A Plethora of Weather Concerns Today – Iowa Weather Network Archives

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LOTS OF PRECIPITATION: A storm system will be moving through the state today bringing with it a plethora of precipitation to the area. We should see some rain and perhaps a few thunderstorms over the eastern and southeastern counties of the state. The western counties could see rain mixing with and changing over to some snow. Some minor accumulations are possible with this system regarding the snow. Rainfall amounts of a quarter to half inch will be possible with heavier totals in areas that get thunderstorm activity. That system moves off to the east and northeast late tonight into Thursday with mainly cloudy skies on Christmas Eve and cooler temperatures mainly in the 30s to near 40 for highs after seeing temperatures today from the 30s northwest to the lower 60s southeast. The GFS does show a disturbance moving through Christmas Eve afternoon that could spark a few flurries or light snow showers but this will be minor at best.

SEVERE WEATHER [By Lead Forecaster Henry Luker]: The Storm Prediction Center has outlined an elevated risk of severe weather for areas generally along and east of a line from Dubuque to Keokuk. A marginal risk exists east of a line from Prairie Du Chien to Bloomfield. There is some decent instability expected across primarily far southeastern Iowa which may lead to some isolated large hail and damaging wind reports. This is not a widespread threat by any means and will be very localized. Otherwise, showers and thunderstorms can be expected, with the stronger of storms taking place across the southeast.

The bigger concern is across the southern United States today where a significant severe weather event that will be taking place. All modes of severe weather could be possible with some tornadoes, large hail and damaging straight line winds. The main area of trouble looks to include the cities of Memphis, Nashville, Little Rock, Huntsville, Jackson MS, Birmingham and Louisville. Make sure if you are going in that direction or know someone there, that they are able to get the watches and warnings if and when they get issued. We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season.

SANTA STORM: Our next storm looks to come in late Christmas day and last through the weekend into early next week. Some rain or wintry mix may break out in our western counties during the afternoon hours and looks to overspread the state as we head into Saturday. Current thinking suggests that most of the precipitation will be in the form of rain except in our western and northern counties where some rain snow mix could be possible. Temperatures will be variable on Saturday with 20s and 30s NW to the 40s in the southeast. Sunday we’ll have a bit of a respite as most of the precipitation will slag to the south and southeast of the state, however we’ll watch another low pressure center over the southern Plains begin to take develop and move northeastward. This will bring mostly snow to the state Monday into early Tuesday. This could be a significant system and will need to be monitored through the week for any possible changes in track and strength. Flurries look to continue at least for the northeastern quarter to third of the state through the middle of next week with some partial sunshine elsewhere. It will be much cooler with highs in the 20s and 30s (dependent on any snow we’ll receive will influence those readings)

2016: As we head into the New Year, warmer air is shown moving into the state from the west. This should help boost readings into the 30s but any snow we may have on the ground will keep the temperatures down. It could lead to some fog and low clouds with any possible melting snow. A quick moving system on the 2nd could bring a few flurries or snow showers but it looks relatively minor. This is followed by another slug of warm Pacific air through the 5th with another system coming in from the northwest that has very little moisture with it but it brings a shot of colder air for a day before temperatures rebound again on the 7th at the end of the period. Fairly up and down at this point, but nothing major in the New Year as yet, however we have plenty of activity to get through before we get to this so stay tuned for any changes that could come our way.