CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Widespread rain may be accompanied by some strong wind gusts as storms roll through this evening.

Your first warning: stormy conditions will last well into the night

Showers and storms remain likely through the rest of the evening, with heavier rain showers and frequent lightning a good possibility. A few of these storms could make the most of the area and produce damaging winds or an isolated tornado. Some hail may fall during some showers.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for parts of the TV9 viewing area until 7pm. This area has the highest chance of a storm becoming severe, but further away from the viewing area the risk is slightly lower.

If a storm approaches your area, seek shelter indoors. If an alert is issued, go to the lowest floor of your home, away from windows. In the event of a tornado warning, place as many walls as possible between you and the outside, such as 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 bicycle helmet if you have one. If you are in a mobile home, you can leave it for more substantial shelter. If you are caught outside, try to find shelter inside. As a last resort, lie flat in a ditch while protecting your head and neck. Do not seek shelter under bridges or viaducts.

It’s important to make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts. A NOAA weather radio is a great tool in this case. Make sure it is plugged in and turned on, ready to receive alerts, before going to bed. We also recommend the KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather app, which can give you customized alerts for your location. Of course, we will also provide updates on KCRG.com and KCRG-TV9 as circumstances warrant.

Areas of heavier rainfall are possible this evening, with amounts reaching 1 to 2 inches in some spots. Where exactly this band of heavier amounts occurs will depend on who sees some repeat storms. The slow movement of activity will be a contributing factor to this potential.

After about midnight tonight, the most widespread activity will move east from the TV9 viewing area. Scattered showers will continue overnight, along with gusty winds. They will shift from south to west late tonight. By daybreak, you can expect temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s.

Cloudy and chilly during the day on Thursday, chilly for Trick-or-Treaters

Some lingering hail or light showers are possible on Thursday, but most of us should only see cloudy and breezy conditions. Wind gusts will likely reach 25 to 35 miles per hour for most of the day, gradually shifting from westerly to west-northwest or northwest by late afternoon.

Skies will gradually clearer in the afternoon, but the lack of sunshine and the influx of a cold air mass will mean high temperatures are likely to occur at midnight on Thursday. Expect readings in the upper 40s to low 50s by mid-afternoon.

By the time we reach prime Trick-or-Treating times in the evening, the wind should start to drop a bit. However, don’t expect calm skies and temperatures will drop quite steadily. By late evening, temperatures may be as low as the low 40s, with slightly cooler wind chill possible. We are certainly happy with the dry weather, but you may need to take some layers under the costumes so the kids can keep them warm.

As winds lighten and skies clearer, temperatures continue their downward trend into Thursday evening. Expect a cold start to the day Friday in the low 20s to low 30s. Temperatures will climb back up considerably into the low to mid 50s under mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. All in all, this weather type is very typical for the first day of November.

Your first warning: rain returns, with widespread activity into early next week

Saturday looks like another fairly typical fall day, with temperatures starting in the low to mid 30s and highs in the mid to upper 50s. Skies will be a bit clearer at first, but should become cloudier as the day progresses.

Rain showers will return to parts of the area in the late afternoon and evening. They will become increasingly widespread Saturday night and will also involve thunderstorms. Nevertheless, it is possible that it will be slightly warmer on Sunday, because warm air will be sucked in before this disturbance. Highs may reach the low 60s.

Another disturbance is headed our way Monday through Tuesday, bringing another chance for widespread rain and storms. Both systems will have plenty of moisture to work with, and we could even see a stronger storm or two if things go well. Temperatures will warm up a bit for many of us on Tuesday, reaching the 60s again.

Due to the moisture available in the atmosphere during this period, precipitation amounts can again be significant. 1 to 3 inches could increase for those who get the most repeating thunderstorms. On top of what we expect after tonight, overall totals for the next week could be in the 3 to 5 inch range. This would make a significant dent in recent precipitation deficits.

The rain will end Tuesday through Tuesday night. This could lead to a somewhat wet Election Day in eastern Iowa, so plan your trip to the polls accordingly!

Quieter late next week with typical fall conditions

From next Wednesday until next Friday we will settle for a considerable period of almost normal temperatures. Lows will be in the 30s and highs in the 50s, generally close to what you would expect in early November.

There should also be clearer skies overall as we avoid the more active parts of the weather pattern for at least a while.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.