Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 72, NWS Des Moines, IA
NWS Des Moines, IA issued this tornado warning at Jul 20, 2026, 5:04 PM CDT for Hamilton County, Hardin County, Story County, Iowa. It was in force for 41 min. 4 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
- Jul 20, 2026, 5:04 PM CDT (22:04 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 20, 2026, 5:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 41 min
- Issued by
- NWS Des Moines, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.0 in
Counties Hamilton County, IA, Hardin County, IA, Story County, IA
The radar
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 55 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:05 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 5:07 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | 1 Ene Ellsworth, IA | 2 inch hail. |
| Jul 20, 5:15 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | 4 N Roland, IA | Golf ball size plus hail. |
| Jul 20, 5:19 PM CDT | HAIL 2.5 | 2 Nne Roland, IA | Between 2 to 2.5 inch hail. Damage to vehicles. |
| Jul 20, 5:26 PM CDT | HAIL 2.75 | 1 Ne Story City, IA |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 3:03 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 293 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
- 982 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -242 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1013 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 50 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 299 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 288 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.2
The text
As transmitted.
056
WFUS53 KDMX 202204
TORDMX
IAC079-083-169-202245-
/O.NEW.KDMX.TO.W.0072.260720T2204Z-260720T2245Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
504 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northern Story County in central Iowa...
Southwestern Hardin County in central Iowa...
Southeastern Hamilton County in central Iowa...
* Until 545 PM CDT.
* At 503 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 hail up to two inches in diameter.
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 dangerous storm will be near...
Story City and Roland around 510 PM CDT.
McCallsburg around 520 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Zearing, Ellsworth, Garden City, McCallsburg, and Randall.
This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 119 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 4226 9372 4235 9362 4218 9323 4202 9348
TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 314DEG 28KT 4226 9359
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Dodson2 follow-up statements
578
WWUS53 KDMX 202218
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
518 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
IAC079-083-169-202245-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260720T2245Z/
Story IA-Hardin IA-Hamilton IA-
518 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
STORY...SOUTHWESTERN HARDIN AND SOUTHEASTERN HAMILTON COUNTIES...
At 517 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Roland, or 11 miles north of Nevada, moving
southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northern Story, southwestern Hardin and southeastern Hamilton
Counties, including the following locations... Zearing, McCallsburg,
and Garden City.
This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 119 and 127.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4218 9364 4229 9348 4218 9323 4202 9348
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 318DEG 25KT 4217 9352
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Dodson956
WWUS53 KDMX 202236
SVSDMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
536 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
IAC079-083-202245-
/O.CAN.KDMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260720T2245Z/
Hardin IA-Hamilton IA-
536 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN HARDIN AND SOUTHEASTERN
HAMILTON COUNTIES 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 4204 9345 4212 9354 4221 9340 4221 9332
4218 9323
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 314DEG 28KT 4207 9338
$$
IAC169-202245-
/O.CON.KDMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260720T2245Z/
Story IA-
536 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN STORY COUNTY...
At 535 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Colo, or 5 miles northeast of Nevada, moving
southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and baseball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Zearing and McCallsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4204 9345 4212 9354 4221 9340 4221 9332
4218 9323
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 314DEG 28KT 4207 9338
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN
$$
DodsonWhat 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 Jul 20, 2:34 PM CDT, 2 hours 30 minutes earlier. Its 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.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 20, 2:34 PM CDT, 2 hours 30 minutes before
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, Jul 20, 2:38 PM CDT, 2 hours 26 minutes before
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
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 20, 4:40 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
440 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0439 PM Hail 4 N Kamrar 42.45N 93.72W
07/20/2026 M1.75 Inch Hamilton IA Law Enforcement
&&
TDRLocal storm report, Jul 20, 4:41 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
441 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0427 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SSE Reinbeck 42.26N 92.56W
07/20/2026 M62 MPH Tama IA Public
PWS gust.
&&
MDLocal storm report, Jul 20, 4:44 PM CDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
444 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0439 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 ESE Voorhies 42.31N 92.39W
07/20/2026 M60 MPH Black Hawk IA Public
PWS gust.
&&
MDLocal storm report, Jul 20, 4:48 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
448 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0411 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NNW Holland 42.43N 92.81W
07/20/2026 Grundy IA Public
Received report via social media of tree
damage around 199th and L Ave near Dike, IA.
Time estimated from radar.
&&
67Local storm report, Jul 20, 4:56 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
456 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0455 PM Tornado 4 S Kamrar 42.34N 93.73W
07/20/2026 Hamilton IA Law Enforcement
Reports of Tornado on the ground.
&&
cecLocal storm report, Jul 20, 5:02 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
502 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0502 PM Funnel Cloud 1 ENE Story City 42.19N 93.57W
07/20/2026 Story IA Trained Spotter
Funnel Cloud.
&&
cecThe office that day
Everything else NWS Des Moines, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 7:35 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Worth | 25 min |
| Jul 20, 2:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Wright | 44 min |
| Jul 20, 2:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Butler, Cerro Gordo, Franklin | 39 min |
| Jul 20, 3:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Butler, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock and 2 more | 67 min |
| Jul 20, 3:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Franklin, Grundy | 66 min |
| Jul 20, 3:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Grundy, Hardin, Marshall, Tama | 64 min |
| Jul 20, 3:57 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin, Tama | 48 min |
| Jul 20, 4:13 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Black Hawk, Bremer | 37 min |
| Jul 20, 4:25 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hamilton, Hardin | 50 min |
| Jul 20, 4:34 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DMX | Hamilton, Hardin | 41 min |
| Jul 20, 4:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama | 60 min |
| Jul 20, 5:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Hamilton, Hardin, Story | 45 min |
| Jul 20, 5:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Marshall, Story | 47 min |
| Jul 20, 5:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Grundy, Hardin | 31 min |
| Jul 20, 5:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama | 57 min |
| Jul 20, 5:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Hamilton, Hardin, Story | 23 min |
| Jul 20, 6:09 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Hamilton, Hardin, Marshall, Story | 51 min |
| Jul 20, 6:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Jasper, Marshall, Story | 48 min |
| Jul 20, 6:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone | 54 min |
| Jul 20, 6:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Story | 26 min |
| Jul 20, 6:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DMX | Boone, Jasper, Polk, Story | 43 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.