Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 10, NWS Quad Cities, IA

April 2, 2026Cedar County, Clinton County, Scott County, Iowa

NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 2, 2026, 5:05 PM CDT for Cedar County, Clinton County, Scott County, Iowa. It was in force for 25 min. 11 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
Apr 2, 2026, 5:05 PM CDT (22:05 UTC)
Expired
Apr 2, 2026, 5:30 PM CDT
In force
25 min
Issued by
NWS Quad Cities, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.25 in

Counties Cedar County, IA, Clinton County, IA, Scott County, IA

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 36 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:06 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 60Lowden, IA
Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 60Lowden, IA
Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 60Lowden, IA
Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Lowden, IA
Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Lowden, IA
Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Lowden, IA
Apr 2, 5:18 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 60Wheatland, IATime estimated using radar.
Apr 2, 5:18 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 60Wheatland, IATime estimated using radar.
Apr 2, 5:18 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 60Wheatland, IATime estimated using radar.
Apr 2, 5:25 PM CDTTORNADO2 Wsw Welton, IAAn NWS Storm Damage Survey Team confirmed an EF1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph and maximum estimated width of 250 yards. Damage included over ten snapped power poles, over ten outbuildings and sheds destroyed, numerous homes with shingle damage, and many
Apr 2, 5:25 PM CDTTORNADO2 Wsw Welton, IAAn NWS Storm Damage Survey Team confirmed an EF1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph and maximum estimated width of 250 yards. Damage included over ten snapped power poles, over ten outbuildings and sheds destroyed, numerous homes with shingle damage, and many

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 20 minutes after it went out.

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 2, 1:43 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 269 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-04-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 19 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-04-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 453 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
19 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-278 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
846 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
453 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
450 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

989 
WFUS53 KDVN 022205
TORDVN
IAC031-045-163-022230-
/O.NEW.KDVN.TO.W.0010.260402T2205Z-260402T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
505 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Cedar County in east central Iowa...
  Northwestern Scott County in east central Iowa...
  Western Clinton County in east central Iowa...

* Until 530 PM CDT.

* At 504 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Bennett, or near Tipton, moving northeast at 50
  mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar 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.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Lowden, Wheatland, Calamus, Toronto, Big Rock, Bennett Park, 
  Massillon Park, Sherman Park, and Walnut Grove Park around 510 PM 
  CDT.
  Lost Nation and Lyons around 515 PM CDT.
  Grand Mound and Elwood around 520 PM CDT.

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 4180 9057 4168 9106 4184 9112 4195 9092
      4195 9090 4196 9088 4203 9070
TIME...MOT...LOC 2204Z 238DEG 45KT 4178 9101 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

Uttech
1 follow-up statement
624 
WWUS53 KDVN 022222
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
522 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

IAC031-163-022232-
/O.CAN.KDVN.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260402T2230Z/
Cedar IA-Scott IA-
522 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CEDAR AND NORTHWESTERN SCOTT
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 800 PM CDT for east central
Iowa.

&&

LAT...LON 4180 9057 4179 9063 4177 9089 4195 9089
      4203 9070
TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 265DEG 42KT 4183 9074 

$$

IAC045-022230-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260402T2230Z/
Clinton IA-
522 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
CLINTON COUNTY...

At 522 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Calamus, or 16 miles south of Maquoketa, moving east
at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball 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...
  Grand Mound.

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.

This storm has a history of producing tornadoes.  Seek shelter now!

&&

LAT...LON 4180 9057 4179 9063 4177 9089 4195 9089
      4203 9070
TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 265DEG 42KT 4183 9074 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Uttech

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 Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 2, 2:40 PM CDT, 2 hours 25 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is an Enhanced Risk/Level 3 of 5 for severe weather today, with damaging wind and tornadoes the primary risks. The risk for a few strong/significant tornadoes is increasing.
  • Very fast storm motions between 50-60 mph will offer significantly less time to act this afternoon and evening, thus it's very important to stay weather aware!
  • There is an Enhanced/Slight Risk (level 2+3 of 5) for severe weather Friday, with all modes of severe weather possible.
  • Cooler and drying out this weekend, with frost/freeze potential early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 2, 2:40 PM CDT, 2 hours 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
240 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is an Enhanced Risk/Level 3 of 5 for severe weather
  today, with damaging wind and tornadoes the primary risks. The
  risk for a few strong/significant tornadoes is increasing.

- Very fast storm motions between 50-60 mph will offer
  significantly less time to act this afternoon and evening,
  thus it's very important to stay weather aware!

- There is an Enhanced/Slight Risk (level 2+3 of 5) for severe
  weather Friday, with all modes of severe weather possible.

- Cooler and drying out this weekend, with frost/freeze
  potential early next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 238 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

A very active afternoon/evening is expected with numerous severe
storms possible. Stay weather aware and be quick to react when a
warning is issued as storms will be moving VERY fast! This will
greatly reduce your time to take action so seek shelter
immediately!

Water vapor imagery early this afternoon shows well defined
negatively tilted shortwave lifting northeast over southwest IA
with a dry slot moving into our southwest CWA. 18z surface
observations and analysis have a 999mb surface low out ahead of
the main upper wave just south of DSM and a warm front
extending east of the low right along I-80 towards DVN. GOES Day
Cloud Phase RGB imagery has a nice area of clearing from a line
from IOW-EOK and points west. A Tornado Watch has been recently
issued until 8pm for the entire CWA.

Severe Risk

The question initially with storm development today was how
much clearing/destabilization was going to take place. The
aforementioned warm front was taking its time lifting north this
morning, but the low has now surged it towards the I-80
corridor with building 0-1km and SBCAPE expected this afternoon
out ahead of the storms. In addition, a very strong kinematic
and moist environment is in place as shown on our 18z sounding
(winds over 40kts for most of the column, sickle shaped
hodograph, and 1.39 PW). At the same time, a mid-level speed max
around 60kts is developing just ahead of the storms which is
one of the key composites to significant tornado environments in
the DVN CWA as well as surging northward dewpoint/CAPE
gradients. All this being said, numerous severe storms will be
possible with discrete supercells initially capable of quickly
becoming tornadic. Some concern for a few significant tornadoes
(EF2+) is there as well with such strong 0-1km SRH values over
300 m2/s2 and some low level backing of winds especially for any
supercell that cross the warm front.

This is still one failure mode that I do want to point out and
that is with so much shear aloft, updrafts could easily become
disrupted/ripped apart thereby limiting the overall severe risk.
Sometimes too much shear is a good thing for reducing the
severe threat.

Winds have underperformed so far today in the advisory area, but
some gusts near 45 mph is still possible this afternoon. Have
decided to continue the advisory for now but may be able to be
cancelled early this evening.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 238 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Another active day with severe weather is expected late Friday
afternoon through early Saturday, as a closed low moves over the
northern Plains. There are some similar aspects to today's system,
but with 12z models continuing to show a later time of day and bit
further west and north surface low track, this favors storm
initiation over western and central IA late Friday afternoon/early
evening. This activity would then likely evolve into a mature squall
line or QLCS and move east into the CWA during the evening,
exiting early Saturday. Timing of severe weather would be after
7 PM Saturday with this line. This setup looks to largely favor
damaging winds with some significant wind potential, and a few
tornadoes with any mesovortices. However, will still have to
keep tabs for some discrete cell potential in the warm sector
and in close proximity to the warm front. It will another day of
mesoscale forecasting and monitoring the evolution of the
front/destabilization of the boundary layer/EML capping. There
is some potential for more slowing of this system thereby
reducing the overall severe threat in the evening as instability
wanes. SPC has maintained an Enhanced/Slight Risk (level 2+3 of
5) for severe weather for areas west of a Clinton IA to
Galesburg IL line.

Saturday will see conditions begin to dry out and turn cooler as
high pressure begins to build in.

Sunday-Tuesday...Continued cooler and more seasonable this
stretch into early next week, with a return flow induced precip
event possible some time Tue into next Wed. There will also be a
concern for frost/freeze potential each morning through the
period due to recent greenup that will need to be evaluated in
later forecasts.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1235 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Poor flying conditions are expected through the period. A warm
front will continue to lift north through the terminals, with
lowest IFR cigs just to the north of the boundary near DBQ. A
surface low will track towards IIB around 22z, with scattered
showers and thunderstorms developing out ahead of the low in the
warm sector. A few of the storms may become severe with all
hazards possible. Confidence in hitting the terminals remains
too low to include prevailing groups at this time and have
handled this with PROB30 wording until confidence increases.
Cold front to push east of the terminals by 03z, with lower
IFR/LIFR cigs moving in behind the fropa afterwards. Model
guidance also was hinting at fog potential early Friday and have
trended the TAFs in that direction with the highest confidence
at DBQ/BRL.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for IAZ067-068-078-
     087>089-098-099.
IL...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ009-015>018-
     024>026-034-035.
MO...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for MOZ009-010.

&&

SHORT TERM...Gross
LONG TERM...Gross/McClure
AVIATION...Gross
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 2, 2:47 PM CDT, 2 hours 18 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
247 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-032000-
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
247 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east
central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

An Enhanced risk, or level 3 of 5 risk for severe weather covers
much of the Outlook area. The risk of severe storms will be
between 2 and 8 pm this evening. Damaging winds and tornadoes are
the primary hazards.

Storms will be moving very fast, which will result in
significantly less time to act. For this reason, it is important
to plan now where you will shelter in the event severe weather
strikes, and make sure you stay weather aware.

A Wind Advisory is also in effect this afternoon for areas mainly
south of a line from Mount Carroll, Illinois to Washington, Iowa
where southerly winds will gust to around 45 mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

A Slight to Enhanced risk, or Level 2 and 3 out of 5 risk for
severe weather covers much of the Outlook area on Friday. The risk
for severe storms is primarily Friday evening into the early
overnight hours of Saturday morning. Large hail, damaging winds
and tornadoes are all possible. Storms will also bring periods of
heavy rain and the potential for localized flooding.

Below freezing temperatures will be possible early next week that
may cause damage to sensitive vegetation.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will be needed this afternoon into early evening,
and again Friday evening.

GROSS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:05 PM CDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
405 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0359 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 NW Parnell            41.62N 92.05W
04/02/2026  M64 MPH          Iowa               IA   Mesonet

&&

GROSS
Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:21 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
421 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0418 PM     Funnel Cloud     5 NNE West Chester      41.41N 91.79W
04/02/2026                   Washington         IA   Trained Spotter

            near the ground with debris.

&&

GROSS
Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:22 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
422 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0413 PM     Hail             1 W Kalona              41.49N 91.71W
04/02/2026  M1.75 Inch       Washington         IA   Trained Spotter

&&

ALE
Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:31 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
431 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0431 PM     Hail             1 ESE Iowa City Municip 41.63N 91.53W
04/02/2026  E1.75 Inch       Johnson            IA   Public

            Media.

&&

ALE
Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:52 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
452 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0444 PM     Tornado          1 E Springdale          41.67N 91.25W
04/02/2026                   Cedar              IA   Law Enforcement

            Rope tornado on the ground near X40 east of
            West Branch.

&&

GROSS
Local storm report, Apr 2, 5:00 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
500 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0451 PM     Hail             Quad City Airport       41.40N 90.55W
04/02/2026  M0.88 Inch       Rock Island        IL   Trained Spotter

&&

GROSS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 2, 2:50 AM CDTWind AdvisoryDVNDes Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine and 2 more16 hr
Apr 2, 3:18 PM CDTTornado WarningDVNJefferson, Keokuk, Washington42 min
Apr 2, 3:56 PM CDTTornado WarningDVNJohnson, Washington49 min
Apr 2, 3:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBenton, Iowa, Johnson, Keokuk, Linn, Washington61 min
Apr 2, 4:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Louisa, Washington63 min
Apr 2, 4:27 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedDVNCedar, Johnson, Muscatine48 min
Apr 2, 4:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNDes Moines, Louisa, Scott62 min
Apr 2, 4:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNCedar, Clinton, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Muscatine and 1 more64 min
Apr 2, 5:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNClinton, Jackson46 min
Apr 2, 5:29 PM CDTTornado WarningDVNClinton, Jackson46 min
Apr 2, 5:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNClinton, Scott44 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.