A Short Break

The severe risk of the 29th wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been over the state of Iowa. Although several tornado reports were received during the early nighttime hours, thankfully the storms did not have a lot of energy to work with. No injuries or fatalities were reported with these tornadoes that occurred mainly in the southern two-thirds of the state. Damage surveys were completed for tornadoes that occurred over Clarke, Warren, Lucas, Marion, Mahaska, and Dallas Counties yesterday (May 30), they can be found here. Other reports of tornadoes over parts of central Iowa were received late Thursday night while a line of storms were making their way across the state. No surveys have been completed for these storms, although some damage was reported with these tornadoes or straight-line wind events.

Currently the only threats that we have over the state are some of the flooding that is occurring and did occur. Yesterday saw major flooding occurring across portions of Ames, IA near campus of Iowa State and over other areas of town. Moderate flooding is continuing today in vicinity to Marshalltown, Des Moines, Colfax, and Van Meter. Minor flooding is also occurring across a large portion of the rivers in central and southern Iowa. This flooding should subside as warm temperatures and clear skies allow for plenty of evaporation.

The clear skies and warm temperature are much improved for the forecast instead of cloudy skies or severe thunderstorms. Of course, most people who follow the weather during the months of June in Iowa it is only a matter of time before the warm temps and clear skies give way to stormy weather once again. Some small thunderstorm chances are in the forecast for the weekend, however our next big storm system looks to come in for Monday which may bring in the chance for severe weather once again. Looking even further ahead in the forecast brings in mild temperatures, mainly 70s and 80s, with another strong storm system coming into the forecast for the Thursday time frame.

Temperatures today will range from the upper 70s to mid 80s across the state, slight chances of thunderstorms through in the evening and early overnight. The best chance for these thunderstorms will be over the northeast quarter of the state, an isolated severe storm is also not be ruled out at this point. Lows tonight in the mid 50s to lower 60s from north to south across the state, with once again the slight chance of a thunderstorm over mainly northeast Iowa. Sunday's highs in the lower and mid 80s throughout the state as winds shift from northerly to more westerly (10-20 mph); Another great weekend day as we enter the month of June. Overnight lows on Sunday will range from the upper 50s to lower 60s, increasing moisture as winds begin to shift southward will also yield to slight thunderstorms chances for western Iowa overnight.

The southerly winds, increasing moisture, and the movement of another storm system towards the plains states will give way to another chance of severe weather over the state on Monday and Tuesday. Although both chances will become better defined in the coming days, it appears that all modes of severe weather (hail, wind, and tornadoes) may be possible. More details on these severe threats as the events become better defined...

I'm currently also going through the hundreds of photos from the chase trip last week and early this week. I hope to have a majority of those online tomorrow morning sometime and will likely make a special post to reflect those additions.