Warmer and Wetter

After last nights' well below normal temperatures of mid 30s to lower 40s, including a record tying low in Ottumwa, IA, we'll be on our way back up in the temperature side of things. However, this will come with increased south winds and thus increased moisture. Meaning that we can expect scattered showers and thunderstorms over at least part of the state beginning on Wednesday night and continuing through Saturday night.

Tonight's lows should range from the low 40s in eastern Iowa to the lower 50s in western Iowa. This difference in lows will likely be a result of some stratus clouds moving into the western third of the state. These clouds may hang around somewhat during the day tomorrow, with at least other fair weather cumulus developing much like today. This mix of clouds will keep temperatures in the range of 70s from northeast (low 70s) to southwest (upper 70s).

Wednesday night will have the first wave move just north of the state, which may lead to some scattered showers or thunderstorms over mainly northwest Iowa. Lows overnight should range from the low 50s in eastern Iowa under clear skies, to the lower 60s under mostly cloudy skies in western Iowa. Additional energy coming off of the trough located along the Rockies will continue to pose the potential for more showers and thunderstorms across much of the state. These showers/thunderstorms and cloudy skies will keep temperatures in the lower to mid 70s throughout the state. These showers and thunderstorms should become limited to the southern half of the state for Thursday night, with lows ranging from the mid 50s to lower 60s from north to south across the state under mostly cloudy skies.

The trough that briefly stalled near the Rockies will begin to move onto the plains during the day on Friday, and move through the state overnight into Saturday. This will leave very little time between rounds of showers/storms for the state. Increased chances begin on Friday afternoon and continue through Saturday afternoon for a majority of the state. By Saturday evening, the showers/storms should be over mainly eastern Iowa and ending for the entire state by Saturday night. Temperatures on Friday should be in the lower to mid 70s across the state. Lows overnight in the mid 50s in northwest Iowa to near 60 across much of southern Iowa. Saturday's highs should be fairly even throughout the state, ranging from the low 70s to mid 70s. We'll end the week with overnight lows dropping once again into the 50s throughout the state.

So a quick first glance at your Iowa State vs Iowa football game has a chance of showers or isolated thunderstorm throughout game-time. Temperatures should be near 70 at kick-off and only increase a couple of degrees, winds luckily will be fairly light at 5-10 mph, mainly southerly.

Notes: Another update to the forecast is likely on Thursday, and a final forecast for the Iowa State vs Iowa football game will be made on Friday.
You may also notice some visual changes to the blog, as I decided to expand the width and separate the blog posts with a more defined line.