2025/12/24

Eye Opener: Bodies of Iowa National Guard soldiers return to Iowa today

It's Wednesday, December 24. Two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in an ambush in Syria will be returned to Iowa today. More on that below ⬇️

Today's emoji forecast: ☁️☂️ Some light drizzle and plenty of clouds have moved in. Jon Rivas has your forecast.

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TOP STORY: Slain Iowa soldiers to return home today

THE 101: The bodies of two Iowa soldiers killed in Syria this month will return to their home state Wednesday.

According to the Iowa Army National Guard, an airplane carrying Staff Sgts. Nate Howard (pictured left) and Edgar Torres-Tovar (pictured right) will arrive at the Des Moines International Airport, where the Iowa National Guard Honor Guard will conduct an honorable transfer of their remains in a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

WHAT TO KNOW: The two men were killed in an apparent ambush in Syria on Dec. 13. An American civilian interpreter was also killed.

The bodies of both Torres-Tovar and Howard were returned to the United States last week as part of a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

Funeral arrangements are being finalized for both soldiers.
Today's private ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the 132d Wing, Air National Guard Base in Des Moines.

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HOLIDAY FORECAST

We are expecting some patchy fog and drizzle over the next 48 hours. Northern Iowa is already seeing some of that patchy fog, but more is expected to form overnight tonight into Christmas morning. The drizzle will also put a damper on your plans today and tomorrow, so make sure you don't forget the rain coat as you kick off your holiday plans. As far as ice potential, sub-freezing temperatures are favoring areas along and north of I-80 which could lead to some frost on the vehicles parked outside and possibly some slick spots on untreated surfaces. Be on the look out this morning, but tomorrow morning will not have any ice potential with all temperatures staying above freezing.

Clouds will slowly break up on Friday, but we should be able to squeak in some sunshine later in the day. Highs begin to rebound back to near 50 with even warmer temps for Saturday. The first day of the weekend will be the warmest day for the rest of the year with mid to upper 50s and possibly even some 60s in southern Iowa. Strong winds will return from the northwest as we head into Saturday night. A cold front will bring back the cold weather for Sunday and heading into next week. Sunday and Monday will have feels like temps in the teens and single digits. We will begin to rebound deeper into next week headed towards the new year.

DAY BY DAY:

Today: Overcast skies likely. Areas of fog and drizzle possible. High 45F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Generally cloudy. Patchy drizzle possible again. High 45F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Friday: Clouds clearing later in the day. High near 51F. Winds shifting from NW to SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Breezy by evening. High 57F. Winds S around 10 mph, then turning NW late in the day.
Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy. High 28F. Winds NW at 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph.