Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, May 8, 1988

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, May 8, 1988
Start: 1988-05-08T03:30
End: 1988-05-08T15:30
Location: Iowa

May 8, 1988 · 72 events in 44 counties and zones

37 tornado, 22 thunderstorm wind, 13 hail, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $197 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 72

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

37 tornado, 22 thunderstorm wind, 13 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Webster

When: May 8, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Webster County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.620, -94.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Ringgold

When: May 8, 9:50 AM CST
Where: Ringgold County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 40.720, -94.230

Hail, Union

When: May 8, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Union County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.050, -94.330

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: May 8, 10:30 AM CST
Where: Boone County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 42.070, -93.880

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: May 8, 10:35 AM CST
Where: Boone County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 41.880, -93.850

Hail, Polk

When: May 8, 10:46 AM CST
Where: Polk County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.620

Hail, Franklin

When: May 8, 10:51 AM CST
Where: Franklin County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.770, -93.370

Tornado, Warren

When: May 8, 10:56 AM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F1
Path length: 3.5 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.470, -93.370

Hail, Warren

When: May 8, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Warren County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.370, -93.570

Tornado, Marion

When: May 8, 11:03 AM CST
Where: Marion County
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.480, -93.320

Tornado, Jasper

When: May 8, 11:04 AM CST
Where: Jasper County
Rating: F1
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.520, -93.300

Hail, Jasper

When: May 8, 11:23 AM CST
Where: Jasper County
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 41.670, -93.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: May 8, 11:30 AM CST
Where: Decatur County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 40.620, -93.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: May 8, 11:30 AM CST
Where: Hardin County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 42.520, -93.530

Hail, Jones

When: May 8, 11:50 AM CST
Where: Jones County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.120, -91.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: May 8, 11:55 AM CST
Where: Marshall County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 42.050, -92.920

Tornado, Wayne

When: May 8, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Wayne County
Rating: F1
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 40.730, -93.320

Hail, Lucas

When: May 8, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Lucas County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.020, -93.320

Hail, Tama

When: May 8, 12:15 PM CST
Where: Tama County
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 42.100, -92.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: May 8, 12:16 PM CST
Where: Butler County
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 42.770, -92.580

Hail, Marion

When: May 8, 12:20 PM CST
Where: Marion County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.320, -93.100

Tornado, Wayne

When: May 8, 12:25 PM CST
Where: Wayne County
Rating: F2
Path length: 9 mi
Path width: 43 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 40.620, -93.330

Thunderstorm Wind, Bremer

When: May 8, 12:28 PM CST
Where: Bremer County
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 42.850, -92.520

Thunderstorm Wind, Black Hawk

When: May 8, 12:33 PM CST
Where: Black Hawk County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 42.420, -92.270

Tornado, Appanoose

When: May 8, 12:34 PM CST
Where: Appanoose County
Rating: F2
Path length: 24 mi
Path width: 43 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 40.700, -93.080

Hail, Bremer

When: May 8, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Bremer County
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 42.670, -92.350

Thunderstorm Wind, Chickasaw

When: May 8, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Chickasaw County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 42.950, -92.350

Tornado, Davis

When: May 8, 12:47 PM CST
Where: Davis County
Rating: F2
Path length: 15 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 40.750, -92.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Appanoose

When: May 8, 12:50 PM CST
Where: Appanoose County
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates: 40.730, -92.870

Hail, Black Hawk

When: May 8, 12:55 PM CST
Where: Black Hawk County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.420, -92.270

Tornado, Davis

When: May 8, 12:56 PM CST
Where: Davis County
Rating: F2
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 43 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 40.870, -92.600

Tornado, Poweshiek

When: May 8, 12:58 PM CST
Where: Poweshiek County
Rating: F2
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.530, -92.400

Tornado, Wapello

When: May 8, 12:59 PM CST
Where: Wapello County
Rating: F2
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 43 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 40.920, -92.570

Tornado, Iowa

When: May 8, 1:03 PM CST
Where: Iowa County
Rating: F2
Path length: 28 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.520, -92.320

Tornado, Wapello

When: May 8, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Wapello County
Rating: F2
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 40.900, -92.170

Tornado, Black Hawk

When: May 8, 1:06 PM CST
Where: Black Hawk County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 42.630, -92.100

Tornado, Mahaska

When: May 8, 1:06 PM CST
Where: Mahaska County
Rating: F1
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.280, -92.550

Tornado, Buchanan

When: May 8, 1:08 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 42.630, -92.070

Tornado, Jefferson

When: May 8, 1:09 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Rating: F2
Path length: 27 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 40.920, -92.150

Tornado, Bremer

When: May 8, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Bremer County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1.5 mi
Path width: 33 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 42.670, -92.130

Tornado, Keokuk

When: May 8, 1:16 PM CST
Where: Keokuk County
Rating: F2
Path length: 12 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.430, -92.170

Hail, Fayette

When: May 8, 1:25 PM CST
Where: Fayette County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.680, -91.900

Tornado, Washington

When: May 8, 1:29 PM CST
Where: Washington County
Rating: F2
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.470, -91.920

Tornado, Johnson

When: May 8, 1:34 PM CST
Where: Johnson County
Rating: F2
Path length: 27 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.700, -91.820

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Buren

When: May 8, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Van Buren County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 40.880, -91.930

Tornado, Washington

When: May 8, 1:41 PM CST
Where: Washington County
Rating: F2
Path length: 19 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.170, -91.820

Tornado, Johnson

When: May 8, 1:42 PM CST
Where: Johnson County
Rating: F2
Path length: 13 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.520, -91.770

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 8, 1:50 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 41.000, -91.980

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 8, 1:55 PM CST
Where: Washington County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 41.300, -91.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: May 8, 1:58 PM CST
Where: Henry County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 41.070, -91.650

Tornado, Johnson

When: May 8, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Johnson County
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 41.700, -91.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 8, 2:02 PM CST
Where: Linn County
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Coordinates: 41.920, -91.420

Tornado, Louisa

When: May 8, 2:04 PM CST
Where: Louisa County
Rating: F2
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.330, -91.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 8, 2:05 PM CST
Where: Johnson County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 41.530, -91.500

Tornado, Muscatine

When: May 8, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1.5 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.550, -91.320

Tornado, Delaware

When: May 8, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Delaware County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 42.480, -91.270

Tornado, Jones

When: May 8, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Jones County
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 42.120, -91.280

Tornado, Jones

When: May 8, 2:15 PM CST
Where: Jones County
Rating: F1
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.950, -91.330

Tornado, Des Moines

When: May 8, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 40.970, -91.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Dubuque

When: May 8, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph)
Coordinates: 42.480, -91.120

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: May 8, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.420, -91.050

Tornado, Delaware

When: May 8, 2:22 PM CST
Where: Delaware County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 42.530, -91.350

Tornado, Scott

When: May 8, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Scott County
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 41.520, -90.770

Tornado, Dubuque

When: May 8, 2:36 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County
Rating: F1
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 43 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 42.480, -90.830

Tornado, Cedar

When: May 8, 2:37 PM CST
Where: Cedar County
Rating: F2
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 90 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.700, -91.170

Tornado, Scott

When: May 8, 2:40 PM CST
Where: Scott County
Rating: F0
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 41.580, -90.780

Tornado, Scott

When: May 8, 2:43 PM CST
Where: Scott County
Rating: F3
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.750, -90.780

Thunderstorm Wind, Cedar

When: May 8, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Cedar County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 41.850, -90.930

Tornado, Dubuque

When: May 8, 2:46 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 20 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 42.430, -90.850

Tornado, Clinton

When: May 8, 2:46 PM CST
Where: Clinton County
Rating: F3
Path length: 30 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.770, -90.750

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: May 8, 3:10 PM CST
Where: Clinton County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 41.820, -90.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 8, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Jackson County
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.050, -90.680

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 1988 Every state in 1988 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Iowa, 1988 Warnings in Iowa, May 1988

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10024939, 10024940, 10024941, 10024942, 10024943, 10024944, 10024945, 10024946, 10024947, 10024948, 10024949, 10024950, 10024951, 10024952, 10024953, 10024954, 10024955, 10024956, 10024957, 10024958, 10024959, 10024960, 10024961, 10024962, 10024963, 10024964, 10024965, 10024966, 10024967, 10024968, 10024969, 10024970, 10024971, 10024972, 10024973, 10024974, 10024975, 10024976, 10024977, 10024978, and more.