Overnight, there's a possibility of strong winds, potentially leading to a derecho event.
Headline: Prepare for Possible Derecho or Strong Winds in Eastern Iowa Overnight
Overnight on Monday into Tuesday, parts of the Midwest, including Eastern Iowa, are at risk for a potential derecho or strong damaging winds. The National Weather Service has issued a warning for this severe weather event, highlighting the enhanced risk across the region.
A derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms, producing numerous wind gusts exceeding 75 mph. This severe weather threat includes the potential for hurricane-force winds, damaging gusts, tornadoes, and large hail.
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded a portion of eastern Iowa to a Level 3 out of 5 Enhanced Risk for severe storms, indicating a higher chance of these powerful winds. Areas southeast are under a Level 2 out of 5 Slight Risk for severe weather.
It is important to note that the 2020 derecho was one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the Midwest, causing damage estimated at over $11-billion. The winds were so strong that they flattened crops, ripped roofs off houses, and destroyed more than half of the tree canopy in Cedar Rapids.
Meteorologist Donna Dubberke warns everyone to closely monitor the forecast and the sky, as storms are expected to develop in South Dakota into Minnesota late this afternoon into early evening. Dubberke is also concerned about toppling trees in the current weather conditions, as Iowa has had a lot of rain recently, making shallow root systems in moist soil more susceptible to falling during a powerful wind storm.
Residents of Eastern Iowa and nearby areas should prepare for the possibility of a derecho or strong damaging winds overnight Monday into Tuesday. To stay informed, sign up for Delaware County Alerts at https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=DelawareCountyAlerts. It is crucial to have a warning method that will wake you up in case of an emergency.
Cleanup from the 2020 winds took a full year, so it is best to be prepared and take precautions to minimise any potential damage. Dubberke states that tonight's events are not expected to be as severe as the 2020 derecho, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation evolves, and remember to closely monitor the forecast and the sky.
- The National Weather Service has issued a warning for a possible derecho or strong winds in Eastern Iowa overnight, highlighting the enhanced risk across the region.
- A derecho can produce numerous wind gusts exceeding 75 mph, with the potential for hurricane-force winds and damaging gusts, tornadoes, and large hail.
- The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded a portion of eastern Iowa to a Level 3 out of 5 Enhanced Risk for severe storms, indicating a higher chance of these powerful winds.
- Last year's derecho was one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the Midwest, causing over $11-billion in damage, flattening crops, ripping roofs off houses, and destroying more than half of the tree canopy in Cedar Rapids.
- Meteorologist Donna Dubberke warns everyone in Eastern Iowa to closely monitor the forecast and the sky, as storms are expected to develop in South Dakota into Minnesota late this afternoon into early evening.
- To stay informed about potential emergencies, residents of Eastern Iowa and nearby areas should sign up for Delaware County Alerts at https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=DelawareCountyAlerts.
