Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 7, NWS Des Moines, IA
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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 3:11 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 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.
- 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
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
$$
Dodson2 follow-up statements
174
WWUS53 KDMX 140143
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
843 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
IAC081-189-140200-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260414T0200Z/
Hancock IA-Winnebago IA-
843 PM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN HANCOCK AND SOUTHEASTERN WINNEBAGO COUNTIES...
At 843 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Forest City Municipal Airport, or over Forest City,
moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Forest City, Miller, and Pilot Knob State Park around 850 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Crystal Lake, Pilot Knob State Park, Forest City Municipal Airport,
Miller, and Hayfield.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4316 9350 4319 9382 4327 9382 4333 9350
TIME...MOT...LOC 0143Z 262DEG 39KT 4323 9368
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
Dodson875 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 7:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Emmet, Kossuth | 37 min |
| Apr 13, 7:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Kossuth, Winnebago | 37 min |
| Apr 13, 7:41 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hancock, Kossuth, Winnebago | 49 min |
| Apr 13, 7:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Hancock, Kossuth, Winnebago | 12 min |
| Apr 13, 7:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Palo Alto, Pocahontas | 40 min |
| Apr 13, 7:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Palo Alto | 38 min |
| Apr 13, 8:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Winnebago, Worth | 27 min |
| Apr 13, 8:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Winnebago, Worth | 46 min |
| Apr 13, 8:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hancock, Winnebago | 32 min |
| Apr 13, 9:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Cerro Gordo, Hancock | 44 min |
| Apr 13, 10:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Cerro Gordo | 24 min |
| Apr 14, 2:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hardin | 39 min |
| Apr 14, 3:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Butler, Grundy, Hardin | 46 min |
| Apr 14, 3:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Grundy, Hardin | 24 min |
| Apr 14, 3:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Butler, Grundy | 37 min |
| Apr 14, 3:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Butler | 41 min |
| Apr 14, 4:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Grundy | 45 min |
| Apr 14, 4:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Bremer, Butler | 23 min |
| Apr 14, 4:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk | 16 min |
| Apr 14, 4:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin | 47 min |
| Apr 14, 5:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Mahaska, Wapello | 29 min |
| Apr 14, 5:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk | 28 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.