Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 7, NWS Des Moines, IA

April 13, 2026Hancock County, Winnebago County, Iowa

NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 13, 2026, 8:32 PM CDT for Hancock County, Winnebago County, Iowa. It was in force for 28 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 13, 2026, 8:32 PM CDT (01:32 UTC)
Expired
Apr 13, 2026, 9:00 PM CDT
In force
28 min
Issued by
NWS Des Moines, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Hancock County, IA, Winnebago County, IA

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 166 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:34 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 13, 3:11 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 1.5 hours before the alert went out and 181 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, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2026-04-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 141 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2026-04-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 142 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
141 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-175 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1158 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
142 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
183 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
4.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

261 
WFUS53 KDMX 140132
TORDMX
IAC081-189-140200-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0007.260414T0132Z-260414T0200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
832 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northern Hancock County in north central Iowa...
  Southern Winnebago County in north central Iowa...

* Until 900 PM CDT.

* At 832 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Crystal Lake, or 10 miles west of Forest City,
  moving east at 45 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...
  Forest City, Hayfield, and Forest City Municipal Airport around 
  840 PM CDT.
  Miller and Pilot Knob State Park around 845 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Crystal Lake, Woden, Hayfield, Pilot Knob State Park, Forest City
Municipal Airport, and Miller.

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 4316 9350 4317 9396 4327 9397 4334 9350
TIME...MOT...LOC 0132Z 262DEG 39KT 4321 9384 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Dodson
2 follow-up statements
174 
WWUS53 KDMX 140143
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
843 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

IAC081-189-140200-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260414T0200Z/
Hancock IA-Winnebago IA-
843 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN HANCOCK AND SOUTHEASTERN WINNEBAGO COUNTIES...

At 843 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Forest City Municipal Airport, or over Forest City,
moving east at 45 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...
  Forest City, Miller, and Pilot Knob State Park around 850 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Crystal Lake, Pilot Knob State Park, Forest City Municipal Airport,
Miller, and Hayfield.

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 4316 9350 4319 9382 4327 9382 4333 9350
TIME...MOT...LOC 0143Z 262DEG 39KT 4323 9368 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Dodson
875 
WWUS53 KDMX 140153
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
853 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

IAC081-189-140202-
/O.EXP.KDMX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260414T0200Z/
Hancock IA-Winnebago IA-
853 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN HANCOCK AND SOUTHEASTERN
WINNEBAGO COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 900 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.  However, gusty
winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for north central
Iowa.

LAT...LON 4316 9350 4319 9382 4327 9382 4333 9350
TIME...MOT...LOC 0152Z 262DEG 39KT 4324 9356 

$$

Dodson

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 13, 6:54 PM CDT, 1 hour 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A few severe storms in northern Iowa late this afternoon and evening with large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a tornado possible. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible in far northern Iowa.
  • Next round of severe storms and locally heavy rainfall on Tuesday afternoon into night, especially central into southern Iowa.
  • Additional rounds of severe storms and locally heavy rainfall on Wednesday (eastern Iowa) and again on Friday (much of Iowa).
  • Warm and breezy today through Friday with highs in the 70s and 80s, then temperatures tumble into the 40s and 50s this weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 13, 6:54 PM CDT, 1 hour 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
654 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

 ...Updated for the 00z Aviation Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A few severe storms in northern Iowa late this afternoon and
  evening with large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a tornado
  possible. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible in far
  northern Iowa.

- Next round of severe storms and locally heavy rainfall on
  Tuesday afternoon into night, especially central into southern
  Iowa.

- Additional rounds of severe storms and locally heavy rainfall
  on Wednesday (eastern Iowa) and again on Friday (much of Iowa).

- Warm and breezy today through Friday with highs in the 70s and
  80s, then temperatures tumble into the 40s and 50s this
  weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 318 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

Today is the start of a busy, active stretch of weather with
multiple rounds of severe storms and heavy rainfall potential
through weeks end. The first round is setting up for later this
afternoon into this evening over northern Iowa. Early afternoon
GOES-East Day Cloud Phase Distinction has scattered low level
cumulus clouds from Siouxland into northern Iowa with a fair
amount of clearing south of these clouds in western Iowa. A warm
front is where the clearing/scattered cumulus clouds are
located from just north of Sioux City to north of Algona to
north of Mason City. Forecast soundings initially show a warm
capping layer aloft, which will prevent storm development.
However, as the triple point/low pressure moves into northwest
Iowa late this afternoon, these same soundings show weakening of
the cap. This will allow any inhibition to be overcome and for
surface based storms to develop in the vicinity/east of the
triple point. Proximity soundings show 3000 J/kg or more of
entrainment CAPE, more than ample deep layer shear, and steep
lapse rates for severe storms. The hodograph is more linear
given lack of backed surface flow so large hail and damaging
winds are obvious concerns. Uncontaminated 0-1 km storm relative
helicity is marginal at around 100 m2/s2, but with the triple
point and warm front over our area, think a few tornadoes will
be possible as the flow backs more locally ahead of these
features that may enhance the low level flow and helicity.
Looking at convective allowing model (CAM) guidance, this has
been showing up in past runs of the HRRR along with the ARW
cores developing over northwest into north central Iowa close to
0z/7pm this evening. Warn on Forecast (WoFS) is running over
the area and the 18z paintballs shows initiation between
22-23z/5-6pm and potential for rotating storms in the vicinity
of Spencer that then spreads east-northeastward. As one or more
storms develop and move to the east-northeast, these should
congeal into a line with the main hazards transitioning more to
a large hail and damaging wind threat as the storms exit into
northeastern Iowa by midnight. While quite limited, National
Water Model forced HRRR has shown some rapid onset flooding
potential in far northern Iowa near the Minnesota border, but as
the hydro discussion outlines below this will be limited to
urban areas. For areas outside of northern Iowa/south of roughly
Highway 3, the forecast is expected to be dry. The exception,
which is shown in the ARW and NAMNest, is the possibility of
convection with a hail and wind threat that turns east-
southeastward into the instability gradient. While not a likely
scenario, it does exist.

Severe risks also exist on Tuesday and Wednesday with each
subsequent round better determined after the first has occurred.
For Tuesday, the boundary will slip into our forecast area with
a weak surface low to the west of the state that moves in later
in the day or at night. The front should be a focus for
possible storm development mid to late afternoon, but there is a
variety of times and locations for convective initiation as the
location of moisture gradients, the low position, and wind
fields all vary greatly amongst the CAMs. This plays a crucial
role in what, if any, storms develop in the afternoon, their
location and their hazards. While whatever threat develops and
moves into eastern Iowa Tuesday evening, a strong low level jet
will begin to move up into our area by late evening. This will
bring renewed convection into southern and central Iowa by late
evening through much of the overnight, which wanes into the
daylight hours of Wednesday. The main hazards would be hail and
wind.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 318 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

As the western CONUS shortwave trough finally lifts into our region,
expect a final round of storms across eastern portions of Iowa
on Wednesday. Instability and shear parameter space looks
favorable for strong to severe storms with large hail, damaging
wind gusts, and tornadoes all possible. Further, the surface low
and warm front could be over central Iowa and may aid in
enhancing low level hodographs, but this is a detail to monitor
versus be concerned about at this time horizon.

As Wednesday's strong synoptic forcing passes by, Thursday is
looking like a more tranquil, dry day into Thursday night.
However, the next amplified shortwave trough will be trucking
towards the region taking on a neutral tilt. With a surface low
and cold front moving through the region/state sometime on
Friday with highs reaching the 70s and 80s, another round of
strong to severe storms will be possible with this highlighted
in the day 5 SPC outlook. As the storms move east of the state
Friday night, colder air will wrap in behind the departing low
and cannot rule out some snowflakes in northern portions of the
state early Saturday. Temperatures will tumble into the 40s and
50s with breezy winds from the northwest on Saturday as well.
Further, those with early season vegetation will want to monitor
the forecast with sub-freezing temperatures forecast Saturday
night/Sunday morning.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 644 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

Added in TEMPO group for KMCW for thunderstorms within the next
6 hours. Added a prob30 for KALO as uncertainty remains in the
southern extent of storms. Severe hail over an inch in diameter
will be possible with storms. Fog will then settle in with
increasing confidence in IFR vsbys after 06z. Thunderstorms will
then be possible again after 20z, but have maintained prob30s
for now until better certainty on location is achieved. Rain and
storms will be more widespread at the conclusion of this TAF
period.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 239 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

Multiple rounds of seasonally moderate to heavy rain this week will
lead to renewed flooding concerns. Presently the main concern will
be possible renewed or additional river flooding.

Output from the GFS- and NBM-forced medium-range National Water
Model (NWM) and the Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast System (HEFS)
suggest the most likely scenario will be moderate to significant
within-bank rises on many rivers and streams, especially across the
southeast half of the CWA over the next week. A few locations may
see minor river flooding as well. These rises will be due to the
additive effect of multiple rounds of rainfall. If rainfall is
higher than presently forecast then the risk of several locations
seeing minor flooding and a few locations seeing moderate flooding
will increase.

Flash flooding is less of a concern than river flooding, however the
risk is nonzero. The most likely scenario will be ponding of water
or low-end flash flooding especially in urban areas or areas that
receive repeated heavy rainfall over a relatively short time
period.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...Ansorge
LONG TERM...Ansorge
AVIATION...Jimenez
HYDROLOGY...Zogg
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 13, 3:20 PM CDT, 5 hours 12 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
320 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

IAZ023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-081>086-092>097-142030-
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-
320 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

There is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms
across portions of central Iowa this evening into tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

There is a Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms
across much of central and eastern Iowa on Tuesday. Large hail,
damaging winds, and a tornado or two are possible.

There will be additional chances for strong to severe thunderstorms
on Wednesday and again on Friday. Specific details on those events will
be better resolved in the coming days.

River flooding will also be possible this week as multiple rounds
of rainfall occur. Isolated flash flooding is also possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is possible today or tonight across northern
Iowa.

IAZ004>007-015>017-142030-
Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-
320 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northern Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

There is an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms
across portions of northern Iowa this evening into tonight. Large hail,
damaging winds, and a tornado or two are possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

There is a Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms
across much of central and eastern Iowa on Tuesday. Large hail,
damaging winds, and a tornado or two are possible.

There will be additional chances for strong to severe thunderstorms
on Wednesday and again on Friday. Specific details on those events will
be better resolved in the coming days.

River flooding will also be possible this week as multiple rounds
of rainfall occur. Isolated flash flooding is also possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is possible today or tonight across northern
Iowa.

Rotter/Dodson

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 13, 6:57 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
657 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0644 PM     Funnel Cloud     5 SE Graettinger        43.19N 94.68W
04/13/2026                   Palo Alto          IA   Public

&&
Local storm report, Apr 13, 6:59 PM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
659 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0650 PM     Tornado          4 ENE Graettinger       43.26N 94.67W
04/13/2026                   Emmet              IA   Public

            location estimated.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 13, 7:57 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
757 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0746 PM     Funnel Cloud     Burt                    43.20N 94.22W
04/13/2026                   Kossuth            IA   Public

            via social media.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 13, 8:11 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
811 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0810 PM     Funnel Cloud     3 S Ayrshire            43.00N 94.83W
04/13/2026                   Palo Alto          IA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            small funnels notes.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 13, 7:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXEmmet, Kossuth37 min
Apr 13, 7:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXKossuth, Winnebago37 min
Apr 13, 7:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHancock, Kossuth, Winnebago49 min
Apr 13, 7:48 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXHancock, Kossuth, Winnebago12 min
Apr 13, 7:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXPalo Alto, Pocahontas40 min
Apr 13, 7:52 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedDMXPalo Alto38 min
Apr 13, 8:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXWinnebago, Worth27 min
Apr 13, 8:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDMXWinnebago, Worth46 min
Apr 13, 8:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHancock, Winnebago32 min
Apr 13, 9:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXCerro Gordo, Hancock44 min
Apr 13, 10:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXCerro Gordo24 min
Apr 14, 2:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXHardin39 min
Apr 14, 3:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDMXButler, Grundy, Hardin46 min
Apr 14, 3:21 PM CDTTornado WarningDMXGrundy, Hardin24 min
Apr 14, 3:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDMXBlack Hawk, Butler, Grundy37 min
Apr 14, 3:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXButler41 min
Apr 14, 4:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDMXBlack Hawk, Grundy45 min
Apr 14, 4:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXBremer, Butler23 min
Apr 14, 4:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDMXBlack Hawk16 min
Apr 14, 4:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXButler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin47 min
Apr 14, 5:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXMahaska, Wapello29 min
Apr 14, 5:32 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDMXBlack Hawk28 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.