Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 24, 1996

Name: Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 24, 1996
Start: 1996-05-24T10:15
End: 1996-05-24T10:15
Location: Iowa

May 24, 1996 · NWS DMX · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Thunderstorms moved through central and southeast Iowa during the morning hours. As the storms moved through, a strong mesoscale bubble high pressure formed behind them.

Where it happened

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

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.

Thunderstorms moved through central and southeast Iowa during the morning hours. As the storms moved through, a strong mesoscale bubble high pressure formed behind them. The combination of the bubble high and the rear flank downdraft created high winds in Wapello County. Winds were recorded at 69 MPH at the Ottumwa Airport. Some damage was reported around the area by the high winds, though it was not major.

The radar

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

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Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wapello

When: May 24, 10:15 AM CST
Where: Wapello County, Ottumwa Arpt
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $30,000
Coordinates: 41.100, -92.450

What these are

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.

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, May 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: 5544872.