Overnight storms return to central and eastern Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa — After a brief taste of September with lower humidity and cooler air, mid-July warmth and mugginess are back across Iowa, setting the stage for two rounds of thunderstorms—one arriving overnight into Saturday morning, and another expected late Saturday into early Sunday.
Much of central and eastern Iowa falls under a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather during both timeframes. The primary threats include gusty winds, possible hail, and locally heavy rainfall. These storms will develop despite partly cloudy skies, fueled by rising dew points and warmer overnight lows.
Short-range forecast models, specifically the HRRR and GRAF, offer slightly different takes on the timing and intensity of the incoming systems. However, both suggest widespread showers and thunderstorms developing in the early hours of Saturday, then another wave late Saturday night through early Sunday. Accumulated rain totals by Sunday morning are expected to range between 0.5 and 1.5 inches (12 to 38 mm), with isolated spots picking up even more.
Scattered thunderstorms could linger into Monday and Tuesday, with a renewed chance by Friday, though current signals remain less organized compared to this weekend.
High temperatures are trending upward, with daytime highs reaching the mid to upper 80s (29–31 °C) through the weekend. Starting Tuesday, a renewed push of heat and humidity could bring temperatures back into the low 90s (32–34 °C) in parts of southern and central Iowa.
Stay weather-aware through the weekend as storm timing and strength may shift slightly in the coming hours.
