Weather Alerts For Ottawa, IA

# SUMMARY -------------------- - Tornado Watch for portions of Central and Eastern Iowa Northern and West-Central Illinois Southeast Minnesota Far Northeast Missouri Central and Southern Wisconsin - Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1240 PM until 800 PM CDT. - Primary threats include... A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible Widespread large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3.5 inches in diameter likely Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely # DETAILS -------------------- SUMMARY - A very moist and unstable airmass exists ahead of a cold front progressing eastward/southeastward across the region. Thunderstorm development is anticipated within the warm sector ahead of the front, where discrete supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail and strong to intense tornadoes, are possible. Thunderstorm development is possible along the front as well, with large hail and strong gusts the primary risk with these storms. - The tornado watch area is approximately along and 110 statute miles north and south of a line from 55 miles north northwest of Des Moines IA to 55 miles east of Madison WI. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU9). AVIATION Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 3.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 26035. ISSUED AT The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a ISSUED BY 1241 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 HEADER Watch county notification for watch 129 | National Weather Service Des Moines IA # PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS -------------------- REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.

Pollen Index: 11.7 Pollen Level: high Predominant Pollen: Elm, Poplar/Aspen/Cottonwood and Maple. The pollen levels for Saturday will be falling but stay in the extremely high range. Since the weather has a major influence on pollen dispersal, this decrease is due in part to falling temperatures and expected precipitation in the morning and evening which tends to wash pollen out of the air.