Hail in Iowa, May 19, 1996

Very warm and unstable air was over Iowa during the afternoon, while a cold front sank slowly southeast into the state. Ahead of the front temperatures were in the middle 80s to around 90 with dew point temperatures in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Cape values were near 3000 J/kg with lifted indices around -5. Thunderstorms erupted ahead of the front during the late afternoon hours, however development was limited due to mid level capping. The freezing level was quite high, over 15,000 feet MSL, so hail was limited. There were a few reports, for example one inch diamter hail reported in Black Hawk County. There was also dime size hail reported in Tama Counties. There were numerous reports of high winds. Gusts of 74 MPH were reported at the Waterloo Airport for the highest wind gust. Scattered damage was reported as trees were downed by the high winds. Some of the damage included a 3 foot diameter tree being blown over east of Garwin in Tama County, and power lines being ripped off a farm house south of Traer. There was at least one tornado reported. A brief touchdown occurred in Marshall County in an open field. Two funnel clouds were reported a short time later in Tama County.