Record Highs

Clear skies and strong winds allowed a nice influx of warm air over the state, highs that were forecasted to be in the lower to upper 80s turned out much warmer. Looking through some of the stations across the state, it seems as if highs ranged from the mid 80s to mid 90s across the state! Northwest Iowa is likely the ones to see the record breaking reports to come out for, as this area saw some of the higher temperatures today in the 90s. Previous records ranged from the upper 80s to lower 90s, official statements will likely be made tomorrow by the respective NWS offices.

Tomorrows' highs should be quite similar, with forecasts ranging from the low to mid 80s in northeast Iowa where a warm front will be south of that area and some clouds may be present. Other portions of the state look to see highs in the mid 80s to mid 90s once again, with strong winds once again pushing warm air into the area. This warm front, low pressure and eventual cold front will move across the state overnight. Forecast offices are having some trouble in dealing with the potential thunderstorm risks, as along the warm front the potential for severe weather is there. However, a strong cap in place with insufficient moisture may inhibit the chances for much of the evening. Overnight with temperatures falling, the likelihood of thunderstorms does increase over the state, but will also be gone by sunrise on Tuesday.

Personal Touch: Figured I'd add in a bit about the personal ongoings after all this is a blog about myself. Finals week is upon Iowa State, my schedule leaves me with a final on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. Tuesdays' final in Physics is the only one that any worries are really felt, as Mondays' and Thursdays' are under control with some overviews of the last month of class. As of Thursday night, I will then once again reside in northwest Iowa for the summer months.

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An Equipment Addition

Another new equipment addition has been made before the state of the chase season gets underway. As you know, I've went into a phase of piling up new equipment this spring with the Canon XTi and its' accessories. Well, with only the kit lens on the wide angle side of things and with the opportunities I am likely to have this spring/summer storm chasing I figured why wait when I'll need it and only be bickering about not having it while I'm out chasing. So, I went ahead and pulled the trigger, buying a new wide angle lens that has been on the top of the charts for quality vs price. The Sigma 17-70 DC MACRO lens came yesterday to me and I wasted no time in getting some test shots in with it. Although there are some complaining on how the standards and quality control with Sigma aren't the best, my lens seems to be in very good shape! Fully extended the lens has no wobble, the zoom is fairly tight, which is a nice thing really; the lock feature on it to keep it from extending is great as well. I took quite a few test shots on a dollar bill, a quarter and some text on a page, all of them turning out quite sharp and focus seems to be right on the money. Another thing to mention with focus is how close you can be while focusing, I literally had the lens on the table with the object and it would still focus!! Anyway, here are a few of the test shots, with more on my Gallery Page.

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Heavy Rain (Day 2)

Once again, rain showers covered most of the state today, although currently only light rain is reported in a couple of stations across the state. Flooding continues to be a concern today with continued rain, a watch remains in effect for much of southcentral Iowa. Otherwise there are several counties under Flood Warnings at this time, the central portion of the state as well as the southeast are the hardest hit at this time with flooding. Please check the Des Moines NWS Severe Summary Page for more details on which counties are under warnings/watches and the texts to go with those. For today, here are the top values for accumulation rainfall through ~9:30 PM:

KCCI Des Moines: 2.19"
Chariton Elementary: 2.03"
Ankeny: 1.98"
Muscatine: 1.87"
Grimes Elementary: 1.75"

The last two days have been full of rain however and the reports from both days have been summarized nicely by an image the NWS in Des Moines has put out with the help from the Iowa Mesonet. The image is below in thumbnail fashion, linked to the full size image...




Expect the rain to come to an end overnight or early tomorrow, with cloudy skies continuing throughout the day. Highs will once again be below normal, staying in the 50s for the most part. By the end of the week however the skies will likely clear and temperature will begin their rise to above average. Highs on Friday will be around normal, with a range in the 60s...

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Heavy Rain (Day 1)

Rain started much earlier than forecasted by the models and the NWS, with rain beginning fairly early this morning throughout much of the state. It has continued to rain throughout the day, even heavier than what was previously expected by many forecasts. This heavier and more consistent rainfall has prompted several flood watches, flood statements concerning rising rivers and even some flood warnings and the heavier rains have caused some flash flooding.

Flash Flood Warnings: Cass, Adair & Guthrie counties
Flood Warnings: North Raccoon River in Jefferson, IA & Perry, IA

Today's rainfall amounts across the state for select cities across the state include .40 inches in Spencer, IA. 1.98 inches for Sioux City, IA; 0.78 in Council Bluffs, IA to cover the southwest portion of the state. 1.15" in Mason City, IA; Ames, IA with 1.11" & DMX NWS office with exactly 1" through 7 PM. Waterloo, IA has received .67"; Iowa City with .24" & Burlington in the low spot with only .02" through 7 PM as well. Using the Iowa Mesonet and the collaboration of stations across the state, here are the overall top 5 rainfall amounts for the day:

Adair Casey School: 3.46"
Carroll: 2.64"
Stuart: 2.51"
Madrid: 2.39"
Anita: 2.32"

Expect rain to continue through the night and throughout the day tomorrow, flooding conditions will likely worsen with plenty more rivers rising to their banks. Rainfall amounts should be slightly lower than today, but nonetheless still being steady and amounting fairly quickly. Rain is expected to continue through Wednesday night as well for much of the state, although western Iowa should see the rain end by sunrise. Eastern Iowa will likely see the rain end by Thursdays' sunset, clearing off for a decent day by Friday...

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Heavy Rains

With some decent thunderstorms providing rainfall over the state during the weekend, the threat of heavy rains is once again in the forecast for the next system to pass over the state. A strong low pressure system will move south of the area, allowing for potentially significant severe weather over areas of the central/southern plains. But, for the state of Iowa, being just north of the low will set portions of the state up for significant rainfall.

Showers/Thunderstorms likely to begin in the southwest by late tomorrow morning, with movement northeastward allowing them to overtake much of the state by Tuesday evening. Those lucky enough to not be rained out during the day will see the rain begin overnight. These showers/thunderstorms will likely last throughout the night and into Wednesday morning, with the northern half of the state seeing an end by 10 am, however the southern half or third of the state may see rainfall linger much of the day as the low continues to spin just south/southeast of the state. The southern third of Iowa is thus likely to see the heaviest rainfall, with current forecasts of nearly 2 inches or more. Northern portions of the state will also see some significant rains, although only on the order an inch or so...

Once this system passes through, temperature on Thursday will be in the lower 60s throughout the state. Despite this day below average, temperature will continue to rise to above normal standards by the weekend. Mid 60s to lower 70s from northeast to southwest on Friday; 70s throughout the state on Saturday with the highest values once again over the western portions of the state. Finishing off the weekend, high temperatures over western Iowa will likely be in the 80s once again with the rest of the state also very warm in the 70s. Lows during this period will range in the 40s on Thursday/Friday night, warming into the upper 40s and lower to mid 50s for the weekend.

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VEISHEA Forecast

This weekend is the celebration of VEISHEA here at Iowa State Univ, this year in collaboration with the universities 150th anniversary of becoming what it is today. This years' celebration features several dozen bands and other entertainment, food and activities around campus. To honor the event that is ongoing here, this post is dedicated to this weekends' forecast.

Rest of today should be pleasant with temperatures nearing the 70 degree mark by late afternoon. Winds will be brisk at 15-20, although this shouldn't affect the temperatures much when being outside. The wind will likely keep up through the night, this likely to help keep temperatures mild though in the lower 50s as concerts continue until 3 am. Tomorrows' forecast looks even better, although wind still gusting near 30mph, temperatures will rise into the upper 70s! For the concerts once again going until near 2 am early Sunday morning the temperatures should be in the mid 50s with gusty winds. Sunday will be the only concern of some adverse weather, with a potentially strong system moving into the area. Thunderstorms do seem like a decent probability during the afternoon/evening hours on Sunday. Temperatures before the storms move in are likely to be near the mid 70s, but will drop off significantly with the passing of the system into the upper 50s if not lower. This threat will likely come into better focus later, as the forecast will be quite dependent on the thunderstorms that develop further west on Saturday.

Other Concerns: Severe weather can be a threat for much of the plains this weekend, for discussion on those events I invite you to read the StormCenterUSA forums in which threads have been started to discuss each days' event. These will feature ongoing discussion to keep you updated on the severe risk throughout the weekend...

Friday, April 20 Severe Threat
Saturday, April 21 Severe Threat
Sunday, April 22 Severe Threat

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Ledges State Park

Another wonderful day across the state with sunny skies and temperatures right at normal or slightly above. With this nice weather and some free time I planned to head out to Ledges State Park which is just west of Ames and south-southeast of Boone. One of the first times I've got out with my camera and done some quality shooting. The park here is great, so great that I was only there for 2 hours and probably haven't seen a quarter of what the park has to offer. I'll likely head back sometime before the school year is over as I want to explore more and try a few other experimental shots with the creeks in the park. To view all of the pictures from todays' trip to Ledges State Park, go to my Photo Album Pages.

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Still Above Average...

Despite having slightly cooler temperatures yesterday, we still remained above average for the most part. Highs ranged from 78 to 66 mainly from southeast to northwest respectively. The northwest was held down quite a bit by morning cloud cover that kept them near 50 degrees through the Noon hour, but once they cleared the temperatures quickly shot up thanks to the ever stronger sun. Todays' highs are forecasted to be in the upper 50s and upper 60s across the state, a quick look at the currents shows mid 50s to mid 60s already in place and thus expect that the forecasted highs may be on the low end once again. Not much else in terms of the currents, overall a couple of very nice spring days that we've gone through lately and that looks to continue...

Forecast: The first system moving into the area should begin to make its' presence tomorrow as a band of cloud cover works over the state during the day. This will likely hold temperatures down to near normal and even a little below normal in some areas of the state. While normals are still in the lower 60s to mid 60s, Thursday will only see mid 50s to mid 60s. This system has the chance to bring some precip with it as a warm front lifts over the state, however as mentioned in the Des Moines forecast discussion the threat doesn't look that great and they are being fairly generous with the chances. If it does rain, it will likely occur overnight Thursday with a few sprinkles maybe early Friday in the east. Lows will be fairly mild thanks to cloud cover, with 40s found throughout the state.

Friday will see the return of warm flow into the state, with temperatures rising into the mid 60s and low 70s with clear skies. This flow continues to increase on Saturday, putting highs in the range of 70s throughout. Lows during this period will be mild as well, with upper 40s and lower 50s on Friday night; Saturday night has lows in the 50s. The increased highs on Saturday will also come with the risk of rain overnight as moisture increases ahead of the next system. Western sections of the state will likely see rain during the late night hours with rain/thunderstorms working across the state on Sunday. Highs Sunday look to be in the mid 60s to mid 70s dependent on the timing of rain moving through. Severe weather is still not out of the question with the storms Saturday night & Sunday, however some issues still remain and will not get into those details quite yet.

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Almost Hot... Almost...

Yesterday saw the temperatures skyrocket, well above even some of the forecasted highs for the day. The sun came out in full force will completely blue skies and it showed its' strength by quickly pushing temperatures up to the forecasted highs by early afternoon. This left a couple of hours of heating that warmed the state to the low 80s in some areas, while others still struggled a bit, only in the low 70s. Normal highs for the day yesterday range from 58-65 degrees, instead the spread of highs yesterday were 66-83! The lowest values of the day were found in eastern Iowa where Davenport area had reports of 69 & 66. Northeast Iowa found itself in the lower 70s, with the rest of southeast Iowa in the mid 70s. Central Iowa actually had its' higher temperatures in the northern sections, where the Fort Dodge area saw 76-78 for the range of high temperatures. The rest of central Iowa saw the mid 70s, with the lowest actually in Lamoni with a value of 72. Western Iowa was the winner, with highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s across the area. Highest values once again coming in the north actually, with Sheldon reaching the peak of 83, hottest in the state! Those values in northwest Iowa were actually some of the hottest in the nation, warmer than Texas & even Florida!!

Today some clouds in the state are keeping the sun from its' full power or in the northwest, from even showing at all. Lower 60s are currently shown in much of the southern and eastern sections of the state, northwest Iowa however is under a thicker cloud layer and only has temperatures in the mid 50s and even a couple reports only near 50 degrees. These temperatures should still rise a couple more degrees in the afternoon and allow for another day of above normal temperatures across most of the state. My weather station near Terril, IA reported a high of 78 yesterday and is currently sitting at 55 after a low last night of 42.

Forecast: Dry forecast through Thursday, with highs tomorrow in the upper 50s to the upper 60s from northeast to southwest. Highs Thursday should be a couple of degrees cooler from Wednesday, ranging from mid 50s to mid 60s. Lows during this time frame should be within the mid 30s in the northeast to mid 40s in the southwest. Thursday night will enter our first risk of showers and thunderstorms as we begin a more active pattern, precipitation chances should remain in the forecast through early Friday afternoon in the east. Lows Thursday night will be milder thanks to cloud cover, upper 30s to upper 40s across the state. Friday will see a return of southerly winds likely to help the high temps rise to the upper 60s in the west & central portions of the state. Some morning clouds in the east will keep temperatures down somewhat, but still into the 60s. A stronger wave is likely to effect the area over the weekend, the threat of severe weather is not out of the question. Above normal temperatures are still expected through the weekend, details will be mentioned later in the week.

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Wonderful Week Ahead!!

After last weeks' episode of winter mother nature is going to make up for her seasonal mistake, by providing us with above normal temperatures throughout much of the week across the state. Today saw clear skies throughout the state, with high temperatures ranging from 62 degrees to even a couple readings of 70. Tomorrow should be much the same, with even an increase in highs by an average of 5 degrees. Yes, that means highs tomorrow across the state should range from the mid 60s to the mid 70s! With once again, no precipitation, just nice clear blue skies.

A weak wave will enter the picture late Monday into Tuesday, this likely providing some cloud cover over the state that will keep highs down to more of a normal range. Not enough moisture is likely to be in place for this system, as well as the fact that it will be fairly weak will lead to the lack of actual precipitation over the state. Once this system moves through, temperatures will take a day to recover, with highs on Wednesday also being close to normal range of mid 50s to mid 60s. Lows should be above freezing, although still chilly when in the mid 30s to mid 40s. Thursday will see the temperatures as well as moisture begin to return to the area, even stronger than before with southerly winds ahead of the next system. Highs from 60-70 seem reasonable on Thursday, with the mid 60s to lower 70s on Friday and then the warmest day on Saturday as of the current forecast with a range of mid 60s to at least mid 70s, although a few upper 70s may not be out of the question. Sunday currently as highs just slightly lower than Saturday, this is due to the discrepancy of models in how the strongest system will move through during the weekend. To focus more on this, one weak system will likely move through on Thursday night/Friday bringing a small chance of showers/thunderstorms. A much stronger system will then move into the picture on Saturday and Sunday, as a warm front moves north over the state on Saturday, likely causing thunderstorms. Sunday will see the low pressure system potentially move over the state, pulling through the actual cold front and a possible triple point setup over the region. These two days in the weekend currently hold some potential for severe weather, with at least a good chance of general thunderstorms. More details on this system as it comes into focus, for now it's time to enjoy the warm spring temperatures!

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