[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6rvI9fLD3E&hl=en&fs=1]

STORMY THURSDAY: After a few isolated showers early today, the next chance of showers and thunderstorms come tomorrow with a storm that will be just moving south of the state. There is a slight risk of severe weather for areas to the south of Iowa, from St. Joseph MO southward to Tulsa. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible through the early morning hours Friday as the storm moves quickly out, with amounts likely in the quarter to two thirds of an inch range.

SEVERE WEEKEND: This being Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa, you will be having a pop quiz this weekend with the possibility of severe weather returning to the state. The STP parameter is maxed out Saturday night across the eastern counties, the SCP (Supercell Parameter) is also maxed out, meaning any storms that form Saturday night will likely be supercellular in structure. The SIGSVR (Significant Severe Parameter) is also maxed out across nearly the entire state, meaning any storms that form and are severe are likely to produce significant severe weather, (example would be very large hail over golfball sized, winds over 70mph and/or tornadoes). Although this is still several days out and the timing of it could change, it still looks like there will be a significant severe weather event beginning late Saturday afternoon through the morning hours of Sunday. More on this will be coming in later posts.

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK: Today is the annual tornado warning test across the state. Sirens will be blowing at 10am, so don’t be alarmed if you hear them. It would be a good time to use this test to prepare for where you should go if a tornado warning is issued.

FLOODING: River flooding continues across the West Fork Des Moines, Big Sioux and Mississippi Rivers. This will continue for several more weeks on the Mississippi river with continued snowmelt to the north. Any heavy rain (QPF has 1-2 inches over the next 5 days across the state), will prolong flooding concerns on these rivers and on any that remain high.