Expect cooler than normal conditions over the next few days in the KCII-listening area. Weekend forecasts call for high temperatures in the 50s with lows dipping below freezing, and rain through Monday.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan advises some plants will need to be covered, “We’re going to see a pretty substantial cool down and that’s what we’re seeing in our shortterm outlooks. So, if we look at the six to 10, and eight to 14-day outlooks, we’re showing really high probabilities of cooler than average conditions. Now during the daytime we’re not going to have temperatures below freezing, but at night for a few days we will have some below freezing temperatures. So, any kid of perennials that have bloomed or that are starting to blossom will need to be protected. Luckily a lot of the farmers haven’t planted yet.”

He adds that in the short-term forecast, they’re also seeing drier than average signals, which could help dry out some of the saturated soils across the state. But the overall spring outlook indicates elevated chances of wetter than normal conditions for Iowa. Overall, the outlook for April is expected to be warmer than average. Listen to KCII for weather updates.