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Washington 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 WASHINGTON County


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Regional Hourly Observations For WASHINGTON County
Issued at 300 PM CST SAT JAN 17 2026

   SOUTHEAST IOWA
  
CITY           SKY/WX    TMP DP  RH WIND       PRES   REMARKS
BURLINGTON     FLURRIES  13   2  61 NW16G29   30.15R WCI  -3 TC -11   
FAIRFIELD *    MOSUNNY   12   7  79 W16G29    30.16R HAZE    WCI  -4  
FORT MADISON * PTSUNNY   12   1  62 W20G26    30.16R WCI  -6 TC -11   
KEOKUK *       PTSUNNY   14  -2  48 W18       30.18R WCI  -3 TC -10   
OSKALOOSA *    MOSUNNY   13   6  71 NW20      30.18R WCI  -4 TC -10   
OTTUMWA        LGT SNOW  11   4  73 W16G25    30.17R WCI  -6 TC -12   
WASHINGTON *   LGT SNOW  12   9  85 NW18G30   30.13R WCI  -5 TC -11   

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


Current Agricultural Weather Conditions in Iowa
Based on observations at 300pm 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 cloudy west, light snow central, and light snow east. In the west, relative humidity is near 55%, and the dew point is near -4 degrees. In the central part of the state, relative humidity is near 69%, and the dew point is near 2 degrees. In the east, relative humidity is near 84%, and the dew point is near 9 degrees. Visibility is less than one mile central and east. Winds are from the northwest at 23 mph with gusts at 31 mph west, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds. The wind chill is near -11 degrees west. Winds are from the northwest at 24 mph with gusts at 36 mph central, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds and light snow. The wind chill is near degrees central. Winds are from the west at 18 mph with gusts at 28 mph east, where conditions are not favorable for spraying due to strong winds and light snow. The wind chill is near -4 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 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 WASHINGTON County,IA

301 PM CST Sat Jan 17 2026

 DAY ONE  THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

Light accumulating snow along with northwest winds gusting up to 
35 mph will be seen into the early evening. The strong winds are 
expected to create blowing and drifting snow this afternoon which
may result in roads becoming partially covered with snow.

Winds gusting up to 25 mph tonight will help drop wind chills 
below zero.

 DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN  SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

Another storm system will bring more accumulating snow to the area
on Sunday. Accumulations will range from a dusting to potentially
an inch. Winds gusting up to 35 mph will create more blowing and drifting
snow.

Dangerous cold with wind chills of 15 to 30 below zero will be 
seen across the area late Sunday night into Monday morning. A Cold
Weather Advisory has been issued for locations along and north of
Highway 92.

There is a potential for more accumulating snow Tuesday night.

 SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT  

Snowfall reports of an inch or more will be appreciated.

NWS Severe Weather Map , Convective Outlook


7-Day Forecast For WASHINGTON County, IA
316 PM CST Sat Jan 17 2026


COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM SUNDAY TO NOON CST MONDAY

TONIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow early. Little or no snow accumulation. Cold with lows 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds around 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, becoming west 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of snow 50 percent. Wind chill values as low as 5 below.

SUNDAY
Mostly cloudy. A chance of flurries in the morning, then a chance of snow in the afternoon. Little or no snow accumulation. Not as cool with highs in the mid 20s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph, becoming west 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of snow 30 percent. Wind chill values as low as 6 below in the morning.

SUNDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Breezy, cold with lows around 1 below. Northwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Wind chill values as low as 23 below.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY
Mostly sunny. Cooler with highs around 13. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Wind chill values as low as 21 below.

MONDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy and cold. Near steady temperature around 9 above. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Wind chill values as low as 5 below.

TUESDAY
Mostly sunny. Not as cool with highs around 30. Wind chill values as low as 5 below in the morning.

TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. Highs around 30.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY
Partly cloudy. Lows around 10 above. Highs in the upper 20s.

THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY
Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Highs in the upper 20s.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. Colder with lows around 5 above. Wind chill values as low as 10 below after midnight.

SATURDAY
Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow in the afternoon. Cooler with highs around 15. Chance of snow 30 percent. Wind chill values as low as 10 below in the morning.

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