Warm breezes bring midweek precipitation with a dry Halloween

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – We’re heading into an unseasonably warm afternoon with near record high temperatures and strong southerly breezes setting the tone.

Southwest winds are expected to top 40 mph this afternoon, with those windy conditions continuing into Wednesday. While it’s a great day to soak in the heat, these gusts come with an elevated fire risk, so outdoor burning is strongly discouraged until conditions settle. These winds are part of an active weather system moving into the region that will spark some widespread showers and storms beginning later Wednesday. These storms are expected to bring an inch or more of rainfall to most areas, lasting into the early part of Thursday. It’s a welcome arrival to lawns and fields that can benefit from the moisture after some drier stretches.

With Halloween just around the corner, there’s good news for all the little ghosts and goblins planning to go trick-or-treating. After the midweek showers clear, the outlook turns dry for Thursday night and into Friday, giving everyone a better chance to enjoy the festivities without having to worry about umbrellas or rain jackets. Behind this midweek system, temperatures will return to seasonal norms, providing a cool but comfortable backdrop for all fall activities.

This mild interlude is likely to be brief as a more active weather pattern is expected to resume shortly after Halloween. We can predict more rain starting this weekend, so now may be a good time to tackle outdoor projects or cleanup that may be affected by wetter conditions. The expected pattern of on-and-off showers could extend well into next week, making it important to keep an eye on the forecast if you have plans that require dry conditions.

Whether you’re enjoying the season’s last gasp of warmth or preparing for the next round of rain, this week’s weather promises to keep things interesting. Keep those fall layers close as the changing temperatures will have us embracing a true fall feel this weekend. For now though, we can look forward to a few warm but breezy days before the rain comes to refresh our region.