THAT'S MORE LIKE IT...
There are good days, bad days, and those in the middle. Yesterday fell squarely into the bad category. For June 28th, it met all the qualifications of a poor day. Highs across the board remained in the mid 70s, brisk winds exceeded 30 mph, and rain fell in some areas much of the day. It wasn't just a few sprinkles either, amounts of 1–3 inches were common from about the Quad Cities northwest. Here are Doppler estimates though Friday evening. The system clearly over-performed!
This event added to what has become a wet year over many parts of the Midwest. Since April 1st in Iowa, some places in the NW have had more than 30 inches of rain, that's about what falls in a typical year, with 6 months to go! As is common with precipitation, it often occurs in bands and between Spirit Lake and Sac City (a difference of 75 miles), totals go from 30.21 inches to 11.68. Feast or famine.
Over the 3-month period going back to April 1st, a surplus of 15 to 20 inches exists in NW Iowa. The only part of the state struggling to get above normal totals is a small area centered on the Quad Cities, the black hole of weather.
After low river and stream levels the first 3 months of the year due to multiple years of ongoing drought, the deluges that have followed have many rivers experiencing moderate to major flooding. All the boxes in orange, red, and purple indicate minor, moderate, or major flooding at a specific site.
For you boaters, dangerous water levels will be an issue on many of our major rivers over the 4th of July holiday. The Mississippi is expected to be in major flood at that time from the Quad Cities south (not much better to the north either). At lock and dam 15 in Rock Island, the river is expected to be near 18.7'. That does not include any rain that falls from that region north between now and then. Be smart, keep the dingy off the water!
While a stray shower is possible very early Saturday in the SE, that's the end of any rain through at least Monday. This welcome break comes with the addition of sunshine as well. Saturday looks to be a much warmer day thanks to the power of the summer sun, with highs ranging from the low 80s north to the mid to upper 80s south. Dew points, which start high, will steadily fall and by evening should be down in the upper 50s north to the mid 60s south.
Cool air advection continues Saturday night and Sunday, with some refreshingly nice weather moving in. Under high pressure, Saturday night lows in most locations will reach the mid to upper 50s. Look at these numbers.
Sunday afternoon's highs should only climb into the low to mid 70s with extremely dry air. Winds look light as well. It should be a picture-perfect day, a fine way to close out the merry month of June. It will also give us a chance to rest the air conditioners!
Monday remains dry, but changes are underway with southerly winds returning. They spark an increase in clouds in the afternoon but overall, another decent day with highs again in the 70s. Monday night through the 4th and 5th of July, look rather unsettled. Water vapor drastically increases to levels of 2 or more inches, setting the table for the possibility of more heavy rain somewhere in the central Midwest. The first opportunity for rain in my area is Monday night and Tuesday. We may get a brief break Wednesday before additional shower and thunderstorm chances Thursday and Friday. The GFS shows rain falling somewhere in Iowa everyday Monday through next Saturday. It won't rain all the time, and the heavier totals will fluctuate based on mesoscale details yet to be determined. On paper, this set-up has the potential to be problematic in terms of both severe weather and excessive rains. The evolution of this period and its energy needs to be watched closely. The next 2 weeks, the GFS shows this for rainfall.
The EURO is just as menacing, probably more.
Enough speculation for now. Have a spectacular weekend (it will be a nice one) and roll weather...TS
SEE WHAT YOU'RE MISSING. MY 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?
