Spring hasn’t officially arrived, but the National Weather Service has issued the first severe weather threat of the year.

Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge says the first round will spread across the area late tonight, mostly after midnight. A few of the storms could produce large hail.

He adds that a second round will impact the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area Friday afternoon into the evening, with all severe hazards possible. Ansorge details that some storms may produce hail and damaging wind gusts. A few tornadoes are also possible. 

Ansorge encourages area residents to go over their seasonal readiness plan. 

“It’s always good for that first event of the year to make sure you review everything. Whether that be making sure your weather radio works, have Alert Iowa set up correctly for your area, or you have an app to get notifications. And while we’re not looking at anything high end by any means, start reviewing your severe weather plan with your family. If you have kids, know where to shelter if you need to shelter. Again, not looking at a high end day by any means on Friday, but as we get into that spring season, we’ll see more days of severe weather potential in the weeks, months ahead.” 

Raccoon Valley Radio’s Severe Weather Action Team provides live coverage anytime there is a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning for Greene, Dallas and Guthrie Counties. During the Severe Weather Action Team coverage, metrologists, law enforcement, emergency management coordinators and others make reports to keep everyone in those counties as safe as possible from severe weather. Coverage of those storms continues until they move out of the listening area or drop below severe levels.