Finals Week Weather

That's right, here at Iowa State we've reached the end of the semester. This week of May is finals week, which of course means that there will be exciting weather to take away from my concentration on what has to be done. This does look to be true, as warm weather and thunderstorms are all likely threats this week.

Today and tomorrow (Monday) look like amazing spring days, no chance of precip and mainly clear skies will help the temperatures warm nicely. Highs today expected to range from the mid 60s to lower 70s from east to west; tomorrow's highs warm even more to the lower 70s to a few 80s from east to west. Lows tonight in the low to mid 40s; Monday night lows in the upper 40s to mid 50s with increasing moisture.

Tuesday is the first day of interesting weather, as a cold front will begin to make its' way across the state during the late afternoon and overnight. Tuesday's highs before the front are expected to be in the mid to upper 70s with increasing moisture. The front should spark thunderstorms across WI/MN/SD/NE and northwestern Iowa during the evening. These thunderstorms are then expected to move east/southeastward throughout the overnight hours. Currently the Storm Prediction Center has labeled the state under a slight risk of severe weather due to this cold front, large hail and damaging winds look to be the threat throughout the overnight hours across the state. Lows will range from the mid 50s to mid 40s as the front moves through and bring cooler temperatures with northerly winds.

This front should stall out south of the state, leaving cool and wet weather for portions of the state on Wednesday as well. Highs on Wednesday should be in the 60s, with showers likely over the southern half of the state. Lows Wednesday night in the 40s with showers continuing over much of the state. By Thursday, only southeastern Iowa is under a chance of rain, however this should only last for the morning hours. Highs in the upper to lower 60s from west to east, with lows Thursday night in the mid to upper 40s throughout the state.

We'll warm up once again with increasing southerly winds and moisture for the end of the week. A chance of showers and thunderstorms also look to come into the forecast for the end of the week. Later updates will focus on the severe thunderstorm threat for Tuesday...