Here is an updated look at the rain so far this month compared to normal as of this afternoon. We are still running a deficit across the entire region.

Most areas have been dry through June so far with the exception of Grundy and Black Hawk Counties. There was a small area of 1″+ rainfall Sunday night (see map below).

Click here for a list of rain totals from Sunday night.

The Drought Monitor below has been changing a lot in the last few weeks. Due to the lack of rain most of the state is Abnormally Dry and part of north central Iowa is in a Moderate Drought.

The HPC rain forecast from this evening to Sunday evening shows heavy rain for NW Iowa into southern Minnesota.

 

The Drought Monitor

 

Posted under Drought, Precipitation Totals

Lightning is nothing to mess with. When there is a thunderstorm near by…you need to get inside a building. Thunderstorms moved through Grundy and Black Hawk Counties Sunday night. Fred Keezer took these photos at his place just outside of Dike. There were strips of wood blown off the side of the tree with some chunks more than 200 ft from the tree. Take a look at the piece of the tree Fred is standing next to. 

Posted under Lightning, Photo

Submit your weather Hot Shot by clicking here.
One photo is shown on the 5 pm newscast and one on the 10 pm newscast.

Posted under Hot Shots, Photo

Tonight: Clear to partly cloudy. Low: 46-48. Wind: NE 5 mph.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High: 73-78. Wind: SE 10-15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low: 53-57. Wind: SE 5-10 mph.

Thursday: Partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers/storms. High: low 80s.

Friday: Partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers/storms. High: mid 80s.

Saturday: Partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers/storms, hot and humid. High: near 90.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, very warm and humid. High: upper 80s.

Monday: Partly cloudy, very warm and humid. High: upper 80s.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy with 20% chance of showers/storms. High: low 80s.

A large area of high pressure across the middle of the country has brought us a sunny and cooler day. The wind from the N/NW has cooler and dry air making for a very comfortable day and night. Here is the early afternoon surface map showing the position of the high pressure.


There are two chances to see the Interational Space Station (ISS) this evening. Here is the information:

Time: 9:13 pm
Duration: 3 min
Location: NNW to NE
——————–
Time: 10:50 pm
Duration: 2 min
Location: N to NNE

The humidity level will be low Wednesday making for another comfortable day. A warm front is forecast to cross the state Thursday with a slight chance of showers/storms. The warm front will also bring an increase in temperatures and humidity for the end of the week. It will feel humid Friday through early next week with dewpoints going from the 40s today to the 60s and low 70s Friday through early next week. The chart below shows the forecast dewpoint temperatures.

The heat will build under a ridge of high pressure in the middle of the country this weekend into early next week. Under the high, it will be hot and humid with any chances of rain to be slim.

We need the rain and early indications are that there is a better chance of heavier rain to our northwest. Here is the rain forecast from this evening to Friday evening.

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Posted under Forecast Discussion