Wednesday was a welcome relief of the constant heavy rainfalls the state has been receiving over the last couple of days. Skies were mostly sunny, but temperatures were still in the upper 80s to middle 90s across the state with high humidity. Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings remain in effect through Friday evening for most of the state.

The dry weather the state experienced over the last 18 hours or so will come to an end once more late this afternoon and more likely tonight (Thursday night) as another storm system will sweep into the state from the northwest. Showers and thunderstorms will develop over the Dakotas and move southeastward into the state by the early evening hours. Some of the storms may be severe with large hail and damaging winds being the main threats, however an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out either. There is a slight risk of severe weather for today (mainly late afternoon into overnight) for the northwestern third of the state. It’s mainly west of a Mason City to Fort Dodge to Omaha line. The entire state is under a slight risk for severe weather for Friday. The threats that day will be the same as Thursday.

Along with the severe weather threats, we can’t go without saying that these storms will likely produce heavy rainfall again, especially in areas that don’t need a single drop. The South Skunk River valley has and continues to experience record flooding from Ames on downstream. Numerous roads remain closed in central Iowa around Ames and Des Moines due to recent flooding. Anymore heavy rainfall will likely push these rivers and creeks back over their banks once more. Flash Flood Watches have already been issued in northwestern Iowa for later on Thursday, and there’s a VERY GOOD liklihood that more Flash Flood Watches will be issued later today across a good portion of the state.

Relief is in sight from this heat, humidity and rainfall deluge. Next week will see much lower temperatures, much lower humidity and the key words DRY WEATHER!