Iowa, 1997

High Wind in Iowa, April 30, 1997

April 30, 1997 · NWS DMX · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

An intense low pressure system developed over the southwest plains and advanced east-northeast across central Missouri into northeast Illinois. As the low intensified it brought heavy rainfall to the state with thunderstorms over the southeast half producing some pea to marble size hail.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$100,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
12

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.

An intense low pressure system developed over the southwest plains and advanced east-northeast across central Missouri into northeast Illinois. As the low intensified it brought heavy rainfall to the state with thunderstorms over the southeast half producing some pea to marble size hail. The gradient behind the low was very tight resulting in strong north winds in it's wake. Much of the state experienced winds of 25 to 40 MPH with occasional higher gusts. Over the southeast winds became stronger during the afternoon. Sustained winds in the 30 to 40 MPH were common with gusts to 50 to 60 mph reported. The highest wind reported was a 60 MPH wind gust at Ottumwa. Several wind speeds were reported over 50 MPH. Damage was not very extensive this time around however. Winds died down quickly during the late afternoon hours.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Marshall

When
April 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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, Jasper

When
April 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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, Marion

When
April 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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, Lucas

When
April 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where
Wapello forecast zone
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage
$100,000
Coordinates
41.031, -92.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wayne

When
April 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM 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 30, 12:00 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where
Davis forecast zone
Measured
52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates
40.748, -92.410 (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

More

Every storm in Iowa in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, April 1997

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: 5596202, 5596203, 5596204, 5596205, 5596206, 5596207, 5596208, 5596209, 5596210, 5596211, 5596212, 5596213.