Iowans should be prepared for the possibility of severe weather this weekend. National Weather Service meteorologist Rod Donovan says scattered storms will be moving into southwest Iowa this afternoon and spreading statewide overnight.
“We could have a few storms that could produce hail up to the size of quarters. That will be the main threat with these, in addition to brief periods of heavy rainfall,” Donovan says.
A better threat of severe storms, with large hail and strong winds, may arrive Saturday night. “Overnight Saturday night, we could have some storms moving out of Nebraska and Kansas into the area and bring the threat of severe weather, especially over the western portion of the state,” Donovan says. An EF-1 tornado struck the west-central Iowa town of Lake City last weekend.
Donovan says there’s a chance for more tornadoes later this weekend. “The day to be watching is Sunday and it will really depend on the timing of the system and what time (storms) move through the state,” Donovan says. “There are some indications now that it may not move through until early afternoon or mid-afternoon and certainly that would enhance the risk for stronger storms and the potential for a few tornadoes.”
High temperatures today through Sunday are expected in the 70s. Dry, but much cooler conditions are in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday.