Toasty Tuesday

We are going to be close to record highs today! Des Moines' record is 74. It was set in 2005. It was already 50 at 6:00 this morning.

The gusty SSW and sunny sky will get us to 60 before noon.

There is a high fire danger today. No one should be doing any controlled burns.

Yesterday a controlled burn in Webster County created zero visibility along Highway 20. Over 30 cars and trucks were involved in to huge crashes because the smoke was so thick.

The wind today would allow any fire to quickly get out of control. Wild fires are the danger today.

Have a great day! Enjoy the spring fever.

Follow along on Twitter @EdWilsonWX13HD

March 2 Tornado Count and Coverage

Over 98 tornadoes were reported yesterday with the massive storm track that started in Indiana and ran east covering most of the eastern US.

Check out the breath of the storm reports. The pinpoints 15 states.

The pictures are from our sister station WHNT in Huntsville, AL.

You can see the massive tornado and the damage that was left behind in the northern Alabama area.

This afternoon the death count was up to 31. More than half came from Kentucky. Marysville, IN is described as being completely wiped off the map.

The most amazing report came in this afternoon. A baby was found all by herself in an Indiana field. The baby was taken to a local hospital and listed in critical condition. The family is with the baby now. The child was found 10 miles from the family home!

This will go down as one of the most deadly March storms. These huge tornadoes are not expected this time of year and very seldom are this strong in states like Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

The largest tornadoes were classified as EF4 and EF5. For the first time there was a tornado emergency warning. This is a new classification of tornado warning...one step above the warning that means large metro areas are in immediate danger of large tornadoes.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Our weekend is going to be windy. Highs will be remain in the middle 30s today...cooler than average.
Tomorrow we will have a chance for light snow morning... then rain showers by the afternoon. The map shows the low will slide just to the south of Iowa. Highs tomorrow will make it to the lower 40s.
It will be much warmer next week.


Check out Brett McIntyre's evening forecast and Megan Salois for early morning weather coverage tomorrow.

As always...follow along on Twitter. @EdWilsonWX13HD

Wind Advisory Wednesday

There is a wind advisory in effect for most of the state from 6AM to 6PM today.

The wind will start to roar out of the west at 20 to 30 mph. Gusts will reach 40 to 50 mph.

A wind advisory is issued when there are sustained winds of 25–39 miles per hour (40–63 km/h) and/or gusts to 57 miles per hour (92 km/h).

Drivers should be aware that high-profile vehicles could be swerving through the high wind today.

Also.. bad day for garbage pick-up. A day when the garbage and garbage cans of others may become part of your front yard.

Stay tuned on Channel 13.2 for the latest weather updates.
Follow along with the latest weather updates on twitter @EdWilsonWX13HD.

Strong Storms Tonight...Feels/Looks Like Spring

Storms have been moving through the state tonight. We have seen strong wind, heavy downpours and lightning. In Audubon County there was a report of 1/2 inch diameter hail.

This looked much more like a spring storm outbreak than weather we normally see in February.

The storms were moving at 55 mph to the northeast as I tracked them during the 10PM news.

The lightning strikes were topping 600 an hour between 10 and 11 PM.


There are reports of major damage near Topeka, KS from a tornado touching down tonight. The little town of Harveyville had search and rescue teams combing the debris. There were reports of "walking wounded" trying to find family and first aid.

Much more on that on the NBC news today.

Follow along with all the latest weather news on Channel 13.2 and as always on twitter @EdWilsonWX13HD

Storm Warning Update, Totals, Photos and Kids

We have seen a lot of rain in Des Moines today. There is a winter weather advisory for our area...and a winter storm warning for central and NW Iowa tonight. The counties in pink indicate the winter storm warning for Iowa tonight. Des Moines is under a winter weather advisory.

The heavy snow and gusty wind will make travel difficult tonight. Expect reduced visibilities and icy roads.

We are going to see the rain switch completely to snow by 8PM. Snow has been falling in much of northwest Iowa through the day.

This is a photolink sent to us by Nick Stover in Orange City. That is near Sac City in NW Iowa. By 3:00 this afternoon they had about 3 inches of snow on the ground.

We would love to see your pictures on Channel 13HD. Get to the web and upload them right here: www.whotv.com/weather/who-weather-photolink,0,6687110.framedurl


The snowfall totals map shows the line of heavier snow that is expected in the NW corner of the state. We will see 1" to 3" of snow in Des Moines. Even though this is very heavy snow...the wind will increase to around 30 mph this evening. Blowing snow will reduce visibilities. Icy roads are going to creep closer to Des Moines overnight.

I expect there will be some schools that either delay or cancel their classes tomorrow morning. Most of the classroom disruption will be north of Des Moines.

As always...stay up to date with the storm by watching Channel 13.2...the only 24 hour local weather channel in Des Moines. And you can get the latest on the storm and other stuff by following along on twitter @EdWilsonWX13HD.

Fun Stuff

I had the great opportunity to be the guest reader at Eason Elementary in Waukee this morning. Mrs Schneiter is one of the 3rd grade teachers at Eason. She was my son's teacher when he was at Eason. Today she had a great group of kids who listened to Mr. Ed read "Is That A Stinky Cat in Your Backpack?"

WINTER STORM WARNING

A winter storm is moving toward Iowa and making for a very hectic forecasting period.

The last 6 hours the forecast models have changed the forecast track and snow depths over the state.

During the 10PM news. 10:14 to be exact. The weather service threw out the winter storm watch and issued a winter storm warning for Des Moines. Changing their forecast for little to no snow...and upping the totals to 5"-10"+ of snow for Des Moines and points north.

The timing was terrible for our 10PM weather. We were able to update the warning...but it was close.

To clear up any confusion....we do our own forecasting....but the NWS issues all watches and warnings. It is our duty to pass the NWS warnings and watches along to you.

All our forecasts were keeping the heaviest snow to the north of Des Moines. I still think we will see some snow...but the largest snowfall is expected to be in the Highway 30 to Highway 20 corridor.

Here is the snow total map from the NWS. The feel the heaviest snow will fall closer to Des Moines.

Our latest forecast ... is showing more snow in the area closer to Highway 20. It does look like there is a chance for heavy snow over 2" per hour in that area of the state.

The biggest factor to seeing heavy snow...or no snow is the timing of the colder air. It looks like heavier rainfall will continue through the noon hour. Northern Iowa could see the switch to snow by early afternoon. We will see the change to snow later in the day.

This is a storm with heavy moisture. One to watch through the day.

Expect many updates on the storm. Channel 13.2 will give you 24/7 updates.
Watch Today In Iowa at 5AM.
Always follow along on Twitter @EdWilsonWX13HD

Winter Storm... We'll See

There is a Winter Storm Watch for northern and northeastern Iowa early tomorrow morning through tomorrow evening.

This storm has very little certainty as each model made it look like a yo-yo. One day the storm was targeting Minnesota...the next Iowa.

Here is the latest expected snowfall.


There is a potential for 6 to 8 inches of snow from Mason City to Waterloo. This is not something you should bet the bank on tonight.

We are expecting light rain to fall over central Iowa. The rain will change to snow in northern Iowa late in the day Thursday. If you live south of Ames...you won't notice winter weather.

We'll wait and see what happens with this guy, then focus on another storm for the middle of next week. Girl's State Basketball!

Follow along on twitter. @EdWilsonWX13HD.