Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 2, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 2, 2026, 3:03 PM CDT for Wapello County, Iowa. It was in force for 32 min. 7 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
- Apr 2, 2026, 3:03 PM CDT (20:03 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 2, 2026, 3:35 PM CDT
- In force
- 32 min
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.25 in
County Wapello County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 137 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:08 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 2, 3:11 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | Ottumwa, IA | |
| Apr 2, 3:13 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | 2 Nne Ottumwa, IA | Time estimated by radar. Public report relayed from broadcast media. |
| Apr 2, 3:17 PM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | Ottumwa, IA | Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). |
| Apr 2, 3:17 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 1 Ne Ottumwa, IA | Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.). |
| Apr 2, 3:19 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | 2 Ne Ottumwa, IA | Report from mPING: Hen Egg (2.00 in.). |
| Apr 2, 3:22 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 8 N Agency, IA | |
| Apr 2, 3:30 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 66 | 9 Nne Agency, IA | Measured from personal weather station. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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 2, 1:43 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 335 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
- 19 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -278 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 846 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 44 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 453 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 450 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
400
WFUS53 KDMX 022003
TORDMX
IAC179-022100-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0002.260402T2003Z-260402T2100Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
303 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Wapello County in southeastern Iowa...
* Until 400 PM CDT.
* At 303 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Blakesburg, or 7 miles southwest of
Ottumwa, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar 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...
Ottumwa around 310 PM CDT.
Agency around 315 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Agency.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This Tornado Warning replaces the Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued
for the same area.
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 4090 9249 4090 9252 4098 9257 4116 9238
4116 9218 4102 9218
TIME...MOT...LOC 2003Z 227DEG 35KT 4093 9251
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
Fowle3 follow-up statements
799
WWUS53 KDMX 022016
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
316 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
IAC179-022100-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260402T2100Z/
Wapello IA-
316 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN WAPELLO COUNTY...
At 316 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Ottumwa, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Ottumwa and Agency around 320 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Agency.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4096 9239 4106 9248 4116 9238 4116 9218
4104 9219
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 227DEG 35KT 4102 9239
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
Fowle573
WWUS53 KDMX 022024
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
324 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
IAC179-022100-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260402T2100Z/
Wapello IA-
324 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN WAPELLO COUNTY...
At 324 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 5 miles north of Agency, or 7 miles northeast of Ottumwa,
moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and two inch 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 Wapello County.
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 4107 9234 4111 9236 4116 9236 4116 9218
4104 9219 4104 9228
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 227DEG 35KT 4108 9231
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Fowle388
WWUS53 KDMX 022035
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
335 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
IAC179-022045-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260402T2100Z/
Wapello IA-
335 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN WAPELLO COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for southeastern
Iowa.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Des Moines.
LAT...LON 4107 9234 4111 9236 4116 9236 4116 9218
4104 9219 4104 9228
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 227DEG 35KT 4116 9220
$$
FowleThe office that day
Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 1:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Decatur, Wayne | 53 min |
| Apr 2, 2:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne | 39 min |
| Apr 2, 2:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Davis, Monroe | 47 min |
| Apr 2, 2:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marion, Polk, Warren | 41 min |
| Apr 2, 2:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Wayne | 23 min |
| Apr 2, 2:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Wayne | 49 min |
| Apr 2, 2:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Wapello | 45 min |
| Apr 2, 2:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Davis, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello | 50 min |
| Apr 2, 3:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Davis, Monroe, Wapello, Wayne | 46 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.