As widespread flooding is already making life a challenge across a wide section of Iowa, the extreme heat will compound problems with being outdoors today — the first day of the Iowa State Fair. Meteorologist Kenny Podrazek, at the National Weather Service, says Iowa’s southern half is under an Excessive Heat Warning, while the state’s northern half is under a Heat Advisory.

Podrazek says it’ll be hot and humid with highs in the lower 90s and a heat index well into the triple digits. More heavy thunderstorms are likely tonight and tomorrow, which is not the news people in flooding Ames and Des Moines want to hear. Podrazek says they have another day to prepare.

He says northern and north-central Iowa appears to be the region that’s “under the gun” for the first part of the storm on Friday as the system moves further south, covering much of Iowa, later in the day and into Saturday. Podrazek says severe weather is likely in this next storm system, which follows three straight nights of rain earlier this week. He’s trying to estimate potential rainfall.

Areas from Highway 30 and north may see two-inches of rain in Mason City and Algona, which is something of a blessing as he says northern Iowa can probably handle more rain, as opposed to the flooded areas of central Iowa. The storms are expected to clear out later on Saturday with a sunny day expected on Sunday.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City