The last weekend of winter saw record warmth across Iowa.
Meteorologist Brad Small, at the National Weather Service, says several Iowa cities set new record highs in the 80s on Sunday, including Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo.
“People enjoyed similar weather from late in the week, through the St. Patrick’s Day holiday and right on through the weekend,” Small says. “Highs were in the upper 70s to low 80s across much of the state. We’re heading towards, at least to date, we have the warmest March on record in many locations and the warmest calendar year on record in many locations as well.”
Small says this final full day of winter will bring more warm weather to the state but rainfall is also on the way.
Temps will still be unseasonably mild with highs in the 60s and 70s with a rising chance of showers and thunderstorms today, tomorrow and Wednesday.
At least two, perhaps three, tornadoes were reported in Nebraska on Sunday night and Small says there is a possibility of some severe weather in parts of Iowa, too.
The greatest risks are later today, tonight and early Tuesday as storms may contain hail and damaging winds. Spring officially arrives on Tuesday.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City