Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Central Iowa to Southern Lake Michigan

Storm Prediction Center warns of large hail and gusty winds overnight

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:41am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, with a dramatic, turbulent sky filled with swirling clouds that dwarf any physical structures or objects below, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of an approaching severe weather system.The Storm Prediction Center's severe thunderstorm watch warns of the imminent arrival of a powerful, awe-inspiring weather system that could bring large hail and damaging winds to the region.Norman Today

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for an area stretching from central Iowa to southern Lake Michigan, with the threat of large hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter and wind gusts up to 60 mph expected overnight.

Why it matters

Severe thunderstorms can cause significant property damage, power outages, and pose a risk to public safety, especially in populated areas. The Storm Prediction Center's watch aims to give residents and local authorities advance warning to prepare and take appropriate precautions.

The details

According to the Mesoscale Discussion from the Storm Prediction Center, a strong short-wave trough is moving through the region, helping to fuel the development of scattered deep convection. Sustained low-level warm advection will continue through the night, potentially leading to additional storm development in addition to the two main clusters already observed. The primary concern is the threat of large hail, with the latest MESH data indicating hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter within the stronger updrafts.

  • The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is valid from 4:29 PM CDT on March 31, 2026 until 6:30 PM CDT on March 31, 2026.

The players

Storm Prediction Center

A division of the National Weather Service that is responsible for issuing severe weather watches and warnings for the contiguous United States.

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What’s next

Residents in the affected area should monitor the weather closely, be prepared to take shelter if severe storms approach, and heed any warnings or instructions from local authorities.

The takeaway

This severe thunderstorm threat highlights the importance of having a plan in place to stay safe during extreme weather events, and the value of the Storm Prediction Center's work in providing advance notice to communities that may be impacted.