May 6 Severe Weather Update #2

Midnight Update: The final update for May 6th and its' severe weather. Another line of thunderstorms is working across central Iowa and is no longer severe, although heavy rain and frequent lightning is still likely. Another line is moving to the northeast, just entered into southwest Iowa where some portions of the line are severe with the possibility of marginally severe hail and damaging winds. This line should continue to move northeast and across portions of the state. A busy day for the state with several lines of severe thunderstorms and even two tornado warnings that were issued, although no reports of tornadoes were received. The northwest quarter of the state was busiest once again, with multiple large hail and damaging wind reports. I will get images from my short chase up tomorrow and report here ASAP! Enjoy the spring thunderstorms...


9:30 PM Update: Warnings continue to be issued for the state of Iowa, mainly for the threat of damaging winds and large hail. We did manage to get a tornado warning for a cell in northern Story county in which I was 'chasing' as the warning was issued. Not much, no rotation spotted from my viewpoint, some nice scud that could confuse the public; a not to shabby shelf before that warning went out. A few pictures that I'll likely post sometime late tonight or tomorrow, awaiting for some stuff to clear out and then for the next line to enter central Iowa for some lightning opportunities. Another nice MCS system that I believe will be the most active severe weather day for Iowa this year; at least in the sense of number of warnings.


7:15 PM Update: The line of thunderstorms still holds potential for damaging winds, latest reports include a 66 mph gust from Mason City airport. Warnings have been issued to cover the complete line from the IA/MN border south and west back to Sac county. Damaging winds look to be the main threat, although the southern cells in Webster and Sac county may still hold a large hail threat.


7 PM Update: A cluster of severe warned cells continues to move across Sac, Calhoun and Webster counties in central Iowa. Large hail up to 1 inch in diameter is possible along with damaging winds. The storms are expected to continue to move east at 30-40 mph through the rest of the evening, however the severe threat at this time seems to be diminishing in all but the southern-most storms.


6:15 PM Update: Severe thunderstorm warnings continue for extreme eastern Woodbury, Ida, Sac, and Calhoun counties. Large hail up to 1 inch in diameter is possible and has been reported. Showers and thunderstorms continuing to the northeast of the current severe warned storms, however these storms are not and are not expected to become severe at this time. Additional thunderstorms still increasing in coverage across Nebraska; another line of thunderstorms, potentially severe, may be possible later this evening and during the early nighttime hours.


5:30 PM Update: A large mess of thunderstorms is occurring west of a Forest City to Sac City line. Some embedded thunderstorms have been severe warned with the threat of large hail and damaging winds. Several reports throughout northwest Iowa of three-quarters to inch diameter hail that has covered the ground. Some wind damage as well, although gusts likely remained below 60 mph. Additional thunderstorms are developing south of the current line of showers and embedded thunderstorms. The first wave of thunderstorms looks to be organizing and should continue across the state through the evening hours. Additional thunderstorms in Nebraska and South Dakota are likely to congeal and pose a second threat of severe weather overnight...


4:30 PM Update: Severe thunderstorms have entered northwest Iowa late this afternoon, first warnings being issued around 3:30 PM for Sioux and Plymouth continues. Currently multiple counties are under warnings for the threat of large hail and damaging winds. O'Brien, Sioux, Plymouth, Cherokee, and norther portions of Woodbury all under a warning currently. These storms are moving to the east at 35-45 mph...

Thunderstorms have continued to develop along the front in Nebraska and South Dakota, which may likely pose a threat to portion of western Iowa later this evening or during the early nighttime hours. Expect frequent thunderstorms with multiple broken lines or individual cells becoming severe throughout the afternoon in northwestern Iowa.