Iowa

Record-high temperatures expected to plague Iowa amid heat wave this week

Published

1 year ago

August 22, 2023

Record-high temperatures expected to plague Iowa amid heat wave this week

Heat waves rise off the road as a cyclist makes his way through Water Works Park, Tuesday in Des Moines. The entire state of Iowa is under an excessive heat warning — the top heat-related warning that can be issued by the National Weather Service. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Cedar Rapids is projected to break historical temperature highs this week as a dangerous heat wave sears through much of the central U.S.

The National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau reported hot and humid conditions are plaguing its coverage area, stretching from Eastern Iowa to western Illinois, through Thursday. Ambient air temperatures will reach up to 100 degrees. Combined with high dew points, that will make afternoon temperatures feel like 100 to 115 degrees.

The NWS Quad Cities bureau issued an excessive heat warning — the top heat-related warning — for its coverage area on Monday morning and extended it through 8 p.m. Thursday. It is the second such warning issued for Cedar Rapids this summer. The first was issued July 27.

The entire state of Iowa is currently under an excessive heat warning.

“It’s pretty common in July and August to see at least one or two heat advisories or warnings being issued,” said meteorologist Tim Gross of the Quad Cities bureau. “It is unusual that the entire state is (under a heat warning) all at once at this time.”

The meteorological reason behind the heat wave is similar to that behind the heat dome that trapped much of the nation in late July. There’s a high-pressure air mass currently centered over southern Iowa that encompasses most of the central U.S. It’s trapping hot summer air underneath, scorching communities.

The heat wave will likely bring the hottest temperatures of the year to Eastern Iowa. It may also break historical records in Cedar Rapids and beyond.

The record high in Cedar Rapids for Aug. 23 is currently 99 degrees in 1947 and 100 degrees for Aug. 24 in 1947. Ambient air temperatures for this Wednesday and Thursday are expected to reach 101 degrees.

The last time Cedar Rapids hit 100 degrees was Aug. 30, 2013.

The most extreme conditions are expected to come Wednesday afternoon. Conditions in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City may feel like 115 degrees. They may creep even hotter elsewhere in the state. Feels-like temperatures in Fort Madison, for instance, could reach 118 degrees.

⧉ Related article: Some schools announce early out on first day of school

There will be little to no relief of the heat overnight, when temperatures won’t get below 70 degrees over the next few nights.

The high-pressure system is projected to break down from Thursday night into Friday, Gross said.

Record-high energy demand

Sweltering weather means more reliance on air conditioning and electricity. That may drive energy demands in Iowa and beyond to near-record peaks this week, challenging the strength the power grid.

Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, manages Iowa’s energy along with that of 14 other states and a Canadian province.

A couple watch the sunset as triple-digit heat indexes continue in the Midwest Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) — A couple watch the sunset as triple-digit heat indexes continue in the Midwest Sunday, Aug. 20, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Earlier this week, it announced it expected the highest energy demands of the year to begin Monday. Record-high peaks could follow on Wednesday and Thursday, with current projections exceeding 128 gigawatts. MISO’s current all-time system peak of 127 gigawatts was set on July 20, 2011.

“We anticipate challenging operating conditions throughout the entire week, and we will need every available resource at some point,” said Jessica Lucas, MISO’s executive director of system operations, in a Monday news release. “We have issued several alerts and advisories based on the weather forecast. More emergency procedures may be required to keep the power flowing. That’s typical for a weather event like this.”

MISO announced conservative operating conditions, which warn of the potential for emergency operations, ahead of the extreme heat. It also issued a hot weather alert and a capacity advisory, which alert member utilities and neighboring grid operators to expect tight energy supply conditions. They are effective until late Thursday but may be extended or escalated if necessary.

Some utilities have agreements with customers that curtail their energy usage during times of extreme demand, lessening the strain on the overall power grid.

College Community and Linn-Mar school districts said their energy providers likely will reduce energy usage in their buildings because of the extreme demand throughout the area. Both districts have announced a three-hour early dismissal Wednesday and Thursday, the first two days of the school year.

Cancellations and cooling centers

The dangerous heat wave has prompted a flurry of schedule changes for outdoor events in Eastern Iowa.

Taste of Iowa City, an annual culinary street event hosted by the Iowa City Downtown District, is postponing the popular celebration due to this week’s excessive heat forecast. Originally set for Aug. 23, it will now be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 4 to 8 p.m.

This week’s Marion Uptown Getdown, a summer series of live music every Thursday night, has been pushed to Aug. 31. The final concert will feature Boot Jack Band from 6 to 9 p.m. and country favorites.

Jazz 88.3 KCCK-FM, a local public radio station owned by Kirkwood Community College, is moving its Jazz Under The Stars event indoors to the Olympic Southside Theater. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the free show will feature Young Artists Nexus Brass and The Busch Brothers Horns.

“In 35 years of concerts, this is our first ‘heat-out,’” said Dennis Green, KCCK General Manager, in a news release. “But with 100+ degree weather predicted, it was the only logical decision.”

Amid the dangerous heat, the NWS Quad Cities bureau advises residents to:

Drink plenty of water.
Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
Take frequent breaks in air conditioning or in the shade.
Stay out of the sun. If you must be in the sun, wear sunscreen and a hat.
Check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly, sick and those without air conditioning.
Never leave kids or pets in a parked car.
Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

There are heat relief facilities available for residents in both Linn and Johnson counties, where they can find air conditioning and other resources.

In Johnson County, Coralville and North Liberty have posted their cooling centers on their respective city websites.

Linn County posts its heat relief locations, and other heat-related information, on its website: https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/707/Heat-Relief.

Brittney J. Miller is the Energy & Environment Reporter for The Gazette and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Comments: (319) 398-8370; brittney.miller@thegazette.com

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Iowa

What channel is Iowa State vs. West Virginia game tonight (10/12/24)? FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV, Channel for college football, Week 7

Published

4 hours ago

October 12, 2024

Press Room

What channel is Iowa State vs. West Virginia game tonight (10/12/24)? FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV, Channel for college football, Week 7

The No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones, led by quarterback Rocco Becht, face the West Virginia Mountaineers, led by quarterback Garrett Greene on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 (10/12/24) at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W. Va.

How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: NCAA Football, Week 7

Who: Iowa State vs. West Virginia

When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024

Where: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium

Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV: FOX

Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial)

***

Here are the best streaming options for college football this season:

Fubo TV (free trial): fuboTV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS.

DirecTV Stream (free trial): DirecTV Stream carries ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS.

Sling TV ($25 off the first month)– Sling TV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC and NBC.

ESPN+($9.99 a month): ESPN+ carries college football games each weekend for only $9.99 a month. These games are exclusive to the platform.

Peacock TV ($5.99 a month): Peacock will simulstream all of NBC Sports’ college football games airing on the NBC broadcast network this season, including Big Ten Saturday Night. Peacock will also stream Notre Dame home games. Certain games will be streamed exclusively on Peacock this year as well.

Paramount+ (free trial): Paramount Plus will live stream college football games airing on CBS this year.

***

Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press:

No. 11 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) at West Virginia (3-2, 2-0), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Iowa State by 3.

Series record: West Virginia leads 6-5.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Iowa State is off to its best start since 1980, and a win would make them 6-0 for the first time since 1938. The Cyclones are looking to extend their road winning streak to seven games. West Virginia is going after its third straight win after a 1-2 start. Iowa State and West Virginia are 2-0 in conference play. One of them will forge a first-place tie with idle Texas Tech.

KEY MATCHUP

Iowa State’s defense vs. West Virginia QB Garrett Greene. Of the dual-threat quarterbacks the Cyclones have faced so far, Greene could be the best. He had runs of 39, 15 and 10 yards against Oklahoma State last week and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 59 yards per game. Run defense hasn’t been a strength for the Cyclones, who hope to force Greene to try to beat them through the air. Iowa State has the Big 12’s top defense, allowing just 10 points and 272 yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Iowa State: LB Kooper Ebel has led or co-led the team in tackles in three straight games. He made just three tackles in eight games as a freshman last year. He added 15 pounds to get up to 240 on his 6-foot-4 frame and has made at least six stops in all five games. Last week he had eight tackles and a quarterback hurry against Baylor.

West Virginia: RB Jahiem White. The sophomore ran for a season-high 158 yards in the lopsided win at Oklahoma State and the Mountaineers compiled 389 on the ground. White hopes to be back on track after being limited to 94 yards combined against No. 4 Penn State, No. 22 Pittsburgh and Kansas.

FACTS & FIGURES

Anthony Becht, a tight end for the Mountaineers from 1996 to 1999, will be honored during the game for his induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. His son, Rocco, is Iowa State’s quarterback. … The Cyclones have won 12 straight when scoring at least 30 points. They’ve scored at least 30 in the last five meetings with WVU. … ISU had nine plays of 20 or more yards against Baylor last week, tied for the most by a Power Four team against a conference opponent this season. … The Cyclones’ defense gets better as the game progresses. They’re allowing an average of 4.0 points and 112 yards in the second halves. … West Virginia will wear all-black uniforms in honor of the state’s coal mining industry.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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Iowa

Rosemount H.S. Marching Band wins at Iowa competition

Published

11 hours ago

October 12, 2024

Press Room

Rosemount H.S. Marching Band wins at Iowa competition

The Rosemount High School Marching Band is celebrating a big victory from a competition earlier this fall. In late September they took home the Class AAA Championship trophy at the Bands of America regional competition in Waukee, Iowa. Members of the band joined the FOX 9 Morning News to talk about the win and share how they are getting ready for another big competition this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

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