Des Moines, Iowa – Strong to severe thunderstorms are set to sweep across Iowa late Monday, bringing the risk of damaging winds and large hail from the afternoon into the overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, storms are expected to first develop between 4 and 7 p.m. across northern Iowa, particularly along and north of Highway 20. The system will then track southward through central Iowa late Monday evening, with storms reaching areas along Highway 30 between 9 p.m. and midnight and the Interstate 80 corridor from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Primary threats include winds strong enough to down trees and power lines, as well as hail large enough to damage vehicles and crops. Communities from Mason City to Ames and down into Des Moines should stay alert for rapid weather changes. Outdoor activities Monday evening could be disrupted, and residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive warnings.
Officials recommend avoiding non-essential travel during peak storm hours and seeking sturdy indoor shelter if warnings are issued. The severe threat will gradually shift southeast overnight, with conditions improving by early Tuesday morning.
Warnings may be updated through the night as storms intensify.
