[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX6IIP1UTJo?hl=en&fs=1&w=425&h=349]

WARMING UP: Temperatures will warm up this week even with the new snow that fell across a good portion of the state on Sunday. Readings today will be in the upper 30s to upper 40s across the state with winds coming around to the south and becoming breezy. It will be more noticeable on Tuesday as temperatures jump into the 50s and 60s across the state. Some places in southwest Iowa may approach 70°. A storm will move in Wednesday bringing with it some showers and isolated thunderstorms.

COOLING OFF: Following the storm on Wednesday, temperatures will drop off but still remain above the seasonal norm for the first week of March. Highs will be in the 40s and 50s across the state with partly to mostly sunny skies. A slight chance at a shower Sunday will be about it for precipitation chances heading into the following week.

FARTHER ALONG: The pattern is quieter heading toward the middle of the month, but temperatures should remain at or above average, with no intrusions of cold air coming down from Canada. It looks to remain dry which won’t help the drought situation on going in the northwestern half of the state.