Weather

After the 2008 floods, the Iowa Legislature set aside about $1.2 million a year for the University of Iowa to develop a statewide flood monitoring system. Now, the Iowa Flood Information System is considered one of the best flood warning systems in the country.

Iowa has recorded just seven confirmed tornadoes in the first six months of 2025, partly due to jet streams from the Gulf hitting neighboring states.

The National Weather Service, which is responsible for tracking storms and warning the public about them, has lost hundreds of employees to federal cuts and voluntary resignations. Five former NWS heads released a letter last month outlining their concerns regarding the cuts.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued an extreme heat watch, in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening for much of Iowa, as well as portions of surrounding states. It warns of “dangerously hot conditions.”

The National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon downgraded the risk of severe storms in Eastern Iowa on Monday, but the higher risk remains for much of the northern third of the state.

The northern lights, which can appear green, pink and blue, are the result of geomagnetic storms. The more severe the storm, the more likely you are to be able to see the lights in Iowa. So long as skies aren’t cloudy.

Nearly a year after Iowa saw historic flooding and fatal tornadoes, legislation proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds that would help fund and streamline the assistance process for rebuilding after natural disasters is going to her desk for approval.

“Spring leaf out” is occurring earlier than average in northern states due to a warm March. In Iowa, in the Interstate 80 corridor and areas south, spring leaf out is occurring nearly two weeks earlier than normal.

Friday was unseasonably warm across Iowa. In Iowa City, temperatures topped out around 80 degrees. That’s nearly 30 degrees warmer than the average high temperature in late March. The bright sunshine brought people out to the the Pentacrest in downtown Iowa City.

The line of storms will be moving quickly, could bring damaging winds

A line of severe storms is expected to move through the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas between 8 and 11 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau. Storms are expected to be fast-moving, leaving little time to react.

With highs forecast in the 60s and 70s, the trails will be open for walkers on Mount Trashmore for three days this week.