Ever-Changing Autumn Weather Conditions in Iowa

Large contrasts in Iowa weather are common in short time segments during the fall. Above, a weak shelf cloud approaches from the west as seen from Tower Terrace Road, about .65-mile east of North Center Point Road in Hiawatha, Iowa at 3:17 pm CDT, Monday, October 24, 2022. Along the line of clouds, which would soon bring much needed rain, were low hanging scud clouds. Scud clouds are condensed as the warmer and moist air ahead of the line is saturated and pushed outward from the storm. They are often erroneously identified to the untrained eye as funnels. 

3:19 pm. Looking west at weak shelf cloud from North Center Point Road, about .15-mile south of Tower Terrace Road in Hiawatha. Air temperature was a balmy 72 degrees F, winds were out of the southeast. iPhone 11 camera.

Fast forward one day following the passing of the cold front and now the winds are out of the northwest, and temperatures are a chilly 44 degrees F. Clouds from the previous day were breaking up, producing this stunning sunset image from Bowman Woods Park in Cedar Rapids. Image captured at 6:19 pm CDT.

Panoramic version of same scene and time. Clouds and color almost have the appearance of a giant regal crown. Nikon D7200 DSLR camera.