Good morning everyone! A beautiful weekend is on tap for the whole region as high pressure dominates the weather pattern. Sunny skies will prevail for the vast majority of the region today, including NE, KS and MO while a storm system over the Great Lakes region will help to keep some areas of clouds around in IA. Precipitation chances remain quite low over IA due to the presence of dry air. However, there may be a spotty shower in northeastern IA through the early afternoon hours as the pocket of colder air swings through the Great Lakes.
IA will see breezy conditions today as a result of the upper-level low working through the area, with the eastern portions of the state seeing gusts upwards of 40-45 mph at times out of the northwest. Winds should relax into the evening hours as the storm system exits and higher pressure builds in from the west. Here is a look at the maximum wind gust forecast for today. More details on the wind for the coming days in the 4-panels below!
Sunday will prove to be similar when compared to today, with the exception being far lighter winds. The upper-level low will have since cleared out, with higher pressure bathing locations further northeast in IA under clear blue skies. There will be very weak energy lifting out of the Rockies into southwestern NE late in the day that will lead to areas of clouds, but precipitation is not expected. To the south of this energy in KS, scattered clouds from the Southern Plains will lift into the state Sunday afternoon/evening. Further north and east of these areas, fair skies will prevail. This will definitely be a good weekend to get any activities done outside, excluding IA today due to the strong wind risks.
Here’s a look at total precipitation over the next 7 days: Most of this won’t impact the region until mid to late next week. Current model consensus brings rains to the western portions of the area before losing steam and fading as the activity progresses into IA and MO.
We’ll introduce wetter risks to the western plains later this week where above normal precipitation is likely through the next 7 days. However, off to the east, a continued lack of moisture and rains will result in below normal rains (less than 50% of normal).
High temperatures over the next four days: Chilly today in IA (highs ranging from the mid 30s to upper 40s) due to the effects of an upper-level low to the northeast. Warmer air works back in from the west Sunday and especially Monday.
Low temperatures over the next four days: Much colder by Sunday morning across the eastern half of the region where upper 20s and lower 30s will be common. Warmer overnight lows, though still in the 30s and 40s expected Monday morning.
Wind forecast over the next four days:
Here’s a look at the advisories and warnings issued across the area currently: Wind Advisories remain in effect today across eastern IA with the strong winds expected to sweep through the state while Freeze Warnings are in effect for late tonight into Sunday morning across southern MO where temperatures will drop below freezing for the first time this season. While not shown, there are Frost Advisories in effect for southwestern MO into far southeastern KS.
High/low temperatures over the next 10 days:
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great weekend!