Alert archive / Iowa / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 158, NWS La Crosse, WI
NWS La Crosse, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 8, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT for 4 counties in Iowa. It was in force for 42 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, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT (23:33 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 8, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 42 min
- Issued by
- NWS La Crosse, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Chickasaw County, IA, Fayette County, IA, Howard County, IA, Winneshiek County, IA
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 104 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:33 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 1:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 369 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -82 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1085 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 33 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 12 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 57 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- -0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.0
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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 8, 1:06 PM CDT, 5 hours 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Clusters of storms developing over southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin advance southeast this evening. Some storms may be severe and produce locally heavy rainfall of (1-3"), mainly west of the Mississippi River.
- Quieter weather for the remainder of the week with a 20-30% chance of afternoon storms for Thursday.
- Cooler for the end of the week with warmth returning early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 8, 1:06 PM CDT, 5 hours 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 106 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Clusters of storms developing over southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin advance southeast this evening. Some storms may be severe and produce locally heavy rainfall of (1-3"), mainly west of the Mississippi River. - Quieter weather for the remainder of the week with a 20-30% chance of afternoon storms for Thursday. - Cooler for the end of the week with warmth returning early next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 100 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 This Afternoon: Severe Weather and Heavy Rain Risk A convective complex that moved through central Minnesota gradually decayed and shifted northward through the morning hours as it ran into a more stable airmass, with the back edge of the anvil shield serving as the trigger for new convective development around noon as return southerly flow streamed up through the Siouxland. These cells have already grown into a multi-cell complex with additional cells developing further upstream along I-90. Given the earlier initiation timeframe and continued convective debris lingering over the forecast area, concerns area shifting more towards a heavy rain threat vs. severe threat with these storms. There looks to be a period before 00Z where storms could train along the I-90 corridor in southeastern Minnesota before the convective cold pools take over and propagate to the southeast, which should result in the convective complex sagging southward as well. Multiple runs of the HRRR through the day have been focusing the QPF axis of 1-3 inches (with some pixels of 4-5 inches) between I-35 and Highway 52 in southeast Minnesota and far northeast Iowa, an area that remains saturated from last week's deluge. Given these trends, have issued a flood watch for much of the area west of the Mississippi River through midnight tonight. There severe threat remains on the table, but will probably be more focused west of the Mississippi River (maybe even closer to I-35) where there will be better recovery of the airmass. There is some southeastward elongation in the 1-5-km hodographs that could support some storms organization, but with cells already growing upscale into clusters, severe weather will likely be focused in narrow corridors where the convective cold pools can organize. As the storms become more outflow dominant in the evening, the severe weather threat should wane. Thursday Afternoon: Scattered Showers and Storms Cooler and slightly less humid air filters southward on Thursday in the wake of this afternoon's storms, but vertical thermal profiles will still support pulse convection during the afternoon with MLCAPE values of 1500-2000 J/kg and little to no inhibition. Shear profiles and forcing will be weak and therefore storms will struggle to organize. Very localized heavy rainfall of 1-2 inches would be the main threat with these storms given their slower storm motions. Cool End to the Week, Warmer Next Week Upper level ridging builds in for the weekend and into early next week, keeping the threat for rainfall at bay while at the same time pumping heat northward into the northern CONUS. At this point, the warmest temperatures are progged to be more over High Plains with the Upper Mississippi River Valley falling under a weak east to southeasterly flow under or just west of the surface high pressure reflection. This may act to temper temperatures and dewpoints compared to locations further west, though to the exact degree is less certain. Highs are still forecast to reach into the upper 80s to low 90s no matter how you slice the forecast, making it feel solidly like summer. The ridge flattens around midweek, but how fast it amplifies earlier in the week will dictate whether this flattening brings convection down into our region or if the storms stay to the north and we remain under the heat. The various ensembles groups remain in their respective camps on how this will unfold with no clear leaning one way or another. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1250 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 Primarily VFR conditions continue through the next few hours with light southwest winds ahead of expected showers and storms that move northwest to southeast across the region this afternoon into tonight, generally in the 20z to 09z timeframe. That said, there are some storms have already developed along I-35 this afternoon. These storms are expected to bring heavy rainfall leading to MVFR/IFR ceilings and visibilities. Also can't rule out some strong gusty winds as they move through. MVFR to IFR ceilings linger through the overnight hours behind the showers/storms. There is also the indication that patchy fog could develop across the region alongside these lower ceilings, but any fog that does develop should burn off fairly quickly through the morning hours. Confidence in fog impacts is currently not high enough to include at the TAF sites, but is something to monitor overnight. Winds gradually shift to the northwest through Thursday morning generally 10KT or less. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for MNZ086>088-094>096. IA...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for IAZ008>011-018-019. && DISCUSSION...Skow AVIATION...Falkinham
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 1:28 PM CDT, 5 hours 5 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 128 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 IAZ029-030-MNZ079-WIZ017-029-032>034-041>044-053>055-061-092230- Fayette-Clayton-Wabasha-Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson- La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant- 128 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Iowa...southeast Minnesota...central Wisconsin...north central Wisconsin...southwest Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A few severe thunderstorms are possible (20-30% chance) later this afternoon and evening. Heavy rainfall, damaging winds and a brief tornado are the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Severe weather and rainfall reports would be appreciated. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ086>088-094>096-092230- Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Dodge- Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston- 128 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Iowa...northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A flood watch is in effect through midnight as storms may produce heavy rainfall and renewed flooding. A few severe thunderstorms are possible (20-30% chance) later this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and a brief tornado are the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Severe weather and rainfall reports would be appreciated. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. KDS
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 8, 4:51 PM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
451 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0445 PM Rain Le Roy 43.51N 92.51W
07/08/2026 M2.60 Inch Mower MN Trained Spotter
Rain still ongoing at time of report.
&&
BRMLocal storm report, Jul 8, 5:16 PM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
516 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM Rain Cresco 43.37N 92.12W
07/08/2026 E3.00 Inch Howard IA Fire Dept/Rescue
Rain still ongoing at time of report. Some
street flooding was also occurring.
&&
BRMLocal storm report, Jul 8, 5:42 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
542 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Flash Flood Austin 43.67N 92.97W
07/08/2026 Mower MN Emergency Mngr
Multiple reports of roadways with standing
water upwards of 6 inches on the roads
throughout the city. A vehicle was stuck in
a flooded roadway on I-90.
&&
BRMLocal storm report, Jul 8, 5:52 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
552 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0549 PM Hail 6 NE Mcintire 43.50N 92.51W
07/08/2026 M1.00 Inch Howard IA Public
&&
JSBLocal storm report, Jul 8, 5:58 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
558 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM Lightning 1 ENE Winona 44.05N 91.64W
07/08/2026 Winona MN Public
Lightning struck a house and started a small
fire.
&&
JSBLocal storm report, Jul 8, 6:05 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
605 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 PM Rain Le Roy 43.51N 92.51W
07/08/2026 M4.50 Inch Mower MN Public
&&
JSBThe office that day
Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 4:05 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ARX | Taylor | 40 min |
| Jul 8, 12:37 PM CDT | Flood Watch | ARX | Allamakee, Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek | 10 hr |
| Jul 8, 4:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Howard, Mitchell | 44 min |
| Jul 8, 4:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Howard, Winneshiek | 41 min |
| Jul 8, 5:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Howard, Mitchell | 60 min |
| Jul 8, 5:07 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Mitchell | 23 min |
| Jul 8, 5:33 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ARX | Howard, Mitchell | 3 hr |
| Jul 8, 5:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Howard, Winneshiek | 50 min |
| Jul 8, 6:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Fayette, Winneshiek | 38 min |
| Jul 8, 4:35 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ARX | Mower | 4 hr |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Iowa, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026
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.