It’s about time spring thunderstorms arrived.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has posted an elevated risk of severe weather for the southeastern half of Iowa for this afternoon and this evening. Clouds are expected to move into the area Saturday morning in association with a low pressure center moving across Minnesota. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible in the morning, primarily north of U.S. Highway 30. A boundary line from this low pressure center will extend into northern and central Iowa. This boundary is where we are expecting thunderstorm development to occur.

The ingredients for severe weather will be there with dew points headlining the values with mid 50s to low 60s across Iowa during the daytime, all thanks to moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the moisture with this system, decent shear will allow for any storms that develop to grow and become strong to severe.

Thunderstorms should again begin to develop south of U.S. Highway 30 Saturday afternoon. Any thunderstorms that develop will have the potential of large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. An isolated tornado will also be possible in the late afternoon and early evening hours. The storms will likely last into the overnight hours, however the severe weather threat should be over by late evening. 

Stay tuned to the Iowa Weather Network for the latest updates!

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