SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 205

WW 205 SEVERE TSTM IA MN NE SD 152215Z - 160600Z URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 205 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 515 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Western into Central and Northern Iowa Southern Minnesota Eastern Nebraska Far Southeast South Dakota * Effective this Friday afternoon and Saturday morning from 515 PM until 100 AM CDT. * Primary threats include... Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80 mph likely Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3.5 inches in diameter likely A tornado or two possible SUMMARY...Thunderstorms are forecast to develop and intensify early this evening. Supercells capable of very large hail are expected initially (diameters between 2.5 to 3.5 inches). A tornado or two is possible later this evening. Upscale growth into one or two bands or bowing segments is expected later this evening with severe wind gusts becoming more prevalent. Peak gusts associated with the thunderstorm bands will probably range 70-80 mph. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 95 statute miles north and south of a line from 60 miles southeast of Rochester MN to 5 miles north of Columbus NE. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for 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. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 204... AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 3.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean storm motion vector 27030. ...Smith Read more