Severe Weather Update (Nov. 5)

4:56 PM Update - A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for portions of Monona county in western Iowa. A portion of a line of severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds and severe hail will move into the state over the next 45 minutes. This will likely be the first of a few severe thunderstorm warned cells to make its' way into and through western Iowa this evening/tonight.


4:50 PM - Although the main focus for severe weather is likely to be over Kansas and Oklahoma, moving into Missouri and potentially portions of Arkansas early tonight; we'll likely see the chance for a severe storm or two across western Iowa this evening and tonight as well. Current radar shows a line of storms developing along the cold front that is oriented north/south near the Missouri River. These storms have been fairly slow to develop, but are showing signs of strengthening. As these storms move off to the north/northeast, they will slowly propagate into all of western Iowa within the next hour or two.

As the storms move through the state this evening and into the overnight hours, expect gusty winds and frequent lightning to go along with some very heavy rain at times. Through 10 PM a few storms may be capable of marginally severe hail and gusty winds, although a tornado or two cannot be completely ruled out. Beyond 10 PM, additional thunderstorms moving through Missouri will also begin to enter southern Iowa bringing heavy rain and some thunder. The line of storms will make its' way through the state and into eastern Iowa by the early morning hours, and out of the state by early afternoon. Beyond this line of showers/thunderstorms, additional precip behind the low pressure system to our north is possible on Thursday night and Friday, a rain/snow mix is possible for some portions of the state why the majority of the state may see snow showers through much of the time on Friday. Accumulations right now appear to be minimal if any, but this could be the first sign of winter for much of the state.

Updates tonight will not be likely, as I will be completing a part of my internship down at the National Weather Service in Des Moines while the potential for severe weather rolls through the state.