The Big Freeze

Be prepared for wintry weather this weekend.

A probable freeze Saturday night, if not earlier, will mean the end of the growing season for much of Iowa and a chilly Hawkeye homecoming game.

Iowans might even see flurries Saturday afternoon or evening, but snow should not accumulate because the ground is still warm.

Kaj O'Mara, KCRG-TV9 meteorologist, said a slight chance of a freeze exists Friday night into Saturday morning, with a forecast low of 30 degrees.

“Saturday night looks much more ominous, in terms of colder air,” he said.

Temperatures that day will reach 44 degrees, at best.

According to Iowa State University Extension, a killing frost, which ends the growing season, is when a 23- or 24-degree freeze lasts four to six hours.

O'Mara put the “killing” temperature a bit higher - 28 degrees for three to four hours - and said forecasters are fairly confident that will happen Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Lows could dip to 25 degrees between 3 and 9 a.m. Sunday.

A 7:12 p.m. kickoff Saturday will make for a cold University of Iowa football game in Iowa City.

O'Mara advised fans to dress in layers and be prepared for temperatures in the 30s with northwest winds up to 20 mph and possible flurries.

“It's not a record early snow,” he said, “but it's not normal, either.”

Rain or snow is also possible Sunday night into Monday.

The cold is predicted to last through Wednesday.