Weather Headlines
- NEXT 9 HOURS: Warm but mostly quiet
- SHORT TERM: Some storms develop
- LONG TERM: Somewhat unsettled for the weekend
Latest Forecast
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Watch out for some rumbles of thunder tonight, with some more opportunities in the near future.
Today features a bit more cloud cover in some places compared to Tuesday, but otherwise is very similar in its overall evolution. Highs will reach the upper 80s, with dew points in the mid 60s. That makes for a slightly humid feel to the air. Pop-up clouds are possible during the day, but we should avoid precipitation.
That changes tonight, with scattered showers and storms becoming more likely. This chance is generally at its highest in our northwest zone and western counties. A few of these storms could be on the strong side, potentially producing a few incidences of gusty winds or hail. Widespread severe weather is not expected. Rainfall could reach 0.25″ to 0.50″ where multiple storms track over the same area, with plenty of us missing out entirely.
Temperatures tonight fall into the upper 60s. Some isolated showers or storms could linger early on Thursday, too. There’s also a slim chance for some redevelopment by late afternoon into the evening, but that activity will remain isolated.
The bigger impact to the day will be highs that get into the low 90s for most, and higher dew points to go along with that slight boost in temperatures. That could push our heat index readings into the 95 to 100 degree range, with a repeat likely into Friday, too. Things stay muggy into the weekend, but more clouds and precipitation chances should hold us back from the worst heat by just a bit.
Regarding the holiday weekend, things continue to trend toward a more favorable set of conditions on the 4th of July. We now expect dry weather throughout the day into the evening, which is good news for celebrations and fireworks displays in many communities in the TV9 viewing area. Temperatures will be on the warm side, though, with low to mid 90s on the thermometer. Don’t forget to drink water and take breaks from time to time, and sunscreen is highly recommended with a UV index of 9 to 10.
The rest of the extended 4th of July weekend looks a bit more unsettled, with chances for showers and storms returning. The chance appears highest on Saturday, when a frontal boundary moves into the state. This will be the trigger for development by afternoon and evening, which could affect any outdoor plans you may have. Be sure to check on the weather using the KCRG-TV9 First Alert Weather app before heading out and about…