Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 14, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 17, 2026, 3:16 PM CDT for Tama County, Iowa. It was in force for 29 min. 1 report 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
- Apr 17, 2026, 3:16 PM CDT (20:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 17, 2026, 3:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Tama County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 103 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 3:16 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | Toledo, IA |
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 12:40 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 337 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
- 1 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2301 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 39 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 188 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 229 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
180
WFUS53 KDMX 172016 RRA
TORDMX
IAC171-172045-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0014.260417T2016Z-260417T2045Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
316 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Tama County in central Iowa...
* Until 345 PM CDT.
* At 316 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Toledo Municipal Airport, or 5 miles southeast of
Toledo, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
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...
Chelsea and Vining around 320 PM CDT.
Elberon around 325 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Chelsea, Elberon, Vining, and Toledo Municipal Airport.
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 4186 9261 4186 9262 4198 9262 4211 9230
4189 9230
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 243DEG 31KT 4195 9249
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
Donavon2 follow-up statements
972
WWUS53 KDMX 172026
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
326 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
IAC171-172045-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260417T2045Z/
Tama IA-
326 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN TAMA COUNTY...
At 326 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Vining, or 10 miles east of Toledo, moving northeast
at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Elberon around 330 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Elberon and Vining.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4192 9253 4202 9251 4211 9230 4194 9230
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 243DEG 31KT 4199 9238
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
Donavon547 WWUS53 KDMX 172039 SVSDMX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Des Moines IA 339 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 IAC171-172049- /O.EXP.KDMX.TO.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260417T2045Z/ Tama IA- 339 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN TAMA COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 345 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for central Iowa. LAT...LON 4192 9253 4202 9251 4211 9230 4194 9230 TIME...MOT...LOC 2039Z 243DEG 31KT 4204 9225 $$ Donavon
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 17, 1:01 PM CDT, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) in eastern Iowa. All severe hazards, including large hail, damaging wind, and tornadoes, are possible with storms today.
- Much cooler this weekend with overnight lows in the 20s and 30s.
- Mild and dry to start the week with thunderstorms returning to the forecast by late week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 17, 1:01 PM CDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 101 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) in eastern Iowa. All severe hazards, including large hail, damaging wind, and tornadoes, are possible with storms today. - Much cooler this weekend with overnight lows in the 20s and 30s. - Mild and dry to start the week with thunderstorms returning to the forecast by late week. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 101 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 The surface low early this afternoon is centered across north central Iowa with attendant sharp cold front pushing across the state. The impact was already being felt this morning in northwest Iowa when Estherville fell from 71 degrees at 10am to 43 degrees by 10:07am. Early convection has bubbled in northern Iowa and into Minnesota associated with lift in the vicinity of the surface low. The cold air sharply undercuts the warm and deeply unstable air in place with the primary trough farther to the west. This will allow for a period of some post-frontal elevated storm development, something already noted with elevated showers in northwest Iowa this morning behind the surface front. Across the state two primary ares of convective development are anticipated into the afternoon, noted in midday satellite imagery. The first is pre-frontal convection developing in an area of convergence noted in surface observations across eastern Iowa and visible in a plume of cumulus. A second line of cumulus trails along the cold front across western Iowa that will push across Iowa through the rest of the afternoon. Much of the prefrontal convection is expected to develop east of the area, perhaps clipping far southeastern parts of the area near Ottumwa. There is plenty of available instability with 3000-4000 J/kg of MUCAPE (3000+ MLCAPE) and steep mid level lapse rates of 8+ C/km. Much of this instability is elevated with very little in the lowest 3 km (<100 J/kg). This will limit low level stretching and some of the tornado potential locally, though it is certainly NOT eliminated. The steep mid-level lapse rates, along with well curved hodographs in the low levels will help with rotating updrafts and hail growth. Storms are expected to quickly grow upscale. As this happens the initial discrete development will become multi-cell to linear as it pushes east, transitioning to a damaging with threat with tornado potential along the line. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Issued at 101 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Much colder air pushes in with the cold front as temperatures fall into the 30s tonight. Saturday remains breezy with continued cold air advection and the enhanced pressure gradient across the area. Temperatures in the upper 40s north to mid 50s south with 20-25 mph wind through the day. By Sunday winds relax with temperatures warming slightly into the 50s to low 60s. The thermal ridge builds next week, bringing 70s back to the area. Much of the week is dry with storm chances returning late in the week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1236 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Breezy southerly winds are increasing across the area ahead of a strong cold front moving across the state today with gusts of 25-30 kts. The front will sweep through this afternoon, exiting east after 00z. Early storms have bubbled across northern Iowa this morning and may come near KMCW in the next hour or so, however recent trends indicate this should miss KMCW so have kept from that TAF at this time. The main line of storms will develop in east central Iowa. This may come near KDSM and KALO, however satellite shows initiation should be just east of those sites so have removed mentions from those sites. KOTM will see the bulk of thunderstorm activity this afternoon from around 19-20z through 00s. && .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Hagenhoff LONG TERM...Hagenhoff AVIATION...Hagenhoff
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 17, 4:38 AM CDT, 10 hours 38 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Des Moines IA 438 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075- 081>086-092>097-180945- 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- 438 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight There is an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms across southeast Iowa on Friday. There is a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe storms more into central Iowa. Damaging winds and tornadoes are the primary threats. Large hail is also possible, especially early in the event. Additional rises on rivers and streams, with localized minor flooding possible. Ponding and low-end flash flooding is also possible, especially in urban areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Freezing temperatures are expected in northern Iowa Friday night and across much of the area Saturday night. Thunderstorm chances return Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters will be needed this afternoon.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 17, 3:04 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
304 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0241 PM Hail 3 N Colfax 41.72N 93.25W
04/17/2026 E1.25 Inch Jasper IA Public
Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
&&
JR/BHLocal storm report, Apr 17, 3:05 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
305 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0251 PM Hail 4 WNW Reasnor 41.61N 93.10W
04/17/2026 M1.75 Inch Jasper IA Law Enforcement
Time estimated on radar.
&&
CAHLocal storm report, Apr 17, 3:07 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
307 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0304 PM Hail 1 S Tama 41.95N 92.58W
04/17/2026 E1.00 Inch Tama IA Emergency Mngr
&&
MDLocal storm report, Apr 17, 3:09 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
309 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0308 PM Hail Tama 41.96N 92.57W
04/17/2026 E1.50 Inch Tama IA Emergency Mngr
&&
MDLocal storm report, Apr 17, 3:12 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
312 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0310 PM Hail Toledo 41.99N 92.58W
04/17/2026 E1.75 Inch Tama IA Emergency Mngr
&&
MDLocal storm report, Apr 17, 3:14 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
314 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0314 PM Hail Tama 41.96N 92.57W
04/17/2026 E2.50 Inch Tama IA Storm Chaser
&&
TRThe office that day
Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Ringgold, Taylor | 38 min |
| Apr 17, 1:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Story | 48 min |
| Apr 17, 2:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Dallas, Madison, Polk, Warren | 29 min |
| Apr 17, 2:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Bremer, Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin | 34 min |
| Apr 17, 2:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Mahaska, Marion, Poweshiek | 50 min |
| Apr 17, 2:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek, Story, Tama | 46 min |
| Apr 17, 2:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama | 42 min |
| Apr 17, 2:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Bremer, Butler | 40 min |
| Apr 17, 2:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler | 30 min |
| Apr 17, 2:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek | 31 min |
| Apr 17, 2:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Wayne | 43 min |
| Apr 17, 2:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Clarke, Lucas, Marion, Warren | 11 min |
| Apr 17, 2:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Decatur, Ringgold, Wayne | 46 min |
| Apr 17, 3:03 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Lucas, Marion, Monroe | 11 min |
| Apr 17, 3:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Marshall, Tama | 38 min |
| Apr 17, 3:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Mahaska, Marion, Poweshiek | 50 min |
| Apr 17, 3:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Monroe, Wayne | 17 min |
| Apr 17, 3:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Poweshiek | 45 min |
| Apr 17, 3:16 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Mahaska, Marion, Monroe | 29 min |
| Apr 17, 3:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Poweshiek | 39 min |
| Apr 17, 3:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello | 64 min |
| Apr 17, 3:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Wayne | 47 min |
| Apr 17, 3:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Poweshiek, Tama | 31 min |
| Apr 17, 4:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Davis, Monroe, Wapello | 44 min |
| Apr 17, 4:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Poweshiek, Tama | 15 min |
| Apr 17, 4:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Monroe, Wayne | 32 min |
| Apr 17, 4:17 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Davis, Wapello | 28 min |
| Apr 17, 4:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Wapello | 19 min |
| Apr 17, 4:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Davis, Wapello | 30 min |
| Apr 17, 6:16 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | DMX | Polk | 29 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.