Active Severe Weather This Weekend in Iowa
The temperatures will continue to warm up over the weekend with highs in the 70s to 80s on Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures may even reach 90 for some in southern Iowa Sunday afternoon. This warm weather will of course bring with it the chance for strong to severe weather during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Saturday Forecast
Saturday will be mostly cloudy with highs ranging in the low 70s across northern Iowa and the mid 80s across southern Iowa. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has a marginal risk of strong storms from northern Iowa into eastern Iowa, with a small slight risk area across southeast Iowa. A cap will prevent storms from developing for much of the day. Then by late afternoon, a few scattered thunderstorms may develop across southeast Iowa. Activity is expected to be very isolated and any storms that can develop, will pose a large hail and damaging wind threat. Additional scattered activity may continue into the evening hours.
Sunday Forecast
Unlike Saturday, the sunshine is expected to come out on Sunday. This will cause temperatures to soar into the 80s for most. Some areas across southern Iowa may even reach 90 degrees. A warm front will have lifted to the north, well into Iowa, setting the stage for severe storms. Once again, a cap will hold off thunderstorm development until late afternoon, and will keep storms isolated. These isolated storms will have the potential once again for large hail, damaging winds, and even the potential for tornadoes.
The key take away is the weekend will not be a washout as the precipitation will be scattered and will not develop until the late afternoon and evening timeframe. If you have any outdoor plans this weekend, make sure to check back for the latest updates and be sure to keep an eye on the radar.
If you haven’t downloaded the free ISCN Weather app, be sure to do so. It will send you the latest watches and warnings for your area, and will let you know of any dangerous storms approaching your area.