Great news for storm chasers and for us. The first slight risk of Severe Weather has RETURNED for 2012! We have one chances currently, and that would be today for the southwestern portion of Iowa.
Let's begin with today. Again, we're pumped. Stay with us.... we're excited! Conditions currently around the area is cold. There are showers here and there, however, overall it's dry around the area. Fast modification of an upper level mass is expected within a couple hours as temperatures and southernly winds begin to help remove clouds and bring more moisture into the region. Later this afternoon, dew points are anticipated to be near 50 degrees to help with the firing of storms. Uncertainty currently lies as how far eastward this storm goes, however, instability of the atmosphere is ready for these storm. These conditions will increase as time goes on, and updates will be provided as needed. Hail and Wind are currently primary risks, however, a tornado is always possible, but looks highly unlikely at this time.
Again, stay with Iowa's Severe Weather Center for the latest updates. The website's theme will change in a matter of hours and/or days.
posted Feb 22, 2012 8:53 PM by Henry Luker
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updated Feb 22, 2012 9:01 PM
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The forecast we posted earlier has almost completely changed. Like we said, this is an extremely uncertain storm track. However, we do feel a bit more stable with this forecast.
OK, Here is a recap of Weather Alerts. -deep breath- A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Emmet (3 AM early tomorrow to 9PM tomorrow night), Monona, Shelby, Harrison, (1PM tomorrow to 10PM tomorrow night) Lyon, Osceola, O'Brien, Clay, Sioux, (3AM to 6PM Thursday) Bremer, Audubon, Guthrie, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, Winnebago, Worth, Cerro Gordo and Mahaska (6AM tomorrow morning to Midnight Friday). A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Boone, Story, Marshall, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Hancock, Wright, Franklin, Butler, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Black Hawk, Tama, (6AM Thursday to Midnight Friday) Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Humboldt, Webster, Sac, Calhoun, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, (3PM to 9PM tomorrow) and Dickinson (3AM to 6PM tomorrow). A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Benton, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, Keokuk, Washington, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette, Clayton, Crawford, Rachland, and Grant from 6AM Thursday through Thursday Evening. A Wind Advisory is in effect for Monona, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Page, (11AM to 6PM tomorrow) and Woodbury (9AM to 6PM Thursday). Phew! A lot of alerts.
Rain is to change over to snow tomorrow afternoon, with multiple periods of moderate to heavy accumulation. This storm will make it's path, and eventually die out late tomorrow in Southeastern Iowa.
Total Snow Accumulations are higher than last predicted, keeping steady around 6 to 10 inches, which locally higher amounts. Iowa Falls and Marshalltown could possibly get 10 inches, which Mason City could get 3. Winds will also be a factor with this storm with winds of 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Visibility will be very low at times of heavy snowfall and high winds gusts. Precautions should be taken tomorrow if you are out traveling.
A very uncertain Winter Storm will Iowa later tonight and into tomorrow.
Currently, Winter Storm Watches are in effect from 6am Thursday until Midnight Friday morning for the following counties, Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Muscatine, Scott, Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell and Winneshiek. There is also a Winter Storm Watch from 3am until 6pm Thursday for Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Emmet, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Tama, Webster, Winnebago, Worth, Wright, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O Brien and Osceola.
The National Weather Service currently has a slight risk of 4" or more of heavy snow for most all of Iowa, with a moderate chance for Central and Southeastern Iowa all the way up to North Dakota.
Low Pressure is set to move Southeastward overnight and make it's way to the Iowa/Nebraska border early Thursday morning. I can tell you right now that the Storm Track of this system is greatly uncertain. Any drift in the track may change the local accumulation amount.
Snow is currently for sure to lurking around North Iowa. A mix of precipitation could be possible for Central to West Central Iowa with rain around the South.
One precaution for you, whatever the forecast is. Be prepared. Stay tuned for further storm updates.
posted Feb 19, 2012 3:05 PM by Henry Luker
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updated Feb 19, 2012 3:22 PM
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Winter isn't done yet! The National Weather Service in Sioux City has issued the first Winter Weather Advisories for the following counties: Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Woodbury, and Ida from 8AM to noon Monday. Low Pressure along with a Surface Trough will be very slow to move it's way across the Plains tonight. With temperatures near or below the freezing mark, snow, rain, and even freezing rain will all be possible throughout the day and overnight. Snowfall total amounts will be light, ranging from a quarter of an inch to a half inch. Amounts may be higher locally. In these areas and surrounding counties, road conditions will have to be monitored due to the chance of Freezing Rain as temperatures will warm up around noon to the 30-35 degrees mark. We will continue to monitor this situation throughout the day and will continue to provide updates as needed.
posted Feb 6, 2012 7:19 PM by Henry Luker
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updated Feb 7, 2012 6:53 PM
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The National Weather Service has issued a Public Information Statement relating to Flood Stages & Categories. Beginning Wednesday, March 14th, 2012, definitions of the Regular, Moderate, and Major flood stage will change for 44 river forecast points. These changes were coordinated with the public as a survey was conducted on how citizens felt about current definitions and how the NWS can improve them. For more information, please read the entire statement below.
posted Feb 4, 2012 7:00 PM by Henry Luker
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updated Feb 6, 2012 7:10 PM
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Courtesy of IowaWX.com
Noted storm chaser Andy Gabrielson was killed in a car accident today on the Turner Turnpike outside of Tulsa Oklahoma by a drunk driver. He is a native of Luverne MN (just east of Sioux Falls and north of Rock Rapids). He will be missed. More details to come later.
Below are some links to his videos of tornadoes in Iowa the past few years.
posted Jan 30, 2012 8:59 PM by Henry Luker
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updated Feb 6, 2012 7:09 PM
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Updated: 10:53PM
The United States Geological Survey has reported an 2.4 magnitude earthquake near the Wisconsin and Illinois border. There have been multiple reports around the state line. The epicenter of the earthquake was 4 miles Northeast of Antioch, Illinois with a preliminary Richter scale level of 2.4. No damage has been reported as of 11PM.
Information provided above is preliminary. We will add updates to this report as they come available from the National Earthquake Information Center.
posted Jan 30, 2012 8:05 PM by Henry Luker
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updated Feb 4, 2012 1:35 PM
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Today didn't feel like January, no, it felt more like April. Iowan's today felt quite comfortable with temperatures soaring into the 60's, and you guessed it, it broke records. 3 cities - Des Moines, Lamoni, and Ottumwa, all broke records that were set in 1988. (See graphic) These temperatures, slightly cooler, are expected to continue into tomorrow. Below you can find the latest Storm Tracker forecast for the rest of the week for the latest information.
