Forecasters say parts of northwest Iowa that were drenched on Monday could be in for another soaking today. Meteorologist Ashley Bury, at the National Weather Service, says more dark clouds will be rolling in soon from the southwest.
“The front will be moving into the western portions of Iowa later this afternoon and into the evening and with that, we could see some potential for some strong-to-severe thunderstorms,” Bury says. “We could see some heavier rain at times, but with the severe weather, we’re looking at some mainly damaging winds and hail with that activity, and that will continue this evening.”
The Iowa Great Lakes region got heavy rain Monday, causing flash flooding, power outages, and multiple wastewater treatment plant bypasses. The Iowa DNR warns people not to touch flooded areas as the water may be contaminated. Bury says that area needs to brace for still more rain in the approaching storm.
“It does look like that’ll hit that northwestern Iowa area, so we could see potentially up to another inch or so,” Bury says. “Definitely an area to be careful around if you’re traveling, or to stay away from those waters. Definitely keep an eye out on that later on this afternoon and evening.”
It marks a major about-face from just a matter of months ago, as Iowa recently emerged from a serious drought that lasted nearly four years. Now, parts of the state are seeing too much of a good thing.
“There’s some variability with the total rainfall, just with how this front moves through,” Bury says. “We could see an inch, at least, up there and that would be mainly today. Tomorrow though, we’re seeing additional chances for rainfall and some lingering showers and storms, so there definitely could be more rainfall.”
The storm front should bring cooler weather, with highs forecast Wednesday mostly in the 70s, though 80s are predicted for Thursday with highs mainly in the 90s again by the weekend.