Des Moines, Iowa – A round of strong thunderstorms is set to hit western Iowa just after midnight Thursday, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain across the state through Thursday morning, threatening early commutes and local infrastructure.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, storms will begin moving into counties along the Nebraska border shortly after midnight Thursday and push eastward through dawn. The greatest risks include isolated severe storms with wind gusts up to 60 mph, plus heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding in low-lying and urban areas.
Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Carroll, and Des Moines are among the cities expected to see the strongest impacts, especially along I-29 and I-80 during the morning drive. Emergency managers urge residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings overnight, stay off flooded roads, and keep mobile devices charged in case of power outages.
This weather marks one of Iowa’s first major summer storm threats of July, with impacts similar to previous early-season events. Additional advisories may be issued if rainfall totals increase or storms intensify overnight.
Warnings remain in effect for central and western Iowa through Thursday morning. More updates are expected as conditions evolve.
