A line of storms tied to a cold front is moving across eastern Iowa tonight, with the strongest weather expected to hit western communities first and reach Cedar Rapids and Iowa City later in the evening. Damaging winds are the main threat, though hail and an isolated tornado cannot be fully ruled out.
Storms that developed to the west were expected to push into the western or northwestern fringes of the TV9 viewing area around 7 p.m., then sweep into the middle of the area, including Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, by about 8 to 9 p.m. The line was expected to reach the eastern part of the viewing area around 10 to 11 p.m., with the risk for severe weather fading later in the night and looking fairly low closer to the Mississippi River.
A few scattered showers or storms could also pop up ahead of the main line at any time, but the overall severe threat was expected to be strongest as the line moves through western communities. The timing matters because a First Alert Day is in effect for the region, giving residents a narrow window tonight to make sure they have a way to get warnings and move quickly if storms turn severe.
Once the line passes, the weather is expected to improve fast. A few isolated showers or storms could linger overnight, but most areas should turn dry and fairly clear by daybreak, with lows slipping into the 40s northwest and the low to mid 50s in the southeast. Friday is expected to bring widespread sunshine and highs in the mid to upper 60s.
The calmer stretch may not last long. Weekend highs should hold in the 60s to 70s, with overnight lows in the 40s, though Sunday is expected to turn mostly cloudy and a bit breezier. Another storm system is expected to bring a good chance of rain and storms starting Sunday night and continuing into Monday.
