Alert archive / Iowa / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2021
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 123, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Dec 15, 2021, 5:10 PM CST for 10 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 80 min. 24 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
- Dec 15, 2021, 5:10 PM CST (23:10 UTC)
- Expired
- Dec 15, 2021, 6:30 PM CST
- In force
- 80 min
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Damage threat
- Destructive
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 80.0 mph
Counties Adair County, IA, Audubon County, IA, Boone County, IA, Dallas County, IA, Greene County, IA, Guthrie County, IA, Madison County, IA, Polk County, IA, Story County, IA, Warren County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 45 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 5:12 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 76 | Adair, IA | PWS RECORDED A 76 MPH WIND GUST. |
| Dec 15, 5:15 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 80 | 2 S Adair, IA | EM REPORTS 80+ MPH WINDS, ZERO VISIBILITY SOUTH OF ADAIR. |
| Dec 15, 5:17 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 65 | 8 W Guthrie Center, IA | EM REPORTS 1/2 INCH HAIL AND ESTIMATED 65 MPH WIND, HWY 44 AND FRONTIER ROAD IN GUTHRIE CO. |
| Dec 15, 5:25 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 73 | 4 Ne Guthrie Center, IA | |
| Dec 15, 5:32 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Yale, IA | REPORT OF AN OUTBUILDING DESTROYED. |
| Dec 15, 5:39 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 62 | Linden, IA | PWS RECORDED 62 MPH WIND GUSTS. |
| Dec 15, 5:41 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 70 | Minburn, IA | 60-70 MPH WIND GUST REPORTS FROM AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS IN MINBURN. |
| Dec 15, 5:41 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 70 | Perry, IA | 60 TO 70 MPH WIND GUST REPORTS FROM AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS IN PERRY. |
| Dec 15, 5:45 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 74 | 3 Ese Dawson, IA | DIALED INTO PERRY AWOS. |
| Dec 15, 5:45 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 75 | 3 Sw Minburn, IA | 3 SW MINBURN EST 75 MPH. |
| Dec 15, 5:49 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 80 | 3 W Dallas Center, IA | EM REPORTS 80 MPH WINDS HWY 169 AND HWY 44. |
| Dec 15, 6:07 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 65 | 1 Wnw Johnston, IA | |
| Dec 15, 6:12 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ne West Des Moines, IA | WIND GUSTS 612 TO 625 PM ESTIMATED 60-70 MPH WITH LARGE BRANCHES DOWN, EXACT SIZE UNKNOWN. |
| Dec 15, 6:17 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 70 | 3 Ese Adel, IA | FORMER NWS EMPLOYEE. POWER OUT FOR A SHORT STINT. |
| Dec 15, 6:19 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 68 | 2 N Winterset, IA | MEASURED VIA CWOP. |
| Dec 15, 6:20 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Wnw Windsor Heights, IA | LARGE TREE DOWN ON HOUSE IN CLIVE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. |
| Dec 15, 6:23 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ese Johnston, IA | SIDING, SHINGLE, AND MINOR TREE DAMAGE TO TOWNHOMES. REPORT VIA BROADCAST MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR. |
| Dec 15, 6:27 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Maxwell, IA | LARGE TREE ON HOME. TIME ESTIMATED VIA RADAR. |
| Dec 15, 6:27 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 61 | Des Moines Int Airport, IA | |
| Dec 15, 6:27 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 75 | 1 Wnw Johnston, IA | |
| Dec 15, 6:28 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ne Des Moines Int Air, IA | PHONE POLE DAMAGE AT WAKONDA GOLF COURSE. REPORT FROM BROADCAST MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR. |
| Dec 15, 6:35 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 60 | 3 E Saylorville, IA | AWOS STATION KIKV ANKENY AIRPORT. |
| Dec 15, 6:36 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Indianola, IA | NUMEROUS TREES DOWN BLOCKING 65/69 700 BLK S. JEFFERSON WAY. OTHER TREES DOWN IN INDIANOLA. |
| Dec 15, 6:37 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 70 | Indianola, IA | LOCAL TRAINED SPOTTERS REPORTING NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND WIND GUSTS 65-70MPH. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 1:23 PM CST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 181 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2165 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 42 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 346 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 384 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
612
WUUS53 KDMX 152310
SVRDMX
IAC001-009-015-049-073-077-121-153-169-181-160030-
/O.NEW.KDMX.SV.W.0123.211215T2310Z-211216T0030Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
510 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Polk County in central Iowa...
Southern Greene County in west central Iowa...
Southwestern Story County in central Iowa...
Madison County in south central Iowa...
Guthrie County in west central Iowa...
Eastern Audubon County in west central Iowa...
Southern Boone County in central Iowa...
Dallas County in central Iowa...
Adair County in southwestern Iowa...
Warren County in south central Iowa...
* Until 630 PM CST.
* At 509 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Coon Rapids to 8 miles north of Lake Icaria,
moving east at 80 mph.
THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS FOR CENTRAL IOWA.
HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect
considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles.
Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.
* Locations impacted include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Indianola, Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry,
Winterset, Adel, Greenfield, Guthrie Center, Windsor Heights,
Carlisle and Bondurant.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 35 between mile markers 43 and 72, and between mile
markers 87 and 107.
Interstate 80 between mile markers 73 and 149.
Interstate 235 between mile markers 1 and 14.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION with tornado like wind
speeds expected. Mobile homes and high profile vehicles are
especially susceptible to winds of this magnitude and may be
overturned. For your protection move to an interior room on the
lowest floor of a building. These storms have the potential to cause
serious injury and significant property damage.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for central, south
central, southwestern and west central Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4116 9461 4145 9470 4150 9470 4151 9472
4186 9483 4186 9463 4188 9463 4194 9335
4186 9333 4186 9335 4116 9333
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 250DEG 68KT 4186 9474 4119 9475
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH
$$
Martin3 follow-up statements
448
WWUS53 KDMX 152340
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
540 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
IAC009-152349-
/O.CAN.KDMX.SV.W.0123.000000T0000Z-211216T0030Z/
Audubon IA-
540 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN AUDUBON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned
area.Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for central, south
central, southwestern and west central Iowa.
LAT...LON 4116 9461 4188 9454 4194 9335 4186 9333
4186 9335 4116 9333
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 259DEG 55KT 4193 9416 4126 9418
$$
IAC001-015-049-073-077-121-153-169-181-160030-
/O.CON.KDMX.SV.W.0123.000000T0000Z-211216T0030Z/
Polk IA-Greene IA-Story IA-Madison IA-Guthrie IA-Boone IA-Dallas IA-
Adair IA-Warren IA-
540 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CST
FOR POLK...SOUTHEASTERN GREENE...SOUTHWESTERN STORY...MADISON...
GUTHRIE...SOUTHERN BOONE...DALLAS...ADAIR AND WARREN COUNTIES...
At 539 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles northwest of Perry to 10 miles southwest of
Winterset, moving east at 65 mph.
THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS FOR CENTRAL IOWA.
HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect
considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles.
Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.
Locations impacted include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Indianola, Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry,
Winterset, Adel, Greenfield, Guthrie Center, Windsor Heights,
Carlisle and Bondurant.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for central, south
central, southwestern and west central Iowa.
This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION with tornado like wind
speeds expected. Mobile homes and high profile vehicles are
especially susceptible to winds of this magnitude and may be
overturned. For your protection move to an interior room on the
lowest floor of a building. These storms have the potential to cause
serious injury and significant property damage.
&&
LAT...LON 4116 9461 4188 9454 4194 9335 4186 9333
4186 9335 4116 9333
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 259DEG 55KT 4193 9416 4126 9418
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH
$$
Martin703
WWUS53 KDMX 152355
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
555 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
IAC001-015-049-073-077-121-153-169-181-160030-
/O.CON.KDMX.SV.W.0123.000000T0000Z-211216T0030Z/
Polk IA-Greene IA-Story IA-Madison IA-Guthrie IA-Boone IA-Dallas IA-
Adair IA-Warren IA-
555 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CST
FOR POLK...SOUTHEASTERN GREENE...SOUTHWESTERN STORY...MADISON...
EASTERN GUTHRIE...SOUTHERN BOONE...DALLAS...ADAIR AND WARREN
COUNTIES...
At 554 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Boone to Grimes to near Winterset, moving east
at 80 mph. Dallas County Emergency Management confirmed 80 mph winds
moving through the county.
THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS FOR CENTRAL IOWA.
HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Emergency management.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect
considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles.
Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.
Locations impacted include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Indianola, Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes, Perry,
Winterset, Adel, Greenfield, Windsor Heights, Carlisle, Bondurant and
Polk City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for central, south
central, southwestern and west central Iowa.
This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION with tornado like wind
speeds expected. Mobile homes and high profile vehicles are
especially susceptible to winds of this magnitude and may be
overturned. For your protection move to an interior room on the
lowest floor of a building. These storms have the potential to cause
serious injury and significant property damage.
&&
LAT...LON 4116 9461 4189 9437 4194 9335 4186 9333
4186 9335 4116 9333
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 249DEG 68KT 4203 9380 4166 9382 4132 9410
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH
$$
Martin411
WWUS53 KDMX 160019
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
619 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
IAC001-073-077-160029-
/O.CAN.KDMX.SV.W.0123.000000T0000Z-211216T0030Z/
Greene IA-Guthrie IA-Adair IA-
619 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN GREENE...EASTERN
GUTHRIE AND ADAIR COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for central and
south central Iowa.
LAT...LON 4116 9415 4190 9405 4194 9335 4186 9333
4186 9335 4116 9333
TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 250DEG 68KT 4218 9323 4181 9325 4148 9353
$$
IAC015-049-121-153-169-181-160030-
/O.CON.KDMX.SV.W.0123.000000T0000Z-211216T0030Z/
Polk IA-Story IA-Madison IA-Boone IA-Dallas IA-Warren IA-
619 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CST
FOR POLK...SOUTHWESTERN STORY...MADISON...SOUTHEASTERN BOONE...
EASTERN DALLAS AND WARREN COUNTIES...
At 619 PM CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 12 miles north of State Center to near Baxter to near
Carlisle, moving east at 80 mph.
THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS FOR CENTRAL IOWA.
HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect
considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles.
Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.
Locations impacted include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive,
Indianola, Altoona, Waukee, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Grimes,
Winterset, Adel, Windsor Heights, Carlisle, Bondurant, Polk City,
Huxley and Saylorville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for central and
south central Iowa.
This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION with tornado like wind
speeds expected. Mobile homes and high profile vehicles are
especially susceptible to winds of this magnitude and may be
overturned. For your protection move to an interior room on the
lowest floor of a building. These storms have the potential to cause
serious injury and significant property damage.
&&
LAT...LON 4116 9415 4190 9405 4194 9335 4186 9333
4186 9335 4116 9333
TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 250DEG 68KT 4218 9323 4181 9325 4148 9353
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...80 MPH
$$
MartinThe office that day
Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 4:13 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Guthrie, Ringgold and 2 more | 77 min |
| Dec 15, 4:16 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Carroll, Crawford, Sac | 74 min |
| Dec 15, 4:37 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Cass | 23 min |
| Dec 15, 4:44 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Crawford | 36 min |
| Dec 15, 4:53 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adair, Audubon, Cass, Guthrie | 33 min |
| Dec 15, 5:07 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Sac | 27 min |
| Dec 15, 5:10 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Carroll, Crawford | 35 min |
| Dec 15, 5:14 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, Guthrie | 31 min |
| Dec 15, 5:15 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Calhoun, Carroll, Crawford, Sac | 30 min |
| Dec 15, 5:18 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adair, Boone, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie | 42 min |
| Dec 15, 5:19 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Emmet, Greene, Humboldt and 5 more | 71 min |
| Dec 15, 5:22 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Carroll, Crawford, Sac | 23 min |
| Dec 15, 5:22 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Madison, Ringgold and 3 more | 68 min |
| Dec 15, 5:36 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Calhoun, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas | 24 min |
| Dec 15, 5:38 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Boone, Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton, Webster | 37 min |
| Dec 15, 5:45 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Calhoun, Pocahontas, Webster | 30 min |
| Dec 15, 5:52 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt and 6 more | 53 min |
| Dec 15, 5:58 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas | 32 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Iowa, 2021Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2021
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.