And It Begins...

A severe-warned storm cell is seen along the northwest horizon, looking over Bowman Woods Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 5:47 pm CST, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. The most intense area of the storm was located about 64 miles distant, south of the town of Holland, in Grundy County Iowa. The storm cell was severe warned for about 20 minutes, starting at 5:35 pm. This was the first severe weather event in this area for 2021, and was an earlier-than-normal occurrence for the season. A current La Nina pattern in the Pacific Ocean--similar to that of 2011--has some severe weather models predicting higher-than-normal activities for the year. Could this be the start? Nikon D7200 DSLR camera.

Radarscope image closely corresponding to the photograph at top showing the severe-warned polygon. 

The severe weather event on March 10 was for the most part unexpected. At the start of day the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) posted chances of mild thunderstorms over Iowa, and less than 2% tornado probability. But by 1:52 pm a Slight Risk was posted for Central Iowa (above), with a 5% tornado probability.

Tornado Watch 16 posted for central and northeast Iowa at 2:40 pm CST.

My weather station monitor at 4:35 pm, showing very springlike conditions.

WeatherTap radar screen for 6:14 pm CST, showing copious amounts of lightning and the tornado watch areas. These storms quickly weakened and became linear, containing rain and some wind, and rolled through the Cedar Rapids area around 8:00 pm.