Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 9, NWS Des Moines, IA

April 4, 20236 counties in Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 4, 2023, 6:48 PM CDT for 6 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 42 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 4, 2023, 6:48 PM CDT (23:48 UTC)
Expired: Apr 4, 2023, 7:30 PM CDT
In force: 42 min
Issued by: NWS Des Moines, IA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.5 in

Counties Jasper County, IA, Lucas County, IA, Mahaska County, IA, Marion County, IA, Poweshiek County, IA, Warren County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:51 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 4, 6:56 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 Sse Sandyville, IA	TORNADO TOUCHDOWN BUT UP AND DOWN.
Apr 4, 6:57 PM CDT	HAIL 1.25	2 S Pleasantville, IA	HALF DOLLAR HAIL.
Apr 4, 6:57 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 Ese Milo, IA	DEBRIS REPORTED SOUTHEAST OF MILO.
Apr 4, 6:58 PM CDT	FUNNEL CLOUD	5 Se Pleasantville, IA
Apr 4, 7:04 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Se Pleasantville, IA
Apr 4, 7:04 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 S Pleasantville, IA	NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 5 AND HIGHWAY 92.
Apr 4, 7:30 PM CDT	HAIL 1	Sully, IA	REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER.
Apr 4, 7:33 PM CDT	HAIL 1.5	Sully, IA	TIME ESTIMATED.

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
Apr 4, 2:48 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 225 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: 541 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 301 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 518 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

097 
WFUS53 KDMX 042348
TORDMX
IAC099-117-123-125-157-181-050030-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0009.230404T2348Z-230405T0030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
648 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

The National Weather Service in Des Moines  has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Lucas County in south central Iowa...
  Southwestern Poweshiek County in central Iowa...
  Central Marion County in south central Iowa...
  Northwestern Mahaska County in south central Iowa...
  Southeastern Jasper County in central Iowa...
  Southeastern Warren County in south central Iowa...

* Until 730 PM CDT.
    
* At 648 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Lacona, or 12 miles southeast of Indianola, moving
  northeast at 55 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

  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...
  Melcher-Dallas around 655 PM CDT.
  Pleasantville around 700 PM CDT.
  Knoxville, Knoxville Raceway and Knoxville Municipal Airport 
  around 705 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Lake Red Rock, Elk Rock State Park, Monroe, Pella Municipal Airport,
Pella, Reasnor and Sully.

This includes Interstate 80 near mile marker 171.
 
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 4116 9339 4125 9349 4168 9294 4146 9268
TIME...MOT...LOC 2348Z 231DEG 47KT 4123 9340 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Hagenhoff

2 follow-up statements

574 
WWUS53 KDMX 042358 RRA
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
658 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

IAC117-050008-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-230405T0030Z/
Lucas IA-
658 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN LUCAS 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 1000 PM CDT for central and
south central Iowa.

LAT...LON 4122 9324 4133 9339 4168 9294 4146 9268
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 231DEG 47KT 4132 9326 

$$

IAC099-123-125-157-181-050030-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-230405T0030Z/
Poweshiek IA-Marion IA-Mahaska IA-Jasper IA-Warren IA-
658 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN POWESHIEK...CENTRAL MARION...NORTHWESTERN MAHASKA...
SOUTHEASTERN JASPER AND EAST CENTRAL WARREN COUNTIES...
    
At 658 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Pleasantville, or
8 miles west of Knoxville, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters 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.

This tornado will be near...
  Knoxville, Knoxville Raceway and Knoxville Municipal Airport 
  around 705 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Lake Red Rock, Elk Rock State Park, Monroe, Pella Municipal Airport,
Pella, Reasnor and Sully.

This includes Interstate 80 near mile marker 171.
 
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 4122 9324 4133 9339 4168 9294 4146 9268
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 231DEG 47KT 4132 9326 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Hagenhoff

241 
WWUS53 KDMX 050014
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
714 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

IAC181-050024-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-230405T0030Z/
Warren IA-
714 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WARREN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning hasmoved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central and
south central Iowa.

LAT...LON 4134 9310 4144 9324 4168 9294 4146 9268
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 231DEG 47KT 4144 9307 

$$

IAC099-123-125-157-050030-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-230405T0030Z/
Poweshiek IA-Marion IA-Mahaska IA-Jasper IA-
714 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN POWESHIEK...NORTHERN MARION...NORTHWESTERN MAHASKA AND
SOUTHEASTERN JASPER COUNTIES...
    
At 714 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Elk Rock State
Park, or 8 miles west of Pella, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters 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...
  Pella, Reasnor and Sully.

This includes Interstate 80 near mile marker 171.
 
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 4134 9310 4144 9324 4168 9294 4146 9268
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 231DEG 47KT 4144 9307 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Hagenhoff

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 4, 3:02 AM CDT	Red Flag Warning	DMX	Adams, Cass, Taylor	15 hr
Apr 4, 6:59 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	DMX	Wapello	46 min
Apr 4, 4:34 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Adair, Boone, Dallas, Guthrie, Polk	41 min
Apr 4, 4:45 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Adair, Adams, Ringgold, Taylor, Union	45 min
Apr 4, 4:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	DMX	Adams, Ringgold, Taylor, Union	38 min
Apr 4, 5:26 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Adair, Boone, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, Madison and 1 more	49 min
Apr 4, 5:35 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Adair, Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Madison, Ringgold and 2 more	40 min
Apr 4, 6:08 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin	52 min
Apr 4, 6:10 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Clarke, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Polk, Union and 1 more	50 min
Apr 4, 6:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Worth	39 min
Apr 4, 6:30 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Story	45 min
Apr 4, 6:35 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Butler, Franklin	40 min
Apr 4, 6:43 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Adair, Adams, Cass, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison and 1 more	47 min
Apr 4, 6:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Tama	51 min
Apr 4, 6:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	DMX	Worth	33 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2023 Every tornado warning in 2023 Tornadoes in 2023

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.