CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – We’re keeping an eye on areas along and south of Interstate 80 for a storm chance tonight.
Your First Alert: Southern zone has the highest chance
Clouds have increased as expected this evening, and we’ve seen an increase in some precipitation showing up on radar. However, not everything is reaching the ground; while dew points have increased today, there’s still a pretty decent amount of dry air beneath these clouds where falling rain is evaporating. That being said, some rain could take place north of Interstate 80 during the early portion of the night.
The more robust development comes closer to or after Midnight, when a cluster of showers and storms could develop along and south of the Interstate 80 corridor. A stronger storm or two with a bit of small hail is possible, but widespread severe weather is unlikely. A few lucky locations could receive a decent bout of rainfall, potentially exceeding at least half an inch within a narrow corridor in our southern zone.
With more cloud cover around, temperatures shouldn’t fall as far as the past couple of chillier nights. Lows will be in the low to mid 50s.
Quieter, windier days for the weekend
As any leftover isolated showers or cloud cover exits early on Friday, we’ll see sunnier skies make a return. A bit of an easterly breeze will be felt, helping to temper our highs just a touch. Readings in the low to mid 70s look likely. It should be a great night to be out and about if you have Friday evening plans, though a light jacket might be needed if you’re out late.
We’ll find ourselves ahead of a cold front on Saturday, with stronger southerly winds kicking in. This could result in some gusts between 25 to 35 mph, making for a fairly windy one. Those winds, and a lot of sunshine, also push temperatures into the mid to upper 80s.
Late in the day into Saturday night, another cold front moves toward the area. This will bring some cloud cover, and we still can’t fully rule out a shower in our northeast zone. Most of the TV9 viewing area will miss out, though. Temperatures dip into the upper 40s to low 50s and winds shift to the northwest behind the front…