Alert archive / Iowa / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 147, NWS Des Moines, IA

July 8, 20256 counties in Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 8, 2025, 12:22 AM CDT for 6 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 38 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 8, 2025, 12:22 AM CDT (05:22 UTC)
Expired
Jul 8, 2025, 1:00 AM CDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Adams County, IA, Clarke County, IA, Decatur County, IA, Ringgold County, IA, Taylor County, IA, Union County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 104 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:24 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.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 7, 9:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Omaha, NE (KOAX), launched 00:00Z, 5.4 hours before the alert went out and 185 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2025-07-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1884 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Omaha, NE at 00:00Z on 2025-07-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 67 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
1884 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-24 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1345 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
67 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
250 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.7
Supercell composite
8.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 7, 6:31 PM CDT, 5 hours 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A few thunderstorms southern Iowa this afternoon, but most places staying dry.
  • Severe storms possible over western Iowa mid to late evening into early Tuesday morning. The main hazard is damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph.
  • Additional shower and storm chances Tuesday with severe weather unlikely. Renewed, widespread storm chances at times Thursday night to Friday night.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 7, 6:31 PM CDT, 5 hours 51 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
631 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

 ...Updated for the 00z Aviation Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A few thunderstorms southern Iowa this afternoon, but most places
  staying dry.

- Severe storms possible over western Iowa mid to late evening
  into early Tuesday morning. The main hazard is damaging wind
  gusts up to 70 mph.

- Additional shower and storm chances Tuesday with severe
  weather unlikely. Renewed, widespread storm chances at times
  Thursday night to Friday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 244 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

Early afternoon upper level water vapor imagery from GOES-East
shows a cyclonic spin over the southern Manitoba province with
the shortwave trough axis into the Dakotas. Convection is ahead
of this area while over Iowa there are low level cumulus clouds,
particularly over eastern and southern Iowa, with a ribbon of
high clouds from southwest into north central Iowa. Temperatures
have warmed well into the low and middle 80s and this is
nearing the convective temperature in forecast soundings. While
there is a slight warm layer aloft, we may be able to overcome
this for a few storms this afternoon over southern Iowa with a
few storms already over eastern Iowa. With these storms favoring
more airmass variety with little available shear, main concern
would be sub-severe gusty winds as thunderstorms collapse with
this activity diminishing toward sunset.

As we head into this evening, will be watching clusters of
thunderstorms over South Dakota and northeastern Nebraska start to
head southeastward along the MUCAPE axis over western Iowa. These
storms could be severe with damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph
possible into a few of our western counties such as Sac and Crawford
mid to late evening. The outflow looks to push out ahead of these
storms making them becoming out of balance. Thus, current
expectation is that the severity wanes quickly east of roughly
Highway 71 and south I-80. Still, subsevere gusty winds of 40 to 55
mph may still occur with this most likely for areas south of I-80
and also likely west of I-35. Rainfall amounts will generally be
around or under an inch, though a few places in western or southern
Iowa could receive between 1.5 to 2 inches per latest HREF localized
probability matched mean. With the expected progressive nature of
these storms, not anticipating any short-term hydrology concerns.
All of these storms should be largely out of our service area by or
shortly after sunrise Tuesday. However, a few showers or storms may
continue Tuesday along a surface boundary over southern or eastern
Iowa. Additionally, a few storms may try to develop in the afternoon
over north central Iowa along the 850mb boundary. Subcloud dry air
may contribute to a few gusty winds, but this should all be below
severe limits with deep layer shear being less than 25 if not 20
knots. While the previous sentences make it sound wet,
expectation is that many places will stay dry during the day
Tuesday over central Iowa.

High pressure will transit across the region Tuesday night into
Wednesday providing a less active period of weather with seasonable
temperatures. However, this is short-lived as a shortwave trough off
the west central coast moves eastward flattening the Rockies ridge
as it nears the state by late Thursday. There will be some phasing
of the thermodynamic and kinematic fields and a favorable
instability and deep shear space as the shortwave lifts through the
region. This will make for periods of thunderstorms from Thursday
night through Friday night over Iowa. Strong to probably a few
severe storms will be possible in this period per the pattern and
supported by various AI and ML guidance. Efficient rainfall
processes may be in play with deep warm cloud depths and
precipitable water values of 1.5 to around 2 inches, though the
heavy rainfall concerns may be mitigated depending on storm
speeds. While ensemble means have just a 30% chance of over an
inch in 24 hours, the deterministic 0 or 6z GFS, ECMWF, and CMC
have between 1 and 3 inches in some 24 hour period between late
Thursday and late Friday. Early week soil moisture percentiles
are above the 80th level north of roughly Highway 30 and while
there will be some drying between later Tuesday through late
Thursday, this area may be more vulnerable to renewed water
issues if those rainfall amounts fall over the more vulnerable
basins.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 627 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

Primarily VFR conditions prevail this evening with only a few
cumulus clouds drifting through the area. Later this evening,
thunderstorms will begin to track into the state from the
northwest. Confidence is pretty low in how this line of storms
will look as it moves into the forecast area, so have timed out
the most likely windows using PROB30 groups and will amend as
needed. There is the potential for damaging winds with these
storms, but will wait for higher confidence in thunderstorm
impacts at TAF sites before including in the forecast. A brief
period of low cloud cover moves in across the north tomorrow
morning, primarily impacting KMCW. Winds remain light and fairly
variable through most of the TAF period, although did include a
prevailing direction through the day tomorrow.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Ansorge
AVIATION...Dodson
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 7, 3:13 PM CDT, 9 hours 9 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
313 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-
081>086-092>097-082015-
Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-
Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun-
Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Crawford-Carroll-Greene-
Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-
Poweshiek-Cass-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Adams-Union-
Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-Wayne-
Appanoose-Davis-
313 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

Widespread thunderstorms are expected tonight. A few severe
storms with damaging wind gusts are possible. Locally heavy
rainfall and hail may occur overnight as well.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Thunderstorms are possible again on Tuesday then again late
Thursday into Friday, with several rounds of storms possible
during this period.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is possible tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 7, 9:41 PM CDT, 2 hours 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
941 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

IAZ023-024-033>035-044>046-080315-
Humboldt IA-Calhoun IA-Sac IA-Webster IA-Greene IA-Pocahontas IA-
Carroll IA-Crawford IA-
941 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GREENE...
NORTHWESTERN WEBSTER...POCAHONTAS...SOUTHEASTERN SAC...CALHOUN...
SOUTHWESTERN HUMBOLDT...CRAWFORD AND CARROLL COUNTIES THROUGH 1015 PM
CDT...

At 941 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Pocahontas to 7 miles north of Lake City
to 8 miles south of Black Hawk Lake to 7 miles east of Ute. Movement
was southeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Carroll, Denison, Sac City, Pocahontas, Rockwell City, Lake City,
Manson, Manning, Glidden, Lake View, Dunlap, Black Hawk Lake, North
Twin Lake, South Twin Lake, Schleswig, Wall Lake, Manilla, Pomeroy,
Fonda, and Rolfe.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
west central Iowa.

&&

LAT...LON 4214 9567 4221 9534 4221 9532 4222 9532
      4251 9487 4288 9474 4272 9425 4222 9443
      4189 9492 4186 9518 4186 9567
TIME...MOT...LOC 0241Z 310DEG 33KT 4270 9465 4237 9476 4218 9503 4206
9557

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Dodson
Special weather statement, Jul 7, 10:12 PM CDT, 2 hours 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1012 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

IAZ034-035-044>046-057-058-080345-
Guthrie IA-Audubon IA-Calhoun IA-Webster IA-Greene IA-Carroll IA-
Crawford IA-
1012 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GREENE...WESTERN
WEBSTER...NORTHWESTERN GUTHRIE...NORTHERN AUDUBON...CALHOUN...
SOUTHERN CRAWFORD AND CARROLL COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 PM CDT...

At 1012 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles east of Manson to 11 miles west of
Gowrie to 5 miles northeast of Glidden to near Irwin. Movement was
southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Fort Dodge, Carroll, Denison, Jefferson, Audubon, Rockwell City, Lake
City, Manson, Manning, Coon Rapids, Glidden, Gowrie, North Twin Lake,
Fort Dodge Regional Airport, South Twin Lake, Manilla, Coalville,
Scranton, Otho, and Dow City.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
west central Iowa.

&&

LAT...LON 4198 9567 4213 9503 4221 9486 4256 9459
      4256 9407 4210 9428 4194 9442 4166 9509
      4186 9510 4187 9567
TIME...MOT...LOC 0312Z 315DEG 29KT 4250 9439 4224 9450 4209 9463 4181
9527

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Dodson
Special weather statement, Jul 7, 10:39 PM CDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1039 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

IAZ034-035-045>047-057>059-080415-
Guthrie IA-Boone IA-Audubon IA-Calhoun IA-Webster IA-Greene IA-
Carroll IA-Dallas IA-
1039 PM CDT Mon Jul 7 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT GREENE...SOUTHWESTERN WEBSTER...
NORTHERN GUTHRIE...AUDUBON...SOUTHEASTERN CALHOUN...SOUTHERN
CARROLL...WESTERN BOONE AND NORTHWESTERN DALLAS COUNTIES THROUGH 1115
PM CDT...

At 1039 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 4 miles northeast of Gowrie to 6 miles
northeast of Jefferson to near Coon Rapids to near Audubon. Movement
was southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Jefferson, Audubon, Guthrie Center, Ogden, Coon Rapids, Glidden,
Gowrie, Lake Panorama, Exira, Dayton, Grand Junction, Elk Horn,
Scranton, Bayard, Churdan, Farnhamville, Templeton, Kimballton,
Bagley, and Harcourt.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
southwestern and west central Iowa.

&&

LAT...LON 4187 9509 4202 9482 4227 9452 4237 9444
      4224 9398 4194 9405 4177 9430 4162 9459
      4150 9502 4151 9504 4160 9504 4160 9509
TIME...MOT...LOC 0339Z 310DEG 30KT 4234 9424 4210 9430 4189 9464 4177
9485 4172 9500

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

Dodson
Special weather statement, Jul 7, 11:37 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 7, 9:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXPocahontas, Sac34 min
Jul 7, 9:41 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXCalhoun, Carroll, Crawford, Pocahontas34 min
Jul 7, 10:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXCalhoun, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Webster33 min
Jul 7, 10:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXAudubon, Greene, Guthrie36 min
Jul 7, 11:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdair, Adams, Cass25 min
Jul 7, 11:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDMXPolk23 min
Jul 7, 11:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAdair, Adams, Cass, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor and 1 more50 min
Jul 7, 11:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXDallas, Polk46 min
Jul 8, 12:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXClarke, Dallas, Madison, Polk, Union, Warren38 min
Jul 8, 12:56 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXClarke, Decatur, Ringgold, Taylor, Union49 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Iowa, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.