[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UjhrO7dt64&w=480&h=360]
NEEDED RAIN: There is going to be numerous chances of rain over the next week over the state, with some decent amounts possible as well. Rain moves in today (some in fact this morning in the west). Temperatures will remain cool in the 50s to near 60 for highs today (some places will likely have set their high today early this morning). There could be some embedded thunder with the activity but severe weather is not expected. This will continue into Saturday before ending from west to east in the afternoon into the evening. Some of the rain could mix with a wet snowflake in far northern Iowa Friday night, although chances are slight on that.
MORE RAIN: A quick break from the rain on Sunday will be followed by several more rounds of shower and thunderstorm activity across the region. A warm front moves into the state and stalls over the area Monday and several chances will last until at least Friday of next week. Thursday looks to have the least chance of any precipitation. Along with the chances of precipitation, temperatures will rise back into the 70s to around 80 across the state. Some of the storm complexes may become strong to severe. Any pinpointed forecast on severe weather will come in future videos and discussions. Rainfall of at least 1-2″ is possible through Wednesday with possibly at least a quarter to half inch through Friday of next week. This will be much needed rain given the dry conditions across the state.
FARTHER OUT?: No real consensus past the seven day period. Several more chances of showers and thunderstorms are shown on this current model run, but there hasn’t been much consistency lately, so we’ll have to wait for future runs to pinpoint any possible trends heading toward the second week of May.