The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 3pm. This watch is for the following counties, Appanoose, Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Grundy, Hardin, Jasper, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Van Buren and Washington.

Thunderstorms have already begun to fire in southern Iowa southward into northern Missouri ahead of the cold front. The main threats will be large hail and damaging winds. The storms are quickly moving NE between 50-70mph. More development and more watches are likely to come this afternoon into this evening.