Light Snow Today, Cold Front Arriving, and a Warm-Up Next Week

KEY MESSAGES

Light Snow Today: Light snow continues across central Iowa, with minor accumulations expected, generally half an inch or less. Snow should move out of the area over the next few hours.

Cold Front Tonight: A cold front will push through the state this evening, bringing a brief chance for flurries or light snow showers, followed by colder air overnight.

Weekend Weather: Temperatures will fluctuate this weekend as a broad upper trough remains over the eastern U.S., but precipitation chances are limited.

Warm-Up Next Week: A warm-up is expected by Tuesday and Wednesday next week, with above-normal temperatures as the polar jet lifts north.

Short-Term Forecast (Today through Tonight)

Confidence: High

Broad northwest flow aloft continues across the central U.S., maintaining a large longwave trough over eastern North America. This has led to the development of light snow across central Iowa, with visibility dropping to below 2 miles in some areas and minor accumulations of less than half an inch. The snow will move east and out of the state as the warm advection and associated isentropic lift weaken. However, some light snow or flurries may persist through the day, particularly in areas affected by lingering mid-level forcing. While snowfall will remain light, there could be some minor impacts, but no significant accumulation is expected.

Temperatures will continue to rise today ahead of a cold front. The air mass over Nebraska and South Dakota is already in the upper 20s to near 30°F, and this will push temperatures into the low 30s across much of southern and western Iowa. The front is expected to arrive this evening, bringing a brief window of flurries or light snow showers along with it. As the front passes, colder air will move in overnight, with temperatures dropping for Thursday.

Extended Forecast (Thursday through the Weekend)

Confidence: Medium

The broad upper trough across the eastern U.S. will gradually lift northeast through the weekend, bringing a roller-coaster of temperatures. Several shortwaves will pass through the backside of the trough, potentially impacting the Midwest, but precipitation chances remain limited due to the dry nature of the airmass. The temperatures will fluctuate, with brief cold spells as the shortwaves move through, followed by some warmer air pushing in from the west.

By the middle of next week, a shift in the upper flow will allow warmer air to move across Iowa, with temperatures rising above normal for the first time in a while. The warmer air will spread in by Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs likely reaching above-average levels. This will help ease the cold snap, but the overall pattern will keep precipitation chances at bay, with any systems remaining mostly to the north of Iowa.