Iowa will see changing weather conditions throughout the week, with periods of rain expected across parts of the state and additional chances for showers and thunderstorms heading into Halloween weekend.
A developing low-pressure system moving through the Northern Plains is bringing widespread clouds and rainfall to portions of Iowa Monday. Northwestern Iowa, including Sioux City, Spencer and the Iowa Great Lakes, has the greatest chance of seeing steady rain, with a few thunderstorms possible later in the afternoon or evening. Severe weather is not expected with this activity.
Central and eastern Iowa, including Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities, should remain mostly cloudy but largely dry. Temperatures will vary across the state, with cooler conditions in rain-soaked areas of the northwest and highs reaching the lower to middle 70s in parts of southern and southeastern Iowa.
Tuesday is expected to bring a brief break from widespread precipitation, with most communities remaining dry. Temperatures will generally range from the 60s to the 70s.
Rain chances are expected to increase again Wednesday night into Thursday as another weather system moves toward Iowa. Forecast precipitation probabilities range from 40% to 70% in parts of the state. Some thunderstorms could become stronger, although uncertainty remains regarding the potential for severe weather.
Another system could bring additional rainfall Friday and Saturday, October 30-31, potentially affecting outdoor activities and Halloween celebrations.
Current forecasts indicate a 40% to 60% chance of precipitation in parts of Iowa Friday, increasing to 50% to 70% in some areas Saturday. However, the timing and coverage of the rain remain uncertain, and it is too early to determine whether trick-or-treating activities Saturday evening will be affected.
Temperatures are expected to remain relatively mild for late October, with highs in the 60s and potentially lower 70s in some locations.
Long-range outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center favor above-normal temperatures across much of the central and eastern United States into early November. Above-normal precipitation is also favored across parts of the Midwest, suggesting additional unsettled weather could continue.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts throughout the week, particularly as Halloween approaches and forecasters gain a clearer picture of the timing of the next weather systems.
Source: Iowa Storm Chasing Network (ISCN)
