Thunderstorms, including a few longer-lived supercells, are expected to form over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa over the next few hours. These storms may produce a few tornadoes, in addition to very large hail and locally damaging wind, as they move/develop generally eastward. The storms likely will be joined by additional activity forming southward into parts of northern Kansas and northwestern Missouri a bit later this evening. The storms likely will merge into one or two large clusters. These could be accompanied by a continuing risk for severe wind, hail, and isolated tornadoes as they move generally south or southeast across northeast Kansas, northwestern Missouri, and southern Iowa through late tonight.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for the following counties in Iowa…Adair, Adams, Audubon, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clarke, Crawford, Dallas, Decatur, Fremont, Greene, Guthrie, Harrison, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Story, Taylor, Union & Warren…until 12:00 AM Sunday.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for the following counties in Iowa…Buena Vista, Calhoun, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth & Wright…until 11:00 PM Saturday.

Primary Threats Include:

• A Few Tornadoes and a Couple Intense Tornadoes Possible
• Widespread Damaging Winds Expected with Isolated Significant Gusts to 80 MPH Possible
• Widespread Large Hail Likely with Isolated Very Large Hail Events to 2.5 Inches in Diameter Possible

Stay tuned to the Iowa Weather Network for the latest statements and possible warnings.