Des Moines, Iowa – Funnel clouds could develop over southern Iowa through early Wednesday evening, and a few may briefly reach the ground as showers and weak thunderstorms move across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, atmospheric conditions are favorable for funnel clouds with developing showers and thunderstorms across southern Iowa this afternoon into early evening. The funnels typically last only a short time and extend a few hundred feet below the cloud base.
The Weather Service said these funnel clouds rarely develop into tornadoes or cause damage. However, a few could briefly touch the ground, making rapidly changing conditions important to monitor across communities south of the Des Moines metro.
People outdoors should keep an eye on the sky and have weather alerts enabled. Anyone who sees a funnel approaching the ground should move indoors and away from windows rather than stopping outside to photograph it. Drivers should avoid pulling onto road shoulders to watch developing storms.
The funnel cloud potential is tied to showers and weak thunderstorms developing across southern Iowa and is expected to continue into early evening. Residents should monitor National Weather Service updates in case any circulation strengthens enough to prompt additional alerts.
