Cold Night... Extended Forecast

Last night saw temperatures drop to near freezing levels in some areas of the state. Although these temperatures aren't breaking any records (upper 20s/lower 30s), they are still well below normal and just downright chilly. Mid 30s were recorded across northern Iowa along with some lower lying areas of the state, while the remainder of cities were just above the 40 degree mark. Normal lows for this time of year are upper 40s in the north and lower 50s in the south...

A quick glance at the temperatures over the next week show upper 60s and lower 70s today with quickly rising highs as southerly winds pick up. Tomorrow ranges from mid 70s to lower 80s with the weekend bringing 80s throughout the state. Monday and the start of another workweek has upper 70s to mid 80s forecasted. A system works its' way through the state and brings highs down for Tuesday, lower 70s to lower 80s currently expected as the front comes across the state during the day. Wednesday then shows the effect of this system on temperatures, with highs only in the 70s across the state. Lows throughout the next week range from the 40s & 50s tonight, moderating with the highs to 50s for Friday night through the weekend. Even after the next system they look to remain in the lower/mid 50s, although some 40s may be seen as well by Wednesday night.

As for precipitation, a weak wave expected to pass near the state on Saturday night. Although precipitation is shown to be light and mainly north of the state, some areas of northern and western Iowa have been introduced into some lower chances of rain on Saturday night. The next strong system looks to be over the Dakotas on Monday, working east on Tuesday with the low moving into Minnesota and pulling a cold front over the state. Currently some severe weather is being mentioned with this systems' movement on Tuesday afternoon across the state the threat is conditional on the features of front and low. Nonetheless, it does seem fairly likely that some rain/thunderstorms are possible Tuesday & Tuesday night. Another system is currently forecasted near the Memorial Day weekend, which is usually coincided with some type of severe weather outbreak. A lot of details on a system that far out are up in the air, however the pattern over the US does look to become more active as we near that weekend. Details of those systems will come into play as it nears, however I certainly hope the pattern can become more active as I go 'on call' for project TWISTEX on June 1. So far the crew has only been active for 3 days this month, with not much hope in sight currently.

Read More

Preliminary Graduation Forecast

Well several area high schools are holding their graduation this weekend and I figured it would be nice to give a heads up for what the weather is to be like for Saturday/Sunday. So here goes the preliminary graduation forecast for the state of Iowa:

Saturday - Highs ranging from the lower 80s to mid 80s with partly cloudy skies. Winds from the south at 10-15 mph. Saturday night lows only expected to drop into the 50s, thus bearable conditions during the evening parties as well. Shorts & shirts likely for the afternoon, with a change to pants in the evening to accommodate some chillier conditions as the sun sets.

Sunday - Highs in the upper 70s for northeast Iowa, otherwise lower 80s for the remainder of the state. Partly cloudy skies with winds from the south 10-20 mph. Sunday night lows expected to range from mid 50s to some 60 degree marks, thus the evening forecast remains just slightly better than Saturdays'.

An updated graduation forecast will likely be put out on Friday afternoon for those last minute preparations as graduation bears down on the families.

Read More

Back from Florida!!

Well no internet while down in Florida and really no time even if I did have internet access while down there. Good weather wise with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, clouds in the afternoon with a few showers as expected being in Florida. No major weather problems whatsoever...

Catching up on quite a few things as I get back, hopefully however I'll get back on track with updates in the weather world for Iowa. A quick glance looks to be fairly 'boring' weather with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and mainly clear skies. More on the forecast and other details, with pictures from Florida and other details likely coming in the next few days! Look forward to it!

Read More

Quiet Week...

After the excitement of severe weather throughout the plains this weekend, it has calmed and looks to remain that way for the remainder of the week. Some light showers across the state today, but some sunshine as well allowed for a decent day today across the state. Highs today ranged from the lower 80s in the southeast to upper 60s in the Sioux City area where showers and heavier cloud cover kept temperatures down. The calmer weather will help with the pick up in the plains states, where several areas were hit hard, including the much known Greensburg, KS area. Iowa saw a couple of tornadoes on Saturday/Early Sunday; Mills, Pottowattamie, Montgomery and Cass county. These tornadoes were surveyed, getting ratings of EF-0, EF-1, and two EF-2's. Besides the risk of tornadoes, the worst concern was flooding; causing closures of I-29 in southwest Iowa and several county roads and likely hundreds of rural roads. This flooding is still a concern, but water levels should be on the decrease by the end of tomorrow.

As for that calm week, temperatures should remain fairly steady as noted in previous forecasts. Highs should begin in the mid to upper 70s across the state tomorrow, slowly rising through the work week into the mid 70s and lower 80s. Lows in the upper 40s to upper 50s tomorrow night, should steady off in the 50s for the remainder of the work week. Thankfully this won't leave me with much to talk about over the week and I won't be writing much. I leave on Wednesday for Florida, returning back to Iowa on the following Tuesday, May 15th. Possible sporadic updates if there is any time, otherwise enjoying the weather in Florida for the next week!

Read More

Storms Continue...

As we enter into the workweek the thunderstorms over the state continue, with a nice line of thunderstorms moving through south-central Iowa at this hour. Expect these storms to continue to effect the state through the night, with more thunderstorms developing fairly early in the afternoon in western Iowa and continuing eastward through the afternoon. The SPC has yet to issue their day 1 outlook, however in their day 2 update there is a risk of some severe weather tomorrow over the state. I'll add in the severe weather threat at the end of this post when it comes in...

Much of the early half of this week may be wet, with small chances of showers/thunderstorms over some portions of the state. Highs for Monday should be in the 70s, with lows dipping into the lower 50s to lower 60s in the southeast with cloud cover. Highs throughout the rest of the week should range throughout the 70s, not much change. Lows will also stay steady, 50s throughout the state for the entire work week as well.

Monday Severe Weather Threat: The first SPC outlook for today indicates that the severe threat should stay south of the state. Although thunderstorms are likely, the severe threat limited by moisture/instability, etc. Updated 1:00 am

Read More

Stormy Weekend (Cont...)

Severe weather is not too far off of the Iowa border with several tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings in Nebraska & South Dakota. Two tornado watches do cover some portions of the state, mainly extreme western Iowa: PDS Tornado Watch #235 & PDS Tornado Watch #236

Those two watches will be in effect until the early nighttime hours, expect the thunderstorms that are currently in NE/SD to slowly propagate eastward. They will likely enter the state around the 10 PM time frame and may continue through much of the night. Several rounds of thunderstorms may occur over western portions of the state tonight and into tomorrow, some of these storms may be severe with the best risk of large hail. People living in or near the two watches that are in effect should keep an eye out into the early nighttime hours for severe weather, the potential for severe weather may then last into the night and possibly for the remainder of the weekend. More updates on the severe weather threat throughout the weekend...

Read More

Stormy Weekend

Showers & Thunderstorms are likely to be seen throughout the weekend, especially over areas of western Iowa. Currently, tornado watch has been issued for areas of SD/NE that are bordering the state. These thunderstorms may move into the state later tonight, however significant severe weather is not expected thanks to cloud cover persisting for the remainder of the day. Expect highs in the lower 60s to the low 70s possible in southwest Iowa where some clearing may occur. Continued risk of showers, possible thunderstorms persists into tonight. Lows with the cloud cover will remain mild in the mid 50s to lower 60s...

Tomorrows' risk of severe weather is increased over portions of western Iowa, especially towards the nighttime hours. The system causing severe weather today doesn't move much, allowing the severe weather threat to once again be favored over NE/KS and southward. But, the continued convection into the nighttime hours should spread into western Iowa and pose a possible severe threat. Other areas of Iowa will also see the chance of thunderstorms/showers much like today and the days before. Highs Saturday will be much warmer with some sunshine in the forecast; upper 60s to some lower 80s seems likely with lows mild once again with clouds/rain, ranging from lower 50s to some mid 60s.

Sundays' forecast doesn't change much, with showers/thunderstorms likely in the western parts of the state during the day. Continued development and movement will push these into most of central Iowa by the night as well. Severe weather on Sunday is a much better risk, as the SPC has put much of the state in at least a slight risk area for severe weather. This threat could become much better defined later as the system evolves, once again this system is still the one causing severe weather in KS/NE and other areas today and tomorrow; finally making its' way into Iowa for Sunday. Highs during the day should range between 70 and 80, with lows in the upper 50s & lower 60s.

Read More

Summer Plans

An exciting opportunity was given to me in the last month, a scientific research project that will have me chasing throughout the plains states during the month of June. Because of this I was asked to do an interview with KICD Radio, whom I was formerly an intern with. Below is a transcript, with some audio of the interview as played on the radio:

(Ames, IA) -- An Iowa State Meteorology student and former KICD/KLLT weather intern has landed a choice summer assignment.
Jayson Prentice got a recommendation from the head of the ISU meteorology department. He'll be working with nationally known researcher Tim Samaras.

-- Audio Clip 1: 0:00 - 0:28 seconds

Samaras is also planning to do some very high speed photography of lightning; to the tune of a million frames per second.
Prentice will be driving one of the chase vehicles. But he'll also be forecasting where to intercept severe thunderstorms.

-- Audio Clip 2: 0:30 - 0:48 seconds

Prentice's first day as a weather intern at the KICD/KLLT stations was June 11th, 2004. That's the day a record 11 tornadoes touched down in Clay County in one afternoon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will be working with Samaras for the entire month of June, while other members of the Iowa State meteorology department will be working with me during that time. Others will also be with him starting this weekend and through the rest of May. During the time I am out in the field, I will be providing updates on this blog as well as the Stormcenterusa Forums. Several other plans are in the mix for possible features to the site showcasing the day to day traveling/chasing we are doing. This research opportunity is not only brought on by Samaras and Iowa State, but also funded by National Geographic among others. Thus, some details may have to be left out during the chase as well as some photographs, etc. dependent on what we capture. But, by no means figure that there won't be pictures up daily of some of the excitement! If you have any other questions or comments, be sure to add them to the end of this post by clicking on the comments text.

Besides this opportunity I have several other plans in the mix, including a trip to Florida next week with my girlfriend and her family. I depart next Tuesday evening, arriving back to the plains by the next Tuesday/Wednesday. My sister as well as my girlfriend are both graduating this year as well, making the rest of May eventful as well before I head out in June. Plenty more updates on my personal ongoings as well as the forecast updates in the future! Hope you stick around to read much more about it...

Read More

Spring Continues... Class Year Ending

The Iowa forecast update first before we get into the personal side of things. Another nice day looks to be on schedule with highs forecasted in the upper 60s and low 70s with some cloud cover across the state. Lows tonight in the upper 40s and lower 50s in the southeast where some clouds will likely remain over the area. Clouds continue in the pictures for Thursday/Thursday night, with highs only in the mid to upper 60s for the most part. Lows should be mild in the upper 40s to mid 50s with the risk of some showers/thunderstorms over the western and central parts of the state. Some lingering showers in the east for Friday, highs only in the upper 60s there while the rest of the state should see low to mid 70s. A second system should move into the state by Friday night, affecting mainly western Iowa although NWS offices are having discrepancies in how good the chance really is. Nonetheless, easy wording would be to mention scattered showers possible from Friday night through much of the weekend as weak systems continually move over the area. Don't expect washouts if you have outdoor plans, but would be prepared for some showers in case they do occur. Highs over the weekend will depend on possible showers/cloudcover, but mid 70s to some lower 80s on Saturday seem reasonable. Sunday highs in the mid 70s to maybe some mid 80s if areas can get by without any cloud cover.

Tomorrow at 2 PM I check out of my dorm room here at Iowa State and will end my Sophomore year in the Meteorology program. Finals week this week hasn't been terrible, Meteorology 301 final on Monday went great with no snags at all; Last night was the Physics 222 final which wasn't the greatest according to the supposed answers posted online. But, I passed the class no matter what and I'll essentially take whatever grade and not look at another physics book again, unless it's Atmospheric Physics. Tomorrow at 9:45 am I take my last final, Differential Equations, should finish by 11:30 am with not to many problems as I actually understand the math this semester thanks to a outstanding professor. I'll be back home for the summer Thursday afternoon/evening and tomorrow nights' post will explain my summer plans! A sneak preview of them below:

In Mid-May I have a big trip planned that will actually have me leaving the plains states! The month of June will be filled with traveling as well, all in the name of science. I was featured in a KICD Radio interview for being a part of this, a transcript with audio clips of the interview will be provided. Hope you stick around for that post, it'll be some important news!

Read More

Slight Cool Down

After consecutive days of highs approaching 90 degrees, this mornings' commute was a nice surprise with temperatures much lower. Lows this morning ranged from the lower 50s in northwest Iowa to the upper 60s in the southeast where they remained in the warm sector of the system moving across the state overnight. Todays' highs should be much milder than the past days, ranging from 70 to 80 degrees from northwest to southeast. Temperatures for the rest of the week should be consistent with today, only one precipitation chance currently in the mix on Thursday & Thursday night. That system will come into more detail tomorrow, the next update here will explain the chances that the state actually has for rain. As for high temperatures, upper 60s to mid 70s on Wednesday; Upper 60s to lower 70s on Thursday and finishing off the week with highs back up to the upper 60s to mid 70s. Lows during the rest of the week will also be consistent; ranging tonight from 40-50, upper 40s to lower 50s on Wednesday night. Thursday night brings upper 40s to mid 50s as some moisture returns to the state along with potential cloud cover. Another system Friday night will bring moisture and cloud cover chances again, lows in the 50 to 60 degree range overnight.

Some pictures for the viewing pleasure as well, over the weekend I had a chance to grab some shots of various things. High school track meet on Friday evening gave me a chance to do some more sport shots, G/T Track 2007. A new kitten out on the farm as well, grabbed a couple of shots of it before the mother had enough of me playing with it on Saturday morning; Last two in This Album. Another event Saturday night had me being a part of the photograph, went to the prom, the 4th and last time I will do so. G/T 2007 Prom (I'm in the white coat). Lastly, I'll leave you with a shot of a Robin that I took this weekend as well, enjoy:

Read More