Tornado Warning 71, NWS Des Moines, IA

820 
WWUS53 KDMX 202140
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
440 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

IAC079-083-202215-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-260720T2215Z/
Hardin IA-Hamilton IA-
440 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
HARDIN AND CENTRAL HAMILTON COUNTIES...

At 440 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Kamrar, or near
Webster City, moving southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Law enforcement receiving multiple reports of a tornado on 
         the ground near Webster City. Emergency management also 
         reporting golf ball sized hail near Highway 20 in Hamilton 
         County.

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 tornado will be near...
  Kamrar around 445 PM CDT.
  Jewell Junction around 450 PM CDT.
  Ellsworth around 455 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Ellsworth, Kamrar, and Randall.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 129 and 141.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 4243 9385 4250 9375 4235 9341 4222 9361
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 308DEG 24KT 4242 9375 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

Dodson

279 
WWUS53 KDMX 202151
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
451 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

IAC079-083-202215-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-260720T2215Z/
Hardin IA-Hamilton IA-
451 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN HARDIN AND SOUTHEASTERN HAMILTON COUNTIES...

At 451 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Jewell Junction, or 11 miles southeast of Webster
City, moving southeast at 30 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Jewell Junction, Ellsworth, and Randall around 455 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Ellsworth, Kamrar, Randall, and Radcliffe.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 129 and 138.
 
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 4238 9379 4243 9370 4233 9343 4222 9361
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 317DEG 27KT 4232 9368 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

Dodson

583 
WWUS53 KDMX 202205
SVSDMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
505 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

IAC083-202214-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-260720T2215Z/
Hardin IA-
505 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN HARDIN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

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

LAT...LON 4229 9369 4235 9362 4229 9349 4222 9361
TIME...MOT...LOC 2204Z 308DEG 24KT 4226 9358 

$$

IAC079-202215-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0071.000000T0000Z-260720T2215Z/
Hamilton IA-
505 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN HAMILTON COUNTY...

At 504 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Randall, or 16 miles north of Ames, moving southeast
at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. This storm has a history of 
         producing brief 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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Hamilton County, including the following locations...
Ellsworth and Randall.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 129 and 134.
 
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 4229 9369 4235 9362 4229 9349 4222 9361
TIME...MOT...LOC 2204Z 308DEG 24KT 4226 9358 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

Dodson

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
234 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A Heat Advisory is in effect this afternoon with heat indices
  from 100-110F expected.

- Strong to severe storms are forecast from this afternoon
  through the overnight, beginning in northern Iowa and making
  it to southern Iowa by early Tuesday morning. All severe
  hazards are possible.

- Relief from the heat starts Tuesday and lasts through the work
  week before another warmup this weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 226 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

A classic July NW flow severe weather setup is in store for todays
enhanced risk across Iowa. A stacked 500mb trough and surface low is
currently approaching Lake Superior and the trailing cold front
through Minnesota to South Dakota will be our main storm initiation
mechanism today.

To the dismay of most of the recent CAMs, a few storms are already
forming along the cold front in southern Minnesota, though these are
elevated and the main show is likely to hold off until the boundary
layer continues to destabilize. Speaking of destabilizing, the heat
today is well underway as the grand finale of the past week of heat.
Between the expected highs in the mid 90s and dewpoints in the mid
70s, heat indices across a large part of the state are expected
to be between 100-110F. Many stations across central Iowa
already have an index over 100F, but mixing out of moisture may
keep them from surging too much higher. This will lead to a
large zone of 3500+ J/kg of CAPE across north central Iowa as
the cold front crosses the state. Hodographs are generally
supportive of supercells, particularly further east near the
warm front, with decent mid level shear and low level turning.
Around mid to late afternoon, early convection along the cold
front will have the best chance at briefly supercell mode,
capable of large hail and gusty winds. 3CAPE, 0-1 SRH, and
vorticity will all be most favorable for a tornado or two near
the warm front (likely in or near ARX's CWA), though a powerful
updraft sitting on the cold front could be capable of producing
a tornado. The relatively large T/Td spreads and strong DCAPE
could transition the threat quickly to a more linear mode, and
damaging wind would then be the main threat. There is still
large uncertainty in storm coverage across the cold front this
afternoon. There is a scenario where initiation holds off until
mid evening, and another where elevated convection in MN
continues to intensify and establishes itself early as it
crosses into Iowa.

Storms into this evening and overnight will be dependent on how cold
pools are established this afternoon. Convection will likely
continue to develop this evening as the increasing LLJ overruns any
remnant cold pools and the cold front meanders over central Iowa. A
mainly damaging wind threat and perhaps large hail threat will be
associated with these storms through the evening and overnight.
Additionally, PWATs near 2" and some potential for training
thunderstorms would make for a higher flash flooding threat, though
this threat will be muted by the low soil moisture and mature crops.

Any remaining storms will likely clear out of southern Iowa by early
morning and give way to dry conditions on Tuesday. Relief from the
heat will finally arrive Tuesday with highs in the low to mid 80s.
Winds will stay quite breezy behind the cold front with gusts up to
30-35 mph in the afternoon. Additionally, the HRRR smoke guidance is
forecasting smoke to linger through the day tomorrow, even at the
surface, though it likely will be a bit improved from this morning.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 226 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

More mild conditions are expected through the end of the work week
with highs in the upper 70s and 80s across the state. Continued
ridging out to our south and west will continue, but there is decent
signal for more shortwaves Wednesday into Thursday that could bring
in additional chances for showers and storms. Severe weather is less
likely with these storm chances, as moisture will be limited, but
more details will be sorted out in the coming days. The ridge is
again expected to intensify over the central plains during the
weekend and heat will likely return by Saturday and Sunday.
Continued NW flow could bring in a marginal chances for smoke
haze since wildfires are still ongoing in Canada.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1234 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

VFR TAFs are occurring across all TAF sites with the 18Z
issuance. This morning's showers have moved off to the east but
lingering low clouds still exist across the eastern terminals.
There's forecast to be a lull in activity before a cold front
drops southeast through Iowa later this afternoon through the
overnight. Beginning at KMCW roughly 20Z and working south
through the TAF period. The fast moving front will bring
categorical reductions to TAF sites for a couple hours before
moving out. Expect gusty and erratic winds and category
reduction due to showers and storms. The front is forecast to be
through KOTM by 10Z. Behind the departing front, wildfire smoke
is progged to move back into the area bringing potential for
VSBY reductions through the rest of the TAF window. Also, strong
northwesterly winds are expected to develop late Tuesday
morning.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for IAZ004>007-
015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-081>086-
092>097.

&&

SHORT TERM...De Bruin
LONG TERM...De Bruin
AVIATION...Vorst

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
238 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-
081>086-092>097-211945-
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-
238 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

A Heat Advisory is in effect for the area today. Please refer to
the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for
further details.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon into
tonight with an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Additional thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into
Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed today.

67

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
353 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

0343 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 NNW Galt              42.73N 93.63W
07/20/2026  M65 MPH          Wright             IA   Mesonet

            Measured from personal weather station.

&&

67

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
354 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

0341 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Hampton                 42.74N 93.20W
07/20/2026  M60 MPH          Franklin           IA   Mesonet

            Measured from personal weather station.

&&

67

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
408 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

0341 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WNW Hampton           42.77N 93.25W
07/20/2026                   Franklin           IA   NWS Employee

            Numerous branches and a tree down in the
            campgrounds.

&&

MD

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
414 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

0338 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 S Sheffield           42.84N 93.22W
07/20/2026                   Franklin           IA   Emergency Mngr

            Several trees down along with roof damage.
            Time estimated via radar.

&&

TDR

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
424 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

0412 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Dike                    42.46N 92.63W
07/20/2026                   Grundy             IA   Public

            Medium size tree down. Time estimated via
            radar.

&&

TDR

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
431 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

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

0325 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Belmond                 42.85N 93.61W
07/20/2026                   Wright             IA   Emergency Mngr

            Multiple trees down via slack. Time
            estimated via radar.

&&

TDR