A storm will be in our area that can produce ppea to 1 inch size hail.

National Weather Service (NWS) for this evening, Thursday, April 23, 2026, storms approaching the Dubuque area are capable of producing small hail and isolated instances of large hail.

While the primary threat for tonight’s line of storms has shifted toward damaging winds, here is the breakdown of the hail potential:

Current Hail Risk & Sizes

• General Risk: Most storms moving through the Dubuque/Tri-State area this evening are expected to produce small hail (typically pea-sized or less than 0.75 inches).

• Isolated Severe Potential: There is a “Slight Risk” (Level 2 of 5) for the area. In any discrete, stronger cells that develop ahead of the main line, hail could reach quarter size (1.00 inch) or slightly larger.

• Trend: The highest risk for “significant” hail (golf ball to baseball size) remained further west in central and western Iowa earlier today. As the storms move east into our region tonight, they are expected to transition into a “wind-dominant” line.

Timing for Dubuque

• Scattered Storms: Possible through the late afternoon and early evening.

• Main Line Arrival: The more organized line of storms is expected to move through between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM.

Hazardous Conditions to Watch

• Wind Gusts: The primary concern for Dubuque tonight is wind gusts up to 60–70 mph.

• Heavy Rain: Brief periods of torrential rain could lead to minor ponding on roads.  

It’s a good night to keep your weather alerts active, especially as the main line approaches later tonight. This is not a warning.

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WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 139
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
934 PM CDT THU APR 23 2026

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS EXTENDED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
WATCH 139 TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AREAS UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT
TONIGHT

IN IOWA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES

IN EAST CENTRAL IOWA

BENTON CEDAR JONES
LINN MUSCATINE

IN NORTHEAST IOWA

BUCHANAN DELAWARE DUBUQUE

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ANAMOSA, CEDAR RAPIDS, DUBUQUE,
INDEPENDENCE, MANCHESTER, MUSCATINE, TIPTON, AND VINTON.