March 21 Severe Weather

A slight risk has been issued by the SPC for severe storms over much of Iowa this afternoon/evening and into the overnight hours in some parts of the state. The main reason for these storms will be a cold front that will move into the area from the north this afternoon, potentially causing thunderstorm development if it has not already occurred. Some storms during the late afternoon may fire on their own just ahead of the cold front, these storms are most likely to happen in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Threats with those storms will include large hail, damaging winds and an isolated tornado or two given the discrete nature of the storms. By late evening and into tonight, it is more likely that a line of storms will have developed across much of Iowa into Nebraska and even Kansas. This line may still produce some large hail as well as damaging winds over the state, especially the southeastern half.

Currently, temperature and especially moisture is on the rise throughout the state. Thunderstorms are noted to be affecting parts of northeastern Iowa this morning as well as central Iowa. The storms in central Iowa are currently fairly strong, especially just to the west of Winterset, IA at this time. These storms are moving northeast and will likely affect the Des Moines metro later this morning. No warnings are out, although some small hail may be possible if the storms continues to strengthen slightly. Also, lightning strikes are being reported from the cells to the southwest of Des Moines and may also be a concern to some.