Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, June 25, 2024

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
249 PM CDT Tue Jun 25 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to a few severe storms late afternoon into the evening
  with main concern from large hail, damaging winds and locally
  heavy rainfall central and south.

- Larger complex of storms overnight across southwest half of
  Iowa with damaging winds main concern.

- Hydrologic discussion below main discussion details ongoing
  river flooding and future locally heavy rainfall potential

- Drying out this weekend with more seasonal temperature and
  humidity this weekend

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 248 PM CDT Tue Jun 25 2024

Boundary has settled down into the state this afternoon with
lingering isolated convection into southern Iowa.  Temperatures have
once again climbed into the low 90s over the southern two-thirds of
Iowa outside the areas with clouds with heat index values hovering
around 100 in most locations in central and southern Iowa. The
convection in the south has persisted but coverage has slowly been
decreasing into the early afternoon with a bit of a col region in
the low levels moving into southern Iowa.  However, another weak
wave is currently over the Nebraska Sandhills and is forecast to
move southeast into tonight helping to produce the upcoming weather
across the state.  Instability is once again very strong with the
high dewpoints and temperatures but is still be suppressed by
relatively warm mid level temperatures.  CAMS have continued to
produce some isolated to scattered convection starting late this
afternoon near the boundary in an east west corridor across the
central portion of the state.  Low level shear is relatively weak
and the main concern with these storms will be large hail with the
initial updrafts and then possible strong to severe wind gusts as
the storms mature. There is the possibility of a brief tornado
during the development stage, but given the weak surface flow and
low level shear, this threat remains very limited. However, with the
high amounts of moisture, the storms may also produce locally heavy
rainfall and perhaps an isolated flash flood event, but widespread
heavy rainfall is not anticipated with these storms.

As the evening progresses, the weak wave in Nebraska moves east with
additional convection developing in eastern Nebraska into western
Iowa.  The HRRR has been steadfast since late yesterday in
organizing this convection into a line and pushing it southeast
through central and southern Iowa tonight along the instability
gradient.  More recently, the larger scale models also indicate an
MCS developing as the low level jet intensifies this evening and
passing through the state in similar fashion into tonight.
Therefore, have increased the PoPs through this evening into the
early morning hours central and south in anticipation of this
convective system.  Damaging winds will be the primary threat with
the storms with hail as a secondary.  The 0-3KM shear vector is
marginal at 25-30kts, therefore any QLCS tornado threat may be
somewhat limited.  Otherwise, the other concern will be from heavy
rainfall although the progressive nature of the system is likely to
limit the overall flash flooding threat.  This activity departs the
south towards daybreak on Wednesday with drier and cooler air
arriving from the north.

Quiet conditions are then forecast through Wednesday into much of
Thursday morning as subsidence and a drier airmass remain in place
across much of the state.  However, warm advection and increasing
theta-e advection by later in the day and particularly Thursday
night into early Friday is likely to lead to widespread convection
into Iowa, particularly across the southern half of Iowa.  Some
redevelopment of storms may occur in the far south on Friday
afternoon prior to a front passing through the entire forecast area,
but it appears that a good portion of the area should remain dry.
Cooler and drier conditions return for the weekend with relatively
pleasant weather for outdoor activity.  A return to more active
weather is then anticipated into next week as upper flow becomes
more west to southwest across the western half of the CONUS.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1249 PM CDT Tue Jun 25 2024

Anticipate convection becoming more widespread late this
afternoon into the overnight across central and southern Iowa
with local MVFR to IFR conditions in and around the showers and
storms. Mainly VFR conditions across northern Iowa. Conditions
are expected to improve by Wednesday morning as the storms move
southeast and drier air arrives in the state. Surface winds
remain light and variable but will be gusty in and around
storms. The winds become northerly and increase by Wednesday
morning behind a cold front.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 248 AM CDT Tue Jun 25 2024

Moderate to record river flooding is occurring or is forecast on the
West Fork Des Moines River, mainstem Des Moines River and parts of
the Cedar River basin. The greatest immediate concern is river
forecasts from the Humboldt area down to Fort Dodge. The crest may
come in lower than expected but still significant. We continue to
assess the data including real-time, in-situ river flow measurements
made by our partners at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) which
help us in the river forecast process. Some of the USGS staff endure
dangerous conditions to make these measurements because they
sometimes require wading or boating into the floodwaters and swift
currents.

NASA SPoRT relative soil moisture (RSM) continues to show more
limited capacity over northern Iowa mainly north of U.S. Highway 20.
Fortunately, much of the rainfall for later today into tonight is
forecast to fall south of Highway 20 where RSM is lower/more
capacity is available. This is also where USGS daily and 7 day
streamflows shows river basins in the normal percentile versus
northern Iowa at much above of high streamflows. Thus, again
suggesting some capacity for rainfall that falls later today into
tonight.

The next chance for rainfall will be later Thursday through Friday
night. It remains to be seen what kind of flash flood risk may
result with the latest WPC excessive rainfall outlook at slight (2
out of 4) for a good portion of Iowa. While the experimental
Hydrologic Ensemble Forecasting Service (HEFS) based on GEFS QPF
points to mainly within bank rises at the 10% chance exceedance
level, it will depend on where and how much rain falls in the
basins. This will ultimately determine whether a given river
response is a quicker rise, higher or prolonged crest, or a slower
fall.

Make sure to stay up to date on the latest forecasts and river
information, avoid flooded areas and rivers, and never drive around
barricades or through flooded areas.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for IAZ070-081-082-
092>094.

&&

DISCUSSION...Cogil
AVIATION...Cogil
HYDROLOGY...Zogg

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
322 AM CDT Tue Jun 25 2024

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-071>075-
083>086-095>097-260830-
Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-
Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun-
Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Crawford-Carroll-Greene-
Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-
Poweshiek-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-
Wapello-Wayne-Appanoose-Davis-
322 AM CDT Tue Jun 25 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight

It will be hot and humid again today, with heat index values
approaching 100 degrees in some areas.

Thunderstorms are likely from this afternoon into tonight,
especially south of Highway 20. There is a risk of severe
weather during this time, with damaging winds and large hail the
primary threats. Locally heavy rainfall and a few tornadoes may
also be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Thunderstorm chances return to the forecast at times from late
Thursday through Friday. Heavy rain will be possible during this
time. The potential for any severe thunderstorm hazards will be
better assessed in the coming days.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.

IAZ070-081-082-092>094-260830-
Cass-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-
322 AM CDT Tue Jun 25 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight

A Heat Advisory is in effect for the area this afternoon and
evening. Please visit weather.gov/dmx for more details.

Thunderstorms are likely from this afternoon into tonight. There
is a risk of severe weather during this time, with damaging winds
and large hail the primary threats. Locally heavy rainfall and a
few tornadoes may also be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Thunderstorm chances return to the forecast at times from late
Thursday through Friday. Heavy rain will be possible during this
time. The potential for any severe thunderstorm hazards will be
better assessed in the coming days.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.