Hail in Iowa, May 2, 1997

A strong storm system moved out of the southern Rockies across Kansas and passed just south of Iowa during the evening of the 2nd. The airmass was quite unstable as a cold pool aloft moved into the state along with the upper level low pressure system. Severe weather was limited across Iowa due to the location relative to the warm sector, however elevated convection developed during the late afternoon and evening hours in the cloud filled dry slot that moved into the state. The storms produced large hail due to the low freezing levels and wet bulb zero heights. Hail larger than baseball size fell in Decatur County near Pleasanton, with two inch diameter hail falling near Clio in Wayne County. The storms weakened as they moved east with three quarter inch diameter hail reported south of Centerville in Appanoose County. There were no significant winds reported with the storms as the jet structure was not favorable for high winds. Damage resulted as the large hail damaged roofs and vehicles in the area.