Spring growth update # 1 1st flower of the season blooms today! High temperatures 50- to near 60 reported!

Early spring scene March 9th 2014

Today was a beautiful day across central and southern Iowa. It features sunshine and warm spring-like temperatures in the 50s to just about 60. Sun was plentiful and warm with only occasionally filtered cloudiness that moved in from time to time. People were outside enjoying the weather filling and just being outside after a long, cold winter.

 Snowdrop in bloom March 9th 2014

The 1st flower of the 2014 season is now in bloom and goes to a Snowdrop, one of the earliest flowers to bloom. This is my 1st year with these and they are very small only 1" depending on the flower. There is a light fragrance to them as well. They also sprout and flower very fast as the flowerbud appears at the same time as the leaves.

Daffodils March 9th 2014

There are also Daffodils and now Hyacinths sprouting as well. All of the stuff mentioned above is along the southern foundation of my house which is a warm spot, other areas of the lawn, the ground is still frozen.

Highs today:

Des Moines-Fairmount Park 59.F
Des Moines Airport 58.F
 Indianola 58.F
Ankeny 57.F
 Pella 55.F
 Knoxville 55.F
Winterset 55.F
Boone 52.F
Ames 48.F
Marshalltown 48.F

Snowcover melting this week will lead to incresing temperatures. Spring will feel like it is arriving.

Beautiful sunny afternoon March 6th Des Moines Metro

A look across the area has many people noticing the snowcover is retreating once again across the area. Especially from Des Moines South. I have even seen a difference in snowcover between the North part of Des Moines and the southside of the metro. Snowcover really decreases temperatures because of the reflective nature of the white snow. Exposed Brown grass absorbs light and warms the atmosphere. The difference is usually 10+ degrees when you rid snowcover. Example would be today. Ames which has more snowcover had a high of 34.F today while Des Moines, which has a patchy snowcover now had a high of 39.F.

Regional snowcover

The current snowcover across the Midwest goes from northern Missouri all the way up to the Canadian boarder. In Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois the snowcover is light or patchy. Northeast Iowa, Southern Minnesota and Wisconsin has a very thick snowcover. Warmer temperatures this week will melt the snowcover and he snowcover line will be moving northward this week. Mondays highs will range from near 70.F in Kansas City to near 60 here in Des Moines to the middle 40s up towards Rochester,MN I suspect most of Iowa will be snow free accept the North/East 1/3rd

Here in the local area we will go completely snow free by the middle of next week and Spring will really feel like its has started. The entire snowcover will melt across the entire area. I will be watching my garden closely for the 1st official Spring flower, which could bloom next week!

Highs for the area will be in the low to mid 40s Friday, around 33.F Saturday then up to near 50 on Sunday! Monday highs will peak in the upper 50s and I have a feeling some areas will hit 60, especially Des Moines Proper.  Next week highs will remain in the upper 30s to middle 40s each day. Get ready for a very Spring-Like week!

Warmth is coming, but we have some snow chances to get through first. Could be looking at mid to upper 50s come Monday, however it does not last long term.

Regional Weather View

The jet stream will be making a move this week in a better direction which will bring much needed warmth into the region by the weekend into early next week, but before that happens a disturbance or two will pass along it. Areas of Northern Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin will see a disturbance along the warm front that will bring some minor accumulations to those areas on Tuesday night. Thursday will be the main start of the warming trend for most areas. High temperatures will warm into the 30s, 40s and 50s region wide and stay there for several days. Snow will be melting across much of the Midwest. By Monday many areas from Southern Iowa North will see 40s, and from Southern Iowa South will be seeing 50s and 60s.

Local View

For my first local forecast I am proud to be saying there is significant hope for warmth for our area, but as mentioned above we will have some snow to get through first. Tuesday and Tuesday night as a warm front pushes its warm into our area, snow will develop. It will be on the minor side with 1-2" with possibly locally up to 3-4" the likelyhood for totals. Highs will already be much warmer in the upper 20s by tomorrow. Wednesday will be cloudy to partly sunny with highs in the upper 20s to the lower 30s, with lows staying in the mid 10s. Thursday will finally be the day that warmer weather will really begin to move in. Highs will be near 40 with lows near 30 under partly sunny skies. Friday there will be a cold front pushing through bringing a cooler shot of air for the weekend. It will be cloudy with maybe a sprinkle or two as that front goes through with highs in the lower 40s and lows cooling to the low 20s. It will be dry for the weekend into the start of next week, Saturday will be partly sunny with highs in the lower to low to mid 30s and lows in the mid to upper 10s. Sunday will be much warmer with sunshine and highs in the upper 30s to as warm as the mid 40s depending on how much snowcover still remains. Monday will be the centerpiece to the warm up with highs warming to the mid to upper 50s. Whatever snowcover is still on the ground will melt off again.

Tuesday, Light snows developing in the evening. Lows in the mid 10s. Accumulations 1-3"

Wednesday, Cloudy skies with light winds. Highs in the upper 20s to the lower 30s. Wednesday night, Cloudy with lows in the upper 10s to lower 20s.

Thursday, Some Clearing, Partly sunny with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Thursday Night, Partly Cloudy with lows in the upper 20s

Friday, Cloudy skies with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s. A sprinkle or flurries are possible. Friday Night, Partly cloudy with lows in the middle 20s.

Saturday, Cloudy skies with some clearing. Highs in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Saturday night, Partly Cloudy with lows in the mid 10s.

Sunday, Sunny and Nice! Warmer, Southerly breezes with lows in the upper 30s ranging to the middle 40s. Sunday night, Partly Cloudy with lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s.

Monday, Beautiful, Southerly breezes with sunny skies. Highs in the mid 50s ranging to the upper 50s. Monday Night, Clear skies with lows in the upper 30s.


Looking Ahead

Unfortunateally this warm up we see will not last, but the good news is I do not see anything nearly as cold as it was the past couple days either. We might be able to squeeze 1 more 40-50 degree day Tuesday before a cold front passes through. Wednesday the 12th looks sunny with highs in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Thursday the 13th through Monday the 17th the weather will range from being in the 30s to the lower 40s with the jet stream to our south once again, but from time to time meandering north or overhead, during which times it will be warmer. There will be a chance of snow or two with this as well. It will overall be cool for March standards through that time. Then towards the middle of the month with the jet stream staying just south of us around the 18th and 19th could bring some chances for wet snow with the model actually trying to show a wet-type snowstorm over northern Missouri and Southern Iowa, but there is a chance rain could mix in. Through the entire model run with the acceptation of early in the run the jet stream is nearly overhead or south which indicates a cooler then normal pattern. However like I say I do not seen Significant cold like we've been dealing with so that will make it seem better.

Relocation to Des Moines,Iowa

Relocation to Des Moines

It has finally come time to let everyone know of the changes I mentioned last week, changes which will come as a surprise to many. I am very excited to announce that I have relocated to Des Moines, Iowa. I want to say I really enjoyed my time in the Cedar Rapids area and Eastern Iowa, and the reason for the move is that I am moving to peruse a new job opportunity which was offered to me there. I will be living in the City of Des Moines proper about 3 miles east of Downtown, just east of the capital building. The move its self has already taken place and there will be a change to the area I cover. I will immediately switch my blog over to Central & Southern Iowa effective immediately and changes are already seen. Below is my introductionary post to Des Moines- Central and Southern Iowa.

Downtown Des Moines February 23rd 2014

Welcome to the Des Moines Metropolitan Area!  I have spent the last few months preparing for and making the move from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines. What brought this move was a new job at a garden center with in the metro where I will be working retail and customer service. This move was more calculated and not as fast as my last move was. I have actually always wanted to live in Des Moines and looked at it as a place I wanted to live when I was going to college.

Introduction to Des Moines: Des Moines is in the southern 1/3rd of Iowa on interstates 35 and 80, about 254 miles South of Minneapolis,MN and about 164 miles North of Kansas City,MO It is the capital city of Iowa and its Iowas largest city. Des Moines proper has a population of 203,000, with a metro residential population of about 480,000  Des Moines is one the fastest growing metropolitan area in Iowa and is home to the tallest building in the state.

I am looking foreword to my new adventure in Central and Southern Iowa! My blog will be focused on covering weather events as well as some forecasting as well. As the name implies there will be lots of gardening information, and photos documenting seasonal changes posted as well along with photos of the city an landscaping. My blog will focus on a very localized area which will over coverages to some of Iowas largest cities and smallest towns in South Central Iowa, which is what makes my blog stand out. My coverage area will include Des Moines, Ames, Pella, Marshalltown, Newton and Indianola as well as the small towns in between. Over the next few weeks I will begin publishing forecasts and horticultural posts will begin soon after.

 Winter snowfall average map.

Like Cedar Rapids, Des Moines has hot very humid winters and snow, cold winters. However the Des Moines averages less snow and significantly more 90 degree days then Eastern Iowa. It should also be noted that there is well documented urban heating in Des Moines, and most times the 2 weather stations with in the metro, 1, the Des Moines International Airport located on the south side and the Ankney Airport on the north side always being warmer then surrounding stations. Snowfall average, according to the map above which excludes the Des Moines Airport average, Ankeny Airport Winter snowfall average is around  27" The snowiest month is February at 7.5" The average rainfall 35.61" with the wettest month being June at 5.25" For temperatures Des Moines hottest month is July with an average high of 86.F typically, on average has 1 100.F per year and 21 days above 90. The coldest month is January with an average high of 31.F Typically there area 12 days below zero.

I hope to be welcomed into the area by new viewers of Central Southern Iowa and to my faithful viewers from Eastern Iowa, thanks for visiting my blog over the past year.

Changes coming soon.

This is an announcement to current viewers. It may have been noticed that there has been a slow down in posts, this is all in anticipation of a significant change that will result in big changes to my blog including a link change. The change will be announced at the end of next week and I will explain everything at that time.








Thank you


Blog owner


Derek McKay 

February 8th Clipper System, Highest Snow depth of the winter so far & adding the seasonal snowfall totals

Snowy Juniper during clipper system February 8th 2014

This Saturday brought another clipper system to Eastern Iowa, which in turn brought another wave of Snow, some of which came down very heavy at times, especially in the morning hours. During the afternoon the snow tapered but lasted though the rest of the day. The cause of Saturdays snow was all to a strong little system moving across the state. A strong snow band developed as it moved cross Central and Eastern Iowa during the early morning to mid afternoon hours producing 1-2" per hour amounts as it quickly moved across Iowa. Most of the accumulation in the reports below occurred in only an hours time. Here in Hiawatha I recorded 2.50" with 0.09" of water content, which is a dry snow. The snow was very light and fluffy and so fluffy I seen people using brooms to clear the snow off their cars. It also made for a beautiful Morning on Sunday when the large flakes glistened against the sun. The snow for the most part did not cause much in the way of issues accept for travel on Interstate 80 where an accident caused a 3 hour closer of the interstate near Iowa City.

So where are we in terms of snowfall/snowcover and such?

Adding the numbers: Hiawatha,Iowa

Seasons Total Snowfall 27.70" ( -2.30" from seasonal norm )

Snow this month 7.75" ( +1.25" and month just started )

Snow Depth 6.50" ( 0.98"  water content ) Highest snow depth of the season so far

February 9th Snowfall Reports

 Atkins 3.20"
 Cedar Rapids 3.00"
 Independence 3.0"
 Marion 3.00"
Northwest Cedar Rapids 2.70"
 Iowa City 2.60"
Waterloo 2.50"
Hiawatha 2.50"
 Mt Vernon 2.50"
Monticello 2.40"
 Springville 2.10"
Washington 1.0"

February 5th Snowfall Report- Northern edge of a winter storm drops 2-5" of snow causing dangerous travel

Increasing snow piles February 5th 2014

A snowstorm just got done hitting our area and it was a long lasting one by far. The snow started around noon Tuesday and continues through Wednesday. Heaviest snow occurred Wednesday morning. The fine texture to the snow made the roads extra dangerous and numerous accidents were reported throughout the area, Especially on 380 and interstate 80 the south side of Cedar Rapids, where I happened to be trying to get to Des Moines but had to turn around due to very dangerous conditions on interstate 80. Our snow here in Eastern Iowa was a part of a much larger storm system that effected 2 3rds of Iowa as well as a much larger part of the region that spread snow and ice across a huge part of the country from Kansas City southward to areas as far south as Northern Arkansas and Oklahoma. Amounts ranged from 1-2" in the highway 20 corridor to 5-6" in the south around Iowa City southward. Taking measurements was very difficult due to the fine textures nature of the snow and wind. Listed below is the reports for the area.

Snowfall reports

Wellman 5.0"
Victor 4.0"
 Marion 4.0"
 Olin 3.80"
Hiawatha 3.75"
Cedar Rapids 3.50"
Coralville 3.50"
 Bertram 3.50"
 Anamosa 3.20"
North English 3.00"
 Solon 3.0"
Jesup 1.50"
Independence 1.50"
Waterloo 1.50"