IOWA — A highly unusual weather setup is unfolding across Iowa this weekend as forecasters warn that blizzard conditions and severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail may occur in the same region at nearly the same time.
While much of the state is currently under a Blizzard Warning, the latest outlook from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has introduced a Marginal Risk for severe weather, highlighting the possibility of large hail developing within thunderstorms across central and eastern Iowa Saturday night.
Meteorologists say the rare overlap of winter storm conditions and severe thunderstorm potential reflects the extreme atmospheric contrasts present in the current storm system moving across the Midwest.
Severe Hail Risk Centered Across Central and Eastern Iowa
The latest severe weather outlook shows the greatest potential for hail developing across portions of central and eastern Iowa, including areas near:
- Des Moines
- Ames
- Cedar Rapids
- Waterloo
- Iowa City
These areas fall within the region where thunderstorms could briefly develop within the broader winter storm system…