Spring is only weeks away, and what better sign that the season is changing than with the first severe weather threat of the year?
The National Weather Service Office in Des Moines has forecast severe weather across the state starting Thursday, March 5, with showers and thunderstorms in the evening and another round beginning late in the afternoon Friday, March 6.
Here’s what to know.
What is the severe weather outlook in Iowa for the next 24 hours?
Isolated storms are possible across most of the state beginning Thursday night, with central and western Iowa most at risk of hail-producing thunderstorms, according to the NWS. Damaging wind gusts of 60 mph may be possible in southwest Iowa.
In Des Moines, Thursday will be cloudy with a high near 60. Thursday night will drop to around 47 degrees, and up to half an inch of rain is possible beginning after 2 a.m.
Friday’s forecast brings a greater chance of severe storms
A slight, or Level 2 (out of 5), risk is in place for much of central and southern Iowa beginning Friday afternoon, meaning scattered severe storms are possible. A small portion of southern Iowa near Lamoni is at an enhanced, or Level 3, risk.
Some storms may produce golf-ball-sized hail and wind gusts between 60-70 mph, especially in central and southeastern Iowa.
Des Moines will see on‑and‑off storms all day on Friday, with a high near 73 degrees, according to the NWS. Showers continue Friday with a low around 36 degrees.
How likely are tornadoes in Iowa?
Tornadoes are possible in southern Iowa on Friday, according to the weather service.
The highest probability of tornadoes stretches along southern Iowa from roughly Red Oak to Osceola and Ottumwa. That area has about a 5-9% probaility, the weather service said.
Des Moines, Ames and Iowa City are in a lower risk, with a 2-4% probability.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Will tornadoes hit Iowa? What to know about our severe weather risk
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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