New records were set for high temperatures across Iowa on Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologist Kenny Podrazik, at the National Weather Service, says it was exceptionally hot across much of the state.
Mason City broke a record by seven degrees with a high of 99, while Waterloo had a new record of 96 degrees and Des Moines had a record with 94. Still, he says a city in northwest Iowa was really scorching — in the triple digits.
Sioux City reports 106 on Tuesday afternoon, beating the old record of 97, set in 2001. Webster City also set a new record of 98, breaking the old record of 94 set in 1932. Tuesday was the first time this year temperatures were in the 90s. Podrazik says another record will be set today, but it has nothing to do with temperatures, rather, being tornado-free.
He says it is very unlikely there will be a tornado today which will break the all-time record for longest time Iowa’s gone without a tornado. The last twister was reported on May 24th of last year.
Podrazik predicts temperatures today through the end of the week will be much cooler, peaking in the upper 70s.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City