Iowa Weather Report May 15th 2015: The Sad Case of Weekend Rain

ROUNDS OF STORMS: We’re heading into the period of active weather across the state that looks to last through Sunday. Today will be dry to start out with and we could see some sunshine in our northern counties early on. More showers and thunderstorms will be possible later this afternoon and especially tonight with the next storm moving in. This will continue into the weekend with numerous chances of showers and thunderstorms. Current thinking would suggest that the main window for the storm chances will be during the late afternoon through the evening and into the overnight hours with some scattered activity during the morning hours. It will be during this lull in the activity where we may see some sunshine peeking through the clouds which may bring the temperatures well into the 70s and even a few lower 80s both Saturday and Sunday. Some of the storms this weekend could be strong to severe with all modes of severe weather possible. A more detailed look at that will be forthcoming in later posts. Rainfall during this period will vary depending on the amount of thunderstorm activity one may see. At least an inch is possible for the most part as an average, but some may get less and others may get more than that.

NEXT WEEK: We have a short break in the precipitation as we head into next week with Monday and Tuesday looking dry and cooler as well with highs mainly in the 60s for the most part. Another system will be approaching as we head into Wednesday with another chance of showers and thunderstorms at that time. More dry weather is forecast Thursday and next Friday as we draw closer to Memorial Day Weekend.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND BEYOND: As we head into the Memorial Day Weekend Holiday next weekend, this run of the GFS is still showing some active weather possible during the weekend. There is a slight chance of a shower or storm on the Saturday with a better chance of seeing some precipitation on Sunday. This is slightly faster that what we’ve been seeing over the last few days but nonetheless the precipitation is still around as it has been for several days now. Memorial Day Monday looks drier and cooler now with the quicker pace and this dry period looks to last into Tuesday (26th) as well (if the models are to be correct). Another system is possible around the 27th with more scattered activity through the end of the period. Not quite set in stone yet, but the holiday weekend could feature some wet period and some dry periods as well. Timing when those are is still up in the air at this time.