Rain is on it’s way to eastern Iowa, along with an increased risk of severe storms. According to the National Weather Service severe storms are possible Wednesday afternoon and night. Potential impacts include damaging winds, large hail, and frequent lightning. The slight risk includes all of Washington, Keokuk, Jefferson, Henry, and Louisa Counties along with the southern halves of Iowa and Johnson Counties. The risk drops to marginal north of I-80. The overall severe risk will decrease with time Wednesday night.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen explains the difference between a watch and a warning, “So a watch means that conditions are right for severe thunderstorms to occur. A warning means it is happening, or it is going to happen.” Any time a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued for Washington County, KCII will stop normal programming and bring you up to the minute coverage of the storm until it is cancelled by the National Weather Service.

Listen to KCII for weather updates.