At the beginning of the month, we took a look at Ames, Iowa‘s weather. It was a towards the end of the prolonged icy grip on the middle of the country, and temperatures were trying to warm up a bit. The cold wasn’t ready to let go, however, and temperatures never breached the freezing line. The snow remained out of the picture, which was some modicum of relief, and with the benefit of hindsight, we can see that it eventually would get warmer in Ames. The forecast was interesting. The consensus forecast was nearly the best one, but WeatherNation ended up earning their own spot on top of the leaderboard. Actuals: February 2nd, High 27, Low 21 February 3rd High 29, Low 16
We are off on another trek, this time lasting a day and a half, covering 884 miles. The first day will be the full day, and will conclude after about 532 miles. The pacing on this trip will be 66.5mph, which is pretty good! Let’s hope for dry roads!
DAY ONE (Monday)
Gadsden, Alabama
The weather is clear now, what with our cavalcade of wintry weather finally clearing out of the southeastern US. The interstates are getting cleared first, but the beginning of our drive, through hard hit Tennessee, specifically Nashville, which is still trying to thaw. It’s snow in Kentucky and southern Illinois, but that is a lot easier to push to the side of the road. Our drive will end in Wentzville, Missouri, a western suburb of St. Louis.
DAY TWO (Tuesday) Behind the ridge that is bringing the pleasant weather to the Mississippi Valley is the next upper level trough, which I need to assure you is not like the last two. Nevertheless, some precipitation will be coming together as we get started on Tuesday morning. There may be a few flurries between Wentzville and Hannibal, but it certainly isn’t an all day affair for us, driving into Ames, which will be at least warmer than it has been.
We’ve spent a great deal of our time and energy focused on the southeastern US, so we get to get a taste of something different this evening.
At 453PM, CT, Ames was reporting a temperature of 32 degrees with overcast skies. This is following a band of light snow that was related to a clipper moving through the Upper Midwest. An area of high pressure is moving through the Canadian Prairies, with a bit warmer air flowing under the upper level feature. The Canadian ridge will sink back to the south tomorrow, and there is a chance for a band of flurries Late tomorrow, but the advancing area of high pressure will ensure that the day won’t be completely snobound. Tomorrow – Increasing clouds with late flurries, High 31, Low 16 Tuesday – Mostly sunny,High 25, Low 14
TWC: Tomorrow – A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later High 31, Low 20 Tuesday – Partly cloudy. High 28, Low 18
AW: Tomorrow – Intervals of clouds and sun High 30, Low 18 Tuesday – Periods of clouds and sunshine High 26, Low 17
NWS: Tomorrow – Partly sunny, High 30. Low 17 Tuesday – Partly sunny, High 28, Low 17
WB: Tomorrow – Partly sunny. High 31, Low 22 Tuesday – Partly sunny. High 26, Low 18
WN: Tomorrow – Partly Cloudy, High 29, Low 17 Tuesday – Partly Cloudy, High 28, Low 16
CLI: Tomorrow – Overcast, High 33, Low 17 Tuesday – Mostly cloudy, High 28, Low 10
Here’s the radar imagery for Iowa, with our warm front already through town. Well, through the Hawkeye State, actually.
