Iowa 2008: A Weather Review

While I was present throughout much of this year's weather that occurred throughout the state of Iowa, it was helpful to read through some of these great products that the Des Moines National Weather Service has issued over the past couple of days. It will remind you of the bitter cold that was endured in January and February, which also coincided with one of the snowiest February's on record for the state. These events led into a very active spring, it started dry for March and quickly turned to a very wet April. A break in the rain for mid-May would only help the farmers get their crop in the fields, as the latter half of May led to the destructive and national news headlines of the Parkersburg, IA tornado. The state wouldn't stay out of the national spotlight for too long, as the floods across much of Iowa would once again enter during the month of June. Tornadoes would once again lead to national news headlines for the state of Iowa, as on June 11th several boy scouts were killed near Little Sioux, IA. The state ended the summer with heavy rains and more flooding in July, and then a record-setting dry spell for the month of August. The warmth of summer and fall would be the only headlines for the next couple of months, with a very late fall freeze. This warmth continued into the early part of November with temperatures continuing in the 70s and even an 80 degree reading. We finally got back to the cold air that we started out the year with in the latter half of November and this has continued for the most part through the end of the year. December has also brought headlines with the continued round of snow storms, with blizzard and near-blizzard conditions and snowfall amounts greater than 20 inches to lead this month as the 4th snowiest December in Iowa history.

For a complete review of 2008 view the Des Moines NWS document here: DMX NWS Year in Review

Another read for those interested in this years' tornadoes across the state will be the table-listing of all tornadoes. It includes the city, county, specific location and time of each tornado; it will also show the maximum length and width of each tornado along with any injuries and deaths that unfortunately were to occur with the tornado. To view this document, head to the link: 2008 Iowa Tornadoes

Thanks for making this a successful year of the blog, with several thousands of readers and with the comments and views that I'm sure to keep going. Hope you had a great 2008, and here's to looking forward to a even better 2009!

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Melting Ice

The past couple of days left parts of the state under a few tenths of an inch of ice, while other parts saw plenty of melting snow due to the rainfall that was occurring. This rapid melting and additional rainfall has prompted a few flood warnings over the southeast quarter of the state. Additional melting is likely to occur over the next few days as well as temperatures continue to be well above normal through Tuesday before our next storm system begins to work into the state. For the quick recap on the past few days weather, a map below shows the ice accumulations that have occurred on Dec. 26/27:



For the next few days it looks like we'll stay dry and warm with southerly winds and sunny skies. Through Tuesday you can expect highs to range from the lower 30s across northern Iowa to the lower 40s across the southern third of the state. The lows to go along with these warmer temperatures during the day will also be well above normal, with the teens to mid 20s expected Sunday night. Monday night will be even warmer with lows near 20 across the north and near 30 on the southern border of the state. Beyond these warmer temperatures we'll see another storm system move in and give us a chance of snow on Tuesday night for northern Iowa; expanding to cover more of the state for Wednesday and later. It looks like we'll end the year without another major storm system, time to prepare for 2009!

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Mixed Precipitation...

The Holidays have been busy, thus I'm sure with everyone traveling the road conditions have been important to many. There hasn't been too many problems thus far, with mainly some snow and blowing snow to contend with on the roads. Yesterday was quite warm with a warm front moving north over the state allowing temperatures to reach well into the 30s and 40s even with snow cover. These warmer temperatures are now on their way back down with a cold front passing through the state. This cold front and associated low(s) are responsible for areas of sleet/snow and freezing rain over parts of the state this morning.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for many areas along and east of I-35 for this mixed bag of precipitation that should continue through this afternoon and into the overnight hours. Areas along I-35 should see light accumulations of both sleet and freezing rain during the day, with snow beginning in the evening and into the early overnight with accumulations of 1-3 inches of snow. Further east the situation becomes a bit messier with rain expected through much of the day, with isolated thunderstorms even included in the forecast. Rainfall totals of a quarter to half-inch are possible, with an eventual change to sleet/snow being possible during the evening and into the overnight. Travel conditions are likely to be hazardous over the eastern half of the state beginning this evening and continuing through the overnight hours with the mixed precipitation.

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Even More Snow!!

While the first brush of snowfall has made its' way over much of the state during the overnight hours it will keep a few flurries or snow showers around in the central/eastern parts of the state early today. A dusting to a few inches may be expected from central to eastern Iowa, the eastern third of the state has been put under a Winter Weather Advisory for their chances of seeing an additional 1-3 inches of snowfall today, leaving their storm totals from 2-5 inches. This additional snowfall has created some troublesome areas of travel as roadways are being reported as mostly to completely covered this morning.

Beyond today's snowfall, the next event to come across the state is expected on Wednesday as a low pressure system begins to form over the Midwest and track northeast. This low will move east of the state of Iowa, but it will likely put areas of eastern Iowa in a favorable location for receiving potentially significant snowfall amounts. It is for this reason that areas of eastern Iowa (approximately the eastern third) have been put under a Winter Storm Watch for Wednesday. While much of the state may see a few flurries or light snow, areas east of a Nebraska City, NE to Des Moines to Waterloo to LaCrosse, WI line will likely see greater than 3 inches of additional snow. Some areas, mainly east-central Iowa, may have the potential for 6 inches or more of snow through Wednesday. This snowfall combined with an increase in winds will create blowing and drifting snow, and of course hazardous driving conditions on Christmas Eve. Later updates will refine the snowfall totals and locations for this Christmas Eve snowfall...

The latter half of the week will be full of interesting weather to go along with those interesting family times. A potentially strong storm system to the west of the state will lift warm air into and through Iowa during the day on Thursday and Friday. This warm air will allow even surface temperatures in the upper 20s and lower to mid 30s despite the snowfall. While this will hopefully create a crust on the current snowfall to hamper any additional blowing snow, it may create problems of its' own with any precipitation that falls. Forecasts have a wintery mix, to even rain in the forecast across the state on Thursday afternoon through Saturday. As you may be thinking, ground temperatures will certainly not get above freezing with the considerable snow cover, thus leaving any liquid precip as freezing upon contact with surfaces. Be prepared to leave early or travel in some hazardous conditions if this comes to be for the latter half of the week. Luckily at this time it does not appear to be significant or widespread, but something to keep an eye on for holiday travel.

I had a question on the previous blog entry about more of a long range forecast, and wish to at least give recognition to it here. With all that has been going on in the short term, I haven't taken a long look at the January forecasts, etc. Weather models in the long range will change quite often, thus there is no good way to indicate anything more than trends. Current Climate Prediction Center forecasts do have Iowa in a probability area of seeing above normal temperatures in January. Above normal temperatures in January won't necessarily be above freezing, rather temperatures in the teens and 20s on average instead of some single digits and lower teens.

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A little more snow...

Another storm system will clip the state tonight and continue to produce some light snowfall through Tuesday night. While snowfall amounts are not expected to be too high, just below advisory criteria, the snow combined with already full ditches may produce some troubled driving conditions over parts of northern Iowa. Temperatures should become a little warmer with the snowfall, and continue to be warmer than the past couple of days through Wednesday.

Total snowfall amounts through the next 36 hours should range between only a trace for areas southwest of a Sioux City to Ottumwa line; with 2-4 inches possible for areas northeast of a Spirit Lake to Waterloo to near Davenport line. The area in between should see 1-2 inches of snowfall... Winds are expected to be breezing, at 10-20 mph which may give way to some blowing snow, especially in those areas where the ditches, etc. are already full.

In a previous post I included an image of snowfall depth across the state, and with the last snowfall there is now an updated snow-depth map that is attached below:

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Winter Storm (Dec. 20) Update #2

Light to moderate snowfall combined with strong northwesterly winds have allowed travel conditions across the state to deteriorate throughout the day. Most of north-central and northeast Iowa have been advised to not travel due to the road conditions. These strong winds will continue to create hazardous travel conditions across the northern half of the state through early Sunday.

Beyond the blowing snow and windy conditions, these will combine with temperatures near or below freezing throughout the next 36 hours to create dangerous wind chill value. Much of the state will see wind chills below -20 during the day tomorrow, and even below -30 during the evening and overnight hours tomorrow and Monday night as well. Be sure to keep bundled with the very cold and windy conditions through Monday night...

The image below is the latest snow depth across the state of Iowa:

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Winter Storm (Dec. 20) Update #1

The Blizzard Warning has been expanded to include areas along and north of Highway 20, and areas along and west of I-35. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for northeast Iowa where snowfall amounts and winds will still create hazardous conditions, but won't quite reach blizzard criteria. Snowfall has continued to fall this morning across the state, with 2-4 inches expected across the northern third of the state. The central third of the state should see 1-3 inches, and the remainder of the state may see an inch or so. Although travel conditions aren't too bad at the moment with only snowfall, as a cold front sweeps over the state the winds will increase significantly this afternoon and continue into Sunday. These northwest winds will likely be sustained at 20-35 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. The combination of fresh snowfall and these winds will create blizzard or near-blizzard conditions across the northern third of the state of Iowa as well as areas of Minnesota and South Dakota. These blizzard conditions are likely to continue into Sunday morning and early afternoon, making traveling very hazardous or not impossible over some areas.

I did have one comment on the previous post asking about travel conditions, making the trip from near Rochester, MN to Des Moines, IA. While I can't say if they will be closing down I-90 or I-35; it will be a very hazardous trip to make anytime during the day today/tomorrow. It may have been best to make the trip early this morning, or else you can wait until later on Sunday and hopefully the winds may subside a little early. Updates may be posted as blizzard conditions begin and continue through today and tomorrow...

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Winter Storm (Dec. 20)

The third winter storm of the week is headed towards the state and will begin early tomorrow and continue into Sunday. Areas along and northern of highway 30 are most likely to be effected by this storm, and this is where there are currently Winter Storm Watches issued for north-central and northeast Iowa. Parts of northwest Iowa have been put under a Winter Weather Advisory for tomorrow morning, and then a Blizzard Warnings for the afternoon into Sunday morning. The portions of the state that are currently not under an advisory/warning are likely to be put under one later this evening/tonight. A band of 1-3 inches of snow is possible between highway 30 and highway 20; the northern third of the state is likely to see 2-4 inches with isolated higher amounts.

The bigger story of this winter storm will not be the snowfall amounts like the last one; rather the high winds that are to pick up after the snow falls. Once a cold front slides through the state during the afternoon hours tomorrow, expect winds to increase out of the northwest at 15-25 mph sustained with gusts near 35 mph. These winds will create heavy blowing and drifting snow, and dangerous wind chill values throughout northern Iowa.

The next storm update is possible late tonight once any updated advisories/warnings have been issued...

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Winter Storm (Dec. 18) Recap

A dangerous winter storm created havoc for much of the state of Iowa, and surrounding locations. Snowfall was prominent throughout the northern half of the state where 5 inches or greater was seen. The heaviest snowfall was in parts of northwest and northeast Iowa where reports of greater than 8 inches were received. Luckily this snow was very light and fluffy, and with little in the way of wind it was not a problem to get off of the roads. The other concern was the ice and sleet that occurred over much of central and southern Iowa, the heaviest amounts seemed to be in localized locations across southern Iowa. Images of the snow accumulations and ice accumulations via the NWS Des Moines are posted below.

Ice Accumulations


Snow Accumulations

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Winter Storm (Dec. 18) Update #4

The winter storm has arrived! Widespread reports across the southern half of the state of sleet and freezing rain, with some accumulation and icing already occurring. Some areas of southeast Nebraska have already reported a half inch of sleet, and other reports of an eighth of an inch of ice accumulation. These heavier reports have been co-located with reports of thunder and lightning that were quite frequent. These heavier amounts have just moved into southwest Iowa as well, with the latest report coming in from Council Bluffs, IA with nearly a half inch of ice accumulation; power lines are already sagging there.

You can view the latest radar from the Iowa Chaser homepage, as you see the precip overspread the entire state!

Watch your local news and check your local National Weather Service homepages for the latest updates and accumulation statements. Undoubtedly a very dangerous winter storm, be sure to also watch the road conditions across Iowa via iowaroadconditions.org where you can also watch the conditions rapidly deteriorate.

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