A severe weather outbreak remains possible Monday across much of Iowa.Here’s what to know:Northern Iowa has a Level 4 of 5 risk for severe stormsSevere weather is possible from roughly 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.Monday’s storms could be very strong, but isolatedInteractive Radar | Weather Alerts | Latest forecastThe latest updates on Monday’s storms:Tornado warning for portions of NW Iowa countiesA tornado warning has been issued for southeastern Emmet County, northern Kossuth County and northern Palo Alto County. The warning is in effect until 6:30 p.m.Those in that area are encouraged to take cover.”Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building,” the NWS says. “Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.”Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the NWS says. ” Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”KCCI Storm Chaser: Zane Satre tracks tornado-warned storms in NW IowaTornado watch expanded south to Missouri borderThe tornado watch has been expanded southward to the Missouri border, and now includes Polk County. Nearly 50 counties are now under a tornado watch, which expires for most northern Iowa counties at 8 p.m. It expires at 11 p.m. for the following counties: Butler, Calhoun, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Sac, Winnebago, Worth and Wright.Primary threats include:A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likelyWidespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to 3″ in diameter likelyScattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possibleYou can see the latest watches and warnings here.Dusty drive in NW Iowa for KCCI Storm ChaserKeep an eye on weather across Iowa with KCCI’s skycamsWeather watchers can keep an eye on conditions by checking our skycam page, which shows aerial views from a dozen sites across the state.View from Algona: Security State BankView from Des Moines: KCCIView from Pella: The Amsterdam Hotel Fort Dodge airport reports 76 mph wind gust”It’s a tad windy today,” officials with the Fort Dodge Regional Airport posted on Facebook.At 4:40 p.m. Monday the post showed a current wind speed reading of 37 knots, which is 42.5 mph, and a maximum reading of 66 knots, or 76 mph.Iowa weather: Timeline of Monday’s expected stormsShare videos, photos of storm with KCCIIf you capture videos or photos of this week’s storms, please consider sharing them with us through this link.Here’s how to make sure your phone provides severe weather alertsWhen storms are in the forecast, you want to make sure your mobile phone settings allow for alerts that warn you of severe weather.The U.S. Homeland Security Department says to check your phone’s settings and ensure you have “Government Alerts” or “Emergency Alert Messages” enabled.You can keep track of the weather wherever you are with the KCCI app: Apple | Google PlayWe’ll send you weather alerts and you can track live radar right on your phone.Weather Aware: What’s the difference between a watch and a warning?Iowa weather: Zane Satre updates late Monday afternoon from Storm Chaser in northern IowaTornado safety tipsIf you are in a home, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.Do not open windows.If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.Possible actions (which do not guarantee safety) include:Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.How we describe hail size Traditionally, common objects like peas and golf balls and softballs have been used to describe the hail you may see. Here’s a guide to help.Some schools let out earlyWith the storms expected to hit mid- to late afternoon in many areas, some schools released their students early. Others completed the school day but canceled evening activities.Most early dismissals were limited to northern Iowa districts, including Algona, Belmond-Klemme and Eagle Grove.You can see a full list here.Significant severe weather possibleA “moderate” or Level 4 of 5 severe weather risk remains in place for northern Iowa — specifically areas north of Highway 20.The rest of the state remains in a Level 3, or “enhanced” risk for severe storms.This elevated risk is due to significant amounts of heat, moisture, and wind shear that will arrive Monday. Temperatures will top 80°, humidity levels will be the highest yet this spring, and winds will gust around 40 mph. Aloft, a ribbon of wind called a jet streak will further enhance the atmosphere’s wind shear.All this means the atmosphere will be primed to produce tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail — IF storms can ignite. The most likely area to see more widespread severe weather will be across northern Iowa this afternoon into the early evening. More isolated storms are possible for central and southern Iowa, developing later in the evening. There may only be one or two storms in this zone, but if they form, they will likely be severe.Number of storms could be limitedWhile the ingredients are there for severe weather, it’s not certain storms will actually be that widespread. The main limitation will be a lack of obvious triggers in Iowa to help storms start. Low pressure will be centered well to our north in Minnesota. The most likely feature to watch will be a boundary called a dry line moving into Iowa from Nebraska later in the afternoon.This dry line could set off storms that travel eastward through Iowa. Long window of storm potentialStorms likely won’t start up until early to mid-afternoon Monday. Northern/northwest Iowa will be the first area to watch. The approaching dry line will approach areas like Pocahontas and Emmetsburg around 1-4 p.m. Storms could fire then and zoom east near and north of Hwy. 20 into the evening. Farther south, the likelihood of storms is more questionable. The previously mentioned boundary will eventually travel through the rest of Iowa. For the southern two-thirds of the state, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the current window to watch for storm development. Any storm that develops in this zone will move east quickly with a significant risk for severe weather.Some additional storms are possible between 8 p.m. and Midnight as the main cold front pushes through the state, but these storms are less likely to be severe. By midnight to 2 a.m., the threat should be move out of southeast Iowa, leaving us quiet the rest of the night.

DES MOINES, Iowa —A severe weather outbreak remains possible Monday across much of Iowa.

Here’s what to know:

• Northern Iowa has a Level 4 of 5 risk for severe storms
• Severe weather is possible from roughly 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Monday’s storms could be very strong, but isolated

Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts | Latest forecast

The latest updates on Monday’s storms:

Tornado warning for portions of NW Iowa counties

A tornado warning has been issued for southeastern Emmet County, northern Kossuth County and northern Palo Alto County. The warning is in effect until 6:30 p.m.

Those in that area are encouraged to take cover.

“Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building,” the NWS says. “Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” the NWS says. ” Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

KCCI Storm Chaser: Zane Satre tracks tornado-warned storms in NW Iowa

Tornado watch expanded south to Missouri border

The tornado watch has been expanded southward to the Missouri border, and now includes Polk County.

Nearly 50 counties are now under a tornado watch, which expires for most northern Iowa counties at 8 p.m. It expires at 11 p.m. for the following counties: Butler, Calhoun, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Sac, Winnebago, Worth and Wright.

Primary threats include:

• A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likely
• Widespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to 3″ in diameter likely
• Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

You can see the latest watches and warnings here.

Dusty drive in NW Iowa for KCCI Storm Chaser

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Keep an eye on weather across Iowa with KCCI’s skycams

Weather watchers can keep an eye on conditions by checking our skycam page, which shows aerial views from a dozen sites across the state.

View from Algona: Security State Bank

View from Des Moines: KCCI

View from Pella: The Amsterdam Hotel

Fort Dodge airport reports 76 mph wind gust

“It’s a tad windy today,” officials with the Fort Dodge Regional Airport posted on Facebook.

At 4:40 p.m. Monday the post showed a current wind speed reading of 37 knots, which is 42.5 mph, and a maximum reading of 66 knots, or 76 mph.

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Iowa weather: Timeline of Monday’s expected storms

If you capture videos or photos of this week’s storms, please consider sharing them with us through this link.

Here’s how to make sure your phone provides severe weather alerts

When storms are in the forecast, you want to make sure your mobile phone settings allow for alerts that warn you of severe weather.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department says to check your phone’s settings and ensure you have “Government Alerts” or “Emergency Alert Messages” enabled.

You can keep track of the weather wherever you are with the KCCI app: Apple | Google Play

We’ll send you weather alerts and you can track live radar right on your phone.

Weather Aware: What’s the difference between a watch and a warning?

Tornado safety tips

If you are in a home, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:

• Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.
• Do not open windows.

If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:

• Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.

If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.

Possible actions (which do not guarantee safety) include:

• Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
• Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.
• Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.

How we describe hail size

Traditionally, common objects like peas and golf balls and softballs have been used to describe the hail you may see. Here’s a guide to help.

Some schools let out early

With the storms expected to hit mid- to late afternoon in many areas, some schools released their students early. Others completed the school day but canceled evening activities.

Most early dismissals were limited to northern Iowa districts, including Algona, Belmond-Klemme and Eagle Grove.

You can see a full list here.

Significant severe weather possible

A “moderate” or Level 4 of 5 severe weather risk remains in place for northern Iowa — specifically areas north of Highway 20.

The rest of the state remains in a Level 3, or “enhanced” risk for severe storms.

This elevated risk is due to significant amounts of heat, moisture, and wind shear that will arrive Monday. Temperatures will top 80°, humidity levels will be the highest yet this spring, and winds will gust around 40 mph. Aloft, a ribbon of wind called a jet streak will further enhance the atmosphere’s wind shear.

All this means the atmosphere will be primed to produce tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail — IF storms can ignite.

The most likely area to see more widespread severe weather will be across northern Iowa this afternoon into the early evening. More isolated storms are possible for central and southern Iowa, developing later in the evening. There may only be one or two storms in this zone, but if they form, they will likely be severe.

Number of storms could be limited

While the ingredients are there for severe weather, it’s not certain storms will actually be that widespread.

The main limitation will be a lack of obvious triggers in Iowa to help storms start. Low pressure will be centered well to our north in Minnesota. The most likely feature to watch will be a boundary called a dry line moving into Iowa from Nebraska later in the afternoon.

This dry line could set off storms that travel eastward through Iowa.

Long window of storm potential

Storms likely won’t start up until early to mid-afternoon Monday.

Northern/northwest Iowa will be the first area to watch. The approaching dry line will approach areas like Pocahontas and Emmetsburg around 1-4 p.m. Storms could fire then and zoom east near and north of Hwy. 20 into the evening.

Farther south, the likelihood of storms is more questionable.

The previously mentioned boundary will eventually travel through the rest of Iowa. For the southern two-thirds of the state, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the current window to watch for storm development. Any storm that develops in this zone will move east quickly with a significant risk for severe weather.

Some additional storms are possible between 8 p.m. and Midnight as the main cold front pushes through the state, but these storms are less likely to be severe. By midnight to 2 a.m., the threat should be move out of southeast Iowa, leaving us quiet the rest of the night.