[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWAHGM31W7g&w=640&h=480]
REALITY CHECK: Temperatures are heading back to late October levels which is what it should be instead of feeling like Labor Day or Memorial Day weekend the last few days. A cold front will be passing the state by this morning into the afternoon with falling temperatures into the 40s by late afternoon into the evening. Rainfall by the time the system departs tonight could range from a tenth to almost an inch. Some snow is possible in far NW Iowa with a dusting to an inch possible there (mainly on grassy areas).
STAYING COOL: It continues to stay in the 40s to low 50s for highs for the next several days with a blocking pattern setting up and its possible connection to Hurricane Sandy that is moving north through Cuba toward the Bahamas. There is some uncertainty of whether the storm will swing back into the New England States or farther south or if a piece of it does so. This wouldn’t effect the state much except for keeping sunshine and readings in the range of 44-52 all week with lows in the 20s to lower 30s. With the NWS sending up weather balloons every 6 hours (instead of 12 hours as normal) we should get a better idea of what should happen in the next day or so regarding Sandy and it’s impact on the east and perhaps our weather as well.
HEADING INTO NOVEMBER: GFS has a zonal pattern for the first few days of the month. This would keep temperatures near average and see some quick moving storm systems. One perhaps could effect the state on the 5th (the day before the Election). Otherwise there isn’t anything decisive this far out as yet.