What to know about severe storm chances approaching Tuesday

WE HAVE TO STAY WEATHER ALERT TODAY BECAUSE THE IMPACT OF STORMS HERE IS POSSIBLE. YEAH, I HAVE FAMILY DOWN IN KANSAS CITY. YOU KNOW, THEY HAD A STORM JUST ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN. AND WE KIND OF HAVE A SIMILAR RISK HERE TODAY. WE’RE NOT GOING TO SEE A TON OF THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE. BUT THE STORMS THAT DO FORM COULD BE SEVERE WITH POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER. TALKING ABOUT LARGE HAIL, HIGH WINDS AND YES, THERE IS A TORNADO RISK. IT’S NOT A PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR TORNADOES, BUT IT’S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN’T RULE OUT. WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR GUARD UP HERE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON HOURS. SO THIS AFTERNOON WE’RE LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME STRONG STORMS OUT THERE. THOSE LIKELY PUSH EAST BY EARLY EVENING AND THEN OVERNIGHT WE’LL SEE A FEW MORE SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS OUT THERE. NOT AS STRONG FOR THE OVERNIGHT, SOME HEAVY RAINFALL AND SOME SMALL HAIL. NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION, BUT I DON’T THINK WE’RE GOING TO SEE WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER OVERNIGHT TOMORROW. THERE’S THE POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOUTHERN AND EASTERN IOWA. SO TOMORROW IS ANOTHER WEATHER IMPACT DAY. BECAUSE OF THAT HERE’S TODAY’S SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK. WE HAVE A LEVEL THREE ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER ESPECIALLY HERE FROM CENTRAL INTO EASTERN IOWA, PARTICULARLY EAST OF I-35 AND THEN ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE STALLED OUT BOUNDARY THAT IS SITTING RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE. RIGHT NOW, SOUTH OF THIS BOUNDARY, WE HAVE WARM, HUMID AIR IN PLACE, PLENTY OF FUEL FOR SOME THUNDERSTORMS NORTH OF IT. IT’S QUITE A BIT COOLER THOUGH, SO THAT’S GOING TO LOWER YOUR SEVERE WEATHER RISK. BUT ANYWHERE ALONG SOUTH AND THEN EAST OF THIS BOUNDARY IS WHERE WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RISK FOR SOME OF THOSE SEVERE STORMS. ALSO WANT TO SHOW YOU JUST THE TORNADO RISK HERE TODAY BECAUSE IT IS A LITTLE BIT ELEVATED, ESPECIALLY AS YOU HEAD INTO EASTERN IOWA. YOU CAN SEE, YOU KNOW, WE GOT AN ISOLATED RISK HERE FOR MOST OF THE STATE. BUT IT DOES INCREASE HERE FROM I-35 INTO EASTERN AND NORTHEASTERN IOWA. AGAIN, RIGHT ALONG AND JUST SOUTH OF WHERE THAT BOUNDARY IS. AND WE CAN’T RULE OUT THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTENSE TORNADO WITH A COUPLE OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS AS THEY PUSH INTO EASTERN IOWA. MANY OF THOSE STORMS MAY BE EAST OF THE METRO, BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT. ONE COULD FORM HERE NEAR TOWN AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE AFTERNOON HOURS. SO AGAIN, AN ELEVATED RISK FOR TORNADOES AND VERY LARGE HAIL WITH THOSE STORMS COULD HAVE SOME STRONGER WIND GUSTS BECAUSE STORMS ARE FAIRLY ISOLATED, NOT LOOKING AT MUCH OF A FLOODING THREAT, AT LEAST HERE TODAY. SO HERE’S HOW THINGS PLAY OUT. WE DON’T HAVE ANY STORMS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS, WE MAY SEE A LITTLE LINE OF STORMS TRYING TO FIRE UP RIGHT ALONG I-35 AND NOTICE HOW QUICKLY THEY INTENSIFY FROM WHEN THEY FORM SOMEWHERE NEAR AMES. POTENTIALLY DON’T LOOK AT THE EXACT LOCATION. THIS IS NOT GOING TO SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHERE THESE STORMS ARE GOING TO BE, BUT YOU CAN SEE HOW QUICKLY THEY INTENSIFY AS THEY PUSH EASTWARD. BUT THEN HERE WE ARE 4 OR 5:00. THEY’RE ALREADY PUSHING INTO EASTERN IOWA. SO THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BRING OUR THREAT TO A CLOSE FAIRLY QUICKLY. BUT AGAIN, YOU CAN’T REALLY TRUST THE MODEL EXACTLY FOR WHERE THESE STORMS ARE GOING TO FORM. IT JUST GIVES YOU A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT COULD TRANSPIRE HERE THROUGH THE REST OF THE DAY. SO ANOTHER LOOK HERE, ANOTHER MODEL. YOU CAN SEE IT’S TRYING TO FORM SOME THUNDERSTORMS HERE NORTH OF MARSHALLTOWN BY 1:00. THAT’S PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT TOO EARLY. SO YOU CAN SEE THE POTENTIAL THERE RIGHT AROUND 3:00 FIRING UP SOMEWHERE NEAR THE METRO AND THEN RACING EASTWARD PRETTY QUICKLY. SO JUST A COUPLE OF STORMS OUT THERE TODAY. BUT WHERE THOSE STORMS FORM, THEY COULD BE PRETTY SEVERE RIGHT NOW. NOTHING REALLY SHOWING UP ON THE RADAR HERE AROUND THE METRO. WE’RE NOT SEEING MUCH DEVELOPMENT JUST YET. BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT BOUNDARY RIGHT THERE, THAT LINE IN THE CLOUDS. THAT’S WHAT’S LIKELY TO BE THE FOCUS FOR THOSE STORMS AS THEY TRY TO FORM HERE LATER TODAY. LITTLE SYSTEM RIDING ALONG THAT FRONT, HELPING TO FIRE THEM OFF. SO AT THE MOMENT, A MIX OF CLOUDS AND SUN OUT THERE. IT’S GETTING WARM. IT’S GETTING HUMID 79 DEGREES RIGHT NOW HERE IN TOWN WITH PLENTY OF HUMIDITY. WE’RE GOING TO JUMP UP INTO THE 80S, ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 30 HERE AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON, THANKS TO A PRETTY GOOD SOUTH BREEZE THERE, 10 TO 15 MILES AN HOUR COULD GET A LITTLE GUSTY AT TIMES, BUT I DON’T THINK WE’RE GOING TO SEE TOO MUCH IN THE WAY OF WIND. BUT LOOK AT THOSE TEMPERATURES INTO THE MID 80S. PLENTY OF FUEL FOR THOSE STORMS AS THEY TRY TO FORM HERE LATER TODAY. ANOTHER ROUND OF STORMS POSSIBLE TOMORROW AFTERNOON. KIND OF DEPENDS ON HOW TODAY PLAYS OUT. SO STILL SOME QUESTION MARKS ON THAT FORECAST. THURSDAY LOOKS PRETTY GOOD. AND THEN ANOTHER ROUND OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IS POSSIBLE

LIVE WEATHER UPDATES: Severe weather rolls through central, eastern Iowa

Updated: 3:46 PM CDT Apr 14, 2026

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Active weather is ahead for Iowa this week, including a few different opportunities for severe storms.Here’s what to expect:Another round of strong to severe storms in central and eastern Iowa Tuesday afternoonChances return Wednesday, especially for southern and eastern IowaFriday brings the final chance for strong to severe storms to the stateInteractive Radar | Weather AlertsLive updates Tornado watch in effect until 10 p.m.The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of central and eastern Iowa until 10 p.m. Tuesday.The watch includes Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama, Warren, Washington and Winneshiek counties.Storms likely Tuesday in central and eastern IowaA stalled out front cutting across the state this afternoon will likely be the focus for storm development by midafternoon into the evening hours. Strong to severe storms will be possible near and south of the front.South of the boundary, highs will surge into the mid-80s with high humidity levels as well. This will provide plenty of fuel for any storms that form today.Storms could form as early as 2 to 4pm near and just east of I-35. These storms will quickly intensify, and will bring the potential for very large, damaging hail, high winds, and some tornado risk.The main question for this afternoon remains just how many storms actually fire up. It is possible that only a couple of storms actually develop, which would keep the severe risk rather isolated. However, any storms that develop could be very intense, so pay close attention to development this afternoon.As storms push into eastern Iowa, they will likely grow in intensity. This is where the very large hail risk, potentially to around 3 inches in size, and the tornado risk will be highest. An intense tornado is possible if storms are able to take advantage of all the ingredients available today.A second area to watch is southern Iowa later tonight. Increasing southerly flow may help to develop an additional wave of storms spreading from south to north. With these storms occurring overnight, the severe risk is low. However, heavy rainfall and some small hail will be possible.Another chance for storms comes WednesdayStrong storms are possible again Wednesday, with a low chance for a few storms in the morning, and another round of strong to severe storms possible by the afternoon and evening.A stalled out front will still be sitting across parts of the state, and will be the focus for storm development once again going into the afternoon and evening hours. However, where that front sets up is still a little in question, as the Tuesday storms will have an influence on how far north or south it is able to move.More severe weather, including damaging winds, hail and tornadoes, are possible, but it will depend exactly what unfolds the day before on Tuesday.There still is the possibility Wednesday’s system moves fast enough that central Iowa avoids any storms at all.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Active weather is ahead for Iowa this week, including a few different opportunities for severe storms.

Here’s what to expect:

• Another round of strong to severe storms in central and eastern Iowa Tuesday afternoon
• Chances return Wednesday, especially for southern and eastern Iowa
• Friday brings the final chance for strong to severe storms to the state

Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts

Live updates

Tornado watch in effect until 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of central and eastern Iowa until 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The watch includes Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama, Warren, Washington and Winneshiek counties.

Hearst Owned

Storms likely Tuesday in central and eastern Iowa

A stalled out front cutting across the state this afternoon will likely be the focus for storm development by midafternoon into the evening hours. Strong to severe storms will be possible near and south of the front.

Hearst Owned

South of the boundary, highs will surge into the mid-80s with high humidity levels as well. This will provide plenty of fuel for any storms that form today.

Storms could form as early as 2 to 4pm near and just east of I-35. These storms will quickly intensify, and will bring the potential for very large, damaging hail, high winds, and some tornado risk.

The main question for this afternoon remains just how many storms actually fire up. It is possible that only a couple of storms actually develop, which would keep the severe risk rather isolated. However, any storms that develop could be very intense, so pay close attention to development this afternoon.

Hearst Owned

As storms push into eastern Iowa, they will likely grow in intensity. This is where the very large hail risk, potentially to around 3 inches in size, and the tornado risk will be highest. An intense tornado is possible if storms are able to take advantage of all the ingredients available today.

Hearst Owned

A second area to watch is southern Iowa later tonight. Increasing southerly flow may help to develop an additional wave of storms spreading from south to north. With these storms occurring overnight, the severe risk is low. However, heavy rainfall and some small hail will be possible.

Hearst Owned

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Des Moines: Iowa State Fairgrounds

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Des Moines: Northeast mixmaster

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Des Moines: Principal Park

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Algona: Security State Bank

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Altoona: Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel

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Ames: Flyover ramp

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Ankeny: The District

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Arnolds Park Amusement Park: West Lake Okoboji

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Downtown Atlantic

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Bettendorf: Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge

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Boone: Scenic Valley Railroad

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Boone: Seven Oaks Recreation

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Council Bluffs: Bayliss Park

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Council Bluffs: Lewis and Clark Monument Park

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Creston Greater Regional Health

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Indianola: Simpson College

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Iowa City: University of Iowa Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory

PHOTO: University of Iowa

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Lamoni: Amish Country Store

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Malcom: Interstate 80

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Marshalltown: Westown Apartments

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Osceola: Interstate 35/Highway 34 overpass

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Panora: Lake Panorama

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Pella: The Amsterdam Hotel

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Polk City: Big Creek Marina

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West Des Moines Public Library

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West Des Moines: West mixmaster

Another chance for storms comes Wednesday

Strong storms are possible again Wednesday, with a low chance for a few storms in the morning, and another round of strong to severe storms possible by the afternoon and evening.

Hearst Owned

A stalled out front will still be sitting across parts of the state, and will be the focus for storm development once again going into the afternoon and evening hours. However, where that front sets up is still a little in question, as the Tuesday storms will have an influence on how far north or south it is able to move.

More severe weather, including damaging winds, hail and tornadoes, are possible, but it will depend exactly what unfolds the day before on Tuesday.

There still is the possibility Wednesday’s system moves fast enough that central Iowa avoids any storms at all.

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Current Central Iowa temperatures

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Central Iowa 8-Day forecast from KCCI 8 News

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Live Doppler HD Metro

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Live Doppler HD Statewide Radar

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Live Doppler HD Polk County

PHOTO: kcci

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Current statewide temperatures

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Current statewide ‘feels like’ temperatures

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Live Doppler HD Southwest

PHOTO: kcci

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Live Doppler HD Southeast

PHOTO: kcci

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Live Doppler HD Northeast

PHOTO: kcci

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Live Doppler HD Northwest

PHOTO: kcci

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