hail across northeast Iowa last Friday. A rough and quick look at the mean temperatures over the month...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Severe Weather Update #1 - July 24
Both a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Tornado Watch have been issued for portions of the state. Currently the bulk of thunderstorm action is confined to the northeast corner of the state where a supercell is beginning to take on tornadic characteristics and has prompted the tornado watch issuance. ...
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Severe Weather - July 24
A strong cold front and associated upper level features will aid in thunderstorm development this afternoon across a majority of the state. Given current forecasts for shear, instability, and the strong support with the cold front it would appear that all modes of severe weather are likely across the...
Friday, July 17, 2009
A Quick Recap
Busy days ongoing for me has created a good lack of updates on my part. Just to review back to July 14, the severe weather threat did materialize, although much weaker than initially thought due to only convection along the front firing during the evening hours. Did manage to punch through a severe...
Monday, July 13, 2009
Severe Weather Potential - July 14
The potential for a significant severe weather event over portions of the central/northern plains is there for tomorrow, as potent surface features will be supported by strong upper air parameters. Two areas of interest are going to come into play, both of which have some very big question as to its'...
Friday, July 10, 2009
Chase Account - July 9
Several rounds of severe weather swept across portions of northwest Iowa yesterday, from mid-afternoon hail to evening and overnight storms that left hail, winds, and heavy rainfall across parts of the state. I made a trip out to view the storms on two occasions yesterday, once during the mid-afternoon...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Severe Weather Potential - July 9
A complicated forecast is in the works for the next 36 hours, and perhaps even longer, for Iowa and adjacent areas. A strong wave will initiate thunderstorms this afternoon across the western Dakotas and areas of Montana/Wyoming. These storms should develop into a large MCS, possible derecho, during...
Severe Weather Recap - July 7
A cluster of thunderstorms developed in eastern South Dakota during the afternoon hours yesterday, and entered into northwest Iowa during the evening hours. These clusters of storms were at times severe warned with the potential for both damaging winds and large hail, estimated 60 mph winds were reported...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Severe Weather Update #1 - July 7
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for portions of South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa until 10:00 PM this evening. This watch will cover the four corners of these states, thus including a majority of the counties within the Sioux Falls NWS CWA. Additional thunderstorms have formed...
Severe Weather Potential - July 7
A trough of low pressure and possible weak low pressure center should be located over central South Dakota this afternoon. A stationary boundary should extend eastward from this low over parts of eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. This boundary and low pressure center should...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A Few of Natures' Fireworks Possible
With the fourth of July weekend coming up, it looks like mother nature will try to give us some of her own fireworks as we head into the weekend. A storm system will bring the chances of thunderstorms across the state on Friday, and continue through the fourth over a majority of the state. While the...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Severe Squall Line
A mature squall line that continues to be capable of damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and the potential for quarter sized hail is moving swiftly to the east across South Dakota and northeast Nebraska. Current warnings cover the entire length of this line from DeSmet, SD to Pierce, NE...Along its'...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Severe Weather Potential - June 24
Quick update from the road today as I am returning from a trip to Ames to visit a few friends. Thunderstorms were widespread yesterday as they continued to move in from NE/SD during the early afternoon hours. Although a few tornado warnings were issued, these tornado warnings were for small vorticies...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Welcome Summer...
Apparently summer did not want to show up until it was officially ready, with Sunday being the first day of summer the state sure has heated up since. High temperatures yesterday ranged from the lower to mid 90s across the entire state, with plenty of moisture across a majority of the state to make...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Severe Weather Potential - June 21
More of a summer-like pattern has pushed into the central plains, with a weak ridge trying to work into the plains states. This has left us with southwest flow aloft through the state of Iowa, and with a low pressure system working off of the high plains and into Nebraska this morning will set us up...
Friday, June 19, 2009
Iowa Upsets Chasers
Once again the state of Iowa has upset the chasing community with its' lack of cooperation over the past two days. Two straight days of moderate risk, and two straight days of utter disappointment for any storm chaser that was in the state. Both setups featured their own caveats, and both featured...
