Heavy rain is in the forecast for northwest Iowa where 11 counties will be under a Flash Flood Watch starting at 10 A.M. today, while a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now posted for nine Iowa counties along the western border. Meteorologist Jim Lee, at the National Weather Service, says Iowa will have an increasing risk of severe storms over the next few days.
“We’ve seen quiet weather lately but now we’re getting into a more active weather pattern,” Lee says. “We see a large trough of low pressure building across the western U.S, one that happens this time of year. We tend to get storm systems at a fairly rapid clip.”
Lee says a wide section of Iowa could see severe weather in the approaching hours. “We have multiple opportunities for severe weather over the next several days or even through the course of this week,” Lee says. “Really, starting this afternoon, but especially tonight, we’re looking at severe weather possibilities mainly north of Interstate 80 with all modes of severe weather possible.”
That means the chances for hail, high winds, strong thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. Lee says the hottest weather of the year so far will likely arrive tomorrow.
“Tuesday is going to be legitimately hot with highs going into the 90s across much of the state and quite muggy conditions,” Lee says. “Of course, that will fuel further rounds of thunderstorms from Tuesday night onward, but it will be quite hot on Tuesday and probably again on Wednesday.” Later this week, Saturday will mark the first day of summer.
(Reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)