High Wind in Iowa, April 27, 2004

Name: High Wind in Iowa, April 27, 2004
Start: 2004-04-27T12:30
End: 2004-04-27T19:00
Location: Iowa

April 27, 2004 · NWS DMX · 47 events in 47 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 47 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $3.5 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 47

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 moved across the northern tier of states during the day on the 27th. Very strong south-southwest winds developed with profilers indicating wind of 50 to 65 kts within the lowest range gates. Temperatures warmed into the mid 80s to low 90s with the atmosphere becoming adiabatic to between 750 and 600 mb, allowing for strong mixing down to the surface. Winds increased during the day and reached high wind criteria by the early afternoon. Most of the state saw sustained winds of 40 MPH or higher. Several locations gusting to between 60 and 65 MPH. The winds also produced blowing dust around the state. Isolated reports of visibility reduced to near zero were received. Spotty damage occurred around the state. An 18 inch tree limb broke off and fell through the roof of a house in Windsor Heights. A two to three foot diameter tree was snapped off at the base in Ames. There were numerous reports of power outages caused by downed tree limbs. In Union County, a 200 X 40 foot chicken house had the roof blown off. There were several head of cattle in addition to the chickens contained therein trapped in the debris.

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 27, 2:15 AM CST, 10 hours 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 27, 2:15 AM CST, 10 hours 15 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
315 AM CDT TUE APR 27 2004

.DISCUSSION...
MAIN FOCUS IS TIMING OF FIRST ROUND OF RAIN AND THEN EXITING OF RAIN.
FIRST GLANCE LEANING TOWARD DRIER AND SLOWER AVN.  ETA HAS SOME
ASPECTS OF THE DYNAMICAL FIELDS THAT JUST DONT LOOK CONSISTENT.
THINGS APPEAR OUT OF PHASE.  AVN PATTERN MORE CONSISTENT WITH FIELDS
THOUGH MAY BE SOME CONVECTIVE FEEDBACK LATER IN FORECAST PERIODS.
LOOKING AT SHORT TERM VERY DRY AND MOISTURE VERY LIMITED.  SPC
OUTLOOK HAS GOOD HANDLE ON SITUATION WITH REASONING.  IF ANY STORMS
WILL BE LIKELY ON THURSDAY THOUGH ANY SEVERE LIMITED DUE TO FAIRLY
STRONG CAP AND MOISTURE DEFICIT.  COLD FRONT MAY PROVIDE NEEDED
CONVERGENCE AND POOLING DEWPOINTS AS WELL AS STEEP LAPSE RATES TO
OVERCOME NEGATIVE FACTORS.  WITH SUCH DEEPENING UPPER TROF EXPECT
RAIN TO LINGER LONGER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT AS AVN HAS DECENT
SOLUTION.  GUIDANCE TEMPS GOOD WITH SOME ADJUSTMENTS FOR RAIN AND
CLOUD COVER.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE.

&&

FORSTER

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 27, 4:23 AM CST, 8 hours 7 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
523 AM CDT TUE APR 27 2004

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>026-033>036-044>047-057>059-070-071-281023-
ADAIR-AUDUBON-BOONE-CALHOUN-CARROLL-CASS-CERRO GORDO-CRAWFORD-DALLAS-
EMMET-FRANKLIN-GREENE-GUTHRIE-HAMILTON-HANCOCK-HUMBOLDT-KOSSUTH-
PALO ALTO-POCAHONTAS-SAC-WEBSTER-WINNEBAGO-WORTH-WRIGHT-
523 AM CDT TUE APR 27 2004

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWESTERN PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL IOWA...ALONG AND NORTHWEST OF A LINE FROM CRESTON TO NEAR
MASON CITY.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER NORTHWEST AND
NORTH CENTRAL IOWA THURSDAY. THE MAIN THREAT FROM THE THUNDERSTORMS
WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO
THE AREA BY THURSDAY MORNING. THERE IS SOME UNCERTAINTY AT THIS TIME
WHETHER OR NOT THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ALONG THE FRONT AS A
CAPPING LAYER OF WARM AIR ALOFT MAY INHIBIT THUNDERSTORM FORMATION.
IF STORMS DO FORM...THERE WILL BE ENOUGH INSTABILITY PRESENT TO
PRODUCE STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.

.SPOTTER ACTIVATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED THURSDAY.

IAZ027-028-037>039-048>050-060>062-072>075-081>086-092>097-281023-
ADAMS-APPANOOSE-BLACK HAWK-BREMER-BUTLER-CLARKE-DAVIS-DECATUR-GRUNDY-
HARDIN-JASPER-LUCAS-MADISON-MAHASKA-MARION-MARSHALL-MONROE-POLK-
POWESHIEK-RINGGOLD-STORY-TAMA-TAYLOR-UNION-WAPELLO-WARREN-WAYNE-
523 AM CDT TUE APR 27 2004

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF A LINE
FROM CRESTON TO NEAR MASON CITY.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA
ON THURSDAY. THE MAIN THREAT FROM THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE LARGE
HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO AREA
AROUND MIDDAY THURSDAY.  THERE IS SOME UNCERTAINTY AT THIS TIME
WHETHER OR NOT THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP ALONG THE FRONT AS A
CAPPING LAYER OF WARM AIR ALOFT MAY INHIBIT THUNDERSTORM FORMATION.
IF STORMS DO FORM...THERE WILL BE ENOUGH INSTABILITY PRESENT TO
PRODUCE STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.

.SPOTTER ACTIVATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED THURSDAY.

FORSTER

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

47 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Adair

When: April 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.029, -94.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Audubon

When: April 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Audubon forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Black Hawk forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Bremer forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Carroll forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clarke forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.040 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Decatur

When: April 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 40.738, -93.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Franklin

When: April 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Guthrie forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Humboldt forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Kossuth forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lucas forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Mahaska forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Palo Alto forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Pocahontas forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Poweshiek

When: April 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Poweshiek forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Ringgold forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Sac forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Story forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Tama forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.028, -94.242 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Warren

When: April 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $75,000
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Worth forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
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 27, 12:30 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) measured sustained
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.735 (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 2004 Every state in 2004 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, April 2004

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: 5391240, 5391241, 5391242, 5391243, 5391244, 5391245, 5391246, 5391247, 5391248, 5391249, 5391250, 5391314, 5391315, 5391316, 5391317, 5391318, 5391319, 5391320, 5391321, 5391322, 5391323, 5391324, 5391325, 5391326, 5391327, 5391328, 5391329, 5391330, 5391331, 5391332, 5391333, 5391334, 5391335, 5391336, 5391337, 5391338, 5391339, 5391340, 5391341, 5391342, and more.