Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Des Moines, IA

May 25, 2008Butler County, Grundy County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at May 25, 2008, 4:46 PM CDT for Butler County, Grundy County, Iowa. It was in force for 44 min. 14 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 25, 2008, 4:46 PM CDT (21:46 UTC)
Expired
May 25, 2008, 5:30 PM CDT
In force
44 min
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Butler County, IA, Grundy County, IA

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 25, 4:48 PM CDTTORNADO2 S Aplington, IA*** 6 FATAL, 70 INJ *** THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN 2 MILES SOUTH OF APLINGTON...THEN TRACKED EAST THROUGH PARKERSBURG AND JUST NORTH OF NEW HARTFORD...THEN ACROSS NORTHERN BLACKHAWK COUNTY BEFORE LIFTING NEAR THE BLACKHAWK BUCHANAN COUNTY LINE. THE PRELIMINARY S
May 25, 4:48 PM CDTTORNADO2 W Aplington, IAINTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY T19 AND HIGHWAY 57.
May 25, 4:48 PM CDTTORNADO2 W Aplington, IA
May 25, 4:58 PM CDTTORNADOEne Aplington, IAALONG HIGHWAY 57
May 25, 4:59 PM CDTTORNADOParkersburg, IA*** 5 FATAL *** SEVERE DAMAGE TO PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN AND EASTERN PARKERSBURG.
May 25, 5:00 PM CDTTORNADOParkersburg, IASPOTTER REPORTS SIGNIFICANT HOUSE...TREE...AND POWER LINE DAMAGE ON THE SOUTH END OF PARKERSBURG. ROADS IMPASSABLE.
May 25, 5:01 PM CDTTORNADO1 S Parkersburg, IAALONG THE GRUNDY/BUTLER COUNTY LINE ON HIGHWAY 14.
May 25, 5:09 PM CDTTORNADO1 N New Hartford, IA*** 2 FATAL ***
May 25, 5:09 PM CDTTORNADO2 E Aplington, IAAT INTERSECTION OF T25 AND HIGHWAY 57.
May 25, 5:11 PM CDTTORNADO3 Nw New Hartford, IALARGE PARTIALLY RAIN WRAPPED TORNADO WITH A SATELLITE TORNADO ON THE SOUTH END.
May 25, 5:13 PM CDTTORNADO1 N New Hartford, IA
May 25, 5:13 PM CDTTORNADO3 Ne Stout, IAIOWA STATE UNIVERSITY SPOTTER REPORTED SECOND LARGE TORNADO ROUGHLY 2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF NEW HARTFORD.
May 25, 5:15 PM CDTHAIL 4.254 Nnw New Hartford, IAVIEWER REPORTED SOFTBALL SIZE HAIL IN FINCHFORD.
May 25, 5:17 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGNew Hartford, IATHUNDERSTORM WINDS DOWNED NUMEROUS TREES IN THE NEW HARTFORD AREA. APPEARED TO BE RFD DAMAGE.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 25, 3:30 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 215 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, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2008-05-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2008-05-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 229 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
843 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
229 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
297 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 
WFUS53 KDMX 252145
TORDMX
IAC023-075-252230-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0013.080525T2146Z-080525T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
446 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN GRUNDY COUNTY IN CENTRAL IOWA...
  SOUTHEASTERN BUTLER COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL IOWA...

* UNTIL 530 PM CDT.

* AT 441 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 7 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF APLINGTON...OR 33 MILES WEST OF WATERLOO...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 36 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  APLINGTON BY 455 PM CDT...
  PARKERSBURG BY 500 PM CDT...
  ALLISON BY 510 PM CDT...
  SHELL ROCK AND CLARKSVILLE BY 520 PM CDT...

THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. SEEK SHELTER IN A BASEMENT...OR IN AN
INTERIOR ROOM. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE OR IN A
CAR...SEEK SHELTER IN A REINFORCED BUILDING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHWESTERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4249 9256 4247 9302 4267 9303 4287 9256
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 238DEG 31KT 4256 9295

$$
4 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS53 KDMX 252153
SVSDMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
451 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

IAC023-075-252230-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-080525T2230Z/
BUTLER IA-GRUNDY IA-
451 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
GRUNDY AND SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTIES...

AT 450 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR APLINGTON...OR 30 MILES WEST OF WATERLOO...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 33 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PARKERSBURG BY 500 PM CDT...
  8 MILES NORTHWEST OF STOUT BY 505 PM CDT...
  8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ALLISON AND 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF NEW HARTFORD
  BY 515 PM CDT...
  SHELL ROCK AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CLARKSVILLE BY 525 PM CDT...

AT 448 PM...SPOTTERS REPORTED A CONFIRMED TORNADO AT THE 
INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD T19 AND HIGHWAY 57 IN BUTLER 
COUNTY...HEADING TOWARD APPLINGTON.  

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHWESTERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4249 9256 4247 9302 4267 9303 4287 9256
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 239DEG 28KT 4257 9292

$$
000 
WWUS53 KDMX 252200
SVSDMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
458 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

IAC023-075-252230-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-080525T2230Z/
BUTLER IA-GRUNDY IA-
458 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
GRUNDY AND SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTIES...

AT 455 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PARKERSBURG...OR 25 MILES WEST OF
WATERLOO...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  NEW HARTFORD BY 510 PM CDT...
  SHELL ROCK AND 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CLARKSVILLE BY 515 PM CDT...

AT 452...A SPOTTER REPORTED A LARGE TORNADO NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF 
HIGHWAY D17 AND HIGHWAY 14. 

MULTIPLE TORNADOES ARE FORMING EAST OF APLINGTON. 

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THIS
STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG TO VIOLENT TORNADOES. IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY



A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHWESTERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4249 9256 4247 9302 4267 9303 4287 9256
TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 244DEG 35KT 4260 9278

$$
000 
WWUS53 KDMX 252202
SVSDMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
502 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

IAC023-075-252230-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-080525T2230Z/
BUTLER IA-GRUNDY IA-
502 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
GRUNDY AND SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTIES...

AT 459 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PARKERSBURG...OR 22 MILES WEST OF
WATERLOO...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 33 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  NEW HARTFORD BY 510 PM CDT...
  SHELL ROCK BY 520 PM CDT...

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THIS
STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG TO VIOLENT TORNADOES. IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY

A WEDGE TORDANO IS EAST OF PARKERSBURG...MOVING EAST.  

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING
FOR IOWA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT
SUNDAY EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4249 9256 4247 9302 4267 9303 4287 9256
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 246DEG 29KT 4258 9274

$$
000 
WWUS53 KDMX 252211
SVSDMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
511 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

IAC023-075-252230-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-080525T2230Z/
BUTLER IA-GRUNDY IA-
511 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
GRUNDY AND SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTIES...

AT 508 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR NEW HARTFORD...OR 17 MILES WEST OF
WATERLOO...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  7 MILES SOUTH OF SHELL ROCK BY 520 PM CDT...

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THIS
STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG TO VIOLENT TORNADOES. IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY


A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING
FOR IOWA.

LAT...LON 4249 9256 4247 9302 4267 9303 4287 9256
TIME...MOT...LOC 2211Z 251DEG 30KT 4259 9264

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 25, 3:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXFranklin, Wright52 min
May 25, 4:03 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXCerro Gordo, Franklin42 min
May 25, 4:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXFranklin28 min
May 25, 4:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXButler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin43 min
May 25, 4:22 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXButler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin23 min
May 25, 5:04 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXBlack Hawk, Bremer56 min
May 25, 5:21 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXBlack Hawk, Bremer24 min
May 25, 5:27 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXButler14 min
May 25, 5:37 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXBlack Hawk38 min
May 25, 5:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXClarke, Decatur, Lucas43 min
May 25, 5:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXBremer26 min
May 25, 6:12 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXClarke, Lucas48 min
May 25, 6:54 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXLucas36 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2008Every tornado warning in 2008Tornadoes in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.