Iowa Weather Forecast: Drastic Temperature Drop Expected
Iowans, grab your coats and brace yourselves for a wild weather ride this weekend! The National Weather Service has issued a chilling warning that a blast of Arctic air is set to sweep through the state, bringing freezing temperatures and bone-chilling wind chills. So, what can you expect as the mercury takes a nosedive in the coming days?
Warmth Today, Freeze Tomorrow
If you’ve been procrastinating on taking down those Christmas lights, today might be your last chance to do it comfortably. National Weather Service meteorologist Rod Donavon reveals that we are currently basking in unseasonably warm temperatures in the mid-40s, but a cold front will make its grand entrance tonight, ushering in a frigid weekend. Get ready to bid farewell to the balmy weather as Saturday’s highs plummet to the low to mid-teens, marking the beginning of a deep freeze.
Bitter Cold Settling In
As the Arctic air mass envelops Iowa, temperatures are expected to plunge even further, with highs on Sunday through Tuesday struggling to reach the single digits. Donavon warns that some regions in far northern Iowa may not even climb above zero for several consecutive days. Adding insult to injury, brutal wind chill values ranging from minus 15 to minus 30 will make it feel even colder. While a few areas may see flurries, significant snow accumulation is not anticipated due to the lack of snow cover across the state.
Snow’s Silver Lining
Donavon points out a silver lining amidst the impending cold snap: the absence of a thick layer of snow on the ground will help mitigate the extreme cold. He explains that if Iowa were blanketed with snow, temperatures could plummet even further by an additional 10 to 15 degrees. So, in a strange twist of fate, the lack of snow actually serves as a saving grace during this icy onslaught.
So, as you prepare to hunker down and weather the impending cold front, remember to bundle up, stay indoors as much as possible, and check on vulnerable neighbors to ensure their safety during this frigid spell. And who knows, maybe by Wednesday, we’ll be back to enjoying more seasonable temperatures in the 30s. Stay warm, Iowa!
( Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City also contributed to this story.)
