Labor Day Delivers a Break Before Heat and Storms Return to Eastern Iowa This Week

Monday: Enjoy It

Labor Day is shaping up to be one of the better days of the week across eastern Iowa. Skies will be partly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s — a significant change from the dangerous heat that gripped the region through the holiday weekend. Overnight lows Monday night settle into the low to mid 60s. If you have outdoor plans, Monday is the day to use them.

Tuesday: Heat and Storms Return

The comfortable conditions do not last. Heat and humidity make a comeback Tuesday as muggy air pushes back into the region. Highs are expected to reach the upper 80s to low 90s, and when humidity is factored in, the heat index will climb into the low to mid 90s. Stay hydrated, take breaks out of the sun, and limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon.
A cold front approaching from the northwest will bring the chance for showers and storms as early as Tuesday afternoon, starting in the northern counties. Those storms will then spread south and east, reaching the rest of eastern Iowa during Tuesday evening and overnight. Some of those storms could be strong.

Wednesday: Storms Exit, Drier Air Arrives

Showers and storms will linger into Wednesday morning before clearing out from north to south during the late morning and early afternoon hours. Dry conditions return by Wednesday night. Highs Wednesday reach the low to mid 80s, with overnight lows dropping into the upper 50s to low 60s — a noticeable improvement from Tuesday’s humidity.

Thursday and Friday: Quiet and Comfortable

The end of the work week looks much calmer. Highs Thursday and Friday stay in the low to mid 80s with lows in the upper 50s to low 60s. Expect mostly dry conditions and lower humidity both days.
Next Weekend
Rain and storm chances return for the following weekend. Timing and specifics are still being refined as models come into better agreement, but the overall pattern suggests another active stretch heading into mid-September.
Source: KCRG Cedar Rapids, AccuWeather, Rolling Out Weather, The Weather Company