Davenport, Iowa – Evening storms could quickly intensify across eastern Iowa, placing nearly a dozen counties along the Mississippi River and Interstate 80 corridor under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until midnight Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 35 includes Cedar, Clinton, Dubuque, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Muscatine, Scott and Washington counties. Major population centers in the watch area include Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Muscatine and Clinton.
Storms developing late Tuesday evening may produce damaging wind gusts, intense lightning and brief torrential rain capable of slowing travel on key routes such as Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 61 and U.S. Highway 151. Drivers across Scott and Johnson counties could encounter rapidly changing conditions after sunset as storms push east toward the Mississippi River.
Emergency managers urge residents to secure outdoor items, keep phones charged and monitor alerts through the evening hours. Communities including Bettendorf, Coralville, North Liberty and Maquoketa remain within the watch area.
The severe thunderstorm watch continues until 12 a.m. Wednesday, and additional warnings could be issued if stronger storms develop across eastern Iowa overnight. Residents should remain weather aware as the system moves through the region.
