Alert archive / Iowa / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2012

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 25, NWS La Crosse, WI

May 4, 2012Fillmore County, Mower County, Minnesota; Chickasaw County, Floyd County, Howard County, Iowa

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 4, 2012, 7:15 PM CDT for Fillmore County, Mower County, Minnesota; Chickasaw County, Floyd County, Howard County, Iowa. It was in force for 45 min. 4 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 4, 2012, 7:15 PM CDT (00:15 UTC)
Expired: May 4, 2012, 8:00 PM CDT
In force: 45 min
Issued by: NWS La Crosse, WI
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Chickasaw County, IA, Floyd County, IA, Howard County, IA, Fillmore County, MN, Mower County, MN

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:16 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
May 4, 7:19 PM CDT	HAIL 0.75	2 W Le Roy, MN
May 4, 7:25 PM CDT	HAIL 0.5	Saratoga, IA	MOSTLY PEA WITH A FEW DIME SIZE HAIL STONES REPORTED
May 4, 7:47 PM CDT	HAIL 1	1 N Cresco, IA
May 4, 7:51 PM CDT	HAIL 0.75	Cresco, IA

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 4, 6:01 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	3 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 194 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 1132 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 70 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 274 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.

176 
WUUS53 KARX 050015
SVRARX
IAC037-067-089-MNC045-099-050100-
/O.NEW.KARX.SV.W.0025.120505T0015Z-120505T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
715 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN FLOYD COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL IOWA...
  CHICKASAW COUNTY IN NORTHEAST IOWA...
  HOWARD COUNTY IN NORTHEAST IOWA...
  SOUTHWESTERN FILLMORE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...
  SOUTHEASTERN MOWER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...

* UNTIL 800 PM CDT

* AT 711 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ROUGHLY ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM ADAMS     
  TO RICEVILLE TO GREENE...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. THESE STORMS       
  HAVE A HISTORY OF WINDS IN THE 50 TO 55 MPH RANGE AND PENNY TO     
  QUARTER SIZED HAIL. PREPARE FOR THESE HAZARDS.  

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  ELMA AND LE ROY AROUND 720 PM...
  NASHUA AND IONIA AROUND 725 PM...
  LIME SPRINGS AROUND 730 PM...
  NEW HAMPTON AND JERICO AROUND 735 PM...
  CRESCO AROUND 740 PM...
  PROTIVIN AND LAWLER AROUND 750 PM...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY
STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

LAT...LON 4322 9256 4350 9255 4364 9263 4365 9225
      4350 9208 4292 9208 4292 9282
TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 263DEG 36KT 4362 9268 4335 9248
          4292 9270
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.00IN

$$

BAUMGARDT

4 follow-up statements

015 
WWUS53 KARX 050028
SVSARX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
728 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

IAC037-067-089-MNC045-099-050100-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120505T0100Z/
HOWARD IA-FLOYD IA-CHICKASAW IA-FILLMORE MN-MOWER MN-
728 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN
MOWER...SOUTHWESTERN FILLMORE...CHICKASAW...SOUTHEASTERN FLOYD AND
HOWARD COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT...

TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS HAVE REPORTED WINDS OF 50 TO 55 MPH WITH 
THESE STORMS...DIME SIZED HAIL...AND SPORADIC FUNNELS. 

AT 721 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED 
THUNDERSTORMS WERE ROUGHLY ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM GRAND MEADOW 
TO ELMA TO NASHUA...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. THESE STORMS CAN PRODUCE 
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. FUNNELS OR 
A BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN ARE POSSIBLE AND CAN FORM SUDDENLY WITH 
THESE STORMS.  

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  JERICO AND LIME SPRINGS AROUND 730 PM...
  NEW HAMPTON AROUND 735 PM...
  CRESCO AND PROTIVIN AROUND 740 PM...
  LAWLER AND FREDERICKSBURG AROUND 745 PM...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY
STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.


&&

LAT...LON 4322 9254 4350 9255 4364 9263 4365 9225
      4350 9208 4292 9209 4292 9276
TIME...MOT...LOC 0025Z 267DEG 39KT 4363 9249 4329 9228
          4293 9250
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.00IN

$$

BAUMGARDT

057 
WWUS53 KARX 050038
SVSARX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
738 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

IAC067-MNC045-099-050044-
/O.CAN.KARX.SV.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120505T0100Z/
FLOYD IA-FILLMORE MN-MOWER MN-
738 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MOWER...
SOUTHWESTERN FILLMORE AND SOUTHEASTERN FLOYD COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE LINE OF STORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED EAST OF 
FLOYD COUNTY IOWA AND WEAKENED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MINNESOTA. RAIN 
AND LIGHTNING ARE STILL POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS...AND WINDS IN THE 
25 TO 35 MPH RANGE. 

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT 
SATURDAY MORNING FOR NORTHEASTERN IOWA AND SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA. 
HOWEVER...IT APPEARS THAT SEVERE STORMS ARE UNLIKELY FOR THE REST OF 
THE EVENING. 

LAT...LON 4322 9246 4350 9247 4350 9208 4292 9209
      4292 9233 4292 9255
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 267DEG 39KT 4364 9236 4330 9215
          4294 9237

$$

IAC037-089-050100-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120505T0100Z/
HOWARD IA-CHICKASAW IA-
738 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CHICKASAW AND
HOWARD COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT...

TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING WINDS IN THE 50 MPH 
RANGE. LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ALSO REPORTED NO WIND DAMAGE IN THE 
WARNED AREA SO FAR. A FUNNEL WAS REPORTED AROUND 715 PM NEAR CHARLES 
CITY.  

AT 730 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
THUNDERSTORMS WERE ROUGHLY ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SPRING VALLEY
TO CRESCO TO NASHUA...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. THESE STORMS CAN PRODUCE
PENNY SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS TO 60 MPH...AND FUNNELS. 

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  CRESCO AND PROTIVIN AROUND 740 PM...
  LAWLER AND FREDERICKSBURG AROUND 745 PM...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY 
STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

LAT...LON 4322 9246 4350 9247 4350 9208 4292 9209
      4292 9233 4292 9255
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 267DEG 39KT 4364 9236 4330 9215
          4294 9237
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.00IN

$$

BAUMGARDT

805 
WWUS53 KARX 050050
SVSARX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
750 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

IAC037-089-050100-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120505T0100Z/
HOWARD IA-CHICKASAW IA-
750 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN
CHICKASAW AND EASTERN HOWARD COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT...

SPOTTERS HAVE REPORTED PEA SIZED HAIL AND WINDS IN THE 35 TO 50 MPH 
RANGE HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS LINE OF STORMS BETWEEN 715 PM AND 
745 PM.

AT 744 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
THUNDERSTORMS WERE ROUGHLY ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM LIME SPRINGS
TO PROTIVIN TO FREDERICKSBURG...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. THESE STORMS 
CAN PRODUCE QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 
MPH. LIGHTNING IS ALSO A THREAT WITH THESE STORMS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR 
HAIL...LIGHTNING...AND WINDS IN THE 50 TO 60 MPH RANGE. SEEK SHELTER 
NOW INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

LAT...LON 4322 9222 4343 9227 4343 9208 4292 9209
      4292 9234
TIME...MOT...LOC 0047Z 266DEG 34KT 4349 9213 4327 9204
          4295 9218
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.00IN

$$

BAUMGARDT

129 
WWUS53 KARX 050058
SVSARX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
758 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

IAC089-050107-
/O.CAN.KARX.SV.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120505T0100Z/
HOWARD IA-
758 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN HOWARD COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

THE LINE OF STORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE 
WARNED AREA.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT
SATURDAY MORNING FOR NORTHEASTERN IOWA AND SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA.

LAT...LON 4314 9209 4292 9209 4292 9234
TIME...MOT...LOC 0057Z 266DEG 34KT 4350 9200 4328 9191
          4295 9205

$$

IAC037-050100-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0025.000000T0000Z-120505T0100Z/
CHICKASAW IA-
758 PM CDT FRI MAY 4 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EAST CENTRAL
CHICKASAW COUNTY UNTIL 800 PM CDT...

SPOTTER AND THE PUBLIC HAVE REPORTED WINDS IN THE 30 TO 40 MPH RANGE 
WITH PEA TO DIME SIZED HAIL. THESE STORMS WILL NOT POSE A THREAT 
AFTER  8 PM AND THE WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. 

AT 753 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
THUNDERSTORMS WERE ROUGHLY ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM HARMONY TO 
RIDGEWAY TO FREDERICKSBURG...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY
STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

LAT...LON 4314 9209 4292 9209 4292 9234
TIME...MOT...LOC 0057Z 266DEG 34KT 4350 9200 4328 9191
          4295 9205
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 1.00IN

$$

BAUMGARDT

The office that day

Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 4, 8:54 PM CDT	High Wind Warning	ARX	Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and 1 more	2 hr
May 5, 3:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Floyd, Mitchell	59 min
May 5, 4:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Chickasaw, Floyd	43 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Iowa, 2012 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Minnesota, 2012 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2012

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.