Our first winter storm of the season hit the area this past Friday but changes are on the way including the potential for strong winds, warmer temperatures and storm risks. Read on for the details…
Milder temperatures in the 40s and 50s will begin to filter much of the state today and Tuesday with cooler temperatures in the middle to upper 30s across snowpack regions in northern Iowa. Looking at the latest water vapor satellite and we can note a deep trough in the pacific which is the next storm I am watching. The storm system will first make impact on the west coast early this week and eventually this will eject into the central and northern plains by Wednesday. We will have strong southerly winds Wednesday afternoon along and ahead of the cold front but this will also help surge temperatures into the 50s, 60s and might even see some lower 70s for highs Wednesday. I have issued a High Wind Watch for much of the state that will be valid Wednesday afternoon/evening into early Thursday morning where level 5 and level 6 values may be recorded on my wind intensity scale. Should conditions continue to favor these values, the final alert product High Wind Warning will go out Tuesday or early Wednesday. We may also have severe weather potential along the frontal zone if ingredients can come together later Wednesday afternoon into the evening and this does look more like a cold core setup with tornado potential. Instability values are in place to at least trigger a marginal severe weather event but with that being said I will be watching this closely
The colder side to the storm system will move through later Wednesday night and this might offer up some light snow to northwest Iowa with minor accumulation possible. The Iowa Storm Center rain, snow and wind models will be available in the final forecast Tuesday or Wednesday. Looking further out, colder air may set back in shortly before Christmas and we might even have storm dates after that time and into the new year but we will discuss this more later.
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