Here we are November 6th and so far, no killing freeze. Flowers are blooming, the grass is green, and like it or not El Nino is largely to blame. El Niño by the way, is a natural climate oscillation characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. It alters the path of the Pacific jet stream, often producing a split flow with minimal interaction from the northern branch here in the Midwest. That restricts cold air intrusi

That storm that rolled through the Midwest Tuesday has today found a new home in Canada. That's allowed a cold front to sweep through the region, kicking up brisk westerly winds that have gradually been driving temperatures down. Wednesday evening readings were only in the 40s in many spots with wind chills approaching the upper 30s. Actual temperatures were 12 to 16 degrees colder than 24 hours earlier, mind you a noticeable change! Despite the initial energy having passed w

For the most part, our weather pattern is unfolding about the way it was expected to at this point in our storms evolution. Low clouds and rain were prevalent ahead ot the trough Tuesday with the heavier rains falling just NW of the Quad Cities in my Iowa counties. Doppler radar estimates have some 2-3 inch totals in a narrow band from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids. Additionally a few 2 inch amounts are also shown from Tipton southwest to West Liberty and Ainsworth. Here are the

One of the biggest mid-term elections in U.S. history promises to be a wet one around the central Midwest. Decision day, while soggy at times will at least be one of the warmest on record with highs (despite the dreary conditions) destined to hit 65 to 70 degrees. Here's a meteogram of what conditions are expected to be like throughout the day and evening (specific to the Quad Cities) if you are headed to the polls. Notice the low is 62 and the high is 69. Rain chances are at

As showers cross through the region Monday afternoon, the air feels unlike the season. Blustery southerly winds will continue through the evening and overnight, gusting over 40mph at times, sending more moisture into the area with even more rain on Tuesday. Tuesday, Election Day, looks like a bit of a rough one for the area with wind and rain. Showers and a few thunderstorms will continue through the evening and overnight, especially west of the Mississippi River. Rain chance