Forecasters say scattered showers and thunderstorms are in today’s (Tuesday) forecast for much of Iowa with the chance of severe weather this afternoon. That includes the possibility of hail, high winds and tornadoes. A High Wind Watch is posted for late today into tomorrow, according to Frank Boksa, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in metro Des Moines.

High Wind Watch for counties shaded in brownish-gold

Boksa says, “We’re going to see winds out of the north and they’re going to increase to 30 or 40 miles an hour sustained and we could see gusts of 60 miles an hour or higher.” While the calendar says spring is due to arrive this weekend, Iowa may be returning to winter weather later this week.

“Since we’re bringing in colder air, especially at night, temperatures will likely drop to cold enough to change that rain over to snow or at least a wintery mix of rain and snow,” Boksa says. “That’s what we’re expecting Thursday into Friday.”

(Radio Iowa)