IOWA — Hailstorms moved into the Quad Cities area from the northwest Wednesday morning, bringing hail up to the size of nickels along with gusty winds. Some storms were capable of producing hail as large as quarters at times. The storms were expected to slide southeast into central Illinois through the morning, and roads in some areas could become covered with hail.
Strongest Storms Between Cedar Rapids and Davenport
Radar showed a cluster of strong storms stretching from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City east toward Maquoketa, Eldridge, and Davenport. The heaviest cores were located south of Cedar Rapids, near Iowa City, and between Maquoketa and Eldridge.
A highlighted warning area covered parts of eastern Iowa from west of Cedar Rapids to Clinton, including Iowa City, Maquoketa, and Eldridge. A smaller area of strong storms was also moving through the Davenport area.
Hail May Cover the Ground in Spots
The storms were capable of producing large amounts of hail, enough to cover the ground and roads in some areas. Hail-covered roads can become slick, similar to driving on ice, especially on bridges and overpasses.
Drivers in Davenport, Bettendorf, and surrounding areas should slow down and avoid sudden braking if they encounter hail on the road. Visibility could also drop quickly in heavy hail and rain.
Storms Moving Southeast Into Central Illinois
The storms are expected to continue moving southeast through the morning, crossing the Mississippi River into western and central Illinois. Communities such as Aledo, Galesburg, Kewanee, and areas farther southeast could see hail and gusty winds as the storms arrive…