LIVE WEATHER UPDATES: Severe weather rolls through central, eastern Iowa

Updated: 6:47 PM CDT Apr 14, 2026

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Active weather is ahead for Iowa this week, including a few different opportunities for severe storms.Here’s what to expect:Another round of strong to severe storms in central and eastern Iowa Tuesday afternoonChances return Wednesday, especially for southern and eastern IowaFriday brings the final chance for strong to severe storms to the stateInteractive Radar | Weather AlertsWatch: Hail pummels HubbardTracking severe weather in central IowaKCCI’s Abigail Kurten in Storm Chaser tracking storms in Grundy CountySevere thunderstorm warningThe NWS has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Hardin, Franklin, Grundy and Butler counties until 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. Trained weather spotters have located a storm capable of 60 mph winds and quarter sized hail.Tornado watch in effect until 10 p.m.The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of central and eastern Iowa until 10 p.m. Tuesday.The watch includes Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Chickasaw, Clayton, Clinton, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Howard, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama, Warren, Washington and Winneshiek counties.Viewers submit photos of hail and storm cloudsStorms likely Tuesday in central and eastern IowaA stalled out front cutting across the state this afternoon will likely be the focus for storm development by midafternoon into the evening hours. Strong to severe storms will be possible near and south of the front.South of the boundary, highs will surge into the mid-80s with high humidity levels as well. This will provide plenty of fuel for any storms that form today.Storms could form as early as 2 to 4pm near and just east of I-35. These storms will quickly intensify, and will bring the potential for very large, damaging hail, high winds, and some tornado risk.The main question for this afternoon remains just how many storms actually fire up. It is possible that only a couple of storms actually develop, which would keep the severe risk rather isolated. However, any storms that develop could be very intense, so pay close attention to development this afternoon.As storms push into eastern Iowa, they will likely grow in intensity. This is where the very large hail risk, potentially to around 3 inches in size, and the tornado risk will be highest. An intense tornado is possible if storms are able to take advantage of all the ingredients available today.A second area to watch is southern Iowa later tonight. Increasing southerly flow may help to develop an additional wave of storms spreading from south to north. With these storms occurring overnight, the severe risk is low. However, heavy rainfall and some small hail will be possible.Another chance for storms comes WednesdayStrong storms are possible again Wednesday, with a low chance for a few storms in the morning, and another round of strong to severe storms possible by the afternoon and evening.A stalled out front will still be sitting across parts of the state, and will be the focus for storm development once again going into the afternoon and evening hours. However, where that front sets up is still a little in question, as the Tuesday storms will have an influence on how far north or south it is able to move.More severe weather, including damaging winds, hail and tornadoes, are possible, but it will depend exactly what unfolds the day before on Tuesday.There still is the possibility Wednesday’s system moves fast enough that central Iowa avoids any storms at all.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play