A Chilly Morning... Warmth will Return

After seeing temperatures in the upper 80s to mid 90s, combined with overnight lows in the mid 60s to lower 70s, this morning felt kind of chilly for many areas of the state. Lows ranged from the lower 60s in southeast Iowa, to the lower 50s in northwest Iowa. These temperatures with the brisk breeze from the west felt very cool when I walked outside just before 8 AM this morning.

Highs today will range from the upper 70s to mid 80s from northeast to southwest across the state. With mainly clear skies and the westerly wind from 5-15 mph, little moisture is in the air as well to make it nearly feel like a spring or fall day outside. Lows tonight will drop into the mid to upper 50s throughout the state, once again with clear skies and winds beginning to shift more southwesterly.

Tuesday will see strong southwesterly winds during the afternoon, bringing up both moisture and warmth to the state. Highs will range from the mid 80s in northeast Iowa to around 90 along the Missouri River. Southwesterly winds from 10-20 mph in the eastern half of the state, southerly winds 15-25 mph in the western half. Overnight lows on Tuesday will be in the mid 60s to near 70 once again as the moisture returns to the state. Thunderstorm chances also come into the forecast for Tuesday night, mainly over the northwestern half of the state.

Thunderstorm chances continue over at least some portions of the state Wednesday into the weekend. Southerly winds continue to keep both the heat and moisture into the state until a cold front comes in on Friday. Highs beforehand in the mid 80s to lower 90s, by Friday and the weekend some cooling to the 80s throughout the state is expected. Lows overnight in the mid 60s and lower 70s Wednesday and Thursday, Friday night lows should be into the 60s throughout the state. The chances of severe weather look to be isolated Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday may become more widespread given storms develop. Friday's thunderstorms with the cold front passage should be widespread across the state, with thunderstorms likely being severe. More details on the threat will become available in later forecasts.

Iowa weather updates may continue through Tuesday, whereafter I get to take a vacation to the hot southwest. Wednesday, July 16 through the 23rd may be spent with updates from the southwest!