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Moisture returns, so too will rain?

30 Aug 2010 05:57 AM
Our respite from high dew points is over for the moment as shown by the featured chart with dew points now back around 70. Will rain be soon to follow? Our last surge in dew points was mostly dry for Ames, which is good after the record flooding in the early part of August. Chances of rain are in the forecast this week along with a few rounds of severe weather.

Voting:
Good: 19
Bad: 5

Tags:   aug10  

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Could use some breaks

20 Aug 2010 05:58 AM
The featured graphic displays the IEM calculated daily statewide rainfall average since 1 June this year. There has only been one considerable dry period lasting more than just a few days. The recent stretch of weather has not been all that bad thanks to some drier air that worked into the state. Friday looks to return us to "normal" with muggy conditions expected along with storms.

Voting:
Good: 75
Bad: 8

Tags:   jun10   jul10   aug10  

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Different ways to measure warmth

18 Aug 2010 05:57 AM
The featured chart presents three metrics for measuring how warm it has been since 1 July for Des Moines. The each sub-chart, blue bars represent a value below average and red bars represent a value above. The bottom chart shows the average difference between the heat index and the air temperature. For this year, the heat index added, on average, more than 4 degrees to the temperature. While this value is the largest shown, the highest air temperature was only 96 degrees and below the average seen in the past 38 years. This year's average temperatures comes in second behind 1983. The humidity has certainly made this year feel very hot compared to years past.

Voting:
Good: 24
Bad: 6

Tags:   jul10   aug10  

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Plenty of moisture

17 Aug 2010 06:04 AM
The featured chart displays the average near-surface water vapor mixing ratio compuated at the Des Moines Airport. This value has units of grams per kilogram and can be thought of as the mass ratio of water vapor versus dry air. For the period of 1 July to 17 August, this year has been the most humid since 1970. Our current stretch of weather has seen a welcome relief from the extreme humidity values.

Voting:
Good: 22
Bad: 4

Tags:   jul10   aug10  

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Another month with too much rain

10 Aug 2010 12:24 PM
Abundant heat and humidity has helped to once again fuel efficient and heavy rainfall storms this August. The featured map shows estimated rainfall totals so far this month with parts of central Iowa picking up the heaviest totals. More rain is in the forecast today before hopefully a drier spell moves in next week.

Voting:
Good: 25
Bad: 5

Tags:   aug10