Polk County Weather and Climate Synopsis



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36 Hr. Forecast Map
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Satellite images from NOAA

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 POLK County

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Regional Hourly Observations For POLK County
Issued at 500 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025

...KANSAS...SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA AND IOWA... CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS TOPEKA MOCLDY 62 44 51 E9 29.90R MANHATTAN PTCLDY 60 42 51 NE9 29.89S EMPORIA CLOUDY 60 55 83 E7 29.89R OTTAWA CLOUDY 61 59 94 E6 29.88S CHANUTE PTCLDY 63 54 72 E12 29.88S SALINA CLEAR 62 49 62 E7 29.86S WICHITA CLEAR 62 52 69 E14 29.82R OMAHA CLEAR 45 36 70 VRB3 30.01S LINCOLN CLEAR 47 38 71 NE7 29.97F FALLS CITY CLOUDY 54 38 54 NE7 29.94S LAMONI PTCLDY 46 39 76 NE9 29.99S DES MOINES PTCLDY 42 36 79 N5 30.04R

Current Temperatures, Dewpoint, RH, Wind, Regional Obs, Surface 4-Panel
Current Agricultural Weather Conditions in Iowa
Based on observations at 400am CDT, Sunday May 18, 2025

Across Iowa...temperatures are near 40 degrees west, near 43 degrees central, and near 44 degrees east. Current sky conditions are clear west, partly cloudy central, and clear east. In the west, relative humidity is near 79%, and the dew point is near 34 degrees. In the central part of the state, relative humidity is near 79%, and the dew point is near 37 degrees. In the east, relative humidity is near 79%, and the dew point is near 38 degrees. The livestock heat stress category is no stress west, no stress central, and no stress east. Winds are from the northeast at 7 mph west, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Winds are from the north at 6 mph central, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Winds are from the northwest at 8 mph east, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Based on current available observations, the highest temperature is 50 degrees at Clarinda. The lowest temperature is 39 degrees at Storm Lake and Ames.

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 POLK County,IA

857 AM CDT Sat May 17 2025 DAY ONE Today and tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN Sunday through Friday Chances for thunderstorms begin Sunday night and continue at times through Tuesday night. There is a risk of severe weather Sunday night into early Monday with hail and gusty winds the main hazards. Additional round of severe weather is possible later Monday into Monday night with the hazards determined in the coming days. Locally heavy rainfall is possible as well early next week. SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT Spotter activation will not be needed.
NWS Severe Weather Map , Convective Outlook

7-Day Forecast For POLK County, IA
301 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 TODAY
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming east this afternoon.
TONIGHT
Partly cloudy in the evening, then cloudy with showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. East winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
MONDAY
Showers. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Breezy with highs in the mid 60s. East winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.
MONDAY NIGHT
Showers with thunderstorms likely in the evening, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Locally heavy rainfall possible after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. East winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
TUESDAY
Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
TUESDAY NIGHT
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
WEDNESDAY
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 50s.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.
FRIDAY
Mostly sunny. A slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
SATURDAY
Mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
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 MAY 23-27 MAY 25-MAY 31 JUN JUN-AUG ----------- ----------- -------- --------- Temperature: Below Below Precipitation: Normal 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

//////////////////////////// MAY 18TH...HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS ...1825... A tornado (said to have crossed all of the state of Ohio) smashed into the log cabin settlement of Burlington, northeast of Columbus. (David Ludlum) ...1960... Salt Lake City UT received an inch of snow. It marked their latest measurable snowfall of record. (The Weather Channel) ...1980... Mount Saint Helens (in Washington State) erupted spewing ash and smoke sixty-three thousand feet into the air. Heavy ash covered the ground to the immediate northwest, and small particles were carried to the Atlantic coast. (David Ludlum)

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