Rain: “Almost, Not Quite” – Iowa Weather Network Archives

PRECIP TANTALIZINGLY CLOSE: Another sunny and dry day across the state today with southerly winds bringing the warmth into the state. With the dry air around, the fire risk will be high across a large section of the state (mainly in the western counties of the state). Highs today will be in the lower and middle 70s with perhaps some readings approaching 80 dependent on low relative humidity levels boosting air temperature. Rain chances look to move into the Plains states today and look to stay there as we head into Saturday as well with only an increase in cloudiness over the western half of the state. Highs on Saturday will remain in the lower to middle 70s. Sunday looks to be another identical day to Saturday as well.

INTO NEXT WEEK: The system off to our west finally kicks out as we head into the early part of next week with chances of showers and storms increasing Monday into Tuesday. It doesn’t look to be a widespread event with the best chances over the western and southwestern half of the state. Readings will slide into the 60s with the amount of clouds around. The precipitation chances begin to wane as we head into mid-week as the system begins to dissipate and move south of the state. Partly to Mostly Sunny skies should return by Thursday along with readings in the 60s and 70s. Another disturbance will move through Friday that could bring a chance of some showers and perhaps a thunderstorm as well. This looks to then be followed by another dry and warm weekend.

MAY WE LOOK AHEAD: As we look at what the GFS is showing us in the extended period, very warm air looks to come the following weekend with readings possibly into the 80s for parts of the state. This is followed by a system coming in around the 25th through the 27th with precipitation chances at that time. The rest of the period through the 30th shows an active weather pattern with chances of precipitation. We will need the rain by this time with the lack of precipitation we’ve seen of late and the chances over the next several days being very hit and miss. We’ll see if this trend continues in future runs.