Southern Iowa Enters Tornado Watch Until 11 p.m. as Monday Threatens 2 to 4 Inches of Rain
Updated
Updated · KCCI Des Moines · May 16
Southern Iowa Enters Tornado Watch Until 11 p.m. as Monday Threatens 2 to 4 Inches of Rain
3 articles · Updated · KCCI Des Moines · May 16
Parts of southern Iowa were placed under a tornado watch late Saturday afternoon through 11 p.m., with storms expected to spread across southwest Iowa during the evening.
Temperatures in the 80s and rising humidity are fueling scattered thunderstorms, first as supercells capable of large hail and damaging winds before evolving into a line with heavier rain and gustier winds.
Sunday may turn quieter for part of the day, but evening storms moving in from Nebraska could still bring hail, strong winds and a limited tornado risk, especially in northwestern Iowa.
Monday is forecast to bring the state's highest severe-weather risk, with a front triggering potentially significant hail, damaging winds and a higher tornado threat before storms exit by Tuesday morning.
Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are likely through the multi-day pattern, with isolated spots above 5 inches and localized flash flooding possible, mainly in urban areas.
With 'monster hail' and a high tornado risk looming, are Iowa's emergency plans and shelters truly ready for Monday's peak threat?
Is this multi-day severe weather outbreak a fluke, or is it a preview of Iowa's new, more volatile climate reality?
As severe storms batter Iowa again, will insurance cover the damage, and how can homeowners protect themselves from post-disaster scams?