Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 20, NWS Quad Cities, IA
NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 14, 2026, 6:42 PM CDT for Jones County, Iowa. It was in force for 33 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
- Apr 14, 2026, 6:42 PM CDT (23:42 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 14, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 33 min
- Issued by
- NWS Quad Cities, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.5 in
County Jones County, IA
The radar
The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:45 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 6:48 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 4 Se Langworthy, IA | |
| Apr 14, 6:48 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 4 Se Langworthy, IA | |
| Apr 14, 6:48 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 4 Se Langworthy, IA | |
| Apr 14, 6:50 PM CDT | HAIL 3 | 2 Ene Onslow, IA | Photo provided. Time estimated using radar. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2:33 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 300 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
- 277 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -96 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1325 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 27 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 316 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 312 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.5
The text
As transmitted.
186
WFUS53 KDVN 142342
TORDVN
IAC105-150015-
/O.NEW.KDVN.TO.W.0020.260414T2342Z-260415T0015Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
642 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Jones County in east central Iowa...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 642 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Scotch Grove, or 9 miles east of Anamosa, moving
east at 35 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Wyoming, Onslow, Canton, and Temple Hill around 650 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.
To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
the Quad Cities.
&&
LAT...LON 4206 9090 4206 9121 4221 9123 4225 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 265DEG 29KT 4215 9110
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
JTS1 follow-up statement
511
WWUS53 KDVN 142355
SVSDVN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
655 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
IAC105-150015-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260415T0015Z/
Jones IA-
655 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN JONES COUNTY...
At 653 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Canton, or 16 miles east of Anamosa, moving east at
35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. However, at 653 PM CDT, hail the
size of ping pong balls was reported north of Onslow.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Canton around 700 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.
&&
LAT...LON 4206 9090 4206 9114 4222 9116 4225 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 266DEG 30KT 4215 9097
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
JTSWhat 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 14, 6:37 PM CDT, 5 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Strong to severe storms are likely (some significant severe possible) through the evening, with highest confidence in coverage along the Highway 20 corridor and lower confidence on the southern extent. We have an Enhanced (level 3/5) Risk for Severe Weather for our north, and Slight Risk (level 2/5) south.
- Widespread showers and storms are expected Wednesday, with multiple rounds possible. Severe weather will be possible again, especially in the afternoon and evening. SPC highlighted the whole area in a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather.
- A stronger surface low and cold front will work through the region on Friday, bringing along another potential bout of severe weather. SPC currently has much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 14, 6:37 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 637 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Strong to severe storms are likely (some significant severe possible) through the evening, with highest confidence in coverage along the Highway 20 corridor and lower confidence on the southern extent. We have an Enhanced (level 3/5) Risk for Severe Weather for our north, and Slight Risk (level 2/5) south. - Widespread showers and storms are expected Wednesday, with multiple rounds possible. Severe weather will be possible again, especially in the afternoon and evening. SPC highlighted the whole area in a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather. - A stronger surface low and cold front will work through the region on Friday, bringing along another potential bout of severe weather. SPC currently has much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 130 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 An active forecast lies ahead, with current SPC outlooks highlighting areas along/north of Interstate 80 in an Enhanced (level 3/5) Risk for severe weather, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) south. Features that we are watching as potential points for convective initiation will be subtle outflow boundaries over the area, resulting from overnight convection. Also, we will have a stationary boundary draped over/near our northern counties along Highway 20. This stationary boundary will be the area of most concern, as it will provide the necessary surface forcing for convective initiation. Further, we will see the LLJ increase in magnitude later this afternoon and through the evening, converging near that boundary. Thus, there will be plenty of forcing in our north for thunderstorm potential. We are looking at the potential for discrete supercell storms, where coverage may increase in the evening hours owing to the strengthening LLJ. Below, we will dive into timing and environmental details. The main forecast challenge lies with the location and timing of convection, owing to the cap in place over the area. Best chances to see storms this afternoon/evening will be along and north of the Highway 20 corridor, where we will see the best forcing to overcome the cap. Although, our whole outlook is highlighted for severe weather for a reason. Even though areas south of the Highway 20 corridor are capped, there are ways in which we can break through that cap. Looking at 12z CAMs, the cap does seem to be a little weaker than initially forecast, where some CAMs are starting to hint at late afternoon storms developing farther south than the Highway 20 corridor. Further, the latest runs of the HRRR and other high-res CAMs are starting to indicate more coverage of potential supercells, especially closer to the I-80 corridor. This is generally showing the possibility of a broken line of supercells moving west to east from mid-afternoon and through the evening. Thus, mesoscale analysis through the afternoon will be crucial, closely monitoring the extent of surface heating, moisture, along with any sources of mesoscale lift. As was mentioned, an outflow boundary from the morning convection can be in play. This has generally set up along the Interstate 80 corridor this morning, which may be a potential source of forcing necessary. This feature has become more diffuse, but still may serve as a point for initiation, especially with a strengthening LLJ. Timing wise, we are generally looking at the potential for storms to develop as early as 3PM and the severe threat lasting until around 10PM. Storms are expected to move west- east through the evening. Now, let's dive into the environment that we have in place. As was mentioned, initiation will largely be conditional on surface forcing, with best forcing in our north along the stationary front. Along and south of that boundary, the open warm sector is primed for severe convection, with the cap being the limiting factor. We will see deep layer shear around 45-55 KTs. This will couple with instability around 2500-3500+ CAPE, favorable for organized strong/severe convection. The environment is favoring supercell thunderstorms as the main convective mode. The decreased upper level support should help keep these more discrete at least through the afternoon, with a strengthening LLJ late in the afternoon increasing coverage. This CAPE profile is also quite large in the hail growth layer, with midlevel lapse rates of 7.5-8.5 C/km favoring large hail potential, with some very large hail possible. This increased hail potential has been noted by the SPC. Otherwise, while the deep layer shear is moderate-high, much of this will be seen in the lowest 3km, where the best curvature in model hodographs are seen. Thus, strong LLVL shear will also be favorable for tornadoes as well, some of which could be stronger and longer lived. In the end, all hazards are in play, with hail and tornadoes being the primary threat. A quick look at our 18z sounding would indicate higher instability is in place, with CAPE around 4000+, along with shear nearing 50 KTs. Thus, a supercell environment is in place. Along with that, our lapse rates are around 9.5 just above the cap, which is more than favorable for severe hail, some of which may be significantly severe. Now, as was forecast, a cap does remain in place. Although, it is not a strong cap, with CIN sitting around -50. Any further heating and mesoscale forcing should be able to overcome this cap. This has been hinted in latest runs in CAMs, showing an increased coverage of storms later this afternoon and evening. Tonight, we will continue to see the potential for showers/storms as the LLJ remains overhead and better forcing aloft moves in. Cloud cover will remain through the night, moderating temperatures in the 60s. While the overall severe threat will be lower overnight, some guidance hints at some wind/hail potential, but confidence is low. Tomorrow, we will see another chance for severe weather, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for the whole area. A similar environment will be in place tomorrow, but a little less on the instability owing to more cloud cover. Although, it will remain sufficient for convection. The main difference tomorrow will be the surface low and associated cold front passing through. Thus, plenty of surface forcing and better upper level support moving in. With such forcing in play, we are expecting more coverage of storms, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Storm mode looks to be mixed, with initial supercells eventually growing upscale into line segments, with the main line of convection coming with the cold front that evening/night. Overall, with such forcing, the radar presentation tomorrow may look quite messy through the day. Showers/Storms may be possible through the day, but the better severe threat seems to be the afternoon and evening. All hazards will be in play, but hail and wind seem to be the primary threats at this time. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Issued at 130 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 Upper wave that brought impacts to the area on Wednesday will have since pushed east of the area on Thursday, with weak upper ridging moving in. With this, we will see a surface high pass through the area, resulting in a quiet weather day. We should be geared to have quite a pleasant day, with temperatures increasing into the 70s, a westerly breeze, and decreasing cloud cover. This break of quiet weather will be short-lived though, as Thursday night into Friday, strong southwesterly flow sets up ahead of the next shortwave trough. Strong vort max will approach the area Friday afternoon and evening, with a surface low dragging a seasonally strong cold front through the area. Thus, plenty of forcing in play for storms. A brief look at the environment would indicate sufficient shear and instability in place ahead of the front, favorable for organized convection, some of which could be strong to severe. Environment would be favorable for supercell thunderstorms being the initial storm mode, which may be discrete. Although, as the day goes on and the strongest part of the LLJ core moves in ahead of the cold front, upscale growth is likely. This would lead to a QLCS event for the late afternoon and evening on Friday, where all hazards will be possible. Will refrain from further details, as much can change between now and then. SPC also has their eyes on this system, highlighting much of our area in a 15% or 30% risk for severe weather, which equates to a Slight/Enhanced Risk (level 2/3 of 5) for severe weather. A look ahead to the upcoming weekend shows a drier pattern developing for Saturday and Sunday as upper-level ridging develops to the west. A cold front should bring notably cooler and more seasonal temperatures to the area on the heels of strong, gusty northwest winds. This could bring our first bout of frost/freeze conditions during this growing season, possibly Saturday night, though winds may stay up to limit this to just a freeze potential for parts of the area, while Sunday night could bring about more widespread freeze and frost with lighter winds as high pressure builds in. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 629 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 Convection across eastern Iowa will move into southern Wisconsin by 03z/15 followed by a brief lull. After 06z/15 the next round of convection will develop/move into eastern Iowa and eventually northern Illinois through 14z/15. A period of LLWS will be observed along/east of the Mississippi river through 06z/15. Potential for IFR conditions with any convection. After 15z/15 quiet conditions with diurnal convection developing after 18z/15 across mainly northern Illinois but also into eastern Iowa. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...None. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Gunkel LONG TERM...Gunkel/McClure AVIATION...08
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 14, 2:38 PM CDT, 4 hours 4 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 238 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-151945- 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- 238 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 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 Scattered thunderstorms are expected mid to late afternoon into this evening, with the favored location mainly north of Highway 30. The severe threat is for the whole area though, so severe storms south of Highway 30 are possible. Damaging winds, very large hail and tornadoes will be possible with these storms. Some significantly severe weather is possible, especially along the Highway 20 corridor. Additional thunderstorms are possible area-wide late this evening and overnight. Large hail and damaging winds would be the main threats. Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY An active weather pattern will bring periods of thunderstorms, which are likely to pose some severe weather risk. Currently, the main timing for the severe weather risk is Wednesday afternoon and evening, and again late Friday afternoon and Friday night. In addition to severe storms, repeated rounds of storms could also pose a flash flooding threat, particularly if heavy rainfall occurs over urban areas. Much colder air will bring the potential for frost and freeze conditions Saturday night, and especially Sunday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 14, 6:05 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
605 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0548 PM Hail Jesup 42.48N 92.07W
04/14/2026 E1.75 Inch Buchanan IA Emergency Mngr
EM report from Jesup. Time estimated from
radar.
&&
CMDLocal storm report, Apr 14, 6:10 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
610 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0554 PM Hail 3 NW Pleasant Plain 41.18N 91.89W
04/14/2026 E1.75 Inch Washington IA Trained Spotter
Time estimated by radar.
&&
ALELocal storm report, Apr 14, 6:13 PM CDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
613 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0611 PM Hail 1 NNE Iowa City 41.67N 91.53W
04/14/2026 E1.00 Inch Johnson IA Trained Spotter
&&
ALELocal storm report, Apr 14, 6:18 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
618 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0608 PM Hail Iowa City 41.66N 91.54W
04/14/2026 E1.50 Inch Johnson IA Public
Time estimated from radar.
&&
ALELocal storm report, Apr 14, 6:31 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
631 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0629 PM Hail Noble 41.17N 91.62W
04/14/2026 E2.00 Inch Washington IA Trained Spotter
&&
ALELocal storm report, Apr 14, 6:38 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
638 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 PM Hail 3 S Crawfordsville 41.18N 91.55W
04/14/2026 E1.50 Inch Washington IA Storm Chaser
Storm chaser report. Time estimated from
radar.
&&
CMDThe office that day
Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 4:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Buchanan | 73 min |
| Apr 14, 4:53 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Buchanan | 42 min |
| Apr 14, 5:01 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Benton, Buchanan | 29 min |
| Apr 14, 5:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Benton | 39 min |
| Apr 14, 5:10 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Jefferson, Keokuk | 50 min |
| Apr 14, 5:17 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Delaware | 58 min |
| Apr 14, 5:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Buchanan, Delaware, Iowa, Johnson, Linn | 24 min |
| Apr 14, 5:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Iowa, Johnson, Keokuk, Washington | 41 min |
| Apr 14, 5:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Henry, Jefferson, Washington | 67 min |
| Apr 14, 5:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Buchanan, Delaware, Linn | 16 min |
| Apr 14, 5:45 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Jefferson, Keokuk, Washington | 36 min |
| Apr 14, 5:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Jones, Linn | 59 min |
| Apr 14, 5:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Buchanan | 37 min |
| Apr 14, 5:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Dubuque | 65 min |
| Apr 14, 6:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Linn | 13 min |
| Apr 14, 6:03 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Jones, Linn | 42 min |
| Apr 14, 6:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Cedar, Johnson, Linn | 39 min |
| Apr 14, 6:08 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Delaware | 22 min |
| Apr 14, 6:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Dubuque | 40 min |
| Apr 14, 6:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Cedar, Jones | 25 min |
| Apr 14, 6:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Jackson | 46 min |
| Apr 14, 6:32 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Louisa, Muscatine, Washington | 51 min |
| Apr 14, 6:34 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Louisa, Washington | 42 min |
| Apr 14, 6:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Jackson | 53 min |
| Apr 14, 6:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Jackson | 48 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.