SOME FROST AND A WARM UP....

Mother Nature gave us just what we needed in time for Mother's Day. Some beneficial rain fell on Saturday. Here's a look at the final tally:

Some of the heaviest rain fell in places that have been getting the most rain lately and missed the drought stricken areas. However, many dry/drought areas received rain which will help, just won't solve the drought.

Then we got into sunshine sunshine Sunday and that will continue Monday with temperatures still below normal:

Since we're still on the cool side we have the potential again for frost. Now this is late in the season, but not unusual. Nighttime temperatures in the 30s are still common until mid-May, it just depends on if the conditions are there for frost to form. Temperatures will drop into the 30s and 40s Monday night into Tuesday morning:

There may be some patchy frost, especially near and north of Highway 30 Tuesday morning, but it doesn't appear to be as widespread as this weekend's frost.

The rest of the week we'll work on gradually warming up...

Here's a look at the temperature trend on the European model for the Quad Cities:

And Cedar Rapids:

Temperatures remain pretty steady for a while before hopping up over the weekend into next week. I think some of the days are a little underdone, especially if we're in sunshine it may boost those low 60s into mid/upper 60s range.

What's been causing the delay on spring has to do with the upper levels of the atmosphere:

There is some light at the end of the tunnel, it looks like temperatures will be above normal as we head into the second half of May:

It may take a few days before we're back in the 70s (and 80s) but we'll be there soon!

RK