Alert archive / Iowa / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 63, NWS La Crosse, WI
NWS La Crosse, WI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 15, 2026, 8:46 PM CDT for Chickasaw County, Floyd County, Iowa. It was in force for 44 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 15, 2026, 8:46 PM CDT (01:46 UTC)
- Expired
- May 15, 2026, 9:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 44 min
- Issued by
- NWS La Crosse, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Chickasaw County, IA, Floyd County, IA
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 153 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:48 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 15, 9:15 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 49 | 3 E Charles City, IA | AWOS station KCCY Charles City Airport. |
| May 15, 9:30 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 43 | 2 N Ionia, IA | Mesonet station RNHI4 New Hampton. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 5:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 1.8 hours before the alert went out and 217 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 3226 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 63 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -37 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 85 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
672
WUUS53 KARX 160146
SVRARX
IAC037-067-160230-
/O.NEW.KARX.SV.W.0063.260516T0146Z-260516T0230Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
846 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Floyd County in north central Iowa...
Western Chickasaw County in northeastern Iowa...
* Until 930 PM CDT.
* At 845 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Marble Rock,
or 7 miles west of Charles City, 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.
* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
Charles City around 850 PM CDT.
Ionia around 915 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include County
Roads B 33 And T 76, Howards Wood Recreational Area, Bradford,
Roseville, Chickasaw, Oakwood, and Bassett.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4291 9289 4312 9291 4317 9246 4291 9245
TIME...MOT...LOC 0145Z 264DEG 25KT 4303 9281
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Falkinham3 follow-up statements
571 WWUS53 KARX 160204 SVSARX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 904 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 IAC037-067-160230- /O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0063.000000T0000Z-260516T0230Z/ Floyd IA-Chickasaw IA- 904 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN FLOYD AND WESTERN CHICKASAW COUNTIES... At 904 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Nashua, or 7 miles south of Charles City, moving east at 35 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. This severe storm will be near... Nashua around 910 PM CDT. Ionia around 920 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include County Roads B 33 And T 76, Howards Wood Recreational Area, Bradford, Roseville, Chickasaw, Oakwood, and Bassett. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. && LAT...LON 4317 9246 4291 9245 4291 9284 4310 9286 TIME...MOT...LOC 0204Z 264DEG 30KT 4296 9266 HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH $$ Falkinham
990 WWUS53 KARX 160215 SVSARX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 915 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 IAC037-067-160230- /O.CON.KARX.SV.W.0063.000000T0000Z-260516T0230Z/ Floyd IA-Chickasaw IA- 915 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN FLOYD AND SOUTHWESTERN CHICKASAW COUNTIES... At 915 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Nashua, or 8 miles southeast of Charles City, moving east at 30 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. This severe storm will be near... Ionia around 920 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include County Roads B 33 And T 76, River Ranch Campground, Bunns Woods County Park, Howards Wood Recreational Area, Bradford, Chickasaw, and County Roads B 60 And T 64. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. && LAT...LON 4291 9272 4308 9273 4315 9246 4291 9245 TIME...MOT...LOC 0215Z 256DEG 27KT 4299 9255 HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH $$ Falkinham
756 WWUS53 KARX 160222 SVSARX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 922 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 IAC037-067-160231- /O.EXP.KARX.SV.W.0063.000000T0000Z-260516T0230Z/ Floyd IA-Chickasaw IA- 922 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN FLOYD AND SOUTHWESTERN CHICKASAW COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for north central and northeastern Iowa. && LAT...LON 4291 9272 4308 9273 4315 9246 4291 9245 TIME...MOT...LOC 0221Z 246DEG 28KT 4304 9251 $$ Falkinham
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 May 15, 6:45 PM CDT, 2 hours 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:
- Storms develop this evening west of the Mississippi River and push east overnight. Storms may become strong to severe with large hail being the primary threat initially before transitioning to a damaging wind threat later into the evening.
- Additional storms are likely both Saturday evening/night and Sunday evening. While strong to severe storm potential appears more limited on Saturday night, severe potential increases more on Sunday with much of the area in a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe weather.
- Monday currently has the greatest risk for severe weather over the next four days across the entire local area. Large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are on the table in this setup as storms move through the region on Monday.
- With multiple rounds of storms expected this evening through Monday, rises on area rivers into flood stage will be possible where storms frequent the same locations.
Area forecast discussion, May 15, 6:45 PM CDT, 2 hours 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service La Crosse WI 645 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Storms develop this evening west of the Mississippi River and push east overnight. Storms may become strong to severe with large hail being the primary threat initially before transitioning to a damaging wind threat later into the evening. - Additional storms are likely both Saturday evening/night and Sunday evening. While strong to severe storm potential appears more limited on Saturday night, severe potential increases more on Sunday with much of the area in a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe weather. - Monday currently has the greatest risk for severe weather over the next four days across the entire local area. Large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are on the table in this setup as storms move through the region on Monday. - With multiple rounds of storms expected this evening through Monday, rises on area rivers into flood stage will be possible where storms frequent the same locations. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 135 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 This Evening & Tonight: Storms Likely, Several Strong to Severe Possible A fairly notable increase in convective coverage has been observed across the CAMs over the past couple of forecast cycles resulting in increasing confidence for strong to severe storms later this evening and into the overnight hours. Currently, dewpoints have noticeably increased this morning, reaching into the 50s as of noon for many locations. While dewpoints are increasing, soundings at this point remain well mixed with a fairly dry boundary layer. As we head over the next few hours, the conceptual model in this case will essentially be a waiting game for the boundary layer to become saturated sufficiently such that you can lift saturated parcels into the deepening convective layer. Once this occurs, expecting storms to develop quickly (around 6-8pm as shown in the CAMs) along a stationary boundary over portions of northern IA through southeast MN and into western WI. At convective initiation, the environment seems primed for supercells at first, capable of large to even very large hail with mid-level lapse rates to around 7 C/km and very elongated hodographs. This coupled with deep inverted-v soundings would suggest damaging wind threat with any RFD in developing supercells. However, as we head later into the evening and storms move eastward, deep-layer shear begins to weaken which will result in storms clustering and trending more linear with time as they approach the Mississippi River as hinted at in a number of the CAMs. As a result, expecting the threat for hail to decrease with a maintaining damaging wind threat. Some tornado potential cannot be ruled out during this period either as low-level hodograph curvature increases as the low-level jet ramps up in addition to greater saturation in the boundary layer after dark. However, this is contingent on if we can get saturation closer to the surface as LCL heights at convective initiation would not be conducive for tornadoes. Eventually, storms begin to push eastward into western WI and eventually exit the area after midnight. Not anticipating any flooding concerns with this first round of rainfall with amounts generally ranging in the 0.25" to 1" range with storms being fairly progressive in their movement. This Weekend: Additional Rounds of Storms As we head into tomorrow, skies clear out for the morning and afternoon hours on Sunday with zonal flow persisting aloft. However, as we head into the evening and overnight hours in particular on Saturday, a weak axis of 850mb moisture transport transverses a stationary boundary situated across portions of northeast IA and southwest WI. As this occurs, some of the CAMs initiate convection across portions of eastern IA that slowly pushes northward through the overnight and into Sunday morning. Overall, the environment is not overly favorable during this period as instability is relatively limited, generally under 1000 J/kg. Consequently, this coupled with weak deep layer shear should keep this to more of a stratiform precipitation band with embedded convective cells with limited severe potential. The more significant implication of this round of convection on Sunday morning will be how much we recover going into the afternoon and evening on Sunday. Currently, the synoptic factors in play to advect moisture into the region are quite favorable as there is a profound 850mb moisture transport axis that pushes north into the local area on Sunday evening. As a result, instability values (2000- 3000 J/kg of MLCAPE) increase rather quickly during the late afternoon and into the evening with the moisture transport axis aiding as a focus for convective development. Shear profiles are somewhat displaced from the instability with the main synoptic trough situated over the rockies still with a stronger upper-level jet streak to the north. As a result, storm updrafts may struggle to maintain, however given the aforementioned ample instability and mid- level lapse rates of 8-9 C/km, this would certainly still favor a severe hail risk. Damaging wind gusts cannot be fully ruled out with any descending hail cores, however given a noticeable capping inversion in the NAM/GFS soundings during this period, storms will likely be elevated in nature which would also minimize the tornado threat as well. Monday: Potential for Severe Storms Areawide Monday Monday currently appears to have the greatest risk for severe storms areawide over the next 4 days as the previously advertised upper- level trough pushes through the Great Plains and into the Upper Midwest and becomes neutral to perhaps negatively tilted on Monday evening. As this occurs, cyclogenesis occurs at the exit region of this feature with a pronounced cold front in eastern MN. This coupled with a fairly profound 850mb moisture transport axis into the region will enable ample moisture to push northward through the area with the grand ensemble (GEFS/EC/Canadian ensemble) having very high probabilities (80-100%) for dewpoints over 65 degrees. As a result, instability profiles are fairly impressive across deterministic and ensemble guidance with modest probabilities (50- 70%) for MUCAPE exceeding 1500 J/kg on Monday evening in the EC ensemble. The one question that remains is exactly how shear profiles will manifest as the 250mb jet streak is somewhat displaced from the main 500mb shortwave. As a result, while hodographs exhibit some low-level and mid-level elongation, the upper-levels are more disorganized. Consequently, this may result in a QLCS storm mode assuming upper-level support continues to remain absent which would favor a damaging wind and embedded tornado threat. That being said, ample instability and mid-level lapse rates of 7-8 C/km in the recent GFS would suggest at least some severe hail is possible as well, particularly if we can get any supercellular structures going. The environment for heavy rainfall in this particular setup seems rather favorable as well with precipitable waters pushing over 1.5" which are about the climatological maximum based on KDVN sounding climatology. The key question from a heavy rain/flooding perspective will be: 1. How the rainfall from the previous rounds of storms manifests and 2. How progressive the storm evolution is on Monday evening and if we have multiple rounds of discrete and linear modes throughout this timeframe. Overall, the inter-quartile range in the grand ensemble (GEFS/EC/Canadian) for rain amounts with just this Monday round ranges from 0.25" to 1" with 95th percentile values up to 2". So certainly could contribute further to any flooding potential where storms occurred from previous rounds. In all, Monday appears to be a fairly active day from a severe weather perspective with all hazards on the table depending on how all the various severe weather ingredients shake out. Now is the time to be thinking about your severe weather safety plan and have multiple ways of receiving warnings if you have not already done so, especially considering each day from this evening through Monday contains at least some degree of risk for severe weather. Tuesday - Thursday: Cooling Trend As we head past Monday and head later into the week, cold air advection behind the front will allow for cooler temperatures to move in for the middle of the upcoming week. As a result, the 10th to 90th spread for highs in the NBM falls to the upper 50s to upper 60s for much of the local area on Wednesday, likely our coolest day for the upcoming week. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 638 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026 The main concern the next 3 to 5 hours is thunderstorms moving through both terminals. Thunderstorms are hanging around the vicinity of RST and there will likely be intermittent periods of VCTS and thunderstorms overhead with MVFR visibilities and possibly ceilings. A similar situation at LSE, except delayed by about an hour. Expect gusty and erratic winds during and in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms may eventually become more organized as a final round passes through the terminals, likely ending no later than 05z. After that, expect VFR conditions with clearing skies and lightening winds. Winds will gradually shift to northwesterly by Saturday morning. && .ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WI...None. MN...None. IA...None. && DISCUSSION...Naylor AVIATION...DLH
Hazardous weather outlook, May 15, 3:24 AM CDT, 17 hours 22 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 324 AM CDT Fri May 15 2026 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-WIZ061-161000- Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette- Clayton-Grant- 324 AM CDT Fri May 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Iowa...northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered to numerous severe storms possible this evening into tonight with damaging wind as the main threat and large hail and an isolated tornado as secondary threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Daily strong to severe storm potential Saturday through Monday Night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Any severe storm reports are appreciated. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... A webinar is scheduled for 2:00 PM CDT Today. MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-032>034-041>044-053>055-161000- Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston-Taylor-Clark- Buffalo-Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-Vernon- Crawford-Richland- 324 AM CDT Fri May 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota...central Wisconsin...north central Wisconsin... southwest Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A line of strong to severe storms with damaging wind and large hail as the main hazards possible this evening into tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Daily strong to severe storm potential Saturday through Monday Night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Any severe storm reports are appreciated. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... A webinar is scheduled for 2:00 PM CDT Today.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 15, 6:52 PM CDT, 1 hour 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
652 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
WIZ033-160030-
Trempealeau WI-
652 PM CDT Fri May 15 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
THROUGH 730 PM CDT...
At 652 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Galesville, or 8 miles south of Arcadia, moving northeast 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.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southern
Trempealeau County, including the following locations... Peacock
Hill, Beach Corners, Frenchville, Ettrick, Thimble Park, Iduna, and
Hegg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4431 9117 4425 9117 4425 9115 4411 9115
4405 9154 4407 9155 4410 9154 4411 9155
4413 9155 4414 9156
TIME...MOT...LOC 2352Z 244DEG 36KT 4413 9147
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FalkinhamThe office that day
Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 8:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Floyd | 45 min |
| May 15, 8:35 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Floyd | 11 min |
| May 15, 9:51 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ARX | Winneshiek | 24 min |
| May 15, 10:07 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ARX | Winneshiek | 23 min |
| May 15, 10:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Fayette | 51 min |
| May 15, 10:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Allamakee, Clayton, Winneshiek | 46 min |
| May 15, 10:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Clayton | 48 min |
| May 15, 11:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Clayton | 24 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.