Brr. Even here in Florida it’s sweater weather today, with temperatures falling into the 20s overnight. Granted it’s not freezing (comparably) this morning, but it’s quite a change from Florida’s usual heat.

What about Iowa? The weather factor is actually very important on primary/caucus day, potentially determining voter turnout. As of this posting (10:47 AM EST) it’s a chilly 19 degrees in Des Moines. Today’s high is expected to be about 28 degrees, with a low (already this morning) of 9 degrees. Wind is currently 19 MPH in Des Moines, making it feel about, oh, -1 degrees. Around 7 PM CT this evening (the start of the Democratic caucus) Des Moines can expect it to be about 34 degrees.

As for expected voter turnout, numbers have been flying about. The boys over at First Read are estimating anywhere from 125,000 to 160,000 voters on the Dem side, with 60,000 to 80,000 on the GOP side of the aisle. That’s about in line with the estimated 200,000 overall turnout, meaning candidates will have spent about $200 per vote.

On the Democratic side, voters end up having to choose a viable candidate at their respective caucus. Should their candidate of choice not receive at least 15% of the precinct’s votes, they must choose another – a viable one – as their second choice. Crazy Kuninich has already asked his supporters to caucus for Obama should he not reach the threshold. There’s rumor Richardson is doing the same, but that’s not yet confirmed.