Is it good to stain in Cedar Rapids, IA this week?
A live 7-day go/no-go calendar for deck & fence stain in Cedar Rapids, built from the local forecast against the 5°F-above-dew-point rule. We lead with the signal a weather app misses: overnight condensation risk.
- Dew margin
- 1.4°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 57%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.4°F of the 61°F dew point (low 47°F, 100% cloud, 9 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 1.3°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 2%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.3°F of the 42°F dew point (low 43°F, 4% cloud, 4 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 0.6°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 2%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 0.6°F of the 53°F dew point (low 50°F, 0% cloud, 5 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- -1.6°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 0%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within -1.6°F of the 40°F dew point (low 38°F, 0% cloud, 6 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 2°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 0%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 2°F of the 40°F dew point (low 42°F, 6% cloud, 9 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Dew margin
- 7.7°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 2%
- Window
- 9am–5pm
Cold mornings (down to 47°F, floor is 50°F) — wait for the surface to warm past midday before you stain.
- Dew margin
- -5.2°F
- Overnight dew
- High
- Rain
- 6%
- Window
- —
High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within -5.2°F of the 56°F dew point (low 50°F, 93% cloud, 4 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- High condensation risk overnight — surface dips to within 1.4°F of the 61°F dew point (low 47°F, 100% cloud, 9 mph wind). A fresh stain can blush/blister. Stop 4h before dew falls.
- Humidity peaks at 98% — well above the 85% ceiling; cure stalls and moisture gets trapped.
- Rain likely in the 24h cure window (57% chance, ~18.4mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
Hold off. These are forecast numbers — confirm the surface temperature on-site before you start.
Why these thresholds
Stain applied to a damp or dew-wet board can't penetrate — it beads, stays tacky and flakes. Wood must be dry and stay above the dew point while it sets.
- • Surface temp must stay 5°F above the dew point through application and cure (ASTM D3276 / ISO 8502-42).
- • Air + surface in the 50–90°F band (low-temp lines to 45°F).
- • Humidity under 85%; ideally under 70%.
- • No rain for 24h after application.
- • We use the forecast ground-surface temperature as a surface-temp proxy — confirm on-site with an IR thermometer.
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Watch this job site 24/7
Get an email the moment overnight dew, rain, or an out-of-range stretch threatens a fresh coat — and a morning digest with the best window ahead. No app to check; we watch the forecast for you.