High Wind in Iowa, April 25 to 26, 1996

Name: High Wind in Iowa, April 25 to 26, 1996
Start: 1996-04-25T09:30
End: 1996-04-26T03:00
Location: Iowa

April 25 to 26, 1996 · NWS DMX · 58 events in 58 counties and zones

A very intense low pressure system moved to the north of Iowa. It actually passed over northern Minnesota and was near 980 mb central pressure.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 58 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: 0
Property damage: $750,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 58

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS DMX wrote it up.

A very intense low pressure system moved to the north of Iowa. It actually passed over northern Minnesota and was near 980 mb central pressure. From the low a cold front extended south. As it passed through Iowa, strong subsidence combined with the tight pressure gradient produced strong winds. The strong winds entered northwest Iowa during the morning hours. The winds continued into the evening hours as an Arctic front pushed south across the state. The high winds spread east and south across the state during the day, reaching the southeast part of Iowa around mid afternoon. Winds were sustained 30 to 35 MPH with frequent gusts to near 60 MPH. By late afternoon the winds produced widespread blowing dust. Visibility was reduced statewide to between 1 and 3 miles at times. Occasionally visibility was reported down to 100 feet in blowing dust in open areas. The reduced visibility resulted in several automobile accidents. Fortunately, the leaves were not yet on the trees or damage would have been extensive. As it was, scattered reports of trees being downed by the high winds were received. Falling trees and branches also caused scattered power outages. In Des Moines for example, electricity as out in over 1000 homes during the early evening hours. There was also damage to many homes as shingles were blown off. A few roofs were also partially removed by the extended period of high winds. Damage was also reported to gutters and awnings. Some of the higher wind speeds reported from observing sites included a 68 MPH gust at the National Weather Service Office in Johnston, 65 MPH at the Des Moines International Airport, and 61 MPH at the Ottumwa Airport.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

58 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Cerro Gordo

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Floyd

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Floyd forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.060, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Chickasaw

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Chickasaw forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.060, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Pocahontas

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Pocahontas forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.734, -94.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Humboldt

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Humboldt forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.777, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wright

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Franklin

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Butler

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.732, -92.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Bremer

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Bremer forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.775, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Fayette

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.863, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Sac

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Sac forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.386, -95.105 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Calhoun

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.385, -94.640 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Webster

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.428, -94.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hamilton

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hardin

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Grundy

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.402, -92.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Black Hawk

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Black Hawk forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.470, -92.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Crawford

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.037, -95.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Carroll

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Carroll forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Greene

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.397 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Boone

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.037, -93.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Story

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Story forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.036, -93.465 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Marshall

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.036, -92.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Tama

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Tama forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Audubon

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Audubon forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.906 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Guthrie

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Guthrie forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.684, -94.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Dallas

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.040 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Polk

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph)
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Jasper

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Poweshiek

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Poweshiek forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.686, -92.531 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cass

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.332, -94.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Adair

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Madison

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.016 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Warren

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Marion

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.099 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Mahaska

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Mahaska forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.335, -92.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Adams

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.029, -94.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Union

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.028, -94.242 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Clarke

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Clarke forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.785 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lucas

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Lucas forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Monroe

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 41.030, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wapello

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Wapello forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph)
Coordinates: 41.031, -92.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Taylor

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 40.737, -94.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Ringgold

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Ringgold forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 40.735, -94.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Decatur

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 40.738, -93.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wayne

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 40.740, -93.327 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Appanoose

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Appanoose forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 40.743, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Davis

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Davis forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $750,000
Coordinates: 40.748, -92.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Emmet

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Emmet forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.378, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Kossuth

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Kossuth forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.204, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Winnebago

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.378, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Worth

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Worth forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.377, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Mitchell

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Mitchell forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.356, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Howard

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Howard forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.357, -92.317 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Winneshiek

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Winneshiek forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.291, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Allamakee

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Allamakee forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.284, -91.378 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Palo Alto

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Palo Alto forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.082, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hancock

When: April 25, 9:30 AM CST to April 26, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 1996 Every state in 1996 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, April 1996

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: 5546439, 5546440, 5546441, 5546442, 5546443, 5546444, 5546445, 5546446, 5546447, 5546448, 5546449, 5546450, 5546451, 5546452, 5546453, 5546454, 5546455, 5546456, 5546457, 5546458, 5546459, 5546460, 5546461, 5546462, 5546463, 5546464, 5546465, 5546466, 5546467, 5546468, 5546469, 5546470, 5546471, 5546472, 5546473, 5546474, 5546475, 5546476, 5546477, 5546478, and more.