Iowa, 1996

Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 26, 1996

May 26, 1996 · NWS DMX · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Thunderstorms moved into central Iowa producing heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Some wind damage was reported in Polk County in Ankeny as one of the stronger storms moved through.

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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$3,000
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 into central Iowa producing heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Some wind damage was reported in Polk County in Ankeny as one of the stronger storms moved through. Most of the storms only contained heavy rain, pea to marble size hail, and winds of 40 to 45 MPH.

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 9 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:28 UTC.

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Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When
May 26, 11:30 PM CST
Where
Polk County, Ankeny
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$3,000
Coordinates
41.730, -93.620

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

More

Every storm in Iowa in 1996Every state in 1996This day in weather historyWarnings 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: 5544482.