Polk County Weather and Climate Synopsis



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36 Hr. Forecast Map
All Radar images NOAA/UKAWC
Satellite images from NOAA

Weather Summary

Hourly Observations

Nowcast

Precision Ag., Lawn & Garden Guidance

7 Day Forecast

Medium & Long Range Outlook

Almanac

Historical Facts


US Weekly Rainfall Departure		US Weekly Temperature Departure

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A joint service of the UK Ag Weather Center and the National Weather Service.


Weather Summary for Iowa
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
259 AM CDT Thu Apr 25 2024

Today: 

High pressure has slid over the Great Lakes resulting in winds mainly
from the east or southeast across the state of Iowa this morning. 
While there were clear patches over eastern Iowa, clouds have spread 
over western and central Iowa. There may be a few sprinkles or a 
fleeting shower out there this morning, but the low level air is 
rather dry and any surface reports of rain has been scant. 
Temperatures range from around 40 degrees over far northeast Iowa to 
near 60 degrees over far southwest Iowa.

Sunshine will be limited today with northeastern portions of the state
having the highest chance of seeing some sunshine. Over southwest
Iowa, some showers may occur with many places elsewhere in the state 
remaining dry.

Tonight and beyond: 

Rain and storm chances increase later this evening into the morning
hours of Friday from southwest to northeast over Iowa. While there 
will likely be a break in the showers and storms Friday later in the 
morning to early afternoon, strong to severe thunderstorms are
forecast to develop later in the afternoon over portions of western
Iowa and then move northeast and east into the evening hours. Large
hail, a few tornadoes, and strong wind gusts will be possible with
this activity. Additional strong to severe storm chances along with
locally heavy rainfall are expected Saturday and then again Sunday 
over parts of the state. While it will not be stormy the entire
weekend, anyone with outdoor plans should have a way to receive 
weather warnings and know where nearby shelter is located in case
threatening weather nears your location.

National Ag. Weather Outlook, International Ag. Weather Summary
Current Surface Map, [2nd Source TWC]

Precision Agriculture Weather Forecast For POLK County

For Your Farm PointAgCast...Click here.

Regional Hourly Observations For POLK County
Issued at 500 PM CDT THU APR 25 2024

...KANSAS...SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA AND IOWA... CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS TOPEKA CLOUDY 55 52 89 SE18G32 29.86F MANHATTAN CLOUDY 59 55 87 SE15G25 29.83F EMPORIA TSTM 57 54 89 E24G37 29.86F OTTAWA RAIN 54 54 100 SE41G54 29.84F CHANUTE HVY RAIN 57 53 86 NE15G21 29.95R FOG SALINA CLOUDY 57 54 89 E20G32 29.80F WICHITA LGT RAIN 57 56 96 E20G32 29.78F OMAHA PTSUNNY 62 48 60 SE26G40 29.92F LINCOLN CLOUDY 56 51 84 E14G24 29.88F FALLS CITY CLOUDY 59 53 80 SE17G30 29.89S LAMONI PTSUNNY 58 42 55 E16G29 29.99F DES MOINES PTSUNNY 61 37 41 E23G30 30.03F

Current Temperatures, Dewpoint, RH, Wind, Regional Obs, Surface 4-Panel
Current Agricultural Weather Conditions in Iowa
Based on observations at 500pm CDT, Thursday April 25, 2024

Across Iowa...temperatures are near 65 degrees west, near 61 degrees central, and near 62 degrees east. Current sky conditions are partly sunny west, partly sunny central, and mostly sunny east. In the west, relative humidity is near 58%, and the dew point is near 50 degrees. In the central part of the state, relative humidity is near 41%, and the dew point is near 37 degrees. In the east, relative humidity is near 31%, and the dew point is near 31 degrees. Winds are from the south at 25 mph with gusts at 36 mph west, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. Winds are from the east at 23 mph with gusts at 30 mph central, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. Winds are from the southeast at 14 mph east, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. Based on current available observations, the highest temperature is 65 degrees at Waterloo, Spencer, Sioux City, and Mason City. The lowest temperature is 58 degrees at Ottumwa, Lamoni, and Burlington.

Current NOWCAST not available:
Nowcasts are not issued routinely during fair weather. Only when
precipitation or other significant weather is occuring in this county will these
forecasts be issued. Currently, there is no short term forecast in effect.

US Radar, All NWS Radars (In near-real time), Current Livestock Heat Stress Index (LSI), Current Wind Chill Map
Hazardous Weather Outlook For POLK County,IA

342 PM CDT Thu Apr 25 2024 DAY ONE This afternoon and tonight Scattered thunderstorms will move into central Iowa late this evening and overnight. While there could be small hail, severe weather chances are very low. DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN Friday through Wednesday Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will each feature the chance of strong to severe storms over some or all of central Iowa. Friday's threats include a few tornadoes, large hail, and strong wind gusts, primarily later in the afternoon into the evening. Isolated heavy rainfall may also occur. Saturday's main threats include large hail and damaging wind gusts with locally heavy rainfall also possible. Tornadoes cannot be ruled out, but are not the primary threat at this time. Sunday's severe weather will be evaluated better in the coming days. For more details, see the latest DSS Packet at https://www.weather.gov/media/dmx/DssPacket.pdf SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT Spotter activation may be needed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
NWS Severe Weather Map , Convective Outlook

7-Day Forecast For POLK County, IA
247 PM CDT Thu Apr 25 2024 TONIGHT
Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
FRIDAY
Showers and thunderstorms. Breezy with highs in the mid 60s. Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Breezy with lows in the upper 50s. South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.
SATURDAY
Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 60. South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
SUNDAY
Thunderstorms, showers, breezy with highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the evening. Breezy with lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
MONDAY
Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s.
TUESDAY
Sunny. A chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. A chance of thunderstorms in the evening. A chance of showers. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
WEDNESDAY
Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 70s.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows around 50.
THURSDAY
Sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 70s.
12-48 Hr Surface Forecast Maps, TWC 4-Panel Surface Forecast, Fire Danger, Day 1 Precip, Day 2 Precip, Days 1-5 Precip, Severe Weather Pot.-Day 1, Day 2
Medium & Long Range Outlook For Iowa IOWA --------------------------------------------- 6 TO 10 DAY 8 TO 14 DAY 30 DAY 90 DAY MAY 1-MAY 5 MAY 3-MAY 9 JUN JUN-AUG ----------- ----------- -------- --------- Temperature: Above Above Precipitation: Above Above .... Medium and long range outlooks provided by NCEP/K. Thomas Priddy
5 Day Rainfall Forecast, 6 to 10 Day , 8 to 14 Day , Text, 30-Day Outook, 90-Day Outook, 120-Day Outlook
Almanac Information
Thursday April 25, 2024 the 116th Day of Year --------------------------------------------------- SUN Declination 13.690000 Distance 0.999718 AU Rise 07:17 EDT Set 21:08 EDT Transit Meridian 14:11 EDT Civil Twilight Begins 06:48 EDT Ends 21:36 EDT Calculations made for central point in the state. Time in ET -- and will vary due to location and elevation -- Priddy

Historical Weather And Climate Facts For Today

APRIL 25TH HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS ...1875... New York City received three inches of snow, the latest measurable snow of record for that location. (David Ludlum) ...1898... The temperature at Volcano Springs CA hit 118 degrees to establish a U.S. record for the month of April. (The Weather Channel) ...1910... Chicago IL was blanketed with 2.5 inches of snow, and a total of 6.5 inches between the 22nd and the 26th. It was the latest significant snow of record for the city. (The Weather Channel) ...1920... Atlanta GA received 1.5 inches of snow, and experienced their latest freeze of record with a morning low of 32 degrees. The high of just 39 degrees was only their second daily high colder than 40 degrees in April. (The Weather Channel)

Ag Weather Center, Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky