Strong to severe thunderstorms are forecast to develop late this (Tuesday) afternoon across far western Iowa and will quickly transition eastward this evening. The storms will have the potential to produce damaging winds in excess of 70 mph, large hail, and isolated rain wrapped tornadoes. The severe threat looks to continue through the late evening hours.

In addition to the severe weather threat, very heavy rain will accompany these thunderstorms. Rainfall rates of 3 to 5 inches per hour are possible along and south of Interstate 80. This is likely to lead to areas of flash flooding where rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be common, with some areas receiving over 5 inches by Wednesday morning. A Flash Flood Watch in is in effect this evening into Wednesday morning across the southern half of Iowa.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says Iowa didn’t see as much rain as it normally does during the month of May. “Preliminarily, it looks like May for the most part was a little bit on the warmer side than usual, thanks to a very warm end to the month,” Hillaker says. “And also most of the state was a bit drier than usual, with precipitation averaging out to about an inch and a third or so less than usual.”

Here in Atlantic, at the KJAN studios, we received 3.41-inches of rain. Normal for the month is 4.32. Hillaker says it has been awhile since we’ve seen a May like this.  He says it was the “Driest May in eight years, and also the driest spring in nine years.” There was another weather issue of note in May.

Hillaker says “Usually May is a pretty big month for severe weather, didn’t really have a large amount of severe weather, did have some. But overall, a little bit quieter than usual.” The average High for the month of May in Atlantic was 74 (normal is 73). The average Low was 49 (normal is 49). Hillaker says the month of June will be off to a stormy start in Iowa with above normal rainfall and near normal temperatures.