Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2021
Tornado Warning 40, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Dec 15, 2021, 5:14 PM CST for 5 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 31 min. 10 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, 5:14 PM CST (23:14 UTC)
- Expired
- Dec 15, 2021, 5:45 PM CST
- In force
- 31 min
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Audubon County, IA, Calhoun County, IA, Carroll County, IA, Greene County, IA, Guthrie County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 81 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:19 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, 5:17 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, 5:23 PM CST | HAIL 1 | Coon Rapids, IA | |
| Dec 15, 5:27 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 70 | Coon Rapids, IA | |
| Dec 15, 5:27 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 73 | 4 S Scranton, IA | PWS RECORDED WIND GUST OF 73 MPH. |
| Dec 15, 5:31 PM CST | TSTM WND GST 70 | Ralston, IA | WIND ESTIMATES OF AT LEAST 70 MPH FROM RALSTON FIRE DEPT. SOME SPORADIC DAMAGE BEGINNING TO OCCUR. |
| Dec 15, 5:34 PM CST | TORNADO | 2 W Jefferson, IA | PUBLIC RELAYED POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE WEST OF JEFFERSON, INCLUDING LARGE PORTION OF GARAGE DAMAGED/MISSING. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. |
| Dec 15, 5:35 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 3 S Glidden, IA | OUTBUILDING DESTROYED AT 240TH ST. AND TIMBER AVE. SIZE OF BUILDING UNKNOWN. |
| Dec 15, 5:39 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Grand Junction, IA | PUBLIC RELAYED SIDING MISSING ON HOUSE ON SE SIDE OF GRAND JUNCTION. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. |
| Dec 15, 5:41 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Wnw Jefferson, IA | DAMAGE TO POWER POLES ALONG HIGHWAY 30 WEST OF JEFFERSON. REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. DELAYED REPORT AND TIME/LOCATION ESTIMATED BY RADAR. |
| Dec 15, 5:45 PM CST | TORNADO | 4 Sw Dana, IA | DAMAGE TO FARMSTEAD BUILDINGS NORTHEAST OF JEFFERSON NEAR INTERSECTION OF 195TH AND R AVE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR. REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. |
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 152 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.
534
WFUS53 KDMX 152314
TORDMX
IAC009-025-027-073-077-160000-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0040.211215T2314Z-211216T0000Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
514 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Greene County in west central Iowa...
Northwestern Guthrie County in west central Iowa...
Northern Audubon County in west central Iowa...
Southern Calhoun County in west central Iowa...
Eastern Carroll County in west central Iowa...
* Until 600 PM CST.
* At 513 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 3 miles east of Audubon, moving northeast at 70 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 dangerous storm will be near...
Coon Rapids around 525 PM CST.
Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Jefferson.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4159 9473 4176 9509 4221 9470 4205 9417
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 218DEG 61KT 4170 9480
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Martin3 follow-up statements
203
WWUS53 KDMX 152328
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
528 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
IAC009-025-027-073-077-160000-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0040.000000T0000Z-211216T0000Z/
Greene IA-Guthrie IA-Audubon IA-Calhoun IA-Carroll IA-
528 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CST FOR GREENE...
NORTHWESTERN GUTHRIE...NORTHEASTERN AUDUBON...SOUTHERN CALHOUN AND
EASTERN CARROLL COUNTIES...
At 528 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Coon Rapids, or 13 miles southwest of Jefferson,
moving northeast at 70 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Jefferson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4175 9458 4187 9496 4221 9470 4205 9417
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 218DEG 61KT 4190 9459
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Martin548
WWUS53 KDMX 152335
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
535 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
IAC077-152344-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0040.000000T0000Z-211216T0000Z/
Guthrie IA-
535 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN GUTHRIE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for west central
Iowa.
LAT...LON 4221 9470 4205 9417 4186 9443 4186 9474
4180 9475 4187 9496
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 217DEG 63KT 4200 9448
$$
IAC009-025-027-073-160000-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0040.000000T0000Z-211216T0000Z/
Greene IA-Audubon IA-Calhoun IA-Carroll IA-
535 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CST FOR GREENE...
NORTHEASTERN AUDUBON...SOUTHERN CALHOUN AND EASTERN CARROLL
COUNTIES...
At 534 PM CST, a confirmed tornado was located 2 miles west of
Jefferson, moving northeast at 75 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Jefferson, Coon Rapids, Glidden, Grand Junction, Scranton, Churdan,
Dedham, Lidderdale, Lanesboro, Willey, Ralston, Hobbs County Park,
Arthur N Neu Airport and Jefferson Municipal Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4221 9470 4205 9417 4186 9443 4186 9474
4180 9475 4187 9496
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 217DEG 63KT 4200 9448
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Martin339
WWUS53 KDMX 152345
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
545 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
IAC009-025-027-073-152355-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0040.000000T0000Z-211216T0000Z/
Greene IA-Audubon IA-Calhoun IA-Carroll IA-
545 PM CST Wed Dec 15 2021
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR GREENE...NORTHEASTERN AUDUBON...SOUTHERN
CALHOUN AND EASTERN CARROLL COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for west central
Iowa.
LAT...LON 4221 9470 4205 9417 4186 9443 4186 9474
4180 9475 4187 9496
TIME...MOT...LOC 2344Z 218DEG 61KT 4214 9431
$$
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 | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Audubon, Boone, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie and 4 more | 80 min |
| Dec 15, 5:10 PM CST | Tornado Warning | DMX | Carroll, Crawford | 35 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
Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes 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.