Much of Iowa can expect some rain and possibly severe storms over the next few days. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brad Small says the chance for storms runs tonight through Saturday. “The biggest threat for severe weather looks to be tomorrow as the system approaches the Missouri Valley with main threat over southwest Iowa and into Kansas and Missouri,” Small said.
If the forecast holds up, Small says Iowans could be spending much of their weekend indoors. “The severe weather threat mainly should be around Friday and possibly early Saturday with more general showers through the remainder of the weekend,” Small said. The storms could include flash flooding, large hail, high winds and tornadoes. Iowa has yet to record a single tornado this year.
“The tornado threat is somewhat conditional,” Small said. “If the conditions are such that stronger storms develop, then tornadoes would be a possibility.” State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says Iowa in recent years is averaging about 48 tornadoes per year. Last year, only 25 tornadoes were recorded. In 2008, Iowa had 105 tornadoes.