Alert archive / Iowa / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 166, NWS La Crosse, WI
NWS La Crosse, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 7, 2026, 3:47 PM CDT for Fayette County, Iowa. It was in force for 58 min. 3 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
- Aug 7, 2026, 3:47 PM CDT (20:47 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 7, 2026, 4:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 58 min
- Issued by
- NWS La Crosse, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.25 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Fayette County, IA
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 133 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 4:15 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Fairbank, IA | Multiple utility poles down in Fairbank. Possible tornado. Time estimated from radar. |
| Aug 7, 4:15 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | Fairbank, IA | Time estimated from radar. |
| Aug 7, 4:18 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 58 | Fairbank, IA | PWS. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 1:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 272 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
- 506 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -343 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1332 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 33 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 211 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 250 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.3
The text
As transmitted.
017
WUUS53 KARX 072047
SVRARX
IAC065-072145-
/O.NEW.KARX.SV.W.0166.260807T2047Z-260807T2145Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
347 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southern Fayette County in northeastern Iowa...
* Until 445 PM CDT.
* At 347 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Tripoli, or
15 miles northwest of Oelwein, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.
* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
Maynard around 410 PM CDT.
Oelwein around 415 PM CDT.
Stanley around 425 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Highway
93 And County W 14, Highway 93 And County V 68, Volga River State
Park, Wadena, Randalia, Highways 3 And 187, and County Road W 45 And
187.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4264 9208 4290 9208 4286 9161 4264 9161
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 290DEG 27KT 4280 9217
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Ferguson4 follow-up statements
863
WWUS53 KARX 072051
SVSARX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
351 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
IAC065-072145-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0166.000000T0000Z-260807T2145Z/
Fayette IA-
351 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY...
At 350 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Sumner, or 13
miles northwest of Oelwein, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Oelwein, Fayette, Fairbank, Maynard, Arlington, Stanley, Wadena,
Westgate, Randalia, Volga River State Park, and Albany.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
La Crosse.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4288 9208 4289 9192 4286 9161 4264 9161
4264 9208
TIME...MOT...LOC 2050Z 290DEG 27KT 4279 9213
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Ferguson221
WWUS53 KARX 072123
SVSARX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
423 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
IAC065-072145-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0166.000000T0000Z-260807T2145Z/
Fayette IA-
423 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY...
At 423 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Stanley, or
near Oelwein, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Two inch hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind
damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Oelwein, Fairbank, Maynard, Arlington, Stanley, and Westgate.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
La Crosse.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4278 9205 4281 9195 4277 9161 4264 9161
4264 9208
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 290DEG 27KT 4270 9181
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Ferguson065
WWUS53 KARX 072130
SVSARX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
430 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
IAC065-072145-
/O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0166.000000T0000Z-260807T2145Z/
Fayette IA-
430 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY...
At 429 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Aurora, or 8
miles east of Oelwein, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Oelwein, Fairbank, Maynard, Arlington, and Stanley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
La Crosse.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4277 9161 4264 9161 4264 9208 4280 9189
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 290DEG 27KT 4268 9175
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Ferguson699 WWUS53 KARX 072139 SVSARX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 439 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 IAC065-072148- /O.EXP.KARX.SV.W.0166.000000T0000Z-260807T2145Z/ Fayette IA- 439 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 445 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern Iowa. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service La Crosse. && LAT...LON 4277 9161 4264 9161 4264 9208 4280 9189 TIME...MOT...LOC 2138Z 290DEG 27KT 4266 9167 $$ Ferguson
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 Aug 7, 1:11 PM CDT, 2 hours 36 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Severe storm risk this afternoon remains a lower confidence forecast owing to early morning storms. Pockets of damaging winds and heavy rain would be the main threats, which look to be focusing over south-central MN and north-central IA.
- Additional rounds of storms return to the forecast from early Sunday morning through midweek. There may exist a severe weather threat with these storms, but confidence in such details is low at this time.
- Seasonal temperatures continue for the weekend with a slight cooling trend by midweek as the storm risk pushes south.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 7, 1:11 PM CDT, 2 hours 36 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 111 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Severe storm risk this afternoon remains a lower confidence forecast owing to early morning storms. Pockets of damaging winds and heavy rain would be the main threats, which look to be focusing over south-central MN and north-central IA. - Additional rounds of storms return to the forecast from early Sunday morning through midweek. There may exist a severe weather threat with these storms, but confidence in such details is low at this time. - Seasonal temperatures continue for the weekend with a slight cooling trend by midweek as the storm risk pushes south. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 110 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 This Afternoon: Storm Details Several rounds of storms have developed since sunrise on the nose of a 850-700-mb theta-e ridge that is advancing eastward just ahead of a surface cold front bifurcating Minnesota from SW to NE. As expected, the complex hodographs and linear forcing, coupled with a narrow instability axis in which storms have little residence time, have resulted in transient storm structures and a rapid upscale growth. The southern side of the line has become the dominant feature as of 18Z and is making the southeastward turn as the cold pool becomes established. This trend will continue over the next few hours, with damaging winds being the main threat. Additional storms may form along the nose the the theta-e ridge, but time is running out for this to occur before the cold front arrives. The cold front may serve as a source for additional convective initiation, but there has been ample anvil shading along the front and any risk for these storms may be displaced further north towards northern Wisconsin. Sunday Morning: Next Round of Storms, Heavy Rain Threat? Cooler and more stable air filters southward tonight in the wake of the cold front and persists for much of Saturday as the front stalls and pivots near I-80 in Iowa. Lee cyclogenesis along the Front Range helps push this (now warm) front northward across the region once again late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Aided by a 30-40 kt LLJ, these storms could be more robust in nature and produce heavy rainfall. While confidence is increasing that there will be some sort of MCS across the region, the devil is in the details as to when exactly it will form, which will dictate its track. Aided by increasing Gulf moisture and PWATs of 1.5 to 2 inches, coupled with an increasing line parallel storm motion, this complex could put down efficient rainfall rates in short order and will need to be monitored for any flooding risk. Early Next Week: Continued Storm Risk The lower tropospheric front stalls between central Iowa and southern Minnesota for later Sunday through Tuesday, presenting multiple windows of opportunities for convection that could bring heavy rain. However, details of these storms remain very nebulous and will be refined over the coming days. Mid to Late Week: Drier and Cooler The medium to longer range solutions are in general agreement that a a polar airmass will build southward through mid to late week as the surface baroclinic zone sags southward. This should result in cooler and drier weather, though with the surface front not far away, it will not take much of a wobble in the forecast to bring this rain back northward. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1200 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 Primary concern over the next 24 hours is the likelihood (60%) for TS to move west to east across the area this afternoon and evening, affecting both LSE/RST. Have maintained previous TAF posture of TS mentions with TEMPO groups of IFR visibility but with timing adjustments. After TS departs to the east, northwesterly winds should be predominant and should (80%) serve to keep stratus/fog concerns confined to the Wisconsin River valley around OVS overnight into Saturday morning. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. IA...None. && DISCUSSION...Skow AVIATION...Ferguson
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 7, 9:08 AM CDT, 6 hours 39 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 908 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029- 032>034-041>044-053>055-061-081815- Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette- Clayton-Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston- Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau- Adams-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant- 908 AM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Iowa. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Strong storms are possible this afternoon and evening with damaging winds (15% chance) as the main hazard. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Additional rounds of storms are possible on Sunday and into early next week, some of which may approach severe levels and produce heavy rain. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... No action needed. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. KDS
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 7, 2:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
240 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
IAZ009-018-019-072015-
Floyd IA-Chickasaw IA-Howard IA-
240 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN HOWARD...EASTERN FLOYD
AND CHICKASAW COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM CDT...
At 239 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Elma to near Charles City to 7 miles
southwest of Greene. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Charles City and Elma around 245 PM CDT.
Nashua and Ionia around 250 PM CDT.
New Hampton and Jerico around 255 PM CDT.
Protivin around 300 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Bradford,
Chickasaw, Oakwood, New Hampton Airport, Powersville, Republic,
Colwell County Park, and Alta Vista.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
north central and northeastern Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4300 9280 4321 9259 4321 9255 4325 9255
4335 9245 4329 9208 4323 9208 4299 9233
4291 9244 4291 9292
TIME...MOT...LOC 1939Z 275DEG 33KT 4329 9242 4300 9273 4284 9294
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FergusonSpecial weather statement, Aug 7, 3:17 PM CDT, 30 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
317 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
MNZ087-088-094>096-WIZ032>034-041-072045-
Olmsted MN-Fillmore MN-Winona MN-Mower MN-Houston MN-Buffalo WI-
Jackson WI-Trempealeau WI-La Crosse WI-
317 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WINONA...SOUTHEASTERN OLMSTED...
SOUTHEASTERN MOWER...WESTERN HOUSTON...FILLMORE...SOUTHEASTERN
BUFFALO...NORTHWESTERN LA CROSSE...WESTERN JACKSON AND TREMPEALEAU
COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM CDT...
At 315 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking decaying thunderstorms
generating strong wind gusts along a line extending from near Blair
to near St. Charles to 8 miles southwest of Preston. Movement was
east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Winona, Black River Falls, Arcadia, Whitehall, Preston, Buffalo,
Holmen, Goodview, St. Charles, Chatfield, Spring Valley, Eyota,
Rushford, Lewiston, Trempealeau, Galesville, Blair, Independence,
Spring Grove, and Strum.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 94 between mile markers 92 and 121.
Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 224 and 271.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
northeastern Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4400 9221 4419 9195 4420 9187 4424 9189
4459 9142 4453 9105 4428 9068 4384 9149
4350 9165 4351 9264
TIME...MOT...LOC 2015Z 276DEG 37KT 4428 9132 4390 9200 4358 9219
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FergusonThe office that day
Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 3:20 AM CDT | Dense Fog Advisory | ARX | Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard and 2 more | 6 hr |
| Aug 7, 1:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell | 57 min |
| Aug 7, 2:40 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ARX | Chickasaw | 35 min |
| Aug 7, 2:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd | 54 min |
| Aug 7, 3:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Fayette | 34 min |
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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.