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Severe thunderstorms developed over Iowa Friday afternoon and evening, bringing hail and high winds through the metro.Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts | Closings & delaysHere's what to know:Highest reported wind gusts during Friday's stormsSome southern Iowa cities recorded wind gusts of 70 mph or more, while Des Moines topped out around 63 mph.Why did sirens sound during Friday's storms?Some in central Iowa may have heard sirens, which often means there's a threat of a tornado.The Iowa Emergency Management Association actually recommends sirens be activated if a storm could produce wind gusts above 70 mph or hail larger that 1.75 inches in diameter (golf-ball size).Some siren systems also sound countywide, even when only part of the county is threatened by tornadoes, wind, or hail.Severe thunderstorm warning expires for most of central IowaMuch of the state is still under a severe thunderstorm watch, but the warning has expired for most of the central part of the state.Marshall County and farther east are still under a warning as of 7:15 p.m.Storm damages house in Warren CountyA ����vlog viewer sent in a photo showing tree damage to a house in Warren County.Randy Mundy says everyone is OK, but the tree destroyed the porch when it fell around 5:50 p.m. south of Milo.Power outages in IowaMore than 9,300 customers in the Des Moines area were without power around 6:20 p.m. Friday, according to MidAmerican Energy. Several hundred customers around Council Bluffs were also affected.You can see the updated outage map here.The outage map updated by the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives is available here.Submit storm photos to ����vlogHave photos or videos of lightning, hail or any other storm damage from Friday's severe weather?You can share it with us here or by emailing web@kcci.com.Severe thunderstorm warning extended for most of central IowaThe National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a severe weather warning for most of central Iowa. It will expire at 7 p.m.Polk, Story, Hardin, Marshall, Grundy, Jasper, Hamilton and Boone counties will all be included.See the latest update here:Storm damage in central IowaHail hits central IowaHail has been reported during Friday's thunderstorms as damaging winds continue to roll through central Iowa.Watch: ����vlog viewers send in photos of hail during Friday's stormSevere thunderstorm warning in effect for central Iowa, including Des MoinesCounties south and west of the metro are under a severe thunderstorm warning.A severe thunderstorm was located over Anita, about 14 miles east of Atlantic, moving north at 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Shortly after 5 p.m., the NWS extended the warning to include parts of Polk and Story counties. The impacted area stretches from the edge of Des Moines in the south to the edge of Ames in the north.Severe thunderstorm watch issued for more than half of IowaA severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for 52 counties in Iowa, according to the National Weather Service. All of central Iowa is included in the watch.The watch will be in effect until 10 p.m. Friday.Iowa school districts closing early Friday ahead of stormsAs of 12:45 p.m., Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center, Audubon, CAM (Anita), Griswold, Martensdale-St. Marys, Melcher Dallas, Nodaway Valley, Orient-Macksburg, Twin Cedars, Waukee and Winterset have announced early outs. Click here for the latest information on early dismissals. Here’s how to make sure your phone provides severe weather alertsWhen storms are in the forecast, you want to make sure your mobile phone settings allow for alerts that warn you of severe weather. The U.S. Homeland Security Department says to check your phone's settings and ensure you have "Government Alerts" or "Emergency Alert Messages" enabled.You can also keep track of the weather wherever you are with the ����vlog app: Apple | Google PlayWe'll send you weather alerts and you can track live radar right on your phone.High winds return with high fire dangerAfter a few days of calm, gusty winds will return on Friday. Winds will increase during the morning hours with gusts of 20-30 mph by the lunch hour.Wind gusts of 35 to 50mph are possible during the afternoon hours. The strong south winds could cause some issues for high-profile vehicles on east-west roads and highways. Unsecured lawn furniture could be blown around as well.Although we have seen some significant rain and snow in the past week or two, warm and breezy conditions this week have allowed many fields to dry out. The stronger gusts will lead to high fire danger, especially for southern Iowa. Fires could spark and spread easily, so use caution with any equipment that can produce sparks outdoors.Severe storm risk increasingThis storm system will also bring Iowa's first severe weather of the season.Thunderstorms are expected to develop over far southwest and southern Iowa around 3-4 p.m., and then race to the north and northeast through the late afternoon and evening hours.The storms should reach Des Moines and central Iowa between 4-6 p.m., then northern and eastern Iowa by 8 p.m.The main risk with any storms will be damaging winds with gusts of 60 to 80 mph possible. This could produce some minor roof and tree damage as well as scattered power outages. The tree damage should be somewhat limited by the lack of leaves on trees, but scattered issues are certainly possible.Some hail up to around 1 inch is possible, but this should be isolated. Most storms should only produce some small hail, if any at all.The good news is the air appears to be quite dry for this round of storms. That will greatly limit any tornado potential for most of the state. Again, the main risk with any storms that develop will be strong to damaging wind gusts. Keep an eye on weather across Iowa with ����vlog's skycamsWeather watchers can keep an eye on conditions by checking our skycam page, which shows aerial views from a dozen sites across the state.Colder air surges in Friday night with a few snowflakesAfter the storms roll through, colder air will blast in Friday night into Saturday, dropping temperatures into the 40s for Saturday afternoon.Some wrap around rain showers are possible as well, mainly through midday Saturday. With the colder air, some snow could mix in, especially over far northwest Iowa. At this time, significant snow is not expected, but it will certainly be a chillier day.The gusty winds will relax some by Saturday afternoon, but breezes to around 20 or 25mph will remain possible through Sunday morning. That will keep the colder air in place for both days, with highs in the 40s and lows falling into the 20s for Sunday morning. What is a red flag warning?When it comes to weather, three ingredients increase fire danger: Low relative humidity, strong winds and already dry fuel.Unusually high temperatures lower the air's relative humidity. This dries out dead vegetation, making it easier to burn. Strong winds can then spread the flames of any fire that starts, quickly driving it out of control.If conditions are extreme enough, the National Weather Service will issue a red flag warning, its highest-level warning for fire danger. Red flag warnings require the following:Relative humidity less than 25%Wind speeds (or frequent gusts) above 25 mphAlready dry fuel (grass, leaves, brush, etc.)Conditions expected in the next 24 hoursDuring dry, warm, windy weather in the spring and fall, it's important to take basic fire precautions.Don't try to burn grassy areas or brush in the spring, or leaves in the fallDon't burn trash (burn barrels, etc.)Carefully discard cigarette butts and matchesMonitor outdoor equipment (field fires are often sparked by hot farm machinery)From Iowa Department of Public Safety: Questions frequently asked about burn bansQ. Can I use a burn pit or burn trash when there is a burn ban in my county?A. A burn ban does not prohibit the following: supervised, controlled burn for which a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the fire district where the burn will take place, the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.Q. Who do I contact with questions about burning in my county if there is a burn ban in place?A. Please contact the individual on the burn ban request form for further information about a ban in your county.