The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Des Moines issued a special weather statement at 3 p.m. Wednesday for residents of Dallas County and Webster, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Audubon, Guthrie, Polk, Jasper, Cass, Adair, Madison and Warren counties.
The NWS statement said that strong to severe thunderstorms have developed over west central Iowa Wednesday afternoon and are expected to slowly move eastward across the heart of Iowa into the early evening hours.
Some of the stronger storms might produce wind gusts to 50 mph or more as well as hail.
Locally heavy rains are also expected, which may produce rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour over small areas. This may lead to low visibility, ponding of water on roads and rapid rises in small streams and creeks.
People planning or participating in outdoor activities should monitor weather conditions closely and be prepared to seek shelter if threatening weather approaches.
Along with the Perry area, cities included in the NWS advisory include Fort Dodge, Webster City, Iowa Falls, Eldora, Ackley, Grundy Center, Reinbeck, Conrad, Dike, Wellsburg, Carroll, Jefferson, Boone, Ames, Marshalltown, Audubon, Exira, Guthrie Center, Panora, Bayard, Casey, Waukee, Adel, Des Moines, Newton, Atlantic, Greenfield, Stuart, Adair, Fontanelle, Winterset, Earlham, Indianola, Norwalk and Carlisle.
ThePerryNews.com will update this weather story as forecasts evolve.
