Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Quad Cities, IA

May 23, 2020Cedar County, Johnson County, Iowa

NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this tornado warning at May 23, 2020, 12:18 PM CDT for Cedar County, Johnson County, Iowa. It was in force for 42 min. 5 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 23, 2020, 12:18 PM CDT (17:18 UTC)
Expired: May 23, 2020, 1:00 PM CDT
In force: 42 min
Issued by: NWS Quad Cities, IA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Cedar County, IA, Johnson County, IA

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:22 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 23, 12:30 PM CDT	FUNNEL CLOUD	1 Sw Morse, IA	TRAINED SPOTTER ON MORSE RD COULD SEE A FUNNEL BUT COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS ON THE GROUND.
May 23, 12:30 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Ne Morse, IA	AN EF-1 TORNADO CAUSED OUTBUILDING, GRAIN BIN, AND TREE DAMAGE AT A FARMSTEAD IN NORTHEAST JOHNSON COUNTY. THE TORNADO THEN FOLLOWED AN INTERMITTENT NORTHEAST PATH FOR 7 MILES INTO CEDAR COUNTY. THE TORNADO DOWNED POWER POLES EAST OF SUTLIFF. MAXIMUM WINDS WER
May 23, 12:38 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Ne Morse, IA	REPORTED RELAYED FROM BROADCAST MEDIA. DAMAGE TO TREES AND FARM OUTBUILDINGS. POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 23, 12:43 PM CDT	TORNADO	Sutiff, IA	THE LISBON FIRE CHIEF REPORTED A TORNADO ON THE GROUND SOUTH OF SUTLIFF. THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS AND PHOTOS FROM THE SAME AREA. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.
May 23, 12:53 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 E Sutiff, IA	DELAYED REPORT OF DOWNED POWER LINES AND POLES FROM EMA. POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 5.3 hours before the alert went out and 77 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: 145 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -133 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 859 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 36 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 148 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 198 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

424 
WFUS53 KDVN 231718
TORDVN
IAC031-103-231800-
/O.NEW.KDVN.TO.W.0013.200523T1718Z-200523T1800Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1218 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  West central Cedar County in east central Iowa...
  Northeastern Johnson County in east central Iowa...

* Until 100 PM CDT.
    
* At 1214 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located near Iowa City, moving northeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  west central Cedar and northeastern Johnson Counties, including the
  following locations... Newport, Elmira, Morse, Cedar Bluff, West
  Overlook, Oasis, Sutliff and Coralville Lake Dam Complex.

This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 245 and 250.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4186 9140 4186 9137 4188 9137 4191 9134
      4179 9122 4163 9150 4173 9155
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 215DEG 18KT 4169 9148 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Gibbs

5 follow-up statements

725 
WWUS53 KDVN 231724
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1224 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

IAC031-103-231800-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200523T1800Z/
Cedar IA-Johnson IA-
1224 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL CEDAR AND NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON COUNTIES...
    
At 1224 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Solon, or near West Branch, moving northeast at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Newport, Elmira, Morse, Cedar Bluff and Sutliff. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4168 9143 4169 9147 4174 9154 4186 9140
      4186 9137 4188 9137 4191 9134 4179 9122
TIME...MOT...LOC 1724Z 214DEG 17KT 4172 9145 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Gibbs

617 
WWUS53 KDVN 231731
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1231 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

IAC031-103-231800-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200523T1800Z/
Cedar IA-Johnson IA-
1231 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL CEDAR AND NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON COUNTIES...
        
At 1231 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Solon, or 7 miles northwest of West Branch, moving
northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters reported a funnel cloud.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Cedar Bluff, Sutliff and Morse. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4172 9142 4177 9150 4186 9140 4186 9137
      4188 9137 4191 9134 4179 9122
TIME...MOT...LOC 1731Z 211DEG 17KT 4176 9143 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Gibbs

183 
WWUS53 KDVN 231734
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1234 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

IAC031-103-231800-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200523T1800Z/
Cedar IA-Johnson IA-
1234 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL CEDAR AND NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON COUNTIES...
    
At 1234 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Solon, or 7
miles northwest of West Branch, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Law enforcement confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Cedar Bluff, Sutliff and Morse. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4172 9142 4177 9150 4186 9140 4186 9137
      4188 9137 4191 9134 4179 9122
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 211DEG 17KT 4177 9142 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Gibbs

612 
WWUS53 KDVN 231741
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1241 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

IAC031-103-231800-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200523T1800Z/
Cedar IA-Johnson IA-
1241 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL CEDAR AND NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON COUNTIES...
    
At 1241 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Solon, or 9 miles north of West Branch, moving
northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Cedar Bluff and Sutliff. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4175 9139 4180 9146 4186 9140 4186 9137
      4188 9137 4191 9134 4179 9122
TIME...MOT...LOC 1741Z 215DEG 18KT 4180 9139 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Gibbs

779 
WWUS53 KDVN 231745
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1245 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

IAC031-103-231800-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200523T1800Z/
Cedar IA-Johnson IA-
1245 PM CDT Sat May 23 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL CEDAR AND NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON COUNTIES...
        
At 1245 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Solon, or 8
miles southwest of Mechanicsville, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Sutliff.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4177 9137 4181 9144 4186 9140 4186 9137
      4188 9137 4191 9134 4183 9126
TIME...MOT...LOC 1745Z 215DEG 18KT 4182 9138 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Gibbs

The office that day

Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 23, 5:08 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	DVN	Keokuk	37 min
May 23, 5:46 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	DVN	Iowa, Jefferson, Keokuk	29 min
May 23, 6:22 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	DVN	Washington	23 min
May 23, 6:29 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DVN	Keokuk, Washington	31 min
May 23, 9:11 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	DVN	Linn	34 min
May 23, 9:23 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	DVN	Cedar	37 min
May 23, 10:02 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	DVN	Scott	28 min
May 23, 12:39 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DVN	Cedar, Clinton	51 min
May 23, 12:50 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	DVN	Cedar, Jones	40 min
May 23, 12:59 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DVN	Scott	46 min
May 23, 1:17 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DVN	Clinton, Jackson	43 min
May 23, 1:18 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	DVN	Cedar, Jones	18 min
May 23, 1:29 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DVN	Jones	16 min
May 23, 1:54 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DVN	Jackson	38 min
May 23, 2:27 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	DVN	Jackson	34 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2020 Every tornado warning in 2020 Tornadoes in 2020

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.