Iowa Weather Report February 26th 2015: Cold Weather is Here to Stay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx_015IMbDc

JEFF IS BACK TOMORROW: Jeff will be returning tomorrow with the normal videos, but until then, I’m Lead Forecaster Henry Luker with your Iowa Weather Report. Let’s get to the weather.

SNOWFALL WINDING DOWN: We look ahead to very cold temperatures over the next several days after our recent winter storm exits the area. Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories, and Wind Chill Advisories should have expired by late morning. Travel should be alright this morning across the northwestern two-thirds of the state with possibly some partially covered roads across the southeastern one-third. However, there still may be some icy spots that you will have to be on the lookout for, so still take it easy. High’s today will only reach the single digits for most areas with low teens in the far south and southeast.

IS SPRING COMING: Nope. Low temperatures tonight are expected to be in the teens below zero with some single digits below zero in the southwest. This brutal cold will be accompanied by light winds in the 5-10 MPH range, bringing wind chills down to the -20 to -40 range. This will easily prompt additional Wind Chill Advisories for tonight. Tomorrow will not be of any difference with highs in the single digits to mid teens and lows in the single digits to teens below zero. Those that do not have snow on the ground will get the generous gift of some additional warmth. Bottom line, bundle up, or simply stay indoors.

YET ANOTHER WEEKEND EVENT: The next winter event is expected to impact the area this weekend. The GFS has snow beginning to enter the state at 6:00 PM on Saturday and overspreading the state by midnight with light and moderate snow continuing across primarily the southern section of the state through late Sunday. Most of this activity should be out of the state by midnight Monday. It is still a bit too early to begin talking snowfall accumulations but it likely will not be anything major. We should have some preliminary numbers for you by Friday at the latest. It will likely be another fluffy snow event, and with sustained winds sitting in the 15-20 MPH range, blowing snow will be a concern. But alas, more details will be available in the next several days.

…AND ANOTHER ONE TUESDAY: With even more uncertainties and being farther out, we won’t go too in depth with this specific event. The GFS is painting a messy snow/rain/freezing rain/sleet type event on Tuesday as high temperatures actually climb back up around the freezing point. It is way too early to begin talking timing, location, or how much, and we certainly will know more as we get closer to the weekend. Where the rain/snow line will sit will be a major factor on things, and that has been one of the wild variables in things.