116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
National Weather Service warns of ‘particularly dangerous situation’ across Iowa today
Highest risk of severe weather in Eastern Iowa is this afternoon and evening
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of the state of Iowa today, warning that it is a “particularly dangerous situation.”
The phrase is specific wording that’s used in rare situations when “long-lived, strong and violent tornadoes are possible,” according to the NWS. The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday, and covers most of the state, from west of Fort Dodge, to western Illinois.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin until 9 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/26HZfS1Fhm
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) May 21, 2024
Early on Tuesday, the National Weather Service’s Quad Cities bureau issued a briefing that put all of Eastern Iowa under a “moderate” risk for severe weather, the fourth-highest risk on the severe weather threat scale. Possible weather includes strong tornadoes, damaging wind gusts of more than 70 mph and very large hail.
🚨Update to TODAY'S severe weather potential!🚨
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) May 21, 2024
Widespread severe storms are likely today, especially between 5 PM and 11 PM tonight as a line of storms barrels through our region. Here's a 🧵 of the latest details! (1/5)#IAwx #ILwx #MOwx pic.twitter.com/MtjjH8Bsrr
Almost all of the National Weather Service’s Quad Cities bureau forecast area is under a moderate risk for severe weather, including portions of Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri.
The timing of the storms includes two rounds.
- The next round of storms, which the National Weather Service has low confidence will develop, is expected along and north of Interstate 80, between 1 and 6 p.m. If the storm does develop, tornadoes, wind and hail are possible.
- The greatest chance for severe weather today is this evening, between 6 and 11 p.m., and it’s possible across all of Eastern Iowa, moving from west to east. Strong winds of 75 mph are the greatest risk, followed by hail and tornadoes.
Graphics released by the National Weather Service show the timing of severe weather across Iowa and Illinois. The greatest risk of severe weather in Cedar Rapids will be between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. In Dubuque, the greatest risk for storms will be between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.
In the Des Moines area, where the most severe weather is expected to arrive this afternoon, school districts have announced plans to dismiss school early. They include the Ankeny, Des Moines, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines school districts.
Some areas of Iowa also are experiencing flooding as a result of heavy rain Tuesday. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Iowa River at Marengo, which is expected to crest at 16.2 feet early Friday, above the 15-foot flood stage.
The National Weather Service’s Quad Cities bureau will next update its storm prediction by 3 p.m.
The latest forecasts from the National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau are available on X, formerly Twitter. Weather updates also can be found on TV and radio stations, as well as Alert Iowa — an online system that sends text, email and call alerts.
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