Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2024
Tornado Warning 39, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at May 21, 2024, 3:26 PM CDT for 4 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 49 min. 2 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 21, 2024, 3:26 PM CDT (20:26 UTC)
- Expired
- May 21, 2024, 4:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 49 min
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Observed
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Adair County, IA, Adams County, IA, Madison County, IA, Union County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 96 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:31 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 21, 3:30 PM CDT | TORNADO | 2 Wsw Cromwell, IA | Confirmed tornado on the ground just SW of Cromwell. |
| May 21, 3:46 PM CDT | HAIL 0.5 | 1 N Creston, IA |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 1:14 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 251 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
- 1197 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -325 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 744 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 48 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 562 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 663 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.4
The text
As transmitted.
159
WFUS53 KDMX 212026
TORDMX
IAC001-003-121-175-212115-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0039.240521T2026Z-240521T2115Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
326 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Madison County in south central Iowa...
Northwestern Union County in south central Iowa...
Southeastern Adams County in southwestern Iowa...
Southeastern Adair County in southwestern Iowa...
* Until 415 PM CDT.
* At 325 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located over Prescott,
or 6 miles east of Corning, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
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.
* This tornadic storm will be near...
Prescott and Cromwell around 330 PM CDT.
Creston, Green Valley Lake, and Green Valley Lake State Park
around 340 PM CDT.
Macksburg around 355 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Cromwell, Prescott, Macksburg, and Green Valley Lake State Park.
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 4094 9463 4100 9470 4129 9426 4119 9409
TIME...MOT...LOC 2025Z 232DEG 38KT 4100 9461
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
Curtis2 follow-up statements
257
WWUS53 KDMX 212043 RRA
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
343 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
IAC001-003-121-175-212115-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-240521T2115Z/
Madison IA-Union IA-Adams IA-Adair IA-
343 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN MADISON...NORTHWESTERN UNION...EASTERN ADAMS AND
SOUTHEASTERN ADAIR COUNTIES...
At 343 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Green Valley Lake
State Park, or near Creston, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornado will be near...
Macksburg around 355 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Macksburg and Green Valley Lake State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4103 9444 4113 9450 4129 9426 4119 9409
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 232DEG 38KT 4112 9440
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
Curtis865
WWUS53 KDMX 212101
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
401 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
IAC003-212111-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-240521T2115Z/
Adams IA-
401 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN ADAMS 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 900 PM CDT for south central
and southwestern Iowa.
LAT...LON 4111 9427 4126 9430 4129 9426 4119 9409
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 232DEG 38KT 4124 9420
$$
IAC001-121-175-212115-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-240521T2115Z/
Madison IA-Union IA-Adair IA-
401 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN MADISON...NORTH CENTRAL UNION AND SOUTHEASTERN ADAIR
COUNTIES...
At 401 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Macksburg, or 12
miles southwest of Winterset, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southwestern Madison, north central Union and southeastern Adair
Counties, including the following locations... Macksburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4111 9427 4126 9430 4129 9426 4119 9409
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 232DEG 38KT 4124 9420
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
CurtisThe office that day
Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 8:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Palo Alto, Pocahontas | 50 min |
| May 20, 8:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hancock, Kossuth, Winnebago | 42 min |
| May 20, 9:12 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Black Hawk | 24 hr |
| May 20, 9:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas | 37 min |
| May 20, 9:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hancock, Winnebago, Worth | 22 min |
| May 20, 10:20 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Hancock | 25 min |
| May 20, 10:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Kossuth | 25 min |
| May 20, 10:40 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Palo Alto, Pocahontas | 35 min |
| May 20, 11:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Palo Alto, Pocahontas | 28 min |
| May 20, 11:16 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Hancock, Kossuth, Winnebago | 6 hr |
| May 20, 11:30 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Carroll | 30 min |
| May 20, 11:34 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Guthrie | 26 min |
| May 20, 11:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie and 2 more | 36 min |
| May 21, 12:06 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Pocahontas | 24 min |
| May 21, 12:10 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Hancock | 35 min |
| May 21, 1:09 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Audubon, Carroll, Crawford | 66 min |
| May 21, 1:20 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Polk | 40 min |
| May 21, 2:15 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Audubon, Guthrie | 60 min |
| May 21, 2:32 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Black Hawk, Tama | 28 min |
| May 21, 2:38 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Butler, Grundy, Hardin | 37 min |
| May 21, 2:56 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler | 49 min |
| May 21, 3:09 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin, Wright | 8 hr |
| May 21, 3:22 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Carroll, Crawford, Sac | 38 min |
| May 21, 3:26 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Adair, Audubon, Cass, Guthrie | 8 hr |
| May 21, 4:12 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Polk | 33 min |
| May 21, 4:22 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Boone, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, Jasper, Marshall and 2 more | 7 hr |
| May 21, 5:09 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | DMX | Hancock, Kossuth, Winnebago | 14 hr |
| May 21, 5:25 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Poweshiek, Tama | 50 min |
| May 21, 5:51 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Poweshiek, Tama | 39 min |
| May 21, 6:18 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Poweshiek, Tama | 42 min |
| May 21, 6:26 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama | 5 hr |
| May 21, 6:28 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Carroll, Crawford, Sac | 47 min |
| May 21, 6:51 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Audubon, Carroll, Cass, Crawford, Guthrie | 54 min |
| May 21, 7:07 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Cass | 23 min |
| May 21, 7:24 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adair, Cass | 36 min |
| May 21, 7:29 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Audubon, Cass, Guthrie | 46 min |
| May 21, 7:35 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Adams, Cass, Taylor | 40 min |
| May 21, 8:05 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison | 55 min |
| May 21, 8:41 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Dallas, Madison, Polk, Warren | 64 min |
| May 21, 8:57 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Bremer, Grundy, Hardin, Marshall, Tama | 2 hr |
| May 21, 9:26 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek and 2 more | 64 min |
| May 21, 10:09 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Cass | 15 hr |
| May 21, 11:14 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Polk | 4 days |
| May 21, 11:14 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Webster | 9 hr |
| May 21, 11:14 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Polk | 5 days |
| May 21, 11:14 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Dallas, Greene | 4 days |
| May 21, 11:14 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | DMX | Boone, Hamilton, Webster | 47 hr |
| May 21, 11:14 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Tama | 8 days |
| May 21, 11:14 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Poweshiek | 46 min |
| May 21, 11:16 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin and 6 more | 24 hr |
| May 21, 11:54 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Poweshiek | 21 min |
| May 21, 1:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Crawford | 52 min |
| May 21, 2:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Sac | 29 min |
| May 21, 2:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adams, Audubon, Cass | 62 min |
| May 21, 2:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Crawford, Sac | 45 min |
| May 21, 2:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adams, Cass | 18 min |
| May 21, 2:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adair, Adams, Cass, Union | 50 min |
| May 21, 2:57 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DMX | Adair, Audubon, Carroll, Cass, Crawford, Greene and 1 more | 6 hr |
| May 21, 3:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adair, Adams, Madison, Taylor, Union | 53 min |
| May 21, 3:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Audubon, Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, Guthrie and 1 more | 49 min |
| May 21, 3:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Audubon, Cass, Greene, Guthrie | 22 min |
| May 21, 3:20 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 7 hr |
| May 21, 3:26 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 4 days |
| May 21, 3:26 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | DMX | Polk | 4 days |
| May 21, 3:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Greene, Hamilton, Webster, Wright | 44 min |
| May 21, 3:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Ringgold, Taylor, Union | 42 min |
| May 21, 3:35 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adair, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison | 40 min |
| May 21, 3:40 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Adair, Adams, Dallas, Madison, Ringgold, Union | 50 min |
| May 21, 3:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Clarke, Madison, Ringgold, Union, Warren | 50 min |
| May 21, 3:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, Union, Warren | 47 min |
| May 21, 4:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Webster | 44 min |
| May 21, 4:03 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Boone, Hamilton, Webster | 42 min |
| May 21, 4:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Lucas, Madison and 4 more | 64 min |
| May 21, 4:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hancock, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth | 49 min |
| May 21, 4:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Worth, Wright | 45 min |
| May 21, 4:19 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Boone, Dallas, Polk, Story | 41 min |
| May 21, 4:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Marshall and 2 more | 50 min |
| May 21, 4:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Jasper, Madison, Polk, Warren | 45 min |
| May 21, 4:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Grundy, Hardin, Jasper, Marion, Marshall, Polk and 2 more | 47 min |
| May 21, 4:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin | 17 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes in 2024
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.