The warmer humid air that’s moved into Iowa today has also brought the potential for severe weather. National Weather Service meteorologist Craig Cogill says heavy rain, large hail and tornadoes could develop across north-central and central Iowa late this afternoon.
"Then overnight a bigger threat (exists) across southwest and south-central Iowa, where we’re going to see some storms develop in Nebraska this afternoon and move into those locations during the overnight period," Cogill said. The storms overnight will likely include strong winds and hail.
A tornado watch is posted for 11 counties in southwest Iowa through 9 p.m. Iowa averages 47 tornadoes a year. The numbers are way down this year after a record 105 tornadoes in 2008. "Up to today, through this year, we’ve seen only nine tornadoes in the whole state of Iowa," Cogill said.
"At least since 1980, I believe that’s the lowest amount we’ve had up to this point. It’s been a really quiet year as far as that’s concerned." Scattered thunderstorms are also possible across much of Iowa Thursday and Friday. High temperatures are expected in the upper 80s through the weekend.