Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2022

Tornado Warning 19, NWS Des Moines, IA

April 12, 2022Humboldt County, Kossuth County, Pocahontas County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 12, 2022, 6:23 PM CDT for Humboldt County, Kossuth County, Pocahontas County, Iowa. It was in force for 52 min. 8 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: Apr 12, 2022, 6:23 PM CDT (23:23 UTC)
Expired: Apr 12, 2022, 7:15 PM CDT
In force: 52 min
Issued by: NWS Des Moines, IA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 1.0 in

Counties Humboldt County, IA, Kossuth County, IA, Pocahontas County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 135 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:26 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
Apr 12, 6:29 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 Wnw Gilmore City, IA	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 4 N THOR. TORNADO ONE NORTH OF HWY 3 AND THREE EAST OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY LINE. NORTH NORTH EAST DIRECTION VIA POCAHONTAS PD ON TWITTER.
Apr 12, 6:34 PM CDT	TORNADO	Gilmore City, IA	ESTIMATED TO BE MOVING E ON HIGHWAY 3.
Apr 12, 6:45 PM CDT	HAIL 1.25	Gilmore City, IA
Apr 12, 6:48 PM CDT	HAIL 2.5	Gilmore City, IA
Apr 12, 6:49 PM CDT	HAIL 2.5	Gilmore City, IA
Apr 12, 6:53 PM CDT	HAIL 1	Bode, IA	PENNY TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL.
Apr 12, 6:56 PM CDT	HAIL 1	2 Nne Bode, IA	DIME SIZED HAIL OCCURRED SHORTLY BEFORE QUARTER SIZE HAIL FELL.
Apr 12, 7:15 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 S Lu Verne, IA	12-15 POLES DOWN SOUTH OF LUVERNE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 6 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 12, 5:11 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 229 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: 2105 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 298 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 309 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

088 
WFUS53 KDMX 122323
TORDMX
IAC091-109-151-130015-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0019.220412T2323Z-220413T0015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
623 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

The National Weather Service in Des Moines  has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  East central Pocahontas County in northwestern Iowa...
  South central Kossuth County in north central Iowa...
  Northwestern Humboldt County in north central Iowa...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 623 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
  was located 8 miles east of Pocahontas, moving northeast at 35 mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris 
           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile 
           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete 
           destruction is possible.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  east central Pocahontas, south central Kossuth and northwestern
  Humboldt Counties, including the following locations... Bode,
  Bradgate, Livermore, Rutland, Ottosen, Lu Verne, Gilmore City, St.
  Joseph, Humboldt Municipal Airport and Rolfe.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, 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 4306 9430 4285 9398 4262 9449 4270 9462
TIME...MOT...LOC 2323Z 223DEG 31KT 4271 9450 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Krull

2 follow-up statements

730 
WWUS53 KDMX 122335
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
635 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

IAC091-109-151-130015-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-220413T0015Z/
Pocahontas IA-Kossuth IA-Humboldt IA-
635 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL POCAHONTAS...SOUTH CENTRAL KOSSUTH AND CENTRAL HUMBOLDT
COUNTIES...
    
At 635 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Humboldt, or 7 miles west of Dakota City, moving
northeast at 30 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Humboldt, Gilmore City, Livermore, Bode, Lu Verne, Rutland, Bradgate,
St. Joseph, Ottosen and Humboldt Municipal Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, 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 4285 9398 4262 9449 4270 9462 4303 9425
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 241DEG 25KT 4273 9434 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Krull

961 
WWUS53 KDMX 122348
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
648 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

IAC091-109-151-130015-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-220413T0015Z/
Pocahontas IA-Kossuth IA-Humboldt IA-
648 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL POCAHONTAS...SOUTH CENTRAL KOSSUTH AND CENTRAL HUMBOLDT
COUNTIES...
    
At 648 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Humboldt, or near Dakota City, moving northeast at 45
mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Humboldt, Gilmore City, Livermore, Bode, Lu Verne, Rutland, Bradgate,
St. Joseph, Ottosen and Humboldt Municipal Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, 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 4285 9398 4262 9449 4282 9449 4303 9425
TIME...MOT...LOC 2348Z 224DEG 38KT 4281 9421 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Krull

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Des Moines, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 12, 3:10 PM CDT, 3 hours 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 12, 3:10 PM CDT, 3 hours 13 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
310 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

.SHORT TERM.../Tonight through Wednesday Night/
Issued at 311 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

Forecast Impacts for the week:

...Moderate Risk into Tonight
...Cooler Weather Returns
...Chances for Rain/Snow return into the weekend

Confidence Short Term: Medium to High

Overall the evolution of the system in both a synoptic and mesoscale
space is still on track.  The big question that is becoming a bit
more clear is the northern location of the warm front around
initiation time. Previous model runs have placed the front/triple
point across far northwest Iowa (specifically the HRRR/GFS) as
compared to the Euro. Today the HRRR is farther south with the
boundary near 23z to 01z while the GFS is still closer to its
previous forecast and farther north. At 19z, the boundary is just
entering SW Iowa with a large shield of stratus and now elevated
convection over Iowa into MN with the stronger storms into southern
MN. Recent HRRR runs have shown that any stronger convection that
may develop over the north is now more focused nearer the US20
corridor, rather than the IA MN border. With that in mind, the
current moderate risk for that portion of the forecast appears well
placed and the westward extension back into west Iowa remains for
the area of secondary development expected along the dry line in the
evening from 01 to 02z across the west. Without going into great
detail, forcing and shear parameter space is is on the middle to
high end of the spectrum. With SBCAPE over 3200 j/kg into the early
evening along the retreating warm front and 0-1km SRH over 300 to
500 m2/s2 and long hodographs, there remains a potential for
discrete supercells and a strong and relatively longer lived tornado
or two in that area. If storms develop slightly north of the warm
front, then a large hail threat would likely dominate the mode. Any
supercells that develop will move northeast/east with time along or
near the warm front. As the dry line now in central Nebraska will
edge east and fire off a line of storms into our west by 01z. The
line of storms is anticipated to strengthen quickly to severe levels
and then slowly weaken as it moves toward the I35 corridor in
central and southern Iowa.  These storms later in the evening will
have a somewhat less potential to be tornadic, but a severe wind
threat and hail threat will continue. The northern portion of the
line may have an opportunity to tap into the strong 0-3km shear and
continue to have a tornado threat through at least the early morning
hours. This area would more likely be along and north of US20. As
the synoptic low drives northeast, a weaker surge of west northwest
winds will move over the region tomorrow with colder air. Lows
tonight will drop to the mid 30s west to the lower 50s east.  Highs
tomorrow will be in the 40s to around 50.

&&

.LONG TERM.../Thursday through Tuesday/
Issued at 311 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

Confidence: Medium

The remainder of the forecast will be dominated by dry weather
through Saturday with a chance of rain and snow Sunday. We continue
with northwest flow and cool weather into the remainder of the
extended with little warming. Highs will remain in the 40s and 50s
with cool April highs during the remainder of the forecast.

&&

.AVIATION.../For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon/
Issued at 1250 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

Main concern will be storms and wind. Winds have increased ahead
of the main push of warm air and stronger gusts will continue
through 19-20z north. Elevated storms firing now in far northern
Iowa affecting mainly MCW and soon ALO with mainly gusty winds and
possible hail. Weak showers in the south at DSM lifting north.
Still some uncertainty about first batch of severe storms north
this evening, but timing would be 22z-00z initiation for FOD and
MCW while the main line in western Iowa will fire later between 00
and 02z, then transversing east through the night. Impacts from
the second line may be limited to areas west of I35...though a
smaller corridor or higher impact conditions may still ride
across northern Iowa. With conditional development still in play,
will update discussion as needed. /rev

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...REV
LONG TERM...REV
AVIATION...REV

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 12, 3:09 PM CDT, 3 hours 14 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
309 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>025-033>035-044>046-057-058-070-071-081-
092-132015-
Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-
Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Sac-Calhoun-Webster-Crawford-Carroll-
Greene-Audubon-Guthrie-Cass-Adair-Adams-Taylor-
309 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

Thunderstorms are expected to develop over western Iowa late this
afternoon and into the evening. Severe storms will be possible
with the potential for a few tornadoes, large hail to the size of
golf balls or larger and damaging wind gusts.

Gusty winds are expected this morning with a few gusts over 40 mph
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Strong and gusty winds are expected again by Wednesday night and
Thursday. Gusts in excess of 40 to 50 mph at times are possible,
especially across northern Iowa.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed mainly this evening.

IAZ026>028-036>039-047>050-059>062-072>075-082>086-093>097-132015-
Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Boone-
Story-Marshall-Tama-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-Poweshiek-Madison-Warren-
Marion-Mahaska-Union-Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-Ringgold-Decatur-
Wayne-Appanoose-Davis-
309 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

Thunderstorms are expected to develop over western Iowa late this
afternoon and into the evening. These storms are expected to reach
the Interstate 35 corridor late this evening and overnight. A few
of these storms may be severe with damaging wind gusts and
isolated tornadoes the primary threats. Quarter sized hail may
also occur. At this time, the more significant severe weather is
expected west of this area.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Strong and gusty winds are expected again by Wednesday night and
Thursday. Gusts in excess of 40 to 50 mph at times are possible,
especially across northern Iowa.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed tonight.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 12, 5:46 PM CDT, 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
546 PM CDT TUE APR 12 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0525 PM     HAIL             1 N LYTTON              42.44N 94.87W
04/12/2022  E1.00 INCH       SAC                IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MOSTLY PENNY AND NICKEL HAIL WITH SOME 1
            MIXED IN.

&&

DODSON

Local storm report, Apr 12, 5:47 PM CDT, 36 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
547 PM CDT TUE APR 12 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0541 PM     HAIL             1 NW POCAHONTAS         42.74N 94.68W
04/12/2022  M0.70 INCH       POCAHONTAS         IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

Local storm report, Apr 12, 5:53 PM CDT, 30 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
553 PM CDT TUE APR 12 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0539 PM     HAIL             FONDA                   42.59N 94.84W
04/12/2022  E1.00 INCH       POCAHONTAS         IA   PUBLIC

            DIME AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

&&

AB

Local storm report, Apr 12, 5:55 PM CDT, 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
555 PM CDT TUE APR 12 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0548 PM     HAIL             5 ENE FONDA             42.63N 94.76W
04/12/2022  E1.00 INCH       POCAHONTAS         IA   PUBLIC

            VIA MPING.

&&

DODSON

Local storm report, Apr 12, 5:57 PM CDT, 26 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
557 PM CDT TUE APR 12 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0530 PM     HAIL             FONDA                   42.58N 94.85W
04/12/2022  E1.00 INCH       POCAHONTAS         IA   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

Local storm report, Apr 12, 6:02 PM CDT, 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
602 PM CDT TUE APR 12 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0555 PM     HAIL             1 NW POCAHONTAS         42.74N 94.68W
04/12/2022  M1.00 INCH       POCAHONTAS         IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            PENNY AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

&&

AB

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 12, 10:24 AM CDT	Wind Advisory	DMX	Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Cerro Gordo, Crawford, Emmet and 16 more	4 hr
Apr 12, 5:00 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Calhoun, Pocahontas, Sac	45 min
Apr 12, 5:36 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Crawford	24 min
Apr 12, 5:46 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Calhoun, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas	44 min
Apr 12, 5:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Emmet	23 min
Apr 12, 5:59 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DMX	Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas	31 min
Apr 12, 6:38 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Palo Alto, Pocahontas	37 min
Apr 12, 6:48 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	DMX	Pocahontas	27 min
Apr 12, 6:54 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threat	DMX	Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Wright	51 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2022 Every tornado warning in 2022 Tornadoes in 2022

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.