Severe Weather - June 14

3:45 PM Update: Several thunderstorms have fired across the eastern half of Iowa, with several of them currently being severe warned. These thunderstorms are capable of large hail up to golf ball in diameter, and occasional wind gusts nearing 60 mph. These are also in areas that are already in extreme flooding, thus this is not helping the ongoing flood situation. For the latest radar updates, you can view the Iowa Chaser Homepage that is currently zoomed on the thunderstorm threat.

1:20 PM Update: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for portions of central and eastern Iowa, extending into western Illinois. This watch will be in effect until 7 PM this evening, thunderstorms developing along and just ahead of a slow south-moving boundary should continue for the remainder of the afternoon. These storms are likely to be capable of large hail and/or damaging winds.

10:23 AM: Although the last storm system managed to take away much of the moisture that was present across Iowa, the warm temperatures and cool air aloft will once again allow for the development of thunderstorms over the state this afternoon through the overnight. Generally the thunderstorms may only produce heavy rains and lightning, still a bad thing for Iowa, there is the possibility of damaging winds and large hail with some of the storms that develop this afternoon and evening.

A weak wave of energy, combined with the remnants of a weak cold front will give way to storm initiation this afternoon. Although temperatures should be in the 80s throughout the state, and moisture is somewhat limited with dew points in the mid 50s to lower 60s; cooler air aloft should allow moderate instability to be in place this afternoon. This cooler air aloft will also allow for hail development and sustainability within the thunderstorms, thus the SPC has actually portioned a large part of the state under chances for significant hail (>2"). Damaging winds may also be a threat, as some storms may remain slightly elevated with the lacking surface moisture. At this time, the tornado threat appears quite low given the mainly elevated nature of storms. But, storms that can develop in the vicinity of another storm and realize locally enhanced moisture may be able to become surface based. This with any outflow or slight wind shift areas that the storm may encounter may allow for a brief possibility of storm rotation, however, currently this is believed to be a very 'what if' scenario.

These storms are expected to be isolated in nature, thus no widespread flooding is expected. However, much like the past week(s) any additional rainfall will likely initiate localized flooding. The state of Iowa is in the limelight due to a levee break in downtown Des Moines, along with the significant flooding of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids; other areas are as well seeing significant/major flooding of there areas which is hampering many throughout the entire state.