Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 1989

Tornado Warning 24, NWS Des Moines, IA

June 26, 1989Keokuk County, Wapello County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Jun 26, 1989, 3:55 PM CDT for Keokuk County, Wapello County, Iowa. It was in force for 35 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jun 26, 1989, 3:55 PM CDT (20:55 UTC)
Expired
Jun 26, 1989, 4:30 PM CDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Whole counties

Counties Keokuk County, IA, Wapello County, IA

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 26, 4:20 PM CDTHail 1Keokuk, IA
Jun 26, 4:25 PM CDTHail 1.75Keokuk, IA
Jun 26, 4:25 PM CDTHail 1Wapello, IA

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Peoria Regional, IL (KPIA), launched 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 233 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Peoria Regional, IL at 12:00Z on 1989-06-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1324 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peoria Regional, IL at 12:00Z on 1989-06-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 18 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1324 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-58 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1200 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
13 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
18 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
16 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KDSM 262057 COR
TORDSM
IAC107-179-262130-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED/EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING...CORRECTION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
355 PM CDT MON JUN 26 1989

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING
EFFECTIVE UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES

   IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF IOWA
      SOUTHERN KEOKUK...NORTHEAST WAPELLO

AT 350 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A POSSIBLE TORNADO NEAR
HEDRICK...ABOUT 15 MILES NORTH NORTHEAST OF OTTUMWA.  THE
STORM WAS MOVING EAST AT 30 MILES AN HOUR.

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...THE SAFEST PLACE IS IN A
BASEMENT.  GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE.  IF
NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR.  IF YOU ARE IN A VEHICLE OR MOBILE HOME...LEAVE IT AT
ONCE AND TAKE SHELTER IN A REINFORCED BUILDING OR IN A DITCH.

 PLEASE REPORT INSTANCES OF SEVERE WEATHER TO YOUR NEARENST
 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

BIKLE

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 26, 12:38 PM CDT, 3 hours 17 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
1237 AM CDT MON JUN 26 1989

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN IOWA UNTIL
600 PM CDT...

AT 1225 AM...SHOWERS AND STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN NORTHEAST...
EAST CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST IOWA.  LOCATED EAST OF LINE FROM THE
NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE TO THE IOWA/MISSOURI BORDER SOUTH
OTTUMWA.  THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN A 10 MILE WIDE AREA
FROM 20 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OTTUMWA NEAR FAIRFIELD...TO 30 MILES
SOUTH OF CEDAR RAPIDS NEAR WASHINGTON.  THESE STORMS MAY PRODUCE
SMALL HAIL...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY
RAINS AS THEY MOVE TO THE EAST AT 25 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR.

OTHER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA...IN A 15
MILE WIDE AREA FROM 40 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DES MOINES JUST EAST OF
CHARITON...TO THE IOWA/MISSOURI BORDER NEAR LAMONI.  THESE SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING TO THE EAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR.

MG
Special weather statement, Jun 26, 12:45 PM CDT, 3 hours 10 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY...CORRECTION FOR TIME...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
1237 PM CDT MON JUN 26 1989

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN IOWA UNTIL
600 PM CDT...

AT 1225 PM...SHOWERS AND STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN NORTHEAST...
EAST CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST IOWA.  LOCATED EAST OF LINE FROM THE
NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE TO THE IOWA/MISSOURI BORDER SOUTH
OTTUMWA.  THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN A 10 MILE WIDE AREA
FROM 20 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OTTUMWA NEAR FAIRFIELD...TO 30 MILES
SOUTH OF CEDAR RAPIDS NEAR WASHINGTON.  THESE STORMS MAY PRODUCE
SMALL HAIL...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY
RAINS AS THEY MOVE TO THE EAST AT 25 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR.

OTHER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA...IN A 15
MILE WIDE AREA FROM 40 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DES MOINES JUST EAST OF
CHARITON...TO THE IOWA/MISSOURI BORDER NEAR LAMONI.  THESE SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING TO THE EAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR.

MG
Special weather statement, Jun 26, 12:52 PM CDT, 3 hours 3 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
1252 PM CDT MON JUN 26 1989

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
NUMBER 537 FOR NORTHEAST IOWA...EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES ARE NO LONGER IN THE WATCH AREA:

     CLAYTON...DELAWARE...DUBUQUE...JONES...AND JACKSON.

THE POTENTIAL SEVERE STORMS NO LONGER AFFECT THESE COUNTIES.

HOWEVER...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 537 STILL IS IN EFFECT FOR
THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST IOWA:

     CEDAR...CLINTON...MUSCATINE...SCOTT...LOUISA...HENRY...
     DES MOINES...AND LEE.

STORMS WITH A POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE WEATHER REMAIN A THREAT FOR
THIS AREA.

BIKLE
Special weather statement, Jun 26, 1:43 PM CDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
140 PM CDT MON JUN 26 1989

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR EXTREME SOUTHEAST IOWA UNTIL
600 PM CDT...

AT 127 PM...SHOWERS AND STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN EAST CENTRAL
...AND SOUTHEAST IOWA.  LOCATED EAST OF LINE FROM 30 MILES NORTHWEST
OF DUBUQUE...TO THE IOWA/MISSOURI BORDER SOUTH OF KEOSAUQUA.  THE
STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN A 10 MILE WIDE AREA FROM 15 MILES
NORTHWEST OF BURLINGTON TO DAVENPORT/MOLINE.  THESE STORMS MAY
PRODUCE SMALL HAIL...STRONG GUSTY WINDS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND
HEAVY RAINS AS THEY MOVE TO THE EAST AT 25 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR.

OTHER ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNsDERSTORMS WERE IN CENTRAL IOWA...
BETWEEN DES MOINES AND RATHBUN RESERVOIR...AND WERE MOVING TO THE
EAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR.

MG
Special weather statement, Jun 26, 2:15 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
213 PM CDT MON JUN 26 1989

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 537 IS CANCELLED FOR EXTREME
EAST CENTRAL AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST IOWA...EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES ARE NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH:

    CEDAR...CLINTON...MUSCATINE...SCOTT...LOUISA...
    HENRY...DES MOINES...AND LEE.

THE THUNDERSTORMS HAVING A POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WEATHER HAVE MOVED
EAST OF IOWA.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 537 IS STILL IN EFFECT FOR PARTS
OF WESTERN ILLINOIS.

BIKLE
Special weather statement, Jun 26, 3:43 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
343 PM CDT MON JUN 26 1989

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST IOWA UNTIL
   1000 PM CDT...

AT 330 PM CDT...
A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED OVER SOUTHEAST INTO SOUTH
CENTRAL IOWA.  THE LINE WAS ABOUT 20 MILES WIDE...AND EXTENDED FROM
ABOUT 25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CEDAR RAPIDS...SOUTHWEST TO JUST EAST
OF LAMONI.  LAMONI IS ABOUT 60 MILES SOUTH OF DES MOINES.

THE MOST INTENSE STORMS WERE LOCATED 15 MILES NORTHEAST OF OTTUMWA...AND
ABOUT MIDWAY BETWEEN OTTUMWA AND LAMONI.  THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING WINDS OF OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR AND LARGE HAIL.

THE STORMS WERE MOVING EAST AT 35 MILES AN HOUR.  THEY WILL REACH
BLOOMFIELD...FAIRFIELD...KEOSAUQUA...AND MT. PLEASANT BETWEEN 400 AND
430 PM THIS AFTERNOON.
\
ELSEWHERE...A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WERE DEVELOPING JUST TO THE EAST AND
SOUTHEAST OF DES MOINES.  A FE.W SHOWERS WERE ALSO LOCATED OVER NORTH-
WEST IOWA...EAST OF SIOUX CITY.

SCHUMACHER

The office that day

Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 26, 2:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXKeokuk, Mahaska49 min
Jun 26, 3:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXKeokuk50 min
Jun 26, 3:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXKeokuk48 min
Jun 26, 4:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXDavis37 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 1989Every tornado warning in 1989Tornadoes in 1989

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.