Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 26, 1996

Name: Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 26, 1996
Start: 1996-05-26T23:15
End: 1996-05-26T23:15
Location: Iowa

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

A strong upper level low pressure southwest of Iowa continued to bring Iowa its nightly dose of thunderstorms. This night was no exception as thunderstorms moved in from the southwest.

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: $10,000
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.

A strong upper level low pressure southwest of Iowa continued to bring Iowa its nightly dose of thunderstorms. This night was no exception as thunderstorms moved in from the southwest. Most of the storms were not severe, however scattered reports of wind damage occurred. This night was different as the gradient winds were already nearly 30 MPH and thus it was easier for the storms to produce stronger winds. Damage was limited to mostly trees and power lines. The roof of a mobil home was torn off in Dallas Center.

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 17 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:16 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: May 26, 11:15 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 41.600, -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

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: 5544483.