Good ol' Gustav

The remnants of the tropical system formerly known as Gustav finally began to move northward this afternoon. This northward track will take them into Missouri, and then into western Illinois, as it picks up speed into the Great Lakes area by Friday. Gustav still has plenty of moisture associated with the low pressure center, as up to 5 inches or even more is possible over portions of MO/IA/IL. Besides the rainfall, the clouds over a large portion of the state will keep high temperatures well below normal tomorrow.

Additional shortwaves will move over the northern plains into this weekend, giving us small chances of showers and thunderstorms for both Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures will remain slightly below normal through the next week, with the potential for a few nights of well below normal lows if clear skies and calm conditions occur. For now, we'll look in on the details of what Gustav will have to offer.

Light rain to moderate showers will move into the state tonight, southeast of a Des Moines to Waterloo line. The heaviest rain will occur in the southeast corner of the state, with a rapid decline in rainfall amounts as you move northwest. Tonights' lows will range from the mid 40s in northwest Iowa, to the mid 50s in southeast Iowa where the cloud cover and rain will be occurring. The rain will continue southeast of a Creston to Des Moines to Waterloo to LaCrosse, WI line during the day tomorrow. Highs will range from the lower 70s in the western third of the state, where clear skies may likely prevail. The central and eastern thirds of the state will be socked with cloud cover, leaving temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Thursday night will have the rain moving out, with only light showers remaining to areas that are east of Cedar Rapids/Iowa City. Lows will be in the mid 40s to lower 50s across the state, with plenty of chilly air filtering in.

Friday into the weekend will see the next system making its' entrance and likely producing showers and a potential thunderstorms. Highs aren't likely to make it above the mid 70s, with lows dropping into the 40s and 50s across the state. More details on the weekend in tomorrow's update.