Palo Alto County Weather and Climate Synopsis



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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
402 AM CDT Wed Apr 24 2024

Today: 

High pressure was established across the Midwest overnight providing
clear skies and light winds throughout much of Iowa. This allowed
temperatures to drop into the 30s in the north with some areas of
frost. Farther south, readings remained in the lower 40s with light 
north winds. 

A very pleasant day is expected across Iowa and much of the upper
Midwest as winds remain light along with plenty of sunshine. Highs are
expected to be near normal with readings in the low to mid 60s over
much of the state. 

Tonight and beyond: 

Clouds begin to increase later tonight into Thursday ahead of an
approaching system. A few showers may occur in portions of southwest
Iowa on Thursday, however most locations are expected to remain dry.
This changes into Thursday night as showers and thunderstorms spread
across the state. The stormy conditions persist into Friday as strong
low pressure passes through Nebraska. Strong to severe storms are
expected on Friday afternoon into the evening across portions of
western and central Iowa with large hail and a few tornadoes as the 
main threat. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible into Friday as 
well. The active weather continues into the weekend with additional 
chances of showers and storm with some strong to severe storms 
remaining possible. Be weather aware over the next several days as 
active weather increases across Iowa!

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

Precision Agriculture Weather Forecast For PALO ALTO County

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Regional Hourly Observations For PALO ALTO County
Issued at 500 PM CDT WED APR 24 2024

NORTH CENTRAL IOWA CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS ALGONA * SUNNY 63 30 29 SE10 30.16F HAZE TC 17 CLARION * SUNNY 63 30 29 CALM 30.18F TC 17 ESTHERVILLE SUNNY 63 34 33 SE12G18 30.15F TC 17 FORT DODGE * SUNNY 64 29 26 VRB3 30.18F TC 18 MASON CITY SUNNY 60 27 28 VRB6 30.21F TC 16 FOREST CITY * SUNNY 59 30 33 S6 30.19F TC 15 WEBSTER CITY * SUNNY 64 27 24 SE8G15 30.16F TC 18 IOWA FALLS * SUNNY 63 19 18 SE3 30.20F TC 17

Current Temperatures, Dewpoint, RH, Wind, Regional Obs, Surface 4-Panel
Current Agricultural Weather Conditions in Iowa
Based on observations at 500pm CDT, Wednesday April 24, 2024

Across Iowa...temperatures are near 67 degrees west, near 66 degrees central, and near 58 degrees east. Current sky conditions are mostly sunny west, mostly sunny central, and sunny east. In the west, relative humidity is near 30%, and the dew point is near 35 degrees. In the central part of the state, relative humidity is near 27%, and the dew point is near 31 degrees. In the east, relative humidity is near 30%, and the dew point is near 27 degrees. Winds are from the east at 6 mph west, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Winds are from the southeast at 9 mph central, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Winds are from the northeast at 5 mph east, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Based on current available observations, the highest temperature is 70 degrees at Clarinda. The lowest temperature is 56 degrees at Dubuque.

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 PALO ALTO County,IA

341 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2024 DAY ONE This afternoon and tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN Thursday through Tuesday Thunderstorms are expected Thursday evening through the weekend, with periods of strong to severe storms possible at times. A Slight Risk of severe storms exists across much of central Iowa on Friday with the main threats from large hail and a few tornadoes. Additional strong to severe storms are possible on Saturday and Sunday, especially across the southeast half of the state. Primary threats Saturday will be large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes. Locally heavy rainfall remains possible as well. Sunday's severe weather will be evaluated better in the coming days. SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT Spotter activation may be needed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
NWS Severe Weather Map , Convective Outlook

7-Day Forecast For PALO ALTO County, IA
401 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2024 TONIGHT
Sunny, then becoming partly cloudy this evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny. A slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Breezy with highs in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 20 percent.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Showers likely in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Locally heavy rainfall possible after midnight. Breezy with lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
FRIDAY
Thunderstorms, showers, windy with highs in the mid 60s. Southeast winds 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Windy with lows in the lower 50s. Southeast winds 25 to 30 mph, becoming south 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
SATURDAY
Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 80 percent.
SUNDAY
Showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 40s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
MONDAY
Mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.
MONDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Lows around 40.
TUESDAY
Sunny. Not as cool with highs in the mid 70s.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear with a chance of showers. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
WEDNESDAY
Sunny. Highs in the upper 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 APR 30-MAY 4 MAY 2-MAY 8 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
Wednesday April 24, 2024 the 115th Day of Year --------------------------------------------------- SUN Declination 13.370000 Distance 0.999718 AU Rise 07:18 EDT Set 21:06 EDT Transit Meridian 14:11 EDT Civil Twilight Begins 06:50 EDT Ends 21:35 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 24TH HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS ...1899... Two women and one son lived to tell the story of being picked up by a tornado and carried more than a fourth of a mile, flying far above the church steeples, before being gently set down again. The young boy and one of the ladies said they had the pleasure of flying alongside a horse. The horse "kicked and struggled" as it flew high above, and was set down unharmed about a mile away. (The Weather Channel) ...1908... Severe thunderstorms spawned eighteen tornadoes over across the Central Gulf Coast States claiming the lives of 310 persons. The state of Mississippi was hardest hit. A tornado near Hattiesburg MS killed 143 persons and caused more than half a million dollars damage. Four violent tornadoes accounted for 279 of the 310 deaths. The deadliest of the four tornadoes swelled to a width of 2.5 miles as it passed near Amite LA. The tornado also leveled most of Purvis MS. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel) ...1925... Louisville's and Bowling Green's warmest April temperature: 91 and 96 degrees, respectively. Also, Lexington's earliest 90 degree temperature (90 degrees). (NWS Louisville) ...1980... Three of eight helicopters were damaged in a sandstorm during a failed-attempt to rescue 52 American hostages held in Iran. The hostages were later released on January 20, 1981. ...2005... The latest measurable snowfall on record occurred across parts of Kentucky last year. The snow was the result of cold air and moisture wrapping around an area of low pressure located over the northeast United States. Accumulating snow was mainly confined to the ridgetops and higher elevations of extreme east Kentucky but at least a few flakes were reported just about everywhere. Some amounts reported from across eastern and central Kentucky include...0.6 inches in Booneville...1.0 inch at Jeremiah...1.2 inches at the Jackson Weather Office...1.5 inches at Cumberland...4.0 inches at Lynch...and 5.0 inches at Closplint. (NWS Jackson)

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