Cold & damp in the Corn Belt

(Agriculture.com) – Colder temperatures are forecast today and Saturday across the midwest with some temperature moderation to begin on Sunday and Monday. Rain is forecast to develop from Mo eastward across Il, In, Oh and southern states on Monday and Tuesday. Some of this rain will mix and change to snow across the northern Il on Monday night.

Precipitation amounts will be in the .25″ to .50″ range across the eastern corn belt. Most weather models are in agreement today for potential heavy snow from the southern plains and the western corn belt states from February 20-23rd. The European operational forecasts the most significant precipitation a little further south today than yesterday, increasing the snowfall amounts from western Ks and southern Ne across western Ia and eastward from there. The forecast snowfall amounts are decreased across northern Ia and southern Mn.

In contrast, the American model keeps the heavier precipitation from this storm further east and north from eastern Ne and western Ia eastward across south central Ia and Mo. A strong area of low pressure should begin to move across southeast Co next Wednesday evening across northern Ok and across southern Mo by Thursday evening and southern In by Friday morning. This powerful storm will push thunderstorms across the south-central states from eastern Tx toward the Delta states.

Strong winds to the north of the low pressure will cause blowing and driving snows which will cause significant travel problems. Subzero temperatures are possible over eastern Co and western Ks late next week.