Iowa Weather Report February 6th 2015: Warmth Now, For How Long?

WARMER DAYS: The next few days will bring some warmer weather to the state along with some clouds and fog as well. Highs will reach the 30s and 40s across the state both today and on Saturday with some slightly cooler readings Sunday before moderating back on Monday and Tuesday. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy due to snow melt and moisture at the low levels that will lead to some fog. This could cause some travel issues especially in the morning hours with temperatures below freezing at that time. A disturbance Saturday night and Sunday could also bring some issues with freezing drizzle or flurries as well, but at this time it doesn’t look to be a big deal.

COLD BLASTS: The rest of the period through the 21st looks to be numerous blasts of cold air from the north with several clipper systems preceding each blast. The first one arrives Wednesday with sub-zero temperatures possible by Thursday and Friday morning next week. Another reinforces that high pressure next weekend which could keep readings below zero a few more days. A brief moderation before another blast on the 18th could keep readings below average through the rest of the period with the GFS showing yet another possible blast of arctic air around the 21st-22nd of February. One thing is clear that cold air will be the main story for the rest of the month and if the model trends don’t change, we could be in for a cold two weeks ahead.