National Weather Service photo – Upper South Amana looking SE  Photo: Randy Graesser

Severe storms hit eastern Iowa early Tuesday morning and again Tuesday evening with a tornado and funnel clouds spotted.

At about 6 p.m. a State Trooper who was flying an airplane reported a tornado in Iowa County, just south of Highway 6 and South Amana. Funnel clouds were also seen near Conroy and north of Homestead. North Liberty in Johnson County received nearly two inches of rain. And Iowa City had hail about half an inch in diameter.

During the morning, the KCII Severe Weather Action Team brought up to the minute coverage of the storm during the severe thunderstorm warning in Washington County from 5:40 to 6:30 a.m. Wind damage was reported across the area, including limbs down in Wellman. According to the National Weather Service, throughout the day Tuesday Washington received 0.4 inches of rain.

Thunderstorms are in the local forecast for Thursday. Listen to KCII Radio for weather updates.

A heat advisory is in effect from noon today until 8 p.m. tonight. According to the National Weather Service, heat index values will be high, up to 105 due to temperatures in the mid-90s and dewpoints in the upper 70s.