27 Nov 2010 Extended Forecast

Mostly sunny skies will be with us today with high nearing 40. We'll finally get a break from the breezy conditions today as well. However, that'll change tomorrow as south winds crank up over 20 MPH by Sunday afternoon ahead of our next storm system due into the area on Monday and Tuesday. This system will bring us rain showers Monday with a mix possible late in the day into the evening. Light snow Tuesday.

HIGH PRESSURE WILL MOVE OUT OF IOWA TODAY AND SWING OUR WINDS OUT OF THE SOUTH. THIS WILL USHER IN MORE SEASONAL TEMPS TODAY THRU MONDAY...IN THE MEANTIME, LOW PRESSURE WILL DEVELOP OVER THE FRONT RANGE OF THE ROCKIES AND MOVE INTO WESTERN IOWA LATE SUNDAY NIGHT. RAIN WILL DEVELOP IN IT'S WAKE ALONG A WARM FRONT IN SRN IOWA AND PUSH THRU POW CTY EARLY MONDAY. AS THE LOW MOVES EAST/NE A COLD FRONT WILL PUSH INTO NORTHWEST IOWA LATER MONDAY, AND MOVE THRU CENTRAL IOWA OVERNITE. RAIN WILL CHANGE TO SNOW AND PERSIST THRU THE DAY TUESDAY.....

WE'LL SEE CLEARING WED AND THURS WITH TEMPS MODERATING BIT THRU THE PERIOD - BEFORE THE NEXT SYSTEM TAKES SHAPE AND MOVES BACK IN JUST IN TIME FOR NEXT WEEKEND....

27 Nov 2010 Extended Forecast

Today and Sun 27th/28th - Dry - Then Breezy and increase clouds Sunday - High Temps 40/45 - Lows near 25.

Mon 29th - Windy - Rain/Fog - changing to Snow and continued Windy overnite - High Temp 45 - Low 32.

Tues thru Thurs 30th-Dec 2nd - Tues Snowshowers (1-2 Inches) - then clearing Wed - High Temps mid to high 30's - Lows near 20.

Fri and Sat 3rd/4th - Mixed Winter Precip Friday - Then Snow/Wind Saturday.

Sun and Mon 5th/6th - Dry - Then very unsettled situation setting up over the next week...........

NOAA'S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS:
KNOW YOUR WINTER WEATHER TERMS

NOAA's National Weather Service urges residents to keep abreast of local forecasts and warnings and familiarize themselves with key weather terminology.

Winter Storm Warning: Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.

Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.

Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in advance of a winter storm.

Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile; these conditions should persist for at least three hours.

Lake Effect Snow Warning: Issued when heavy lake effect snow is imminent or occurring.

Lake Effect Snow Advisory: Issued when accumulation of lake effect snow will cause significant inconvenience.

Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure.

Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be a significant inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure, and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to hazardous exposure.

Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.

Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when fog will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less over a widespread area.

Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected.

Snow Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.

Snow Squalls: Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.

Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.

Sleet: Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists.

Freezing Rain: Rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard.