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Ida County, IA Weather and Climate Synopsis

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Weather Summary for Iowa
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
346 AM CST Tue Dec 31 2024

Today: 

Low pressure moving from Missouri into Central Illinois overnight
produced a broad area of light rain and snow across central and
southern Iowa early this morning. There were spotty areas of snow
accumulations with a few areas receiving around an inch or so.
Most primary roads and highways remained wet although less traveled
roads did become slushy in areas. Otherwise, northwest winds increased
and were common from 10 to 20 mph with gusts to almost 30 mph at 
times. 

The light precipitation is expected to come to an end this morning as
the system pulls away from the state. Some minor snow accumulations,
generally less than an inch remain possible in far south central to
southeast Iowa through mid morning, otherwise the north winds persist
for much of the day as cooler air arrives. Additional flurries are
expected late this afternoon into the evening as another weak system
passes through the state. 

Tonight and beyond: 

Any flurries are forecast to end tonight with clearing expected toward
daybreak on New Years Day. Mostly sunny skies will greet the New Year
with near normal temperatures in the mid 20s to lower 30s. However,
a clipper system approaches the state on Thursday with light snow
overspreading much of central into southern Iowa. Minor accumulations
are forecast by Thursday evening along with the arrival of cooler air.
Highs by Friday are forecast to remain in the teens to lower 20s over
much of the state as cold polar air overspread the Midwest. 

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

Precision Agriculture Weather Forecast For IDA County


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Regional Hourly Observations For IDA County
Issued at 500 PM CST SAT JAN 17 2026

NORTHWEST IOWA
  
CITY           SKY/WX    TMP DP  RH WIND       PRES   REMARKS
CHEROKEE       PTCLDY     7  -2  66 NW14G23   30.26R WCI -10 TC -14   
DENISON        CLOUDY     9   0  66 NW17G26   30.28R WCI -10 TC -13   
ESTHERVILLE    MOCLDY     2  -6  69 NW21G31   30.20S WCI -20 TC -17   
LE MARS        MOCLDY     9  -2  61 NW13G26   30.27S WCI  -7 TC -13   
MAURICE        PTCLDY     5  -4  66 NW21G30   30.24S WCI -16 TC -15   
SHELDON        MOCLDY     5  -2  72 NW16G24   30.21R WCI -14 TC -15   
SIOUX CITY     MOCLDY     8  -3  61 NW17G29   30.30S WCI -10 TC -13   
SPENCER        MOCLDY     5  -3  69 NW17G26   30.21R WCI -14 TC -15   
STORM LAKE     CLOUDY     5  -2  72 NW18G28   30.22R WCI -15 TC -15   

Current Temperatures, Dewpoint, RH, Wind, Regional Obs, Surface 4-Panel


Current Agricultural Weather Conditions in Iowa
Based on observations at 400pm CST, Saturday January 17, 2026

BITTER COLD WIND CHILLS

Across Iowa...temperatures are near 9 degrees west, near 10 degrees central, and near 13 degrees east. Current sky conditions are mostly sunny west, light snow central, and light snow east. In the west, relative humidity is near 58%, and the dew point is near -3 degrees. In the central part of the state, relative humidity is near 63%, and the dew point is near 0 degrees. In the east, relative humidity is near 81%, and the dew point is near 8 degrees. Winds are from the northwest at 17 mph with gusts at 30 mph west, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. The wind chill is near -9 degrees west. Winds are from the northwest at 22 mph with gusts at 39 mph central, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds and light snow. The wind chill is near -10 degrees central. Winds are from the west at 21 mph with gusts at 29 mph east, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds and light snow. The wind chill is near -5 degrees east. The livestock cold stress index is in the emergency category west, emergency category central, and emergency category east. Based on current available observations, the highest temperature is 14 degrees at Quad Cities and Clinton. The lowest temperature is 3 degrees at Estherville.


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 IDA County,IA

322 AM CST Sat Jan 17 2026

 DAY ONE  Today and Tonight

Patchy light snow and blowing snow will occasionally reduce the
visibility to around a mile this morning, with the better chance 
in parts of southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa. Otherwise, 
wind chills will average 10 below to 20 below today.

 DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN  Sunday through Friday

Northwest winds will gust to 40 to 50 mph again on Sunday and if
snow can develop, reduced visibility and hazardous travel are
possible. Sunday night into Monday morning, wind chills will
average 15 below to 25 below.

 SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT  

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NWS Severe Weather Map , Convective Outlook


7-Day Forecast For IDA County, IA
444 PM CST Sat Jan 17 2026


WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 PM CST SUNDAY

TONIGHT
Partly cloudy this evening, then mostly cloudy with a chance of snow after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Cold with lows around 3 above. Temperature rising to around 9 above after midnight. West winds 10 to 15 mph, becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of snow 40 percent. Wind chill values as low as 12 below.

SUNDAY
Partly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of snow. Little or no snow accumulation. Windy and not as cool with highs in the upper 20s. Temperature falling into the lower 20s in the afternoon. West winds 15 to 25 mph, becoming northwest 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 45 mph.

SUNDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Breezy, cold with lows around 2 below. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph in the evening. Wind chill values as low as 20 below.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY
Mostly sunny. Colder with highs around 14. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill values as low as 20 below.

MONDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 2 above. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

TUESDAY
Mostly sunny in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy. Not as cool with highs in the upper 20s.

TUESDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. Not as cool with lows 15 to 20.

WEDNESDAY
Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 10 above.

THURSDAY
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

THURSDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. Cold with lows around 10 above.

FRIDAY
Partly sunny. Cooler with highs around 20.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of snow after midnight. Colder with lows 5 below to zero. Chance of snow 20 percent. Wind chill values as low as 20 below.

SATURDAY
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Colder with highs 5 to 10 above. Wind chill values as low as 20 below.

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 
                   JAN 23-27 JAN 25-JAN 31    JUN       JUN-AUG                      
                 -----------  -----------  --------  ---------
   Temperature:      Below        Below                                            
 Precipitation:      Above       Normal                                            

....  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


Historical Weather And Climate Facts For Today

JANUARY 17TH
HISTORICAL WEATHER FACTS
...1817...
A luminous snowstorm occurred in Vermont and New Hampshire. Saint Elmo's
fire appeared as static discharges on roof peaks, fence posts, and the hats
and fingers of people. Thunderstorms prevailed over central New England.
(David Ludlum)
...1893...
The mercury dipped to 17 degrees below zero at Millsboro DE to establish a
state record. (The Weather Channel)
...1972...
A single storm unloaded 77.5 inches of snow at Summit MT to establish a
state record. (The Weather Channel)
...1982...
Strong chinook winds caused severe wind damage in Boulder CO. Wind gusts to
118 mph was recorded on the roof of the Environmental Research Laboratories
(ERL), and a wind gust to 137 mph was measured atop the roof of the NCAR
building (in the southwest part of the city, 600 feet above ground level).
The high winds uprooted trees and damage roofs. (Storm Data)
...1987...
A winter storm spread snow from the Southern Rockies into the Middle
Mississippi Valley and southwestern sections of the Great Lakes Region, and
freezing rain across Texas and oklahoma. Snowfall totals ranged up to 16
inches at Tulia TX, with 12 inches at Wellington KS. (National Weather
Summary) (Storm Data)
...1988...
A Pacific storm battered the southern coast of California. Winds gusting to
65 mph uprooted trees in San Diego. Los Angeles reported an all-time record
low baromteric pressure reading of 29.25 inches. (National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)
...1989...
Strong chinook winds along the eastern slopes of the Rockies gusted to 90
mph near Rollinsville CO, and reached 94 mph near Big Timber MT. Heavy snow
blanketed parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley, with eight inches reported
in Douglas County WI. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
...1990...
Twenty cities across the southeastern half of the country reported record
high temperatures for the date. Record highs included 61 degrees at
Williamstown PA and 85 degrees at Brownsville TX. Evening thunderstorms
produced large hail and damaging winds from eastern Texas to Mississippi.
(National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
...2006...
Bowling Green received 1.37" of liquid equivalent precipitation on January 
17, setting a new record for the date.  The old record was 1.25" set in 
1990. (Louisville NWS)

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