Marion 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
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 MARION County

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Regional Hourly Observations For MARION County
Issued at 300 PM CDT SAT MAR 14 2026

CENTRAL IOWA CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS AMES CLOUDY 45 30 55 E18G28 29.87F TC 7 ANKENY * PTSUNNY 50 30 46 E20G29 29.87F TC 10 BOONE * PTSUNNY 46 32 57 E21G29 29.84F TC 8 CHARITON * SUNNY 54 23 30 SE17G24 29.83F TC 12 DES MOINES CLOUDY 50 27 40 SE20G28 29.85F TC 10 GRINNELL* MOSUNNY 47 28 47 E18G25 29.91F TC 8 KNOXVILLE * MOSUNNY 50 28 43 E14G25 29.86F TC 10 MARSHALLTOWN CLOUDY 43 30 60 E21G30 29.92F TC 6 NEWTON * SUNNY 48 30 49 SE20 29.88F TC 9 PELLA * MOSUNNY 49 32 51 E14G24 29.89F TC 9 PERRY * PTSUNNY 48 30 49 E22 29.82F TC 9

Current Temperatures, Dewpoint, RH, Wind, Regional Obs, Surface 4-Panel
Current Agricultural Weather Conditions in Iowa
Based on observations at 300pm CDT, Saturday March 14, 2026

Across Iowa...temperatures are near 53 degrees west, near 50 degrees central, and near 42 degrees east. Current sky conditions are mostly sunny west, cloudy central, and cloudy east. In the west, relative humidity is near 31%, and the dew point is near 23 degrees. In the central part of the state, relative humidity is near 40%, and the dew point is near 27 degrees. In the east, relative humidity is near 49%, and the dew point is near 24 degrees. Winds are from the southeast at 16 mph with gusts at 31 mph west, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. Winds are from the southeast at 20 mph with gusts at 28 mph central, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. Winds are from the east at 16 mph east, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. Based on current available observations, the highest temperature is 59 degrees at Clarinda. The lowest temperature is 34 degrees at Mason City.

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 MARION County,IA

446 AM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 DAY ONE Today and tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN Sunday through Friday A winter storm system will produce precipitation Sunday. Initially there will be a slight chance of thunderstorms and a chance of light freezing rain early Sunday morning, then precipitation will transition to snow during the day and persist into Sunday night. Also, winds will turn to the north northwest on Sunday and increase with wind gusts to 55 MPH or higher at times. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the area for snow, strong winds, blowing snow, and possible blizzard conditions from Sunday morning into Monday morning. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for further details. A High Wind Watch is in effect for the area Sunday into Monday. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for further details. SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT Spotters will not be needed at this time. However, any freezing rain or snow reports are always appreciated.
NWS Severe Weather Map , Convective Outlook

7-Day Forecast For MARION County, IA
314 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026
BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 7 AM CDT MONDAY

HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 4 AM CDT MONDAY

TONIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain with a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
SUNDAY
Rain likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then snow and rain in the afternoon. Patchy blowing snow in the afternoon. Snow accumulation around an inch. Very windy with highs in the mid 50s. Temperature falling into the lower 30s in the afternoon. Southwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, becoming northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Snow. Blowing snow. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Additional snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Total snow accumulation 3 to 4 inches. Very windy and much cooler with lows around 9 above. Northwest winds 30 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
MONDAY
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the morning, then mostly sunny in the afternoon. Patchy blowing snow. Little or no additional snow accumulation. Windy and much cooler with highs around 20. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph in the morning. Chance of snow 50 percent.
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear. Lows around 5 above. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, diminishing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
TUESDAY
Mostly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow in the afternoon. Not as cool with highs in the mid 30s. Chance of snow 20 percent.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow, mainly in the evening. Not as cool. Near steady temperature in the lower 30s. Chance of snow 50 percent.
WEDNESDAY
Mostly sunny. Not as cool with highs in the mid 50s.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny. Highs around 70.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.
FRIDAY
Mostly sunny. Highs around 70.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.
SATURDAY
Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 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 MAR 20-24 MAR 22-28 JUN JUN-AUG ----------- ----------- -------- --------- Temperature: Above Above Precipitation: Below Below .... 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

MARCH 14TH HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS ...1870... The term "blizzard" was first applied to a storm which produced heavy snow and high winds in Minnesota and Iowa. (David Ludlum) ...1944... A single storm brought a record 21.6 inches of snow to Salt Lake City UT. (The Weather Channel) ...1960... Northern Georgia was between snowstorms. Gainesville GA received 17 inches of snow during the month, and reported at least a trace of snow on the ground 22 days in March. Snow was on roofs in Hartwell GA from the 2nd to the 29th. (The Weather Channel)

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