Forecast Details for Ames, IA

Recent Locations: Talmage, CA Rohnert Park, CA Ames, IA

This Afternoon: A slight chance of rain showers before 4pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 4pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. North northwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before midnight, then a slight chance of snow showers after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind 7 to 9 mph becoming east northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: A chance of snow showers before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain showers between 3pm and 4pm, then a chance of snow showers after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 39. Breezy, with a southeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Windy, with a south wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.

Saturday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: Showers. High near 74. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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Current U.S. National Radar--Current

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National Weather Forecast--Current

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National Weather Forecast for Tomorrow

Tomorrow National Weather Forecast and Tomorrow National Weather Map are show below.

North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

This map shows recent moisture content over North America. Bright and colored areas show high moisture (ie, clouds); brown indicates very little moisture present; black indicates no moisture.

Weather Topic: What are Nimbostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Nimbostratus Clouds

Nimbostratus Clouds Next Topic: Precipitation

A nimbostratus cloud is similar to a stratus cloud in its formless, smooth appearance. However, a nimbostratus cloud is darker than a stratus cloud, because it is thicker.

Unlike a stratus cloud, a nimbostratus cloud typically brings with it the threat of moderate to heavy precipitation. In some cases, the precipitation may evaporate before reaching the ground, a phenomenon known as virga.

Next Topic: Precipitation

Weather Topic: What is Rain?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Rain

Rain Next Topic: Shelf Clouds

Precipitation in the form of water droplets is called rain. Rain generally has a tendency to fall with less intensity over a greater period of time, and when rainfall is more severe it is usually less sustained.

Rain is the most common form of precipitation and happens with greater frequency depending on the season and regional influences. Cities have been shown to have an observable effect on rainfall, due to an effect called the urban heat island. Compared to upwind, monthly rainfall between twenty and forty miles downwind of cities is 30% greater.

Next Topic: Shelf Clouds