On Thursday evening, isolated showers and thunderstorms developed across parts of central and southeast Iowa, bringing periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, and even some severe weather. The storms, fueled by a combination of warm temperatures and a humid atmosphere, managed to pack a punch in certain areas, with some even reaching severe levels.
Severe Weather Recap
Several of these thunderstorms became severe-warned, particularly across portions of southeast Iowa. The main threat with these storms was large hail, ranging from nickel-sized to as large as 2 inches in diameter. Residents were encouraged to seek shelter during severe warnings as the large hailstones posed a risk to vehicles, homes, and anyone caught outside.
Reports of hail varied from small pea-sized hail to larger stones that could cause significant damage, particularly in Ottumwa and other surrounding communities.
Rainfall Totals
Despite their isolated nature, these storms managed to drop a notable amount of rainfall in several communities. Below are some of the recorded rainfall totals from areas that experienced precipitation:
- Indianola, Iowa: 0.3″
- Ottumwa, Iowa: 1″
- Iowa City, Iowa: 0.26″
- Davenport, Iowa: 0.27″
- Bettendorf, Iowa: 0.43″
- Burlington, Iowa: 0.87″
- Pella, Iowa: 0.8″
- Adel, Iowa: 0.11″
- Altoona, Iowa: 0.19″
- Grinnell, Iowa: 0.2″
- Williamsburg, Iowa: 0.34″
Localized Impact
The heaviest rainfall totals were noted in Ottumwa and Burlington, with Ottumwa receiving a full inch of rain and Burlington coming in at 0.87 inches. These areas experienced persistent storms, which brought much-needed moisture to the region. Communities like Pella and Bettendorf also saw significant amounts of rain, with 0.8″ and 0.43″, respectively.
In Indianola, the rainfall measured 0.3″, providing some relief but still remaining relatively light compared to the heavier amounts farther to the southeast. Adel and Grinnell received lighter rainfall, with totals barely surpassing a tenth of an inch, highlighting the isolated nature of these showers.
Storm Summary
Thursday’s storms were a reminder that even isolated cells can lead to significant impacts, especially when severe weather conditions come into play. The threat of large hail created some concern across central and southeast Iowa, but overall, many areas were fortunate to receive some beneficial rainfall amid a drier stretch of weather.
As the storm season continues, it is always important to stay updated with the latest forecasts and alerts. Our team will be keeping a close eye on the weather to ensure that Iowans remain safe and informed.
For those looking to stay weather-aware, consider following along with our live updates on iowaweather.com and our social media platforms, where we bring you the latest watches, warnings, and storm reports as they happen.