Scattered storms tonight, but a dry Independence Day ahead
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Wednesday, July 3, 2025, 6:00 PM (local time in New York) – The weather pattern across eastern Iowa is showing a temporary shift, with scattered storms possible overnight before we head into a hot but dry 4th of July.
Tonight: Storms in parts of Iowa, especially in the northwest
The next few hours will remain warm but mostly quiet, with temperatures in the upper 80s °F (31–32 °C) and dew points hovering in the mid 60s °F (around 18–19 °C), adding a mildly humid feel to the evening air. As we approach the night, expect increasing cloud cover and a rising chance for thunderstorms, especially in the northwest zone and western counties of the TV9 viewing area.
Some storms may become strong, bringing gusty winds or small hail, though widespread severe weather is not anticipated. Rainfall could total 0.25 to 0.50 inches in locations where storms repeat over the same area. However, many communities will likely miss out on rain entirely.
Overnight, lows will dip into the upper 60s °F (around 20 °C). A few isolated storms could linger into early Thursday morning, with another slim chance of redevelopment later in the day. Any new storms in the afternoon or evening should remain widely scattered.
Thursday: Rising heat and humidity into the holiday
While storm chances will decrease, heat and humidity will rise sharply. Expect highs in the low 90s °F (33–34 °C) with dew points climbing, pushing the heat index into the 95 to 100 °F range (35–38 °C). This muggy trend will continue into Friday.
4th of July outlook: Dry skies, hot air for fireworks
The forecast for the 4th of July has now shifted favorably, with dry and sunny conditions expected all day across eastern Iowa. This is welcome news for outdoor celebrations and fireworks displays, especially in towns and cities within the TV9 viewing area.
Temperatures will rise into the low to mid 90s °F (33–35 °C), with a high UV index (9–10) contributing to sun intensity throughout the afternoon.
Weekend: Saturday storms, but some dry breaks ahead
Looking ahead, the extended Independence Day weekend will turn more unsettled, especially on Saturday, as a frontal boundary moves across the state. This feature will be the main trigger for storms, most likely developing by Saturday afternoon into the evening. Any outdoor plans on that day could be affected by localized downpours and thunderstorm activity.
Sunday still looks uncertain, but some lingering showers or storms remain possible depending on the timing of the departing front. There should be a dry window between Sunday and Monday, but details are still being refined.
Next week: Cooler temps and renewed storm chances
As we move into next week, temperatures will ease slightly, with highs returning to the mid 80s °F (29–30 °C). New storm chances are emerging on Tuesday and again on Thursday, which could mark a return to periodic active weather through mid-July.
