[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QbFPdcVpvo&w=640&h=480]
DOWNHILL SLIDE: If you’re reading and or watching the video this morning, you’re experiencing the warmest temperatures of the next week or so, because it’s all downhill from here. Readings will be dropping through the day into the 20s and 30s by evening. Rain and thunderstorms in the eastern counties of the state will become rain and snow tonight into Wednesday with some accumulation possible. An inch or two is possible in the eastern counties of the state by Wednesday afternoon as the storm pulls off to the east. Lows Thursday and Friday morning will be at or below zero for many across the state.
MODERATION: Readings will make a comeback, but not into the 40s and 50s of today by this weekend. More like 20s to middle 30s or so as winds turn back to the south and southwest. A little flurry activity is possible Friday night with a quick moving disturbance, otherwise it’ll be mainly dry into the weekend and early next week.
FARTHER INTO FEBRUARY: Models are showing a more typical February pattern setting up across the area with seasonal temperatures and a few chances of seeing some precipitation but the trends haven’t held up so we’ll have to wait for more runs to get a clearer picture into the middle of the month.
NOTE: The first severe thunderstorm warning was issued last evening in the eastern counties of the state. This was the earliest warning issued in Iowa since 2008 (January 7th.)