Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 25, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 23, 2026, 7:46 PM CDT for Marshall County, Polk County, Story County, Iowa. It was in force for 32 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 23, 2026, 7:46 PM CDT (00:46 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 23, 2026, 8:18 PM CDT
- In force
- 32 min
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Marshall County, IA, Polk County, IA, Story County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:45 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 5:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Davenport, (KDVN), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 236 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
- 536 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -26 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1816 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 21 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 41 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 133 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.6
The text
As transmitted.
332
WFUS53 KDMX 240046
TORDMX
IAC127-153-169-240130-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0025.260424T0046Z-260424T0130Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
746 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
North central Polk County in central Iowa...
Southern Story County in central Iowa...
Southwestern Marshall County in central Iowa...
* Until 830 PM CDT.
* At 746 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Cambridge, or 9 miles southwest of Nevada, moving
northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. This storm has a history of
producing tornadoes.
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...
Maxwell and Cambridge around 750 PM CDT.
Colo around 800 PM CDT.
State Center around 815 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Collins, Rhodes, Maxwell, St. Anthony, Cambridge, Melbourne, and
Colo.
This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 103 and 111.
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.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
&&
LAT...LON 4190 9304 4186 9333 4186 9338 4183 9355
4196 9363 4219 9322
TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 243DEG 32KT 4190 9354
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
Fowle2 follow-up statements
934
WWUS53 KDMX 240102
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
802 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
IAC153-240111-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260424T0130Z/
Polk IA-
802 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL POLK COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
central Iowa.
LAT...LON 4190 9304 4189 9333 4205 9345 4219 9322
TIME...MOT...LOC 0101Z 251DEG 35KT 4194 9333
$$
IAC127-169-240130-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260424T0130Z/
Story IA-Marshall IA-
802 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN STORY AND SOUTHWESTERN MARSHALL COUNTIES...
At 801 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Collins, or 8 miles southeast of Nevada, moving east
at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Weather spotters reported a funnel cloud.
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...
Collins and Rhodes around 805 PM CDT.
State Center around 810 PM CDT.
Melbourne around 815 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Collins, St. Anthony, Rhodes, Melbourne, and Colo.
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.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
&&
LAT...LON 4190 9304 4189 9333 4205 9345 4219 9322
TIME...MOT...LOC 0101Z 251DEG 35KT 4194 9333
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
Fowle521 WWUS53 KDMX 240118 SVSDMX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Des Moines IA 818 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 IAC127-169-240127- /O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260424T0130Z/ Story IA-Marshall IA- 818 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN STORY AND SOUTHWESTERN MARSHALL COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for central Iowa. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for this area through 0845pm. LAT...LON 4190 9304 4189 9333 4205 9345 4219 9322 TIME...MOT...LOC 0115Z 243DEG 32KT 4201 9316 $$ 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 23, 6:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A line of severe storms will move across Iowa late afternoon and evening. A few non-severe showers and storms possible ahead of the main line. The line of storms will have wind as the primary hazard, though tornadoes and hail are possible.
- Cooler Friday through the weekend. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms possible this weekend and early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 23, 6:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 631 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 ...Updated for the 00z Aviation Discussion... .KEY MESSAGES... - A line of severe storms will move across Iowa late afternoon and evening. A few non-severe showers and storms possible ahead of the main line. The line of storms will have wind as the primary hazard, though tornadoes and hail are possible. - Cooler Friday through the weekend. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms possible this weekend and early next week. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 207 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 A few spotty showers have developed in the moist plume extending into Iowa, though have been fairly sort lived with little mechanism to sustain development. Meanwhile, convection has fired along and just ahead of the cold front pushing across Nebraska and into western Iowa. This will push across Iowa this evening, reaching the I-35 corridor around 7-9pm and pushing east after midnight. There was some concern that prefrontal convection would prevent more robust development with the main line of storms. While this has not yet materialized, the widespread stratus has put a bit of a damper on instability. There is little DCAPE out there and with moist soundings through the low levels, that may prevent better cold pool development except in northern Iowa where there is drier air in place. This would impact wind potential with the line as it blows through. A pool of 2500+ J/kg SBCAPE is in place across western to central Iowa with the Creston sounding showing 1900+ ECAPE as some may not be realized due to entrainment. Shear is largely parallel to the boundary. This could limit some of the tornado threat unless a bowing section can take better advantage of line normal shear. Tornado threat would be highest with initial convection that is more likely to be surface based, along with the low LCLs around 500m. Hail concerns will also be greatest with initial discrete convection when lapse rates are steeper around 7-8 C/km. As the line grows upscale with column moistening and pushes east later this evening threats will start to diminish. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Issued at 207 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 Relatively cooler conditions settle in Friday through the weekend and much of the upcoming week. While cooler that recent days, average highs this tie of year are in the mid 60s, so temperatures will be closer to what is "typical" for this time of year. The pattern remains active This weekend and next week as several embedded shortwave eject east from a longwave trough parked across Alberta and Saskatchewan. The first is rather weak and may skim the area on Saturday. Then a more robust wave lifts out of Missouri towards the area on Sunday. This will interact with the main longwave trough finally digging east Sunday into Monday. As this interacts with the system lifting out of Missouri thunderstorms are expected into Iowa. Placement of the warm sector will impact severe threats into Iowa and will be better determined in the next few days. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 623 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 Main aviation concern in the short term will focus on progression of line of strong to severe thunderstorms through central Iowa. Thunderstorms with heavy rain will impact all terminals with low-end MVFR to IFR conditions likely. Cannot rule out brief LIFR, but will monitor trends for this threat. Have maintained greatest impacts at DSM/FOD/MCW as intensity should be highest at these sites before slight decreases east of I-35. Can't rule out brief 40+ knot gusts as leading edge of storms move in but will pinpoint timing better before inserting mention at DSM with later amendments. Tonight, skies should clear quickly once TSRA depart. Will maintain some lower coverage of low/mid clouds for the early morning Friday before sunny to mostly sunny skies prevail across the area for the bulk of the daytime Friday. Winds may increase early in the morning, potentially around 20-25 knots our of the northwest, with a gradual decrease towards the end of the period. && .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Hagenhoff LONG TERM...Hagenhoff AVIATION...NMJ/WFO LBF
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 23, 4:44 AM CDT, 15 hours 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Des Moines IA 444 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075- 081>086-092>097-240945- 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- 444 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather over most of Iowa. Damaging wind is the main threat. Tornadoes and large hail will also be possible, mainly early in the event in western and southwestern Iowa, with the threat diminishing and storms move east. Locally heavy rainfall and ponding may also occur. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Additional thunderstorms possible Sunday night into Monday. There is a Slight Risk for severe weather Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters may be needed Thursday into Thursday night.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 23, 4:53 PM CDT, 2 hours 53 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
453 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0453 PM Hail Arcadia 42.09N 95.04W
04/23/2026 E1.00 Inch Carroll IA Public
&&
TRLocal storm report, Apr 23, 4:55 PM CDT, 2 hours 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
455 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0339 PM Hail 2 SSW Denison 41.99N 95.37W
04/23/2026 E1.00 Inch Crawford IA Law Enforcement
&&
TRLocal storm report, Apr 23, 5:28 PM CDT, 2 hours 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
528 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0516 PM Hail 1 E Rockwell City 42.40N 94.61W
04/23/2026 M1.00 Inch Calhoun IA Emergency Mngr
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 5:56 PM CDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
556 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0518 PM Hail 2 S Willey 41.95N 94.82W
04/23/2026 E1.00 Inch Carroll IA Public
Time estimated via radar.
&&
TRLocal storm report, Apr 23, 7:21 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
721 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0712 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 WNW Winterset 41.38N 94.12W
04/23/2026 M65 MPH Madison IA Public
&&Local storm report, Apr 23, 7:37 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
737 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0733 PM Tornado 2 ENE Slater 41.89N 93.66W
04/23/2026 Story IA Fire Dept/Rescue
Several reports from local fire department
and spotters of tornado on the ground.
&&
TRThe office that day
Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 7:04 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Boone, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison, Polk and 2 more | 56 min |
| Apr 23, 7:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Adair, Adams, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor, Union | 66 min |
| Apr 23, 7:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Boone, Dallas, Polk, Story | 45 min |
| Apr 23, 7:16 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Dallas, Madison, Warren | 29 min |
| Apr 23, 7:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Dallas, Madison | 24 min |
| Apr 23, 7:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Dallas, Madison, Polk, Warren | 51 min |
| Apr 23, 7:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Polk, Story and 1 more | 40 min |
| Apr 23, 7:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Marshall, Story | 50 min |
| Apr 23, 7:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Clarke, Decatur, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor, Union and 1 more | 61 min |
| Apr 23, 8:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Decatur, Ringgold | 45 min |
| Apr 23, 8:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marion, Polk, Warren | 66 min |
| Apr 23, 8:25 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Jasper, Polk | 23 min |
| Apr 23, 8:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion, Warren, Wayne | 52 min |
| Apr 23, 8:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Wayne | 33 min |
| Apr 23, 8:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Decatur, Lucas, Wayne | 41 min |
| Apr 23, 9:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Warren and 1 more | 58 min |
| Apr 23, 9:08 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne | 30 min |
| Apr 23, 9:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Appanoose, Davis, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Wapello | 65 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.