FRISKY TIMES INDEED...

High pressure is flexing its spring muscles allowing a late season surge of cool air to overspread the Midwest. By May 1st, Average temperatures are close to 70 and we'll be well below that. In fact, Wednesday the high in Dubuque reached a meager 53 degrees, and there's plenty more where that came from. If you focus on Hudson Bay in the animation below, you will see a persistent upper air low locked into that part of SC Canada. The resultant NW flow is going to make it very hard for temperatures to approach or exceed normal levels.

The 15-day temperature departures on the EURO through May 15th look like this by way of animation. Note the abundance of chilly air over the eastern half of the nation. A cool two weeks!

The Climate Prediction Center's 8-14 day temperature outlook through May13th shows a 60-70 precent chance of below normal readings in my local area. That even includes a night or two in the north where scattered frost is possible.

A breadown of the EURO meteogram over the next 2 weeks shows a slight warm-up Sunday and Monday, otherwise a lot of 50s and 60s hang over our immediate future.

At least for the next week, the cool dry air precludes much in the way of any precipitation. What the EURO shows is very much on the light and scattered side. Here's what it depicts for amounts through May 6th. Most spots should have less than 1/4 inch.

A BRIEF HEALTH UPDATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITAL

The last 2 days I've undergone every sort of medical test under the sun to determine my specific medical issues and formulate a plan to eliminate them. They include MRIs, Echocardiograms, PET scans, CT scans, and Electrocardiograms and more. Pending the results of another test Friday, I am tentatively scheduled for open heart surgery Monday, May 4th. We had hoped to avoid that solution but the aortic valve is failing fast leaving me little option. My family and I are leaning on the countless prayers and well wishes that have been sent on our behalf. Your support leaves us humbled and deeply touched. Thank you for the strength and resolve to be a warrior! Roll weather...TS