348 AM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW THROUGH MID MORNING…THEN MOSTLY SUNNY IN THE LATE MORNING AND AFTERNOON. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 40S. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE MID 30S. NORTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. WEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW IN THE MORNING…THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN AND LIGHT SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGH IN THE LOWER 40S. WEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. HIGH IN THE LOWER 50S.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines says in its latest Flood Outlook there’s not much change in the forecast for the risk of flooding as we head into Spring in a few weeks. The outlook, issued this (Thursday) morning, covers a time frame from early March through early June, and includes the Nishnabotna and 102 Rivers. Officials say the risk of flooding continues to be near or below normal at all locations. Current conditions, they say, are not conducive to major, large-scale flooding, since the last outlook was issued on February 16^th.  The outlook does not include the heavy snowfall which fell earlier this week across the northern U-S (The Dakotas, Minnesota & Wisconsin). 

The Weather Service says people should continue to monitor conditions for any changes. On March 14^th, the Weather Service will change the Flood Stage, Moderate Flood Stage and Major Flood Stage for 44 of its 47 river forecast points. The Flood Stage will change by several feet at many locations. For more information on the changes, go to www.weather.gov/desmoines. The most recent outlook uses the current flood stage predictors.

Here’s the forecast for Atlantic, and the KJAN listening area.

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353 AM CST THU MAR 1 2012 National Weather Service/Des Moines

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. WARMER. HIGH IN THE UPPER 40S. EAST WIND NEAR 10 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SCATTERED SPRINKLES THROUGH MIDNIGHT…THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN AND LIGHT SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE LOWER 30S. NORTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN AND LIGHT SNOW IN THE MORNING. BREEZY. HIGH AROUND 40. NORTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY THROUGH MIDNIGHT THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WIND AROUND 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 30S. NORTHWEST WIND 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. HIGH IN THE LOWER 40S.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising central and west central Iowa motorists that sustained wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts between 50 to 60 mph, are expected across Iowa this afternoon. The rest of the state is expected to experience sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gust of up to 50 mph. Drivers on Iowa roadways should be alert to the effects of these winds on high-profile vehicles and vehicles towing trailers.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning effective until 6 p.m. today for 25 counties in central west central Iowa. A wind advisory is in effect across the remainder of the state. Strong southwesterly winds will continue to strengthen this morning and become westerly during the day. Strong winds are capable of snapping power lines, toppling road signs and blowing debris onto the roadway. Never cross a roadway where downed power lines, poles or transformers are present. Do not try to free lines or remove debris yourself. Call 911 if you observe such items on the roadway so emergency assistance can be provided. For road weather information in Iowa, visit Iowa DOT’s website http://weatherview.iowadot.gov/. Weatherview offers helpful information to travelers, including current wind speed, direction and gusts. Information is collected from road and aviation weather observation reporting sites throughout the state.

If you are driving:

• Keep a firm grip on the wheel and be prepared to slow down.
• Tune in to local weather forecasts and bulletins issued by the National Weather Service on local radio stations.
• Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
• Keep a safe distance from vehicles in adjacent lanes as strong gusts can push a vehicle or trailer outside its lane of travel.
• Take extra care if driving a high-profile vehicle, such as a truck, van, SUV or recreational vehicle or when towing a trailer, as these vehicles are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
• If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, move your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.
• Never cross a downed power line.
• Approach all intersections with caution. If there is a power outage, the traffic signals may not be operating properly. Remember, nonfunctioning traffic signals are to be treated as a four-way stop.
• Check the latest weather conditions by accessing the information kiosks located at any of the interstate rest areas.

The changing of the seasons means Iowans need to be prepared for severe weather. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa is April 2^nd through the 6^th. Leading up to that statewide event are several Severe Storm Spotter training classes, one of which is being held at the Lewis Fire Station March 14^th, beginning at 7-p.m. Kennon says anyone interested in becoming a trained Weather Service spotter is welcome to attend, free of charge. 

The main event during Severe Weather Awareness Week, is the Statewide Tornado Drill, on Wednesday, April 4^th, beginning at around 10:15-a.m. Kennon says the courthouse will participate in the drill. He says the Cass County Communications Center will be notified, and announce the drill within the courthouse. They’ll also activate tornado sirens in Atlantic. Businesses, schools and all communities in the County are encouraged to participate in the drill, as though an actual tornado were spotted and threatening public safety.

Kennon says the state and National Weather Service might need to look at pushing future Severe Weather Awareness activities week into March,  as recent severe weather events across Iowa and the nation, such as the tornados in Branson, Missouri have shown they can occur anytime,  but are happening with more and more frequency in March, instead of April and May.

For more on Severe Weather Awareness Week, surf to the National Weather Service’ website: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dmx/

CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-POLK-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD COUNTIES…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS UPGRADED THE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR THE ABOVE COUNTIES TO A HIGH WIND WARNING, WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING…

* SHORT TERM TRENDS…STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS WILL CONTINUE
  TO STRENGTHEN THIS MORNING AND BECOME MORE WESTERLY DURING THE
  DAY.

* WINDS…WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS OF
  50 TO 60 MPH EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS…LOOSE OBJECTS WILL BE BLOWN AROUND. HIGH PROFILE
  VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY DRIVING ESPECIALLY ON NORTH
  SOUTH ROADS AND INTERSTATES. ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES OR TREE
  DAMAGE MAY OCCUR NEAR REGIONS OF PEAK GUSTS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Here’s the forecast for the KJAN listening area and weather data for Atlantic….

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(forecast prepared 3:45-a.m., NWS/Des Moines)

**Wind Advisory in effect until 6-p.m.**

Today…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of light rain and light snow before noon. Very windy. High in the upper 30s. West wind 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 50 mph.

Tonight…Mostly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Breezy. Low in the mid 20s. West wind 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph becoming southwest up to 5 mph after midnight.

Thursday…Sunny…warmer. High in the mid 50s. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Thursday Night…Partly cloudy through midnight then becoming mostly cloudy. Low around 30. North wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of light snow in the morning. Colder. High in the lower 40s. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night Through Saturday Night…Mostly cloudy. Low in the mid 20s. High around 40.

Sunday And Sunday Night…Partly cloudy. High in the lower 40s. Low in the upper 20s.

The National Weather Service has issued Wind Advisories for the entire State of Iowa. In the KJAN listening area, the Wind Advisory is currently in effect until 6-p.m. Wednesday, for: Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor and Ringggold Counties, and until 4-p.m. today for: Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont and Page Counties.

The Weather Service says West-to-Northwest winds of 25-to 35-mph with gusts from 45-to 55-mph can be expected today.

* IMPACTS…LOOSE OBJECTS WILL BE BLOWN AROUND. HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY DRIVING ESPECIALLY ON NORTH SOUTH ROADS AND INTERSTATES. ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES OR TREE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR IF STRONGER WINDS DEVELOP OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL IOWA.

*PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH WIND GUSTS TO OVER 45 MPH. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE MAY ALSO OCCUR DUE TO UNSECURED OBJECTS BLOWING AROUND.