Sheldon, Iowa (RI assist) — Northwest Iowans will want to keep an eye on the sky late this afternoon and tonight as severe weather is possible.
National Weather Service meteorologists say a cold front is moving through the region from the northwest. They tell us that areas along and southeast of a line from Vermillion to Slayton will see the greatest potential for late afternoon and evening thunderstorms. That would include almost our entire four county area of Lyon, O’Brien, Oseceola and Sioux counties, with the exception of extreme northwest Lyon County.
They tell us risks include hail two inches in diameter and 60-65 mph wind gusts. Severe thunderstorm risks end by 11 p.m. Spotter activation may be possible after 3 p.m. Thursday along and southeast of a line from Vermillion to Windom. That would include the whole four-county area again, except the northwest half of Lyon County and Sioux County northwest of Rock Valley and Hawarden. They tell us the highest potential in the Sioux Falls region would be southeast of a line from Sioux City to Windom — which is basically Highway 60.
According to information from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, we are in a band where there is only about a two percent chance for a tornado. There is an area of southwest Iowa and adjacent areas of Nebraska that has a five percent chance.
The forecast calls for another chance of rain for Easter Sunday into Sunday night.
KIWA Staff Photo
