Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 1, NWS Des Moines, IA

April 2, 2026Wayne County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 2, 2026, 2:29 PM CDT for Wayne County, Iowa. It was in force for 23 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
Apr 2, 2026, 2:29 PM CDT (19:29 UTC)
Expired
Apr 2, 2026, 2:52 PM CDT
In force
23 min
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

County Wayne County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:33 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.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 2, 1:43 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Topeka, KS (KTOP), launched 12:00Z, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 279 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, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 116 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, Topeka, KS at 12:00Z on 2026-04-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 139 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
116 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-14 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
482 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
139 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
182 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

769 
WFUS53 KDMX 021929
TORDMX
IAC185-022015-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0001.260402T1929Z-260402T2015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
229 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Wayne County in south central Iowa...

* Until 315 PM CDT.

* At 228 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Clio, or 8 miles southwest of Corydon, moving
  northeast at 30 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...
  Corydon and Allerton around 235 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Millerton, Allerton, Promise City, and Clio.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4069 9351 4090 9325 4090 9323 4077 9310
      4074 9310 4061 9341
TIME...MOT...LOC 1928Z 228DEG 27KT 4067 9344 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Fowle
2 follow-up statements
953 
WWUS53 KDMX 021938
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
238 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

IAC185-022015-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260402T2015Z/
Wayne IA-
238 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN WAYNE COUNTY...

At 238 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Corydon, moving northeast at 55 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
northeastern Wayne County, including the following locations...
Promise City and Millerton.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4077 9339 4090 9325 4090 9323 4077 9310
      4074 9310 4069 9330
TIME...MOT...LOC 1938Z 228DEG 46KT 4077 9329 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Fowle
188 
WWUS53 KDMX 021952
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
252 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

IAC185-022002-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260402T2015Z/
Wayne IA-
252 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN WAYNE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.  However, heavy rain is still possible with this
thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for south central
Iowa.

LAT...LON 4077 9339 4090 9325 4090 9323 4077 9310
      4074 9310 4069 9330
TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 228DEG 27KT 4084 9319 

$$

Fowle

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 Des Moines, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 2, 12:59 PM CDT, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Showers continue through this morning. Severe thunderstorms in central to eastern Iowa this afternoon. All severe hazards are possible.
  • Severe storms Friday afternoon and evening in southern half of Iowa with a Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms. All severe hazards are possible.
  • Cooler and quite this weekend, could become active again later next week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 2, 12:59 PM CDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1259 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

 ...Updated for the 18z Aviation Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Showers continue through this morning. Severe thunderstorms
  in central to eastern Iowa this afternoon. All severe hazards
  are possible.

- Severe storms Friday afternoon and evening in southern half
  of Iowa with a Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms.
  All severe hazards are possible.

- Cooler and quite this weekend, could become active again later
  next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 309 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Surface low pressure sits across western Kansas early this morning
broad lift across Iowa and the 850 mb LLJ nosing up into southern
Iowa. This has allowed for widespread showers to persist through the
overnight along with a few embedded rumbles of thunder. That LLJ
will increase to 50-60+ kts and push into Iowa through this morning,
helping to maintain showers across the area, ending west to east
midday as the surface low lifts into Iowa. As the low tracks across
Iowa this afternoon a dry slot will develop, allowing for deeper
mixing and deep instability development where we get clearing.
Environmental winds increase in this slot with HREF mean gusts of 35-
40+ mph gusts in southeast Iowa. Soundings indicate periods of 40-
50+ kts at the top of the mixed layer in southeast Iowa, which may
allow for an occasional stronger gust this afternoon. Conditions are
better east of the area into the Quad Cities CWA where the wind
advisory has been issued.

The surface low reach south-central Iowa by around 18z and
pushes to eastern Iowa by around 23z which will define the
narrow window for severe storms here. Instability in that clear
slot is expected to increase to 1000-1500 J/kg of MLCAPE along
with ~40 kts of 0-6 km shear which is more than sufficient for
convective initiation. Mid level lapse rates are around 7 C/km
along with 150 m2/s2 0-1 km SRH. Expect that storms will
initialize in central Iowa early this afternoon and quickly
move east through the afternoon. Initial discrete to multicell
clusters in central Iowa growing upscale as they move into
eastern Iowa. All modes of severe weather are possible including
large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes. The tornado
threat should be maximized in the vicinity of the surface low
and with initial discrete storm mode.

Another upper level wave will amplify as it it move from the western
to central US on Friday. The low track remains fair consistent
across GFS and EC ensemble members, moving SW to NE across Iowa
through the afternoon, fed by a 50+ kt LLJ. Instability builds
through the afternoon with 2000+ J/kg MLCAPE and 40-50 kts of
0-6 km shear to organize storms. Again anticipate initial
discrete development, growing upscale as it moves into eastern
Iowa. These cells may remain discrete longer than the Thursday
storms, and CAMs indicate a line of supercells across central
Iowa before the line-out into eastern Iowa. This evolution is
supported by the expected mesoscale environment. Lapse rates
steepen to 8 C/km in the mid levels with 300+ m2/s2 of 0-1 km
SRH. As such, once again expect all modes of severe storms on
Friday including large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 309 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Wrap around precipitation skims far northern Iowa on Saturday,
however will be of little impact with temperatures warm enough
for this to fall as light rain. Cooler behind the cold front
with highs on Saturday in the 40s. By Sunday temperatures warm
into the 50s with dry conditions. Cool and benign conditions
through the first part of next week, becoming more active later
in the week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1236 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Stratiform rain continues over portions of northern to
northeastern Iowa early this afternoon with storm development
beginning to occur over southwest to south central Iowa.
Visibility reductions of MVFR to IFR continue to occur with this
rain, and localized lower visibilities may be realized during
some storms in mainly southern Iowa. Some of these storms may
also be severe with storm impacts most likely at KDSM and KOTM.
Winds will shift direction multiple times with winds out of the
south to southwest south of the warm front in southern Iowa and
out of the north to northwest or even out of the east to the
north of the warm front. Winds will become all out of the west
to northwest by 00Z with gusts of 20+ knots this afternoon at
all sites, and closer to 30-35+ knots in southeast Iowa near
KOTM. Some stronger gusts possible with storms. Ceilings remain
LIFR to IFR in much of northern Iowa with some clearing
occurring in southern Iowa. Ceilings remain degraded overall
until after 00Z when slow improvements may begin to occur west
to east in the south (to scattered MVFR), while IFR ceilings
remain across the north. Additional rain and storms are in the
forecast for Friday, but will be addressed in future issuances.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 130 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026

Continued short and long term flooding considerations exist due to
the imminent multi-day seasonally moderate to heavy rainfall event,
mainly across the southeast half of the CWA.

Short term considerations include potential ponding and low-end
flash flooding. Soil moisture values are generally running near to
below normal. That data combined with the QPF suggests any ponding
and flash flooding will be mainly rate vs. amount driven, with the
greatest risk in urban areas.

Longer term considerations include potential river flooding. GFS-
and NBM-forced National Water Model, HEFS and QPF ensemble
hydrographs indicate the most likely scenario will be moderate to
significant within-bank rises. A few locations may reach flood
stage, however minor flooding would be expected at most if it
occurs. The peaks on most rivers will occur this weekend into early
next week. Greater concern is the next few days of rainfall may set
the stage for more significant impacts going forward if the wet
pattern continues.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...Hagenhoff
LONG TERM...Hagenhoff
AVIATION...05
HYDROLOGY...Zogg
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 2, 4:47 AM CDT, 9 hours 42 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
447 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-
081>086-092>097-031000-
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-
447 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight

There is a Slight (level 2 of 5) Risk of severe storms in central
Iowa this afternoon. Large hail, damaging wind gusts, and
tornadoes are all possible, especially towards eastern Iowa.
Pockets of heavy rain could also lead to ponding and flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

There is an Enhanced (level 3 of 5) Risk of severe storms in
central and southern Iowa on Friday. Large hail, damaging wind
gusts, and tornadoes are all possible. Pockets of heavy rain
could also lead to ponding and flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed today and Friday.

Hagenhoff

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 2, 1:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXDecatur, Wayne53 min
Apr 2, 2:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAppanoose, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne39 min
Apr 2, 2:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAppanoose, Davis, Monroe47 min
Apr 2, 2:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXJasper, Marion, Polk, Warren41 min
Apr 2, 2:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAppanoose, Wayne49 min
Apr 2, 2:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXMahaska, Marion, Monroe, Wapello45 min
Apr 2, 2:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXDavis, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello50 min
Apr 2, 3:03 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXWapello32 min
Apr 2, 3:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXAppanoose, Davis, Monroe, Wapello, Wayne46 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.