SEND IT PACKING...

Monday was a mean mid-summer day around the Midwest. Highs peaked around 90, but dew points as high as 78 sent the heat index over 100 across all of my area. A few spots NE of the Quad Cities went as high as 108. That's where the word oppressive applies!

The high moisture levels pooling along a warm front near HWY 30 created significant potential energy for storms north of there, with CAPE topping 4,000 j/kg late in the afternoon.

With a surface low and cold front approaching, the Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado watch for much of NE Iowa, just clipping my northern tier of counties.

Up to 50kts of shear was indicated within the watch, meaning hodographs were sufficient for rotating storms with all modes of severe weather, including tornadoes. In fact, the violent tornado index was maxed out in the early evening in SC Minnesota and NC Iowa.

Sure enough, multiple tornadoes were reported Monday evening in the bullseye, where supercells developed and rapidly turned severe. Here's a couple on radar just north of the Iowa border around 7:00pm. These went on to produce numerous tornado warnings in far NE Iowa and SW Wisconsin.

The saving grace for the majority of my area was warm air aloft, what's known as a CAP. The inversion was strong enough to thwart the development of updrafts and thunderstorms in all but my far northeastern counties. So even with plenty of instability throughout my area, the potential was never realized in most spots even with the arrival of a cold front and the forcing and lift it provided.

That cold front early Tuesday morning should be situated near the Mississippi, moving southeast. Winds in the north will have already turned to the north, allowing cooler and drier air to spin in behind the front. That process unfolds over the rest of the region by afternoon. Notice the north is considerably cooler than the south at 7:00am Tuesday, even in the short distance between Dubuque and the Quad Cities.

Wednesday night, high pressure is in full control and what a difference that will make as it opens the door for what's expected to be quiet, cool weather the remainder of the week and weekend. As early as Wednesday, dew points are back in the 50s, nearly 25 degrees lower than Monday. It's bye bye humidity as we send the steam packing.

By Saturday, available water vapor (PWATs) continues to lower, meaning there's no bounce back for the humidity anytime soon. The area in brown is the dry air being fed into the Midwest on NW flow.

Temperatures starting Wednesday may stay in the 70s for 6 consecutive days through next Monday.

By then we are into mid-August and, for all practical purposes, have broken the back of summer. That's not to say we won't have some very warm, humid periods, but by then the days have grown shorter for almost two months. That old sun just doesn't have the power it did in July, and that makes it a challenge to get highs much above the low 90s, if that. I guess that's good news if you don't consider what comes a couple of months after that. Roll weather...TS

PEOPLE LOVE IT. OUR AIRBNB IS A MOST LOVED GUEST FAVORITE!

AIRBNB has rated my renovated church in Galena A GUEST FAVORITE, A MOST LOVED home according to visitors. Check out some of our reviews and get in on the flexible deals we have available below.

Christa-Monument, Colorado

The Little White Church is amazing!!!! Pictures do not do it justice. I would absolutely recommend it to my friends and family. It is just so unique. Carolyn is an amazing host and super responsive. I would give our experience 6 out of 5 stars if I could.

Phillip-Queensland, Australia

Amazing and thoughtful renovation. Stayed in a piece of history. Great location and modern amenities. Would stay again!

Jill

The Little White Church is beautiful. The decorations are perfect, and it was redone with impeccable taste. Carolyn was a great host.

Brent

Such a gem. Relaxing in the countryside in a historic church that was beautifully decorated and recently renovated was exactly what we experienced. Everyone loved our stay, and we will be back!!!

Leigh

Beautiful and unique. We were all captivated by the adorable chapel turned AIRBNB

Jenny-Frisco, Texas

It was a magical place for our family to celebrate Christmas!

Kelly

What a gem! The Little White Church exceeded our expectations. It was the perfect spot to meet up with another couple to relax and explore nearby Galena. We enjoyed the beautiful great room with its fireplace and amazing views of the rolling countryside. (The photos simply can't do it justice). The charming church/home was quiet, well appointed and clean. And Carolyn was proactive with instructions and a terrific communicator. We will definitely be back!

John

Absolutely incredible! Loved the tranquility and the beautiful views. The decor was so inviting. AND the bell tower works!! Would 100% stay here again!

Tori-Cedar Falls

This place is so beautiful! Carolyn and Terry were so thoughtful and kind to let us have our wedding at the church. They even provided extra supplies in case we needed them. The private garden worked perfectly for our ceremony, and the backyard easily fit our reception needs. Not to mention, the balconies make perfect photo spots! My husband and I recommend the Little White Church and will be telling all our friends about it.

Mahesh-Buffalo Grove

Carolyn was a great host, very flexible! The place is super clean, spacious with a private backyard overlooking the fields and bluffs! We spent a lot of time on the deck. Great kitchen, clean bedrooms and baths. Highly recommend the place.

William

Great place. Great host. Will definitely book again and tell our friends.

Miriam

Carolyn and Terry's place is BEAUTIFUL! The Little White Church is a wonderful place, way more beautiful than the pictures. Everything is brand new and extremely clean. Staying at the church was a unique experience and I would love to come back soon. I strongly recommend the place if you are looking for a 5-star location!

Vanessa-Chicago

Carolyn was great! Absolutely beautiful place! I would not hesitate to go back. We spent Thanksgiving and the next night. Very well stocked and above and beyond with extras included. Thank you!

MAKE US AN OFFER...

What about pricing? Right now, we are able to offer you our best pricing ever. We have 3 nights for the price of 2 which, depending on the days, can save as much as $300-$400 dollars. If you book directly through us, you can also eliminate booking fees and taxes that the big chains charge. Cleaning fees are also drastically reduced. It all adds up to exceptional deals at a destination worth visiting. Let us assist in finding a time and price that works for you. Here's a link to some pictures. https://www.tswails.com/galena-airbnb

Carolyn and I will do all we can to make sure your stay is a memorable one. Please call or text Carolyn for more details and options and get a prime date while they are still available. Again, that's Carolyn at 563-676-3320. Or carolynswettstone@yahoo.com

Now that it's vacation season, there is no better place to visit than Galena and no better place to stay than my newly renovated AIRBNB, the Little White Church. We are located in the bluffs, just 5 miles from the 2nd largest tourism destination in Illinois. In fact, "Tourist Destination", rated Galena as the 2023 top place to visit in the entire Midwest.

Now is the best time to enjoy all there is to offer, and my 5-star AIRBNB is the perfect location to stay. Set in the rolling hills just outside of town, our completely renovated church is designed for you to unwind and relax.

Again, we are an AIRBNB Super host and can accommodate up to 8 guests. We've got cable, hi-speed WIFI, Sirius XM and a sparkling full kitchen. We are a home away from home and take great pride in cleanliness and comfort. All of our ratings have attained perfect 5-star status!

Hope to see you soon,

Terry and Carolyn

7 GREAT REASONS TO VISIT GALENA

1. It’s Steeped In History

2. It’s Home To One Of The Best Main Streets In America

3. The Restaurants Are Amazing

4. There’s A Lot To Do Outdoors

5. You Don’t Have To Travel To The Mountains To Go Skiing

6. It’s A Great Place To Spend The Fourth Of July

7. Did I Mention The Shopping?