Category: Weather

Weather

Sunday Weather: Storm cancels softball finales

Chris Baldus

UPDATE: With dark clouds closing in and the wind picking up around 4 p.m. Sunday the Charles City Youth Softball League cancelled the final two games of its tournament on Sunday. According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in Charles City dropped from 90 degrees at 3:55 p.m. to 68 at 4:55 p.m. PREVIOUS REPORT: A line of strong to severe storms will continue southeastward through 5 p.m., with the strongest storms capable of damaging 60 mph wind gusts. Also expect heavy rainfall and possibly some hail. Keep up to date on the weather through this afternoon and be … Continue reading Sunday Weather: Storm cancels softball finales

Weather

Nashua-area weather forecast for May 24

Chris Baldus

National Weather Service forecast for Nashua, Iowa, area for Friday, May 24: Today Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. … Continue reading Nashua-area weather forecast for May 24

Weather

Weather: Rain tonight, cloudy Wednesday

Chris Baldus

National Weather Service forecast  Tonight (April 30) — Periods of showers. Low around 42. Breezy, with a northeast wind 11 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Wednesday (May 1) — Scattered showers before 7 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Wednesday Night (May 2) — Scattered showers, mainly after 10 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an … Continue reading Weather: Rain tonight, cloudy Wednesday

Weather

State Senators Propose Disaster Relief and Recovery Plan in response to 2019 Flood

Chris Baldus

Iowa Senate News Release Des Moines – Senator Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids) and Senator Jackie Smith (D-Sioux City) today proposed a $50 million disaster relief and recovery plan to help Iowans following the Flood of 2019. “After our tour of flood damage last Friday in Fremont, Mills, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury Counties, we feel compelled to ask Governor Reynolds and the Republican majority in the Legislature to provide more assistance to help the farmers, businesses, workers, and communities suffering from the Flood of 2019,” said Hogg, who chaired the Senate Rebuild Iowa Committee after the Flood of 2008. “Based on our … Continue reading State Senators Propose Disaster Relief and Recovery Plan in response to 2019 Flood

Chickasaw County, Floyd County, Weather

Flooding a distinct possibility this week

Chris Baldus

As of Monday, it was still easy to find snow banks along Highway 218 taller than a car. Rural roadside ditches throughout north-central Iowa are filled with snow. The landscape is going to change beginning Tuesday as an abnormal warm-up will jumpstart a meltdown, and create dangerous situations. The National Weather Service is warning about flooding and more as heat rises and rain falls through the rest of the week. It’s warning reads that “significant and prolonged warmup from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday is going to start the snow melt across the area in the upcoming days. “Snow cover across … Continue reading Flooding a distinct possibility this week

Floyd County, Weather

Vehicle flips into center median on Avenue near Rudd

Chris Baldus

RUDD — Emergency responders are on the scene of a single-vehicle crash on the Avenue of the Saints near Rudd. A vehicle is upside down in the median and responders appear to be trying to extricate someone. The road conditions are sloppy wet. The shoulders are layered with ice and slush. A winter weather advisory is in effect for north central and northeast Iow until 7 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Mixed precipitation is expected, with snow accumulation of up to 3 inches. Look for travel to be slippery. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph may … Continue reading Vehicle flips into center median on Avenue near Rudd

Chickasaw County, Floyd County, Weather

Semi trailers backed up by Casey’s in Nashua, Monday about noon

Chris Baldus

Road conditions north of Nashua have led to a back up of semi trailers parking around Casey’s and elsewhere near the overpass. I35 is closed from Ames to the Minnesota border. UPDATE: 9:30 p.m.: Semitrailers parked across from Nashua’s Casey’s on the nearby entry ramp onto the Avenue of the Saints and elsewhere in the immediate area at 9:30 p.m. Monday. I-35 and the Avenue were open for traffic, however multiple road closures remained in effect. Continue reading Semi trailers backed up by Casey’s in Nashua, Monday about noon

Weather

Cedar River expected to crest at 12.5 feet today

Chris Baldus

UPDATE AT NOON SUNDAY, JUNE 10 — A revised forecast from the National Weather Service says the Cedar River in Charles City will crest at 12.5 feet today, rather than 17 feet on Monday. UPDATE AT 9:40 p.m., Saturday — The Cedar River in Charles City is now forecast to crest at 17 feet by 5 p.m. Monday, June 11. That is in the moderate flooding range. Major flooding begins at 18 feet. According to the National Weather Service, at: 17 feet — Residences south of Riverside Avenue may be flooded. 15 feet — Leland Avenue floods, and flooding on … Continue reading Cedar River expected to crest at 12.5 feet today

Charles City, Weather

17-foot flood crest would match 19th highest in Charles City

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Years with the number eight at the end are not necessarily good for Charles City when it comes to flooding. For example, on this date 10 years ago (June 9, 2008), Charles City experienced its highest Cedar River crest on record at 25.33 feet. Less than a week later, what is now the 9th highest crest pushed through at 20.12 feet on June 14, 2008. The flood of 2008 significantly changed the city. Homes were destroyed and it’s historic suspension bridge was washed away. A cable-stayed pedestrian bridge today spans the river in place of what was … Continue reading 17-foot flood crest would match 19th highest in Charles City

Weather

Dangerous weather continues across region

Chris Baldus

National Weather Service forecast for Saturday, June 9: Strong to severe storms continue to move through northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. The strongest storms (mainly in northeast Iowa) have produced large hail up to the size of golf balls and wind damage, with 70+ mph gusts reported. In addition, heavy rain is falling across much of the area, leading to many roads being underwater. If traveling this evening, be alert for water over roadways, and NEVER drive through floodwaters. Continue reading Dangerous weather continues across region

Charles City, Weather

50 years ago, the Charles City tornado struck, changed lives

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The day had gotten unseasonably hot, but May 15, 1968, was otherwise just another northern Iowa Wednesday. Life for the roughly 10,000 residents of Charles City bustled along. The Charles City Press was out on the news stands with page one stories about the Vietnam War, a wounded hometown Marine’s letter to his parents and the City Council working on a city “renewal” plan. The school day was done and children were at the Charles City YMCA for swimming lessons. Others were on a church group outing at Wildwood. Charles City High School Spanish teacher Al Bode … Continue reading 50 years ago, the Charles City tornado struck, changed lives

Charles City, Weather

Cedar River to crest at 15.7 feet

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Cedar River is expected to crest early Saturday at nearly 4 feet above flood stage. The National Weather Service categorizes that as moderately severe. Area rivers are on the rise after the drenching rain Thursday night. Charles City recorded 2.87 inches at the airport. Nashua saw 3.45 inches, according to preliminary data. More important to area flooding is the 3 inches that fell upstream in Osage and less than an inch in Austin, Minn. The Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Cedar River in Charles City: The warning continues until Sunday afternoon. At 10:30 … Continue reading Cedar River to crest at 15.7 feet

Outdoors, Weather

Storms cause park flooding, closures

Chris Baldus

Heavy rains overnight have forced the closure of George Wyth State Park and portions News release Heavy rains overnight have forced the closure of George Wyth State Park and portions of Dolliver State Park. George Wyth State Park will be closed completely starting at 4:30pm, Friday, May 4. The Cedar River is projected to crest on Monday morning and park officials hope to be back open by mid-week next week. Park staff expect water across the roadways in the campground areas and throughout the park. The trails will also be underwater and closed for any use. At Dolliver State Park, … Continue reading Storms cause park flooding, closures

Chickasaw County, Floyd County, Weather

Tuesday night storm kicks off stretch of wet weather

Chris Baldus

If you are reading this at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, you likely also are hearing the high winds, driving rain and thunder passing through the Floyd and Chickasaw county region. This is just the beginning of a wet stretch of days. Here is the National Weather Service forecast: Tonight (Tuesday) Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 4 a.m, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 4 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Low around 58. South wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter … Continue reading Tuesday night storm kicks off stretch of wet weather

Weather

Snow expected to begin Sunday, mess with Monday morning commute

Chris Baldus

A winter weather advisory that includes Chickasaw, Floyd and Mitchell counties will be in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday. Another 2 to 4 inches of spring snow will fall across southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa, according to the National Weather Service. Some travel impacts can be expected, especially Sunday night into the Monday morning commute. Plan on slippery road conditions. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. Near-record cold weather is also possible tonight (Saturday). Below are the forecast and record low temperatures for Sunday morning (April 8) from the National Weather Service.   April is … Continue reading Snow expected to begin Sunday, mess with Monday morning commute

Weather

CC snowfall record for April 3

Chris Baldus

UPDATE (11:22 p.m.) — The record for snowfall on the date April 3 in Charles City was 2.5 inches. That has stood since 1999. Today’s snow piled up to at least 5 inches. • • • UPDATE (6 a.m.) — School in Charles City has been canceled and a winter storm warning is in effect until 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 4. The National Weather Service says snow will begin falling after 8 a.m. The high temperature is expected to reach 34 degrees, however a northeast wind of 10 to 17 mph will produce gusts as high as 25 mph. Two … Continue reading CC snowfall record for April 3

Weather

Fog will give way to mostly sunny day

Chris Baldus

When the dance fog clears away, likely before 11 a.m., the Charles City area will see a mostly sunny day with a high near 44 degrees today, according to the National Weather Service. The wind will be from the south in the morning in the northwest between 5 and 40 mph in the evening. Tonight’s Low temperature will be around 27. Thursday will also be mostly sunny with a high around 41. Continue reading Fog will give way to mostly sunny day

Weather

CC to conduct tornado drill on Wednesday

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Charles City Police Department will conduct a tornado drill Wednesday, March 28, at 10:15 a.m. to coordinate with the National Weather Service’s annual drill, weather permitting. If you have a weather radio, it will be activated by the NWS also. Normally, Charles City will test the sirens during a drill the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the spring and summer months. Continue reading CC to conduct tornado drill on Wednesday