Iowa
Are tornadoes in Iowa possible today? Here’s what forecasters say
National Weather Service tornado safety guidelines
What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?
- Severe storms are expected to hit Iowa again Tuesday, bringing the possibility of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds.
- The National Weather Service has issued an Enhanced Risk for parts of Iowa, indicating a higher chance of organized severe thunderstorms.
- Forecasters warn that strong tornadoes and giant hail are possible with the most intense storms.
- The severe weather threat is expected to continue through the week, with another strong system anticipated on Friday.
Severe storms are expected to sweep across Iowa again in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14, with forecasters warning of all severe weather hazards possible — including tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds — as multiple rounds of storms move through the region through midweek.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of Iowa under an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for Tuesday, signaling a higher likelihood of organized severe thunderstorms, including supercells capable of producing strong tornadoes and very large hail.
What is the weather today in Iowa?
Forecasters expect storms to develop late Tuesday afternoon into the evening as a stalled frontal boundary sits across eastern Iowa into Wisconsin. A surge of warm, moisture-rich air moving north from the Missouri Valley will collide with steep mid-level lapse rates and strong wind shear, creating an environment supportive of severe storms.
If storms can form, they are expected to quickly become supercells.
“Large to giant hail and an intense tornado will be possible with the strongest storms,” the Storm Prediction Center noted, especially where wind shear is maximized near surface boundaries.
Are tornadoes in Iowa possible?
Yes — tornadoes are possible across Iowa Tuesday afternoon and evening, though forecasters say the setup is still uncertain and depends on how storms evolve during the day, according to the National Weather Service.
A key factor is a “cap” in the atmosphere that could delay or limit storm development, making the exact timing and placement of storms difficult to pin down early.
Even if afternoon storms remain scattered, activity is expected to increase later Tuesday night as a low-level jet strengthens over the Plains and Midwest. That pattern should help trigger more widespread thunderstorms, especially across southern and central Iowa.
Some of these storms may become elevated above the surface overnight, which could slightly reduce the tornado threat at that point. However, that setup would still support hazards such as heavy rainfall, frequent lightning and hail, particularly in stronger storm clusters.
Still, forecasters say all severe weather hazards remain on the table.
Tornadoes are possible, and a few could be strong if storms stay isolated and develop into discrete supercells.
Large to giant hail is also a concern within the strongest rotating storms that form along boundaries in the warm sector.
Damaging wind gusts may become more widespread later in the evening if storms organize into larger clusters or storm complexes moving across the state.
Storms continue through Friday
Additional severe weather is possible on Wednesday as another upper-level disturbance moves into the region. The exact risk will depend on how Tuesday’s storms evolve and how much instability remains in place.
If conditions recover, supercells with all hazards — including tornadoes — could redevelop across parts of Iowa during peak daytime heating. For now, forecasters have maintained a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for Wednesday.
The active pattern does not end midweek. Another strong system is expected on Friday, bringing a new round of severe storms across much of Iowa ahead of a fast-moving cold front.
Behind it, temperatures will drop sharply over the weekend, with highs falling into the 40s and 50s and a hard freeze possible in northern areas by Saturday night.
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Iowa weather watches and warnings
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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com.