Heavy rainfall will return on Tuesday evening, flash flooding possible

Iowa's storm risk isn't over just yet. Heavy rain pelted parts of Iowa over Labor Day weekend. While there's a brief reprieve on Tuesday, Sept. 8, severe weather will return for another round of damaging winds and intense rainfall. When there's flash flooding, just remember: turn around and don't drown. Here's what to know to stay safe. As a cold front tracks through the state, the potential for severe weather will linger from Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Expect the average rainfall totals to land between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain. Localized portions of central Iowa may even see between 2 and 4 inches of rain. Flash flooding is also possible, especially in urban areas. Damaging winds and hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter are also possible. Des Moines saw a total of 1.5 inches of rain from 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Most of that precipitation fell between Saturday and Sunday, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Ankeny saw significantly less rain at 0.29 inches, while Ames saw 0.43 inches. The Des Moines Police Department reported some street-level flooding Sunday night along Dean Avenue near the Iowa State Fairgrounds and at the intersection of Merle Hay Road and Douglas Avenue. These cities saw the most rain between 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8: While heavy rainfall may extend into Wednesday morning, after that, the skies will become sunny and clear again. Winds will also calm down in the evening, paving the way for a clear and sunny Thursday. Temperatures will cool off slightly with highs in the low- to mid-80s for Wednesday through Friday. Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.