[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCj4J-O4Bp0?hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=349]

NEXT SYSTEM: Today will be the calm before the storm. It will be cooler than it was Sunday when readings got well into the 50s even with the snow on the ground (of which most of it melted). Tuesday will have southerly winds and temperatures back into at least the 40s, if not a few 50s. Rain showers (some possibly freezing) will break out ahead of the system during the morning hours, a few rumbles of thunder and strokes of lightning can’t be ruled out by the afternoon and evening. The precipitation will stay in the form of rain through at least the evening hours before a switchover begins from NW to SE across the state. The rain will change to a mix of freezing rain and sleet/snow. A tenth or two of an inch of ice is possible but it’s all dependent on the temperature both in the morning and around Midnight Wednesday morning. Snow doesn’t look to be a big deal unless your in the far northern tier of counties along the Iowa Minnesota border. If you’re south of IA 9 in that northern tier you may get an inch or less, north of that to the MN border may get 2″ isolated 3″, just across the state line along the I-90 corridor may receive 4-8″. Farther north 12-18″ is possible near Watertown SD to west of St Cloud MN. The storm changes over to flurries or light snow showers for Wednesday with little if any accumulation on the ground.

MORE WINTRY WEATHER: Even though March will start meteorological Spring, it’s still going to be quite wintry on Friday with another storm scooting to the south and east of the state. The southeastern half may get some snow activity but it’s too early to determine amounts at this time. Just be aware of it. The weekend looks dry and seasonal with readings in the 30s and 40s across the state for highs.

BIG CHANGES: Changes are coming to the Iowa Weather Blog on Thursday.