Iowa Weather Report September 21st 2015: The Weekend is Only 5 Days Away

Today: Partly cloudy in the western one-third, mostly sunny elsewhere. Above average temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s west to low-to-mid 70s east. Winds 7-10 MPH increasing to 15 MPH by afternoon, gusting to 25 MPH. Winds will be highest in the northwest.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms increasing from northwest-to-southeast throughout the night. Mostly cloudy northwest to clear southeast. Lows in the mid 60s west to low 50s east. Chance of precipitation is 40% in the northwest one-third to 20% in the central one-third. Winds 8-11 MPH.

Tomorrow: Showers and thunderstorms possible in northwestern half, otherwise mostly-to-partly cloudy. Highs upper 70s north to low 80s south; mid-to-upper 80s far southwest. Winds 10-15 MPH, gusting to 20 MPH. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy. Temperatures ranging from the mid 50s east to low-to-mid 60s west. Winds 10-15 MPH, gusting to 20 MPH.

A rather active weather period is ahead with only a few disturbances to mention. Zonal flow will return to the area with overall fair weather, albeit with above average temperatures. Temperatures today will be in the 70s for most with some 80s possible west. A will front move southeast from the Northern Plains into the northern sections of our coverage area by Tuesday morning. Isolated-to-scattered thunderstorms can be expected with this, thanks to the associated forcing and lift. Lows tonight will range in the low 50s to mid 60s… depending on cloud cover. These chances will carry into Tuesday for the northwest half of the state with mild temperatures in the 80s. By overnight, these chances should ween off and lead to partly-to-mostly cloudy skies. Lows will sit in the 50s and 60s once again.

An upper level low currently positioned near the Baja Peninsula will move into the region alongside a longwave trough by Thursday. Rich moisture will be pulled in with this from a nearby tropical system. Wednesday should be kept clear for most of the state, however as the wave approaches by Thursday, a good soaking of rain can be expected over the state. The confidence in when and where this will setup is unknown at this time. By the weekend, this system will get cleared out, and the oh-so-common ridging this year will return. It would be assumed that this is followed by warmer weather, but it is a good week away. Nonetheless, it will be monitored.

Have a great Monday… and remember, the weekend is only another 5 days away.