(Radio Iowa) — The National Weather Service is predicting a polar plunge for temperatures later today (Wednesday). Meteorologist Cory Martin says it’ll be a big swing by the time you are heading home from work. “We’re going to see a strong cold front move through the state, probably during the afternoon and evening hours,” Martin says. “So the day is probably going to start out not too bad — but then when the front comes through we’re going to see temperatures dropping very quickly — with brisk northwest winds.”

Those brisk winds are really going to have an impact. “Our windchill temperatures overnight Wednesday will possibly be 20 to 30 below zero by the time you wake up Thursday morning,” he says. Martin says we shouldn’t have to deal with the extreme cold for very long. “By Friday we should start to see a steady rebound, and by the time we get into the weekend we’re looking at high temperatures across the area back in the 30’s and 40s,” according to Martin.

He says these types of quick cold fronts happen this time of year and it could bring some issues for people who have to be on the road. “It’s typical for this time of year, just rolling though. We may see some light snow with it as well that could lead to some areas of slick travel and reduced visibility — especially given how fast the temperatures are looking to fall as the front moves through,” Martin says. “So, that is something to keep in mind as well if you have travel plans over the second half of the day on Wednesday.”

He advises you to keep up with the latest weather forecasts and road conditions if you plan on being out.

Today: Increasingly cloudy w/a chance of rain this afternoon. High 40. S winds @ 10-20 this morning shifting to the NW this afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly Cloudy w/light snow or flurries (<.5″ expected). Low -5. NW @ 20-35 mph. **Wind Chill Advisory from 12-a.m. until Noon Thursday**

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. High 12. NW @ 15-30. Wind Chill around -25.

Friday: P/Cldy & breezy. High 23.

Saturday: P/Cldy. High 35.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 39. Our Low was 21. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 24 and the Low was 1. The record High for February 12th in Atlantic, was 72 in 1990. The Record Low was -24 in 1986 & 1988.

328 AM CST Wed Feb 12 2020

…Blowing Snow and Dangerous Cold Ahead…

A strong Arctic cold front will pass through the state this afternoon and evening. Strong northwest winds and light snow immediately behind the front may lead to areas of blowing snow over northern Iowa, including the potential for near-blizzard conditions in northwest Iowa where recent snowfall has occurred. Rapidly falling temperatures will also accompany the front, which could lead to a flash freeze if local roads are wet or slushy.

Bitter cold temperatures and breezy winds combine to drop wind chill values to dangerously cold levels late Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Area Counties: Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold…WIND CHILL ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT ON THURSDAY FROM 12-A.M UNTIL NOON.

* WHAT…Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero.

* IMPACTS…The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Temperatures will plummet and it is possible that wet or slushy roads could flash freeze, creating icy spots on roadways Wednesday evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Today: Mostly sunny. High 39. W @ 10.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 25. SW @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: Mo. Cldy w/light rain in the afternoon changing to light snow, late. High 37. N @ 10-20.

Thursday: Mo. Sunny & cold. High 12.

Friday: P/Cldy. High 23.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 40. Our Low was 12. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 27 and the Low was 22. The record High for February 11th in Atlantic, was 64 in 1951 & 1999. The Record Low was -26 in 1899.

(Radio Iowa) — The National Weather Service is set to release its first spring flood forecast later this week — and southwest Iowa officials are worried there will be more flooding this spring. Forecasters already say the amount of snow pack in the eastern Dakotas is a concern. Fremont County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Crecelius expects more flooding in his area. “It all goes into the Missouri River up there and it, ultimately, comes down here,” he says.

Crecelius says the recovery from LAST spring’s historic flooding is still underway. “There’s still people in need f things. I’ve still got people coming in once in a while looking for stuff,” he says. “We’ve got a number of people displaced that are no longer in our county.”

Soil in the Missouri River Basin is saturated and cannot handle more rain or snow melt according to the National Weather Service — putting the region at higher risk of
flooding. Forecasters say tributaries to the Missouri River are likely to flood in western Iowa.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katie Peikes)

Today: Partly cloudy. High 35. N @ 10-15 mph.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 18. N @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy. High 35. SW @ 5-10.

Wednesday: Cloudy w/light rain changing to light snow. High 37.

Thursday: P/Cldy & colder. High 20.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 39. Our Low this morning, 11. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 29 and the Low 22. The Record High here on Feb. 10th was 72 in 1999, and the Record Low was -24 in 1905.

Today: A slight chance of drizzle before 7am. Increasing clouds, with a temperature rising to near 35 by 10am, then falling to around 28 during the remainder of the day. Windy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north northwest 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. Wind chill values as low as 10. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the morning.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow before 1pm, then a chance of rain between 1pm and 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Area Counties: Monona-Harrison: A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT TODAY FROM 9-A.M. UNTIL 1-P.M.  Expect northwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

If you have any travel plans that take you to northern/northeast Iowa and points east and north, you should be prepared for the impact of a winter storms that’s expected to hit the area tonight and Sunday. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 12-a.m. Sunday until 3-p.m., for the Counties of Winnebago, Worth, Hancock, and Cerro Gordo. Heavy mixed precipitation is  expected, with total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect during the same time frame, for: Palo Alto; Pocahontas; Humboldt; Wright; Franklin; Butler; Bremer; Webster; Hamilton; Hardin; Grundy and Black Hawk Counties, where mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches and minor ice accumulations can also be expected.

The National Weather Service says snow will develop tonight over northern Iowa then spread east and persist into Sunday. The snowfall rates will be moderate to heavy at times tonight into early Sunday, leading to a quick deterioration in travel conditions over far northern Iowa. Snow accumulations will be mainly confined to areas north of Highway 30. A transition to freezing drizzle may occur Sunday morning with minor ice accumulation possible. Increasing north wind during the day Sunday will lead to some blowing and drifting of snow especially in far northern Iowa where less freezing drizzle occurs.

If you must travel north  of Highway 30 later today or tonight, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1, or in Iowa on the web at 511ia.org.

Today: Partly cloudy. High 33. SE @ 10-15mph.

Tonight: P/Cldy to cldy w/light snow or flurries. Low 28. SE @ 10-15.

Tomorrow: Mo. Cldy w/a mix of light snow-flurries. High 36. S @ 10-20 becoming NW.

Monday: P/Cldy. High 34.

Tuesday: P/Cldy. High 30.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 26. Our Low this morning, 12. We received .a Trace of snow Friday (after 7-a.m.). Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 13 and the Low was -5. The record High for February 8th in Atlantic, was 62 in 1954. The Record Low was -34 in 1971.