Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 43, NWS Des Moines, IA

June 4, 2008Ringgold County, Taylor County, Union County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Jun 4, 2008, 8:50 PM CDT for Ringgold County, Taylor County, Union County, Iowa. It was in force for 55 min. 11 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
Jun 4, 2008, 8:50 PM CDT (01:50 UTC)
Expired
Jun 4, 2008, 9:45 PM CDT
In force
55 min
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Ringgold County, IA, Taylor County, IA, Union County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:02 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 4, 9:18 PM CDTHAIL 1Creston, IAAMATEUR RADIO REPORTS QUARTER SIZED HAIL AND 50 MPH IN SW CRESTON.
Jun 4, 9:18 PM CDTTORNADO2 Nnw Kent, IADAMAGE REPORTED. POWER POLES DOWN. FARM HIT WITH DAMAGE TO OUT BUILDINGS.
Jun 4, 9:26 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 70Cromwell, IA
Jun 4, 9:26 PM CDTHAIL 0.75Cromwell, IA3/4 INCH HAIL REPORTED IN CROMWELL.
Jun 4, 9:26 PM CDTHAIL 1Creston, IAQUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN CRESTON.
Jun 4, 9:26 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Cromwell, IA
Jun 4, 9:40 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Creston, IA
Jun 4, 9:40 PM CDTTORNADO5 Ese Kent, IANUMEROUS POWER FLASHES...REPORT FROM KCCI STORM CHASER. HI AND DRY ROAD AND 270TH.
Jun 4, 9:43 PM CDTTORNADO4 Ssw Creston Airport, IASEVERAL TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF 230TH AND HI AND DRY ROAD.
Jun 4, 9:47 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 58Creston, IACRESTON SCHOOLNET SITE MEASURED WIND GUST OF 50 KT AT 947 PM.
Jun 4, 9:47 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 58Creston Airport, IACRESTON AWOS MEASURED WIND GUST OF 50 KT AT 947 PM.

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
Jun 4, 5:40 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 1.8 hours before the alert went out and 163 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2008-06-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2024 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2008-06-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 224 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
2024 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-49 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
774 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
224 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
331 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
3.7
Supercell composite
18.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS53 KDMX 050150
TORDMX
IAC159-173-175-050245-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0043.080605T0150Z-080605T0245Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
850 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN RINGGOLD COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA...
  WESTERN UNION COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA...
  NORTHEASTERN TAYLOR COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IOWA...

* UNTIL 945 PM CDT.

* AT 847 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
  A LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO 9 MILES NORTHWEST OF
  LENOX...OR 69 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DES MOINES...MOVING EAST AT 22
  MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  LENOX BY 905 PM CDT...
  KENT AND CROMWELL BY 920 PM CDT...
  CRESTON AIRPORT AND CRESTON BY 930 PM CDT...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS ALSO EXPECTED TO PRODUCE 
GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY LIFE THREATENING STORM. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IS
LIKELY. GO TO A BASEMENT IMMEDIATELY...OR GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM
OF A SUBSTANTIAL BUILDING. COVER YOURSELF. IF YOU ARE IN A CAR OR
MOBILE HOME...ABANDON IT AND SEEK SHELTER IN A REINFORCED BUILDING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4090 9473 4090 9448 4107 9448 4112 9426
      4082 9425
TIME...MOT...LOC 0150Z 268DEG 19KT 4097 9465

$$

SMALL
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS53 KDMX 050207
SVSDMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
907 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

IAC159-173-175-050245-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-080605T0245Z/
RINGGOLD IA-TAYLOR IA-UNION IA-
907 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
UNION...NORTHEASTERN TAYLOR AND NORTHWESTERN RINGGOLD COUNTIES...

AT 901 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR KENT...OR 64 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF DES MOINES...MOVING EAST AT 33 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CRESTON AIRPORT AND 8 MILES SOUTH OF CRESTON BY 915 PM CDT...
  SHANNON CITY BY 925 PM CDT...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4090 9473 4090 9448 4107 9448 4112 9426
      4082 9425
TIME...MOT...LOC 0207Z 273DEG 29KT 4095 9446

$$

SMALL
000 
WWUS53 KDMX 050212
SVSDMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
912 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

IAC173-050222-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-080605T0245Z/
TAYLOR IA-
912 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN TAYLOR COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 911 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE
THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE EITHER WEAKENED OR
MOVED OUT OF THE AREA...AND NO LONGER POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO
LIFE OR PROPERTY. THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4088 9448 4107 9448 4112 9426 4083 9425
      4082 9426
TIME...MOT...LOC 0212Z 270DEG 21KT 4097 9446

$$

IAC159-175-050245-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-080605T0245Z/
RINGGOLD IA-UNION IA-
912 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
UNION AND NORTHWESTERN RINGGOLD COUNTIES...

AT 911 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR KENT...OR 61 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF DES MOINES...MOVING EAST AT 24 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CRESTON AIRPORT AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF CRESTON BY 925 PM CDT...
  SHANNON CITY BY 940 PM CDT...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4088 9448 4107 9448 4112 9426 4083 9425
      4082 9426
TIME...MOT...LOC 0212Z 270DEG 21KT 4097 9446

$$

SMALL
000 
WWUS53 KDMX 050228
SVSDMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
928 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

IAC159-050238-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-080605T0245Z/
RINGGOLD IA-
928 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN RINGGOLD COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

AT 925 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE
THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE EITHER WEAKENED OR
MOVED OUT OF THE AREA...AND NO LONGER POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO
LIFE OR PROPERTY. THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4091 9443 4091 9448 4107 9448 4112 9426
      4090 9425 4090 9442
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 250DEG 20KT 4100 9440

$$

IAC175-050245-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-080605T0245Z/
UNION IA-
928 PM CDT WED JUN 4 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
UNION COUNTY...

AT 925 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR KENT...OR 58 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DES MOINES...MOVING EAST AT 23
MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CRESTON AIRPORT AND CRESTON BY 935 PM CDT...
  CRESTON AND 8 MILES NORTH OF SHANNON CITY BY 940 PM CDT...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN IOWA.

LAT...LON 4091 9443 4091 9448 4107 9448 4112 9426
      4090 9425 4090 9442
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 250DEG 20KT 4100 9440

$$

SMALL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 4, 7:30 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXClarke, Union30 min
Jun 4, 7:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdams, Cass57 min
Jun 4, 7:41 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXAdams, Taylor49 min
Jun 4, 8:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXClarke, Madison, Union, Warren31 min
Jun 4, 8:25 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXAdams, Union9 hr
Jun 4, 8:27 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXAdams48 min
Jun 4, 9:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXSac48 min
Jun 4, 9:15 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXAdams14 min
Jun 4, 9:38 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXClarke, Union52 min
Jun 4, 9:48 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXUnion16 min
Jun 4, 10:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHamilton, Hardin41 min
Jun 4, 10:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXMadison, Warren50 min
Jun 4, 10:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdams, Cass53 min
Jun 4, 10:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHamilton, Webster, Wright41 min
Jun 4, 10:28 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXClarke, Madison, Warren47 min
Jun 4, 10:44 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXClarke, Madison, Warren6 hr
Jun 4, 10:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXCrawford38 min
Jun 4, 10:52 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXAdair, Cass11 hr
Jun 4, 10:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXMadison, Warren47 min
Jun 4, 11:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHardin52 min
Jun 4, 11:10 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXHamilton, Hardin, Webster6 hr
Jun 4, 11:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdair, Adams, Cass, Taylor, Union50 min
Jun 4, 11:12 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXFranklin, Humboldt, Wright6 hr
Jun 4, 11:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXSac47 min
Jun 4, 11:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdair, Clarke, Madison, Union41 min
Jun 4, 11:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXFranklin, Wright45 min
Jun 5, 12:11 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXButler6 hr
Jun 5, 12:17 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXMadison, Warren43 min
Jun 5, 12:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXButler42 min
Jun 5, 12:33 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryDMXEmmet, Kossuth, Palo Alto4 hr
Jun 5, 12:35 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryDMXCerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth4 hr
Jun 5, 12:35 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdams, Taylor40 min
Jun 5, 12:48 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryDMXDallas, Madison, Polk, Warren4 hr
Jun 5, 12:50 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXJasper, Marion, Polk, Warren40 min
Jun 5, 12:59 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXJasper, Marshall, Polk, Story46 min
Jun 5, 1:05 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXBlack Hawk, Grundy40 min
Jun 5, 1:14 AM CDTTornado WarningDMXJasper, Marshall, Story31 min
Jun 5, 1:19 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdair, Adams, Madison, Ringgold, Union41 min
Jun 5, 1:39 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryDMXBlack Hawk, Bremer4 hr
Jun 5, 1:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXPoweshiek, Tama35 min
Jun 5, 1:44 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXAdams, Ringgold, Taylor, Union6 hr
Jun 5, 1:48 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXJasper, Marshall11 min
Jun 5, 1:51 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXRinggold, Taylor39 min
Jun 5, 2:02 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXClarke, Madison, Union, Warren43 min
Jun 5, 2:09 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningDMXBlack Hawk6 hr
Jun 5, 2:12 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXHumboldt39 hr
Jun 5, 2:12 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXClarke, Decatur43 min
Jun 5, 2:26 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXClarke, Lucas, Marion, Warren49 min
Jun 5, 2:31 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXMadison, Warren11 days
Jun 5, 2:33 AM CDTTornado WarningDMXClarke, Lucas21 min
Jun 5, 3:43 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXWebster24 hr
Jun 5, 4:17 AM CDTFlash Flood WatchDMXAdair, Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Black Hawk, Boone and 45 more24 hr
Jun 5, 4:45 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningDMXMadison12 hr
Jun 5, 4:50 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXMahaska, Wapello25 min
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXEmmet23 hr
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXPalo Alto5 hr
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXHamilton, Webster25 hr
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXMadison, Warren66 hr
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXCerro Gordo, Floyd, Worth29 hr
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXBlack Hawk, Bremer, Butler36 hr
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXBlack Hawk15 days
Jun 5, 4:51 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXMarshall13 days
Jun 5, 5:19 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningDMXButler, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Webster, Wright25 hr
Jun 5, 5:38 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXTaylor4 hr
Jun 5, 5:45 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningDMXAdams, Union49 hr
Jun 5, 7:45 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXLucas5 days
Jun 5, 8:23 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXDecatur4 days
Jun 5, 10:02 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXBlack Hawk, Butler10 days
Jun 5, 4:05 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXBlack Hawk13 days
Jun 5, 4:32 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXWarren17 hr
Jun 5, 4:32 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXMahaska, Marion11 hr
Jun 5, 4:34 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXPolk40 hr
Jun 5, 4:44 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningDMXMadison11 hr
Jun 5, 6:01 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningDMXWapello15 hr

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.