High temperatures recorded on 10-22-2022, courtesy of Iowa Weather Mesonet

After the high of 86 Saturday broke a record high of 85 dating back to 1899 in Marion County, and another high mark was nearly toppled on Sunday as well, much-needed rain is in the forecast today across south central Iowa. The last 24 hours remained highly unusual still for late October; the overnight low only dipped to 69 degrees in Knoxville late Sunday, and as many wake up today, the air has stayed above 63 degrees since Saturday at 9 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

While widespread showers are possible today, the rain is not expected to be drought-busting, with most locations receiving between 1/2″ to 3/4″ of precipitation by midnight. All of south central Iowa is in severe drought, according to last week’s National Report, and conditions are worsening statewide. Approximately 84% of Iowa is rated in some category of drought and the entire state is considered abnormally dry.

Much more seasonable conditions will settle in to the region as Halloween approaches — with daytime highs in the up 50s and overnight lows around 40 expected through the upcoming weekend.