Davenport, Iowa – Residents across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois should prepare for a wet and potentially hazardous Friday as multiple rounds of thunderstorms bring the risk of 1 to 3 inches of rain, localized flash flooding and a few strong to severe storms through the day and into Friday evening.
According to the National Weather Service Quad Cities office, a low-pressure system moving through the Midwest will produce widespread rainfall with a 70% to 90% chance of precipitation across the region. The heaviest rainfall is expected Friday morning through Friday afternoon, when thunderstorms may produce rainfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour.
The greatest concern is localized flash flooding in urban areas, low-lying locations, fields and places with poor drainage. Forecasters also warn that smaller creeks and tributary rivers could rise quickly as repeated rounds of heavy rain move through eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois.
Communities including Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Dubuque, Burlington, Freeport and Sterling should remain alert for rapidly changing conditions. The National Weather Service estimates a 50% to 70% chance that many areas north of Interstate 80 receive at least 2 inches of rain by Saturday morning.
A second concern develops Friday afternoon and evening as thunderstorms redevelop along and ahead of a cold front. The Storm Prediction Center places the southwestern portion of the forecast area under a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe weather between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. The primary threats include isolated damaging wind gusts, dangerous lightning and a brief tornado that cannot be ruled out.
Residents should avoid driving through flooded roadways, monitor forecasts throughout the day and ensure multiple methods are available to receive weather warnings. Additional flood or severe thunderstorm alerts may be issued as conditions evolve through Friday.
