Weather Headlines
- NEXT 9 HOURS: Window for storm development
- SHORT TERM: Colder, windier
- LONG TERM: Sunday could bring snow
Latest Forecast
Temperatures will turn colder for Wednesday with some snowflakes possible.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Some stronger storms could develop before mid-evening, before snowflakes make an appearance on Wednesday.
The far southeastern part of the state is included in a Tornado Watch until 11:00 p.m. In addition, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for parts of the TV9 viewing area in southeast and east central Iowa.
Current severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
(KCRG)
A strong warm front will be the driver for potential storm development where the Tornado Watch is this evening. Some additional development is possible north of the warm front this evening in the Severe Thunderstorm Watch, in the time range of about 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. These storms would also carry some threat of large hail when they initially develop. The threat of any isolated damaging winds or an isolated tornado only exists in the far south, closer to the front.
Scattered storms are still a possibility for a narrow window of time on Tuesday evening.(KCRG)
If a storm approaches your area, seek shelter indoors. If a warning is issued, get to the lowest floor of your home, away from windows. In the event of a tornado warning, put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, like in an interior closet or bathroom. A basement is best if you have one. Cover your head and neck with pillows or blankets, or a bike helmet if you have one. If you’re in a mobile home, abandon it for more substantial shelter. If caught outdoors, try to get to an indoor shelter. As a last resort, lay flat in a ditch while protecting your head and neck. Don’t seek shelter under bridges or overpasses.
It’s important to make sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings. A NOAA Weather Radio is a great tool in this case. Make sure it’s plugged in and turned on, ready to receive warnings, before you head to bed. We also recommendthe KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather App, which can give you customized alerts for your location. Of course, we’ll also provide updates on KCRG.com and KCRG-TV9 as conditions warrant.
Any storms that develop this evening in the TV9 viewing area will quickly move to the east-northeast, likely exiting by around 8:00 p.m. or shortly after. For the rest of the night, mostly cloudy skies and a few showers remain possible. Some of those showers could mix with snowflakes, especially in the north. Temperatures overnight drop into the 30s, with readings closer to freezing in the north.
A chance for a rain/snow mix continues in the morning on Wednesday with another batch of precipitation moving through. This falls into air that will likely be near or above freezing, which will limit the potential for snow to stick and accumulate. However, if you find yourself within an area where snow is falling, do use extra caution in case of any slick roads that might develop.
Scattered rain and snow showers are in the forecast for Wednesday, especially in the morning.(KCRG)
By the afternoon, that precipitation comes to an end, and skies will gradually clear out a bit. We’re still expecting highs in the 30s to mid 40s, with the warmest readings in the south and east. Winds will be blustery, however, with gusts potentially in the 30 to 40 mph range for portions of the day. This will keep wind chills down in the 20s and 30s for much of the day. You’ll need to get the coat back out, most likely.
The rest of the work and school week looks pretty quiet, and a little bit warmer. Highs will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s, with lows in the 20s and 30s. Clouds will become more common later on Thursday into Friday, and Friday itself looks potentially pretty blustery. That will add a cooler feel to the weather overall.
Gusty winds are likely for many of the next several days.(KCRG)
The weekend turns more active again, with a slight chance for a little rain and snow on Saturday. The better chance comes Sunday, which is a First Alert Day for the potential for a rain/snow mix.
A rain and snow mix could bring tricky travel back to Sunday’s weather.(KCRG)
Precipitation could become more widespread by Saturday night into Sunday. Initially, it will likely be rain and snow across the TV9 viewing area, with those farther south and east more likely to see initially liquid precipitation. As colder air wraps up behind this system, temperatures will drop and switch precipitation over to just snow.
A mix of rain and snow is likely on Sunday.(KCRG)
However, the track, timing, and amount of precipitation with this system are still very much in need of more clarity. There are a variety of outcomes possible based on the data available to us at this time. We will continue to work on refining our forecast further, so stick with us for the latest.
Behind this system, much colder air arrives for the early part of the following week. Temperatures on Monday will only make it into the 20s for highs, with highs hanging around freezing on Tuesday (a chilly St. Patrick’s Day). The extent of the cold, especially at night, will depend on whether we have snow on the ground. Watch this time frame for some changes if we wind up with a healthy snow pack.
That applies to later next week, too, when our forecast currently has a decent warm-up on track for Wednesday into Thursday. A slim chance for snow is there on the edge of this warm-up, showing up in our forecast on Tuesday night into Wednesday.
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