Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 51, NWS La Crosse, WI
NWS La Crosse, WI issued this tornado warning at Jul 2, 2026, 1:26 PM CDT for Howard County, Winneshiek County, Iowa. It was in force for 34 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 2, 2026, 1:26 PM CDT (18:26 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 2, 2026, 2:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 34 min
- Issued by
- NWS La Crosse, WI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Howard County, IA, Winneshiek County, IA
The radar
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:25 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 12:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 210 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
- 152 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -173 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1469 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 38 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -1.0
The text
As transmitted.
196
WFUS53 KARX 021826
TORARX
IAC089-191-021900-
/O.NEW.KARX.TO.W.0051.260702T1826Z-260702T1900Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
126 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Howard County in northeastern Iowa...
West central Winneshiek County in northeastern Iowa...
* Until 200 PM CDT.
* At 126 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles southwest of Cresco, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
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 dangerous storm will be near...
Ridgeway around 135 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include State
Road 9 And 245th Street, Schley, and County Roads V 58 And A 46.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
La Crosse.
&&
LAT...LON 4326 9227 4332 9228 4338 9185 4325 9183
TIME...MOT...LOC 1826Z 264DEG 39KT 4329 9222
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
Ferguson2 follow-up statements
604
WWUS53 KARX 021840
SVSARX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
140 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
IAC089-021850-
/O.CAN.KARX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-260702T1900Z/
Howard IA-
140 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN HOWARD COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
northeastern Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4327 9208 4334 9208 4338 9185 4326 9183
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 264DEG 39KT 4331 9201
$$
IAC191-021900-
/O.CON.KARX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-260702T1900Z/
Winneshiek IA-
140 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL WINNESHIEK COUNTY...
At 140 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Ridgeway, or 7 miles southeast of Cresco, moving
east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
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
west central Winneshiek County, including the following locations...
State Road 9 And 245th Street.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.
&&
LAT...LON 4327 9208 4334 9208 4338 9185 4326 9183
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 264DEG 39KT 4331 9201
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
Skow787 WWUS53 KARX 021854 SVSARX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service La Crosse WI 154 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 IAC191-021903- /O.EXP.KARX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-260702T1900Z/ Winneshiek IA- 154 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL WINNESHIEK COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 200 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, damagingwinds are still possible with this thunderstorm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for northeastern Iowa. && LAT...LON 4327 9208 4334 9208 4338 9185 4326 9183 TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 264DEG 39KT 4332 9183 $$ Skow
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Jul 2, 12:40 PM CDT, 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Periodic severe weather and flash flooding will be possible into the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 2, 12:40 PM CDT, 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1240 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Periodic severe weather and flash flooding will be possible
into the weekend.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 942 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
After a slight southern push this morning, the quasi-stationary
boundary that's been the catalyst for the showers/storms
overnight and this morning has been slowly lifting northward
over the past few hours. CAM guidance largely suggests the
ongoing convective development wanes and moves eastward through
the late morning as the low-level jet weakens and the supporting
upper level wave transitions eastward.
A brief lull in development may occur for some, primarily west
of the Mississippi River before another shortwave shifts
northward atop the boundary while the low level jet again strengthens
into it. As mentioned in the discussion below, additional heavy
rainfall is expected to occur across portions of northeast Iowa
and southeast Minnesota this afternoon/evening where these
storms develop though where exactly this boundary stalls out is
uncertain and will dictate where the heaviest rain falls. Regardless,
flooding concerns exist across northeast Iowa and especially
over southeast Minnesota where 5 to 8 inches of rain fell
overnight.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 140 AM CDT Wed Jul 2 2026
Today and Tonight
After the morning convection, there is much uncertainty on
whether storms will redevelop during the afternoon or not. Many
of the CAMs are dry, but the HRRR and RAP13 show another round
of showers and storms developing mainly along and south of
Interstate 94. These then linger into tonight. Any severe
weather threat would be pulsey this afternoon and highly
dependent upon the potential of a mesoscale convective complex
moving into the area tonight. The main severe weather threats
would be damaging winds, large hail, and maybe isolated
tornadoes.
Like overnight, the precipitable water vapor will range from 2
to 2.5 inches and the warm cloud depths will be over 4 km. As a
result, any storms will be highly efficient rain producers. The
24-hour QPF ensemble probability-matched shows a potential for 3
to 5 inches of rain mainly south of Interstate 90.
Friday into the Weekend
A frontal boundary will meander across the forecast area as
shortwave trough and surface lows move through the weekend. The
timing of these waves is rather uncertain, but as they move
through the region the 0-3 km and 0-6 km shear will increase
ahead of them and this will provide a chance of supercells and
bow echos.
Precipitable water values will remain around 2 inches through
the 4th and then gradually decrease to around 1.5 inches as the
boundary finally shifts south. Warm cloud layer depths will
remain around 4 km. This will result in additional rounds of
heavy rain. Flood watches may eventually be needed.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1240 PM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
Showers and storms continue across the region this afternoon,
generally along a line from central Wisconsin into northeast
Iowa. Coverage of these showers and storms is expected to
increase through the afternoon into this evening, but the
greatest impacts look to be primarily be along and south of
I-90. A bit of a lull in storm activity is possible overnight
generally from 06z-12z, but there is a lot of uncertainty
regarding this as model solutions vary quite a bit in
timing/placement of storms. Showers/storms move eastward towards
the end of the TAF period.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 140 AM CDT Wed Jul 2 2026
During the evening, rainfall totals were up to 3 inches. With
precipitable water values ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches and
warm cloud depths over 4 km, these storms will be highly
efficient rain producers. The 6-hour QPF ensemble probability-
matched mean from 02.06z and 02.12z has some rain totals in the
2 to 5 inch range. This could result in some flash flooding
along and south of Interstate 90.
Through at least July 4, precipitable water values will remain
around 2 to 2.5 inches and warm cloud layer depths will be
around 4 km. This will result in additional rounds of heavy
rain. Flood watches may eventually be needed.
&&
.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Flood Watch through Friday morning for WIZ041-042-053>055-061.
MN...Flood Watch through Friday morning for MNZ087-088-094>096.
IA...Flood Watch through Friday morning for IAZ008>011-018-019-029-
030.
&&
UPDATE...Falkinham
DISCUSSION...Boyne
AVIATION...Falkinham
HYDROLOGY...BoyneHazardous weather outlook, Jul 2, 11:13 AM CDT, 2 hours 13 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 1113 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029- 032>034-041>044-053>055-061-032015- 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- 1113 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest into central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Periodic storms will occur through tonight. Some of the storms may become severe this afternoon and tonight. The main threats will be damaging winds, hail, and potentially a tornado. Elevated water levels are present across much of the area and additional moderate to heavy rain will accompany any thunderstorms. Additional flooding and water rises are possible today and tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Periodic thunderstorms will occur Friday and Saturday. Some of these may become severe, especially storms early Friday morning. Elevated water levels are present across much of the area and additional moderate to heavy rain will accompany any thunderstorms that occur through Friday and Saturday. Additional flooding and water rises are possible Friday and Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters may be needed periodically into the weekend. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... A webinar is scheduled for this afternoon at 2 PM. APF
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 2, 10:27 AM CDT, 2 hours 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1027 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Flash Flood 3 NNE Mabel 43.56N 91.75W
07/02/2026 Fillmore MN Law Enforcement
Delayed report from law enforcement of water
over roadway on County Rd 29 North of Mabel.
Time of flood estimated using radar derived
data.
&&
JAWSpecial weather statement, Jul 2, 10:42 AM CDT, 2 hours 44 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1042 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
IAZ008-021615-
Mitchell IA-
1042 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MITCHELL COUNTY THROUGH
1115 AM CDT...
At 1042 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Osage, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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 strong thunderstorm will be near...
Stacyville around 1050 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Meyer, Osage Spring
Park, Mitchell, County Roads T 54 And A 31, Pioneer State Park,
McIntire, Highway 218 And County T 40, Little Cedar, Bailey, and
Highway 18 And County T 38.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4350 9274 4350 9262 4345 9255 4339 9255
4325 9288 4332 9295
TIME...MOT...LOC 1542Z 232DEG 27KT 4334 9283
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FergusonLocal storm report, Jul 2, 11:03 AM CDT, 2 hours 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1103 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0302 AM Flood 2 ESE Brice Prairie 43.93N 91.26W
07/02/2026 La Crosse WI Law Enforcement
Delayed report. Flooding over roadway
affecting a commonly flooded low lying area
in Midway.
&&
JAWLocal storm report, Jul 2, 11:05 AM CDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1105 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0504 AM Flood 6 SSE La Crosse 43.75N 91.19W
07/02/2026 La Crosse WI Law Enforcement
Delayed report: Water over roadway of Old
Town Hall Road. Time of flooding unknown.
&&
JAWLocal storm report, Jul 2, 11:06 AM CDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1106 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0405 AM Flood Rockland 43.91N 90.93W
07/02/2026 La Crosse WI Public
Delayed report: Water over roadway of CTH U
near Rockland. Time estimated. Water has
receded.
&&
JAWLocal storm report, Jul 2, 11:10 AM CDT, 2 hours 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
1110 AM CDT Thu Jul 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0609 AM Flood 5 SSE La Crosse 43.76N 91.21W
07/02/2026 La Crosse WI Law Enforcement
Delayed report of flood debris impacting
railroad. Time estimated.
&&
JAWThe office that day
Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 7:22 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ARX | Mitchell | 38 min |
| Jul 1, 7:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Howard, Mitchell | 43 min |
| Jul 1, 9:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Howard | 15 min |
| Jul 1, 10:17 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ARX | Howard, Winneshiek | 3 hr |
| Jul 2, 8:07 AM CDT | Flood Watch | ARX | Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard and 2 more | 36 hr |
| Jul 2, 9:11 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ARX | Allamakee, Winneshiek | 6 hr |
| Jul 2, 10:42 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | ARX | Mitchell | 33 min |
| Jul 2, 10:50 AM CDT | Areal Flood Warning | ARX | Allamakee | 9 hr |
| Jul 2, 12:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Floyd | 59 min |
| Jul 2, 1:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Chickasaw, Fayette, Howard, Winneshiek | 67 min |
| Jul 2, 1:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Fayette | 43 min |
| Jul 2, 2:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Fayette | 30 min |
| Jul 2, 2:11 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ARX | Floyd | 71 hr |
| Jul 2, 2:17 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Clayton | 43 min |
| Jul 2, 2:40 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ARX | Winneshiek | 42 hr |
| Jul 2, 2:40 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | ARX | Allamakee | 71 hr |
| Jul 2, 2:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ARX | Clayton | 43 min |
| Jul 2, 3:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ARX | Clayton, Fayette | 62 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Iowa, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.