[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaSr9I2wSpM&w=640&h=480]
CHANGING WEATHER: The Storm Prediction Center has put a slight risk of severe weather for today and tonight for a large portion of the state excluding the SE and far NW counties. The main threats look to be from large hail and damaging straight line winds, however a tornado can’t be ruled out during the afternoon and early evening hours especially. Prior to the thunderstorm development, we may get close to some record highs across the state. Highs will reach the 70s to lower 80s in the southeastern half of the state. The cold front will keep the temperatures down in NW Iowa where highs will be in the 60s (perhaps even upper 50s). The cold front will move out of the state by Thursday afternoon with falling temperatures and showery weather and blustery northwest winds.
AUTUMNAL WEEKEND: It will feel more like the last weekend of October this coming weekend with highs in the 40s to lower 50s and lows in the 20s and lower 30s. Lots of sunshine around with a few passing clouds from time to time. This will continue into the new work week as well with some slow warming into the 50s by the middle of next week.
FARTHER OUT: The GFS is still showing some activity for the month of November, but it’s still too far and there’s too much uncertainty yet to make a call, but there doesn’t look to be any big storm systems that could dump our first inch of snow for the year in the next two weeks at least.