Enhanced Risk of Severe Weather Across Eastern Iowa Today

Eastern Iowa faces an active and potentially dangerous severe weather setup Wednesday as multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected from this morning through tonight. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of eastern Iowa under an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms, indicating an increased likelihood of widespread severe weather.

Multiple Rounds of Storms Expected

The severe weather threat will likely unfold in multiple phases throughout the day.

The first round of storms is expected during the late morning and afternoon hours as disturbances moving out of the Plains interact with a very warm, humid, and unstable atmosphere across Iowa. Additional storms are expected to develop later this afternoon and evening, with some locations potentially seeing only a brief break between rounds.

Temperatures climbing into the 80s and dew points near 70 degrees will create a highly unstable environment capable of supporting intense thunderstorms. Forecast models indicate atmospheric instability values exceeding 3,000 J/kg in some areas, which is more than sufficient for severe storm development.

All Severe Weather Hazards Possible

Storms are expected to initially develop as discrete thunderstorms or supercells. These storms will have the greatest potential to produce:

• Very large hail, potentially exceeding 2 inches in diameter
• Tornadoes, some of which could be strong
• Damaging wind gusts

As storms merge into lines or clusters later in the day, the threat is expected to shift toward widespread damaging winds. Wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph will be possible, with some forecast guidance suggesting localized corridors of even stronger winds exceeding 80 mph.

The tornado threat appears highest across eastern Iowa, especially near and west of the Mississippi River, where atmospheric wind profiles will be favorable for rotating storms.

Heavy Rainfall Could Also Become a Concern

In addition to the severe weather threat, thunderstorms will be capable of producing torrential rainfall.

Some areas may receive 1 to 2 inches of rain, with localized amounts exceeding 4 inches where storms repeatedly move over the same locations. While widespread flooding is not expected today, localized flash flooding could occur in areas that experience multiple rounds of thunderstorms.

The heavy rainfall threat may become even more significant on Thursday if storms redevelop over areas that receive substantial rain today.

Stay Weather Aware Today

Confidence remains high that eastern Iowa will experience severe thunderstorms today. What remains uncertain is exactly where the strongest storms will develop and how multiple rounds of storms may interact throughout the day.

Because conditions can change quickly, now is the time to review your severe weather safety plan.

If you live in eastern Iowa, make sure you:

• Have multiple ways to receive warnings.
• Know where you will take shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
• Pay close attention to forecasts throughout the day.
• Keep your phone charged and weather alerts enabled.

The severe weather threat will continue through this evening, and additional storms are possible again overnight and into Thursday.

Be sure to have the ISCN Weather app installed and check back with IowaWeather.com throughout the day for the latest forecast updates, radar analysis, watches, and warnings.