High Wind in Iowa, April 7, 2001

Name: High Wind in Iowa, April 7, 2001
Start: 2001-04-07T04:00
End: 2001-04-07T19:00
Location: Iowa

April 7, 2001 · NWS DMX · 51 events in 51 counties and zones

A powerful storm system lifted northeast out of the Rockies during the night of the 6th into the morning of the 7th. S.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 51 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: 4
Property damage: $3.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 51

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 powerful storm system lifted northeast out of the Rockies during the night of the 6th into the morning of the 7th. The storm intensified rapidly as it moved across the central U.S. with the central pressure falling below 980 Mb during the day on the 7th. A very strong pressure gradient resulted. Winds increased during the predawn hours of the 7th as the gradient tightened and the dry slot moved over the state. Winds gusted to as much as 61 MPH by shortly after 0400 CST in Carroll. During the day on the 7th, sustained winds increased to 35 to 45 MPH across the state by shortly after sunrise. The winds caused at least minor damage in most areas of the state. There were numerous reports of tree limb damage and objects being blown around. The strongest winds were over the north and west portion of the Des Moines CWA. A few of the wind gusts include an 83 MPH wind gust near Mason City. At one point reports indicated winds were sustained at 55 MPH with gusts to 83 MPH. Trees were toppled, street signs were blown down, and shingles were removed from many buildings. Several semi-tractortrailer trucks were blown over on Interstate 35 by the storm force west wind. An official wind gust of 82 MPH was received from Storm Lake, just outside of the Des Moines CWA. Eighty MPH winds were reported in Emmet County at Wallingford. One to two foot diameter trees were uprooted. In addition, roof damage was reported as well as numerous reports of grain bins being blown over. In Wright County, 74 MPH winds were recorded at the Eagle Grove Airport. A section of the hanger roof was blown off by the winds there. Wind gusts of 70 MPH were received from both Algona and Wesley in Kossuth County. In Worth County, 70 MPH winds blew a three foot diameter tree onto a squad car in Northwood. Farther to the west, winds of 69 MPH were reported at Denison in Crawford County. Wind gusts in the 60 to 70 MPH range were too numerous to mention. Damage was widespread over the northwest half of the state ranging from fallen trees to shingle damage and blown over outbuildings. Over the southeast half of the state damage was not as widespread with most being in the form of broken branches, shingle damage, and a few fallen trees. Two people were injured in Thompson in Winnebago County. High winds toppled a camper in a recreational park in town. The camper toppled end over end with the two occupants treated and released in local hospital. Two others were injured in Hancock County as winds blew a car off of the road near Crystal Lake.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Des Moines, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 7, 2:05 AM CST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 7, 2:05 AM CST, 1 hour 55 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
305 AM CDT SAT APR 7 2001

MAIN CONCERN THIS MRNG HOW STG WNDS WL GET TDA.  WATER VAPOR IMAGERY
SHOWS TREMENDOUS SUBSIDENCE AND DRYING FM KS INTO IA.  CANNOT FIND
MUCH OBSERVED DATA TO CONFIRM...BUT TROP FOLD COULD BE IN PROGRESS.
THIS DVM HAS ALREADY RESULTED IN NON-CONVECTIVE WND GUSTS AOA 45 KTS
AT KMCI...KCBF...KRDK AND KBIE WITHOUT FULL MIXING.  KTWX AND KDMX
VWPS ALSO INDC 50-60KTS AT 2-3KFT.  MDLS IN GENERAL AGREEMENT WITH
LRG SCALE FEATURES THIS MRNG...BUT EDGE GOES TO ETA WITH DEEPER SFC
LOW.  06Z SFC ANLYS PLACED LOW INVOF KBBW WITH CNTR OF 980MB...ARND
8 MBS LOWER THAN ALL MDLS DEPICT WHICH MAY REFLECT INCR IN POTENTIAL
VORTICITY WHICH ETA AND RUC HINT AT.  ETA DEEPENS LOW MOST BY 12Z
BUT STILL MAY NOT BE ENOUGH CONSIDERING OBS AND 8+MB PRES FALLS ALG
AND AHD OF LOW AT 06Z.   ISALLOBARIC MAX OVR OK WEAKENED
RECENTLY...BUT ANOTHER HAS FORMED OVR WRN KS.  THIS CORRESPONDS TO
ETA 6HR PRES CHG FIELDS WHICH REACH NWRN IA BY AFTN.  NGM/AVN MOS
GUID DOES NOT INDC WNDS AT WRNG CRITERIA...BUT ETA SHOWS SUSTAINED
40 KTS ARND 18Z AND MAY BE A BIT UNDERESTIMATED.  THUS WL GO WITH
HIGH WIND WRNG FA WIDE TDA AS ISALLOBARIC COUPLET CROSSES FA.

TEMPS WL BE OTHER MINOR CONCERN TDA.  OBS ALREADY AOA GUID IN MANY
LOCATIONS.  ETA DEPICTS LOW LVL COLD ADVCTN THRU 18Z BUT MIXING
SHOULD OFFSET THAT SOMEWHAT.  WL GO A CATEGORY OR TWO ABV GUID
SW...AND WAY ABV GUID N.

BNDRY LAYS OUT ACRS FA AGN BY SUN WITH WV TRAVERSING FNT.  ETA
DEPICTS PLENTY OF INSTABILITY (LIS AOB -5...CAPES 1500-2500 J/KG)
WITH NIL CIN SO SFC BASED CONVECTION MAY DVLP BY AFTN AND INTO THE
EVEN...AND THEN CONTINUE E OF FA WHERE LLJ AMD ELEVATED THETA-E
ADVCTN INCRS DRNG THE NGT.  0-2.5 AND 0-6 KM SHEAR STG AS WELL SO WE
COULD SEE ROUND OF SVR...BUT TOO FAR OUT TO MENTION AS OF YET.  WL
GO A CATEGORY OR TWO ABV GUID.

NO CHGS TO EXTENDED BYD TWEEK OF DAY 3 TEMPS.

COORDINATION W/OAX...EAX...ARX AND DVN.

.DSM...HIGH WIND WRNG ENTIRE FA TDA.

SMALL

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

51 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Wapello

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wapello forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.031, -92.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Warren

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wayne

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 40.740, -93.327 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Webster

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.428, -94.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Winnebago

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.378, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Worth

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Worth forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.377, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wright

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph)
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Adair

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Adams

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.029, -94.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Appanoose

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Appanoose forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 40.743, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Audubon

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Audubon forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.906 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Black Hawk

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Black Hawk forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.470, -92.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Boone

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.037, -93.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Bremer

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Bremer forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.775, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Butler

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.732, -92.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Calhoun

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.385, -94.640 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Carroll

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Carroll forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cass

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.332, -94.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cerro Gordo

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo forecast zone
Measured: 72 kt (83 mph)
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Clarke

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clarke forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.785 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Crawford

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.037, -95.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Dallas

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.040 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Davis

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Davis forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 40.748, -92.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Decatur

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 40.738, -93.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Emmet

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Emmet forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.378, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Franklin

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Greene

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.397 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Grundy

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.402, -92.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Guthrie

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Guthrie forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.684, -94.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hamilton

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph)
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hancock

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hardin

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Humboldt

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Humboldt forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.777, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Jasper

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Kossuth

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Kossuth forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.204, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lucas

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lucas forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Madison

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.016 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Mahaska

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Mahaska forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.335, -92.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Marion

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.099 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Marshall

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.036, -92.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Monroe

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.030, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Palo Alto

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Palo Alto forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph)
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.082, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Pocahontas

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Pocahontas forecast zone
Measured: 71 kt (82 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.734, -94.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Polk

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Poweshiek

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Poweshiek forecast zone
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.686, -92.531 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Ringgold

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Ringgold forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 40.735, -94.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Sac

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Sac forecast zone
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.386, -95.105 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Story

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Story forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.036, -93.465 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Tama

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Tama forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Taylor

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 40.737, -94.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Union

When: April 7, 4:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.028, -94.242 (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

Every storm in Iowa in 2001 Every state in 2001 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, April 2001

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: 5236096, 5236097, 5236098, 5236099, 5236100, 5236101, 5236102, 5238789, 5238790, 5238791, 5238792, 5238793, 5238794, 5238795, 5238796, 5238797, 5238798, 5238799, 5238800, 5238801, 5238802, 5238803, 5238804, 5238805, 5238806, 5238807, 5238808, 5238809, 5238810, 5238811, 5238812, 5238813, 5238814, 5238815, 5238816, 5238817, 5238818, 5238819, 5238820, 5238821, and more.