[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE_Y5YA3L5c?hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=349]

SEVERE WEATHER: There is a slight risk of severe weather for today and tonight across the entire state of Iowa. The main threats from these storms will be from large hail and damaging straight line winds. A cold front will be moving into the state from the west which will spark the shower and thunderstorm activity over the state. These will develop over the late afternoon into the evening hours. However, the best chances of severe weather may remain to the south and southwest of the state over Missouri and Kansas where higher probabilities are found.

PLEASANT WEEKEND: After a few morning showers across the eastern counties of the state, the weekend looks to be superb with highs around 80 and partly to mostly sunny skies. The models have been slow to move the current system out so more cloudiness is possible across the east on Saturday but the rainfall should hold only to the morning hours.

FOLLOWING WEEK: Temperatures begin a slow rise into the lower and middle 80s by the middle of next week with a chance of showers and thunderstorms retuning by Tuesday into Wednesday. Temperatures will remain in the upper 70s to middle 80s range through the rest of next week.

FARTHER OUT: The model still wants to show a ridge over the area toward the end of the month, although this run shows it not as pronounced and a bit flatter. However, temperature may still be above average if this pans out with little if any moisture in the area as the main storm track will be shunted north into Canada.