Alert archive / Iowa / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 9, NWS Quad Cities, IA

April 2, 2026Cedar County, Johnson County, Muscatine County, Iowa

NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 2, 2026, 4:27 PM CDT for Cedar County, Johnson County, Muscatine County, Iowa. It was in force for 48 min. 17 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, 4:27 PM CDT (21:27 UTC)
Expired
Apr 2, 2026, 5:15 PM CDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Quad Cities, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
1.5 in

Counties Cedar County, IA, Johnson County, IA, Muscatine County, IA

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:29 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, 4:31 PM CDTHAIL 1.751 Ese Iowa City Municip, IAMedia.
Apr 2, 4:31 PM CDTHAIL 1.751 Ese Iowa City Municip, IAMedia.
Apr 2, 4:31 PM CDTHAIL 1.751 Ese Iowa City Municip, IAMedia.
Apr 2, 4:36 PM CDTTORNADO3 Sw Downey, IAAn EF0 tornado lofted a corn crib, snapped trees, bent an auger, and partially destroyed a roof on a farm outbuilding.
Apr 2, 4:36 PM CDTTORNADO3 Sw Downey, IAAn EF0 tornado lofted a corn crib, snapped trees, bent an auger, and partially destroyed a roof on a farm outbuilding.
Apr 2, 4:44 PM CDTTORNADO1 E Springdale, IARope tornado on the ground near X40 east of West Branch.
Apr 2, 4:44 PM CDTTORNADO1 E Springdale, IARope tornado on the ground near X40 east of West Branch.
Apr 2, 4:56 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 583 Sw Tipton, IA
Apr 2, 4:56 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 583 Sw Tipton, IA
Apr 2, 4:56 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 583 Sw Tipton, IA
Apr 2, 4:57 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Tipton, IAEM reported golf ball size hail and damage.
Apr 2, 4:57 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Tipton, IAEM reported golf ball size hail and damage.
Apr 2, 4:57 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Tipton, IAEM reported golf ball size hail and extensive hail related damage, including to a greenhouse and to roofs and siding in town.
Apr 2, 4:57 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Tipton, IAEM reported golf ball size hail and extensive hail related damage, including to a greenhouse and to roofs and siding in town.
Apr 2, 5:00 PM CDTHAIL 14 Sse Clarence, IAReport from Trained Spotter: Quarter (1 in.).
Apr 2, 5:00 PM CDTHAIL 14 Sse Clarence, IAReport from Trained Spotter: Quarter (1 in.).
Apr 2, 5:00 PM CDTHAIL 14 Sse Clarence, IAReport from Trained Spotter: Quarter (1 in.).

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 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 9 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, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 282 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°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.

943 
WFUS53 KDVN 022127
TORDVN
IAC031-103-139-022215-
/O.NEW.KDVN.TO.W.0009.260402T2127Z-260402T2215Z/

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

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southern Cedar County in east central Iowa...
  Southeastern Johnson County in east central Iowa...
  Northwestern Muscatine County in east central Iowa...

* Until 515 PM CDT.

* At 426 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Hills Access,
  or 9 miles south of Iowa City, moving northeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

  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.

* The tornado will be near...
  Iowa City, Lone Tree, Hills, Iowa City Municipal Airport, Hills 
  Access, and Johnson County Fairgrounds around 430 PM CDT.
  West Branch, West Liberty, Nichols, Herbert Hoover National 
  Historic Site, and Muscatine County Fairgrounds around 435 PM CDT.
  Atalissa, Oasis, and Springdale around 440 PM CDT.
  Rochester, Cedar Valley, and Cedar Valley Park around 445 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Tipton, Moscow, Tipton Matthews Airport, Cedar County Fairgrounds and
Wilton.

This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 249 and 275.
 
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 4185 9104 4157 9092 4142 9142 4142 9148
      4145 9150 4146 9150 4147 9151 4148 9150
      4150 9151 4150 9152 4151 9153 4151 9158
      4161 9161
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 240DEG 40KT 4152 9151 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Uttech
1 follow-up statement
598 
WWUS53 KDVN 022147
SVSDVN

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

IAC103-022155-
/O.CAN.KDVN.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260402T2215Z/
Johnson IA-
447 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN JOHNSON 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 800 PM CDT for east central
Iowa.

&&

LAT...LON 4158 9092 4155 9136 4171 9137 4185 9104
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 250DEG 40KT 4162 9127 

$$

IAC031-139-022215-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260402T2215Z/
Cedar IA-Muscatine IA-
447 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CEDAR AND NORTHWESTERN MUSCATINE COUNTIES...

At 445 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Springdale, or
near West Branch, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 445 pm, trained 
         weather spotters reported a tornado approximately 4 miles 
         northwest of West Liberty.

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...
  Tipton, Wilton, Atalissa, Rochester, Cedar Valley, Moscow, Cedar 
  Valley Park, Tipton Matthews Airport and Durant.

This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 254 and 275.
 
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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4158 9092 4155 9136 4171 9137 4185 9104
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 250DEG 40KT 4162 9127 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 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, 1 hour 47 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, 1 hour 47 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, 1 hour 40 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, 3:43 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
343 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0335 PM     Hail             4 WNW Ollie             41.22N 92.15W
04/02/2026  M1.25 Inch       Keokuk             IA   Public

&&

DC
Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:00 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
400 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0356 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 E Keota               41.37N 91.90W
04/02/2026  M50 MPH          Washington         IA   Trained Spotter

            Measured with anemometer.

&&

ALE
Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:05 PM CDT, 22 minutes 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, 6 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, 5 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

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, 4:28 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, 5:05 PM CDTTornado WarningDVNCedar, Clinton, Scott25 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.