The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s State Climatology Office and the National Weather Service are recruiting volunteer precipitation observers across Iowa to participate in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network, known as “CoCoRaHS” (pronounced “KO-ko-rozz”). All that is needed to participate is an interest in the weather, a four inch diameter rain gage, a suitable location to set up the gauge and access to the internet.  All data collected are immediately available for free online and are routinely used for flood forecasting, drought assessment, news media stories, scientific research and general weather interest. Weather observers are needed everywhere but the most critical needs (locally) are in Shelby, Adair, and Adams counties.

Much more information about the network is available on the CoCoRaHS web site at www.cocorahs.org. The website includes information on how to join, where to obtain your rain gauge and how to accurately measure and report rain and snow.  There is no cost involved in joining or participating in the CoCoRaHS network other than the need for the four inch diameter rain gauge. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says “In 2017 Iowa recorded its driest year since the drought of 2012.   Severe drought gripped much of south central and southeast Iowa for the second consecutive year where rainfall has been as much as 25 inches less than normal over the past 24 months. Meanwhile, above normal rain amounts were restricted to relatively small areas of northeast and west central Iowa.  The past few weeks have seen frequent precipitation with snowfall exceeding two feet at Fort Dodge during February. Whatever comes our way in 2018, the weather observations obtained by this network can be of great benefit in obtaining a clearer picture of Iowa’s weather.”

The CoCoRaHS network was established by the Colorado Climate Center in 1998 and has now spread to all fifty states and Canada.  Iowa joined the volunteer network in 2007 and now has over 300 registered CoCoRaHS observers across the state.  However, more observers are needed to better document the amount and variability of rain and snow across Iowa.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees, today (Friday), said in a statement, “Due to the forecast of increasingly high winds in the next few days, we are advising NO BURNING of any type in and around Atlantic, or for that matter, in Cass County. Fire danger conditions will worsen as winds dry out vegetation. Even though it may appear conditions are favorable due to recent precipitation, it will quickly become a greater hazard. Winds will make any type of wildland fire difficult to control and will spread quickly to many areas that are virtually inaccessible due to the wet soil conditions, hampering firefighters gaining access.”

McNees said also, “Burning of trash in burn barrels will also be a risk and is not advised. As always, anyone wishing to burn at anytime is asked to contact their local fire chief for consultation. Several departments are trained to conduct controlled prescribed burns should landowners need to do mid management burns, or simply wish to clear areas of their land.”

Today: Partly cloudy. High near 50. SE @ 10.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 34. SE @ 10.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy, windy & mild. High near 60. S @ 15-25.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy w/a chance of light rain. High around 57.

Monday: Mo. Cldy & cooler, w/a chance of light rain. High 46.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 48. Our Low this morning ( as of 5-a.m.), was 20. Last year on this date our High was 42 and the Low was 16. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 76 in 1992. The Record Low was -12, in 2014.

The Month of February, here in Atlantic, was cooler and wetter overall, than the average. The Average High was 31 degrees, while the average Low was 11. We received 1.19” of precipitation during the month (both in the liquid form, and melted snowfall/sleet/ice).

The warmest day was on the 27^th, when we topped out at 62 on the thermometer. The coldest morning was -13 on two consecutive days, Feb. 5^th and 6^th. The greatest amount of precipitation occurred on Feb. 5^th, at .53”. The heaviest snowfall happened on February 9^th, at 2.8 inches.

The normal High for the month is 35, while the normal Low is 15. Precipitation for the month is normalled .96 of an inch. Looking ahead to the month of March in Atlantic: The normal (average) High is 48 and the Low is 26. And, we typically receive around 2.38 inches of precipitation.

Today: Partly cloudy. High 43. NW @ 10-20.

Tonight: Mostly Clear. Low 15 Light & variable winds.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy. High near 50. NW @ 5-10.

Saturday: P/Cldy. High near 60.

Sunday: Mo. Cldy w/a chance of light rain. High 57.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 46. Our Low was 27. Last year on this date our High was 41 and the Low was 19. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 77 in 1992. The Record Low was -32, in 1962.

1042 AM CST Wed Feb 28 2018
Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page Counties…

…DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY…

* VISIBILITY…A quarter mile or less.

* IMPACTS…Limited visibilities and possible slippery roads will make travel difficult. Moisture deposits from the fog may freeze on surfaces creating slippery spots on roads, bridges and sidewalks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Dense Fog Advisory means visibilities will frequently be reduced to less than one quarter mile. If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.

AREA COUNTIES: Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold

…Areas of Dense Fog and Drizzle Moving Into Southern Iowa…

Low clouds are slowly spreading northward this morning. In addition to the low clouds…widespread fog is developing. Most locations have visibilities between 2 and 5 miles but areas near the Missouri border are reporting visibility of a quarter mile or less in dense fog. These low visibilities will be possible through mid to late morning before improving. There may also be patchy drizzle across southern and central Iowa.

Today: Mostly cloudy w/areas of fog. Some scattered light rain or drizzle. High 42. N @ 10.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy w/sprinkles or flurries. Low 26 N @ 10-20.

Tomorrow: A chance of morning flurries. Becoming P/Cldy. High 40. NW @ 15-25.

Friday: P/Cldy. High 49.

Saturday: P/Cldy. High 58.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 62. Our Low was 33. Last year on this date our High was 57 and the Low was 33. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 71 in 1972. The Record Low was -23, in 1962.

Today: Partly cloudy. High 58. SW @ 10-20.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Low 33. S-N @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy w/light morning rain or drizzle. High 42.

Thursday: Mo. Cldy w/light morning snow or flurries. High near 40.

Friday: P/Cldy. High 46.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 53. Our Low was 28. Last year on this date our High was 54 and the Low was 18. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 71 in 2016. The Record Low was -16, in 1960.

Today: Partly cloudy. High 52. SW @ 10-20.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 32. SW @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy, High 54. SW @ 10-20.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy w/light morning rain or drizzle. High 42.

Thursday: Mo. Cldy w/light morning snow or flurries. High 38.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 42. Our Low this morning (as of 5:15-a.m.), was 22. Last year on this date our High was 43 and the Low was 18. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 72 in 1896. The Record Low was -28, in 1963.