IOWA — A tornado watch has been issued for multiple counties across southern Iowa Friday evening, with forecasters warning of the potential for severe storms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Tornado Watch 92 remains in effect until 10 p.m. CDT for portions of south central and southeast Iowa.
Counties included in the watch are Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Ringgold, Union and Wayne in south central Iowa, along with Davis and Wapello counties in southeast Iowa.
Communities included in the watch area include Albia, Allerton, Bloomfield, Centerville, Chariton, Corydon, Creston, Humeston, Lamoni, Leon, Mount Ayr, Osceola, Ottumwa and Seymour.
Forecasters say primary threats with the storms include a few tornadoes, scattered large hail — with some hail possibly reaching up to 2 inches in diameter — and damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to remain alert and monitor weather conditions throughout the evening as storms develop and move through the region.
The tornado watch is expected to remain in place until late Friday night.
