Good morning everyone! Many have woke to plentiful sunshine draped across the region. There are a few exceptions to this, including locations near the Mississippi River where some lingering cloud cover in association with that slow-moving upper-level low remains. Some scattered high clouds can also be noted progressing through NE and this lies ahead of an approaching storm system that will mainly impact the northeastern portions of the area into tonight.
Most areas will enjoy plenty of sunshine today with patchy mist exiting to the east. As previously stated, there will be another wave of energy set to impact northern NE into IA into the evening hours that will bring scattered showers to these areas. This wave will progress southeastward into tonight, continuing its impacts on IA and even northern MO. Locations off to the southwest will remain dry with mostly clear skies dominating due to a lack of energy and forcing. This disturbance will increase winds this evening north and other portions of the region into tonight and Sunday. More details on the strong winds discussed in the 4-panels.
Simulated radar through 1pm CDT Sunday: Light rain showers begin to work in across northern NE and northwestern IA after 5pm CDT this afternoon with the additional portions of IA observing precipitation through the evening hours. At first it will likely be difficult to get the precipitation that falls from the clouds to reach the surface due to substantial dryness in the lowest levels of the atmosphere. However, with time these layers will saturate and we’ll work in some of this shower activity reaching the ground. Northern MO will be impacted as well with light showers into tonight. This disturbance will be a quick mover, so the showers will have lifted through IA and MO by the time 7am CDT Sunday rolls around. A few rumbles of thunder may be noted within this complex of showers as it works through tonight. Given some low-level moisture hanging around, we can’t rule out some patchy drizzle lingering in eastern IA through the morning hours Sunday before lifting east.
Total rainfall 1pm CDT Sunday: Rainfall will have a difficult time reaching the ground in northern MO, southwestern IA and northern NE, hence very light rainfall amounts depicted. The best chance for measurable precipitation will be in eastern IA where 0.1-0.25″ of rain is most likely. Areas further south and west will remain dry.
Sunday will be a great day for any outdoor activities as a lack of clouds for most will yield mostly sunny skies. We’ll still be observing some lingering cloud cover in eastern IA as this portion of the region will be the last to work out the clouds from this upcoming disturbance. Even Monday will be a fairly dry day for the region with a slight increase in clouds (though still a mix of sun and clouds).
After this storm system passes to the east Sunday, the best chance for rains will be across MO with the pre-Halloween storm lifting through. A general 0.5-1″ of rain is likely in the eastern/southern portions of the state while rainfall amounts drop off to the north and west. Some areas in KS and NE may see very little precipitation.
High temperatures over the next four days: It will be quite the warm day for the region today with widespread mid 60s to 70s expected. Northeastern IA will be the outlier where cloud cover will hinder temperatures from warming to 60ºF. Slightly cooler temperatures are expected tomorrow after the passage of the cold front, but 60s will still be widespread in KS, NE and MO while 50s are more likely in IA.
Low temperatures over the next four days: Temperatures will generally remain above freezing Sunday morning across the region while some cooler air pushes into the northeastern portions Monday morning where temperatures likely fall below 32ºF.
Wind forecast over the next four days: Winds will pick up as we head into this evening and overnight, especially across IA. A large portion of the state could see 40-50mph+ wind gusts during the overnight hours into Sunday morning. Winds will gradually die off from northwest to southeast during the afternoon and evening hours Sunday. Other portions of the region will also observe strong winds upwards of 40mph that gradually decrease through the day Sunday. Here’s a look at the wind 4-panel and simulated wind gusts through Sunday:
High/low temperatures over the next 10 days for Des Moines, Lincoln, Salina and Columbia: Eyeing a cooler trend in temperatures after the Halloween storm system.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great weekend!