[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8bSDQ5vgLk?hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=349]

AHEAD TO THE WEEKEND: The storm system this weekend has become a major player in the forecast over the next week. We could see a significant snowfall across a large section of Iowa by Sunday afternoon. The GFS suggests a band of 5-8″ at this time (see video for the map), but it’s too early to determine amounts. We’ll put up another GFS Forecast Snowfall Total later today. (The NAM only goes out 84 hours and won’t be within range for another day). Most of southeastern Iowa looks to stay mainly away from the wintry precipitation, with rain with a possible mix as the precipitation ends. The cutoff of snow accumulations as of now looks to be Dubuque to Iowa City to Ottumwa. This too can change on consecutive runs. As to the snow beginning, it will move in Saturday from SW to NE and end Sunday morning. The main window of snowfall is likely going to be 9pm Saturday through 5am Sunday morning. We’ll keep up to date on this probable storm system this weekend.

UP TO THEN: It will remain seasonal up to the weekend storm with readings in the 30s to lower 40s. The 40s will be today before a cold front moves in Thursday sparking a few flurries or light snow showers. These will not amount to a whole lot and shouldn’t cause any travel difficulties.

AFTER THE STORM: Temperatures will plunge into the 20s for highs. Lows will be in the single digits and teens. Readings will begin to bounce back toward seasonal averages by mid-week next week. The rest of the month as of now looks somewhat quiet with another possible storm just missing the state to the south in about 10 days time.