Calm Weekend before the Storm!

The weekend will remain nice and calm, with increasing temperatures bringing much of the state out of the deep freeze it was in earlier this week. After temperatures drop down into the single digits above and below zero, they should rebound nicely tomorrow with highs in the upper 30s to mid 20s from southwest to northeast across the state of Iowa. Lows Saturday only in the teens with temperatures on Sunday rising nicely into the 30s across the entire state, except southwest Iowa where they should see lower 40s!

Sunday and Sunday night however will be the beginning of the action, as a low pressure system is likely to form on the Lee side of the Rockies and intensify over areas of KS/NE. Some precipitation is likely to be into Nebraska by Sunday night. However Iowa remains calm for the night with temperatures quite mild, lower 20s to near 30 across the state for lows.

As we enter Monday however we should see this system approach and cross over the state during the night on Monday. Currently the models are still struggling somewhat with location, but the favored forecast is going to put the state directly in line for the worst part of the winter weather from this storm. A mix of precip is possible over the state, some rain in the southern third, some sleet and freezing rain likely across the state and then the potential for another significant accumulation of snow. Estimates are only going to be rough guesses, but anywhere from an inch to potentially the double-digits (10") in total accumulation could occur. The snow should last through the day on Monday and into the night for a majority of the state. Some light snow possible Tuesday, however the bigger story will be the winds as they once again are expected to pick up following the snowfall.

Another update is likely by Sunday with more of a detailed forecast for the state.
As another note, this is the Iowa Chaser Blogs' 300th post!!