Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, April 13, 2006

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, April 13, 2006
Start: 2006-04-13T18:07
End: 2006-04-13T21:54
Location: Iowa

April 13, 2006 · NWS DVN · 107 events in 12 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 13 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: 1
Property damage: $1.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 107

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 DVN wrote it up.

An upper level disturbance combined with a strong low level jet of 30 to 40 knots initiated thunderstorms in a semi-moist atmosphere across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois. This low level jet strengthed to 50 to 55 knots across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois around sunset. Favorable shear profiles allowed supercells to develop that were prolific large hail producers. Additionally, numerous tornadoes were produced causing considerable damage.

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 Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 13, 4:42 PM CST, 1 hour 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 13, 4:42 PM CST, 1 hour 25 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
542 PM CDT THU APR 13 2006

.UPDATE...
THUNDERSTORMS HAVE INITIATED OVER CENTRAL IOWA IN THE LAST 30
MINUTES...AND THIS IS A FAVORABLE LOCATION FOR STRONG TO SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS TO MOVE INTO OUR CWA.  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AS
BEEN ISSUED TIL MIDNIGHT...AREAS NORTH OF HIGHWAY 78 IN IOWA...AND
FOR MERCER AND ROCK ISLAND IN ILLINOIS. THE MAIN THREAT SHOULD BE
LARGE HAIL AND VERY STRONG WINDS UP TO 80 MPH. SOME SUPERCELLS WILL
BE POSSIBLE AS WELL...MAINLY IN EASTERN IOWA EARLY THIS EVENING.
ERVIN

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
A COLD FRONT WILL SLOWLY SAG SOUTH TONIGHT AND STALL ACROSS THE
REGION FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS. A SERIES OF LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS ARE
FORECAST TO TRACK ALONG THE FRONT BRINGING SEVERAL ROUNDS OF RAIN TO
THE AREA.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
MOISTURE IS SLOWLY MOVING INTO THE REGION ALBEIT SLOWER THAN WHAT
THE MODELS HAVE BEEN INDICATING. NEW 18Z SOUNDING STILL HAS A
MINIMAL CAP ON IT. THIS CAP ALONG WITH VERY LIMITED MOISTURE HAS
PRECLUDED CONVECTION FROM DEVELOPING. CONVECTION SHOULD DEVELOP
FAIRLY QUICKLY THIS EVENING WITH IT TRANSFORMING INTO AN MCS THAT
EXITS THE AREA AROUND DAWN FRIDAY. MCS IN TURN WILL HELP PUSH THE
COLD FRONT SOUTH TO THE IA/MO BORDER WITH THE NEXT WAVE ARRIVING
FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

THE WAVE ON FRIDAY SHOULD INITIATE CONVECTION DURING THE
AFTERNOON/EVENING WITH DRY EASTERLY FLOW SETTING UP BY SATURDAY
MORNING. STALLED FRONT TO RETURN SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY AND THIS
COULD GET INTERESTING IF THE MODELS ARE CORRECT. POTENTIAL IS THERE
FOR A MODERATE TO POSSIBLY HEAVY RAIN EVENT OVER ABOUT THE NORTH
HALF OF THE CWFA.

AFTER A QUIET MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...THE NEXT WAVE ARRIVES
TUESDAY AFTERNOON INTO WEDNESDAY BRINGING ANOTHER ROUND OF PRECIP TO
THE AREA. WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY LOOK DRY ATTM.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH TIL MIDNIGHT NORTH OF HIGHWAY 78.
IL...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH TIL MIDNIGHT ROCK ISLAND AND MERCER.
MO...NONE.

ERVIN/08

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 13, 12:55 PM CST, 5 hours 12 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
155 PM CDT THU APR 13 2006

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-141015-
BUCHANAN-DELAWARE-DUBUQUE-BENTON-LINN-JONES-JACKSON-IOWA-JOHNSON-
CEDAR-CLINTON-MUSCATINE-SCOTT-KEOKUK-WASHINGTON-LOUISA-JEFFERSON-
HENRY IA-DES MOINES-VAN BUREN-LEE-JO DAVIESS-STEPHENSON-CARROLL-
WHITESIDE-ROCK ISLAND-HENRY IL-BUREAU-PUTNAM-MERCER-HENDERSON-
WARREN-HANCOCK-MCDONOUGH-SCOTLAND-CLARK-
155 PM CDT THU APR 13 2006

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
ILLINOIS...NORTHWEST ILLINOIS...WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...EAST
CENTRAL IOWA...NORTHEAST IOWA...SOUTHEAST IOWA AND NORTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA REMAINS IN A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS...FOR MAINLY THIS EVENING.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO DEVELOP TOWARD EVENING
OVER SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL AND
NORTHEAST IOWA. THESE STORMS MAY THEN DEVELOP INTO A COMPLEX AND
MOVE QUICKLY SOUTHEAST ACROSS EASTERN IOWA AND NORTHWEST ILLINOIS
TONIGHT BETWEEN 7 PM AND 1 AM. THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS
WILL BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS OF 60 TO 80 MPH. SECONDARY
THREATS WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND HEAVY RAIN. THE PORTION OF THE
OUTLOOK AREA MOST AT RISK IS GENERALLY NORTHEAST OF A LINE FROM
WASHINGTON IOWA...TO MONMOUTH ILLINOIS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

THERE IS A CONTINUED RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS PORTIONS OF
THE OUTLOOK AREA FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT AS A STRONG FRONT
LINGERS IN THE REGION. ON FRIDAY...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR
SEVERE STORMS FOR AREAS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80 IN THE AFTERNOON
AND EVENING. THE AREA OF MAIN CONCERN WILL BE NEAR A STALLED FRONTAL
WEST TO EAST BOUNDARY IN THE VICINITY OF SOUTHEAST IOWA...NORTHEAST
MISSOURI INTO WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. CONDITIONS IN THIS AREA MAY
BE FAVORABLE FOR SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND.

A MORE WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER EVENT IS POSSIBLE SATURDAY INTO
SATURDAY NIGHT ACROSS THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA AS A STRONG UPPER
LEVEL SYSTEM MOVES THROUGH THE REGION. SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS
WILL BE POSSIBLE AS A WARM FRONT LIFTS NORTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.
THESE MAY BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WIND...AND
ISOLATED TORNADOES. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE...WHICH
MAY CAUSE MINOR FLOODING AND RISING RIVER LEVELS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

STORM SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS EVENING.

MCCLURE

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 136 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:08 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

83 hail, 11 thunderstorm wind, 6 funnel cloud, 4 lightning, 3 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2 mi W of Garrison
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.150, -92.183

Relayed by EM; dime to quarter size hail

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 9 mi WSW of Garrison
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.100, -92.317

Relayed by EM; quarter size hail at 63rd St & highway 21 on the Tama/Benton Line.

Hail, Iowa

When: April 13, 6:14 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, Victor
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.733, -92.300

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:22 PM CST to 6:25 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 3 mi SE of Garrison
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.117, -92.100

63rd Street & 20th Ave

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:23 PM CST to 6:27 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2 mi N of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.033, -91.650

Hail, Buchanan

When: April 13, 6:28 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Jesup
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.483, -92.050

dime to nickel size hail

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:28 PM CST to 6:35 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 3 mi W of Vinton
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.167, -92.083

61st Street & 22nd Avenue

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:29 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 3 mi S of Garrison
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.117, -92.150

63rd Street & 18th Avenue; covering the ground

Lightning, Linn

When: April 13, 6:29 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Cedar Rapids
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.079, -91.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter from Buchanan county indicated KCRG-TV is reporting that lightning hit a church in Cedar Rapids.

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:29 PM CST to 6:33 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 7 mi SW of Vinton
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 42.100, -92.133

Quarter to golf ball sized hail.

Hail, Iowa

When: April 13, 6:31 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, Marengo
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.800, -92.067

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:32 PM CST to 6:35 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 3 mi SE of Garrison
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.117, -92.100

63rd Street & 20th Avenue

Hail, Buchanan

When: April 13, 6:32 PM CST to 6:36 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Lamont
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.600, -91.633

Hail of unknown size also reported falling in Winthrop 1833-1836 CST; based on radar trends and other reports, the hail is estimated at dime size (0.70 inch).

Lightning, Buchanan

When: April 13, 6:33 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Independence
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.471, -91.838 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning strike at sheriff office

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 5 mi SSW of Vinton
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.100, -92.067

Also reported by a spotter. Hail fell from 64th Street & 23rd Avenue to 65th Street & Highway 218.

Hail, Buchanan

When: April 13, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 5 mi N of Independence
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.533, -91.883

Spotter also reported straight line winds of unknown strength.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: April 13, 6:36 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Jesup
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.483, -92.050

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:37 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Alburnett
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.150, -91.617

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:37 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Alburnett
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.150, -91.617

Golf ball sized hail.

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:38 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Cedar Rapids
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.000, -91.650

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:38 PM CST to 6:42 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 4 mi SSW of Fairfax
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.850, -91.817

Report is from Co-op observer located 1.9 miles southeast of Walford on the Linn/Johnson line; walnut size hail.

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 6:38 PM CST to 6:42 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 6 mi WNW of Swisher
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.883, -91.817

Report is from Co-op observer located 1.9 miles southeast of Walford on the Linn/Johnson line; walnut size hail.

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:38 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2 mi N of Van Horne
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.050, -92.083

68th Street & 21st Avenue

Lightning, Buchanan

When: April 13, 6:39 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Rowley
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.471, -91.838 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rowley Fire reported a lightning strike with unknown damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: April 13, 6:39 PM CST to 6:45 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 4 mi SSW of Fairfax
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.850, -91.817

Report is from Co-op observer located 1.9 miles southeast of Walford on the Linn/Johnson line; tree branches down. The KCID ASOS (located about 5 miles to the east northeast) reported a 49 knot wind gust at 1919 CST.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: April 13, 6:39 PM CST to 6:45 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 6 mi WNW of Swisher
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 41.883, -91.817

Report is from Co-op observer located 1.9 miles southeast of Walford on the Linn/Johnson line; tree branches down. The KCID ASOS (located about 5 miles east northeast) reported a 49 knot wind gust at 1919 CST.

Hail, Iowa

When: April 13, 6:40 PM CST to 6:41 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, South Amana
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.767, -91.983

quarter to half dollar size hail.

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:40 PM CST to 6:45 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2 mi SW of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.983, -91.667

Hail, Delaware

When: April 13, 6:41 PM CST to 6:44 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, Edgewood
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.650, -91.400

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:43 PM CST to 6:47 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Van Horne
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.017, -92.083

Mainly quarter size hail with some golfball size hail just before ending.

Hail, Iowa

When: April 13, 6:43 PM CST to 6:45 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, Amana
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.800, -91.883

golfball size hail

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: April 13, 6:44 PM CST to 6:55 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1 mi SW of Van Horne
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY
Coordinates: 42.000, -92.100

NWS storm survey indicates a one mile wide swath of estimated 61 knot (70 mph) winds centered along 71st Street. Several outbuildings were destroyed with tree and roof damage and a tractor trailer rig was blown over. Some windows were blown out causing minor structural damage. One injury occurred with this event. A 22 year old male was hurt when the outbuilding collapsed around him.

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:45 PM CST to 6:52 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Cedar Rapids
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.000, -91.650

Multiple reports of nickel to quarter size hail

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:48 PM CST to 6:51 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Newhall
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.983, -91.983

golfball size hail

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 6:48 PM CST to 6:51 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Oxford
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.667, -91.833

dime size hail

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 6:51 PM CST to 7:08 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Cedar Rapids
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.000, -91.650

Numerous reports of penny to half dollar size hail.

Hail, Buchanan

When: April 13, 6:55 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Lamont
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.600, -91.633

lemon size hail

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:55 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Atkins
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.983, -91.867

Funnel Cloud, Johnson

When: April 13, 6:57 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 3 mi SSW of Oxford
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.672, -91.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Also report from EM; public reported a funnel cloud near I-80 & Blackhawk Ave NE.

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 6:57 PM CST to 7:01 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Atkins
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.983, -91.867

golfball size hail

Thunderstorm Wind, Dubuque

When: April 13, 6:59 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 2 mi N of Luxemburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 42.633, -91.067

Public report that wind tore off a shed door; dime size hail also occurred.

Hail, Dubuque

When: April 13, 6:59 PM CST to 7:01 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 2 mi N of Luxemburg
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 42.633, -91.067

dime size hail

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:00 PM CST to 7:05 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 3 mi E of Cosgrove
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.650, -91.700

Individual observed the Iowa City tornado to the east and Sharon Center tornado to the southeast.

Lightning, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:00 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Coralville
Property damage: $515,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.672, -91.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sometime between 1900 and 1930 CST lightning struck a brand new home in Coralville. The resultant fire destroyed the home and strong winds allowed the flames to spread onto a house nearing completion next door.

Hail, Jones

When: April 13, 7:01 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 1 mi N of Anamosa
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
Coordinates: 42.133, -91.283

Also reported by amateur radio; dime to golfball size hail; vehicles damaged in Anamosa.

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:02 PM CST to 7:07 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Tiffin
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.700, -91.667

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:03 PM CST to 7:05 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Cou Falls
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.817, -91.683

Deputy reported golfball size hail at highway 965 & Cou Falls Rd NW

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:04 PM CST to 7:09 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 3 mi WSW of Cosgrove
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.633, -91.800

A few shingles off the farm house and a few fruit trees downed on the Mitch Thompson farm.

Heavy Rain, Linn

When: April 13, 7:05 PM CST to 7:50 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Cedar Rapids
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.079, -91.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor street flooding with water up to the curb in spots.

Funnel Cloud, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:06 PM CST to 7:09 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 2 mi N of Williamstown
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.672, -91.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public report of a possible funnel cloud north of Williamstown.

Funnel Cloud, Benton

When: April 13, 7:06 PM CST to 7:10 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1 mi S of Walford
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.066 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public report of a wall cloud in the Walford area.

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:08 PM CST to 7:11 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 2 mi N of Coralville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.717, -91.583

Penny to nickel size hail; spotter also reported strong winds

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:09 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Oxford
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.667, -91.833

golfball size hail

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:09 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 5 mi S of Swisher
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.783, -91.700

golfball size hail

Funnel Cloud, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:09 PM CST to 7:14 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 1 mi SW of Tiffin
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.672, -91.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public report of a funnel cloud or possible tornado on the ground southwest of the Tiffin rest area on I-80.

Hail, Delaware

When: April 13, 7:11 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, Edgewood
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.650, -91.400

Funnel Cloud, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:11 PM CST to 7:14 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Tiffin
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.672, -91.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:13 PM CST to 7:16 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Hiawatha
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.033, -91.683

Total hail duration 5 minutes with most of it just under penny size.

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:16 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2 mi N of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.033, -91.650

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:16 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1 mi S of Van Horne
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 42.000, -92.083

71st Street & 21st Avenue; KCRG-TV reports house damage south of Van Horne

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:18 PM CST to 7:20 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Iowa City
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.667, -91.550

Spotter location is on Glendale Rd at the end of Jefferson; dime to golfball size hail

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:18 PM CST to 7:25 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Iowa City
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.667, -91.550

Jct of highways 1 & 218.

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:20 PM CST to 7:22 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Cedar Rapids
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 42.000, -91.650

Numerous reports of penney to half dollar sized hail.

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:22 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Marion
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.033, -91.600

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:24 PM CST to 7:26 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1 mi N of Newhall
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.000, -91.983

70th Street & 27th Avenue

Hail, Jackson

When: April 13, 7:27 PM CST to 7:29 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, St Donatus
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.367, -90.550

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:27 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Solon
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.800, -91.500

dime size hail; pea size hail at 1914 CST

Funnel Cloud, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:28 PM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 1 mi WSW of Hills
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.672, -91.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Washington County Deputy reported to Johnson County of a funnel cloud between Riverside and Hills.

Heavy Rain, Dubuque

When: April 13, 7:28 PM CST to 7:35 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, Asbury
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 42.469, -90.882 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Public report of a half inch of rainfall.

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:29 PM CST to 7:32 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Norway
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.900, -91.917

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: April 13, 7:29 PM CST to 7:33 PM CST
Where: Jones County, Oxford Jct
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.983, -90.967

Spotter reported hearing trees and power lines down on scanner

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:32 PM CST
Where: Linn County, Lisbon
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.917, -91.383

Spotter reported 3 stones per square foot.

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:33 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 1 mi ENE of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.000, -91.633

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:35 PM CST to 7:38 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 7 mi ENE of Iowa City
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.700, -91.417

Public report of baseball size hail at mile marker 252 on I-80

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:36 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1 mi W of Atkins
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.983, -91.883

71st Street & 32nd Avenue

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:36 PM CST to 7:41 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1 mi N of Walford
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.900, -91.850

On the Benton/Linn Rd

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:36 PM CST to 7:41 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 4 mi SW of Fairfax
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.883, -91.833

On the Benton/Linn Rd

Hail, Linn

When: April 13, 7:37 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2 mi WNW of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.017, -91.683

Also minor street flooding

Heavy Rain, Benton

When: April 13, 7:37 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Atkins
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.066 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:37 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Atkins
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.983, -91.867

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: April 13, 7:39 PM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, Clinton Muni Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.833, -90.333

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:41 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1 mi S of Walford
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.867, -91.850

Reported relayed from Linn County EM of tennis ball size hail

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 7:49 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, West Liberty
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.583, -91.267

Hail, Benton

When: April 13, 7:49 PM CST to 7:52 PM CST
Where: Benton County, Mt Auburn
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.250, -92.100

Relayed by EM

Hail, Cedar

When: April 13, 7:50 PM CST
Where: Cedar County, West Branch
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.667, -91.350

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: April 13, 7:51 PM CST to 7:56 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, 2 mi SSW of Nichols
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.450, -91.333

Semi blown over on highway 70 at 200th Street

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 7:55 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Atalissa
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.567, -91.167

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 7:56 PM CST to 8:02 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Muscatine
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.417, -91.050

Numerous reports of penny to quarter size hail

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 7:56 PM CST to 7:59 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, North Liberty
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.750, -91.617

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, 1 mi NE of Muscatine
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.433, -91.033

Hail, Johnson

When: April 13, 8:07 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, Solon
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.800, -91.500

Third round of hail

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:14 PM CST to 8:22 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Muscatine
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.417, -91.050

Numerous reports of quarter to tennis ball size hail across city and at the community college; this was the second hail core to hit the city.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Muscatine Muni Arpt
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.367, -91.150

AWOS measured 57 kts. Buildings were damaged at the airport.

Hail, Buchanan

When: April 13, 8:15 PM CST to 8:17 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 2 mi S of Independence
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.433, -91.883

penny to quarter size hail; sheriff office reported pea size hail in the city at the same time.

Hail, Buchanan

When: April 13, 8:16 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Independence
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.467, -91.883

up to dime size hail

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:22 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, 8 mi NW of Muscatine
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.500, -91.167

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:22 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, 1 mi N of Muscatine
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.433, -91.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Muscatine
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.417, -91.050

power lines down

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:36 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, West Liberty
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.583, -91.267

Hail, Muscatine

When: April 13, 8:36 PM CST to 8:48 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Muscatine
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.417, -91.050

Numerous reports of dime to nickel size hail

Hail, Delaware

When: April 13, 8:45 PM CST to 8:48 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, Ryan
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.350, -91.483

Hail, Buchanan

When: April 13, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Independence
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.467, -91.883

Hail, Jones

When: April 13, 9:04 PM CST
Where: Jones County, Anamosa
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.117, -91.283

Hail, Delaware

When: April 13, 9:25 PM CST to 9:28 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 5 mi NE of Hopkinton
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 42.400, -91.183

Radar data indicates a continuous hail swath to the Delaware/Dubuque line.

Hail, Dubuque

When: April 13, 9:28 PM CST to 9:36 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 1 mi SW of Worthington
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 42.383, -91.133

Radar data indicates a continuous swath of hail from the Delaware/Dubuque line.

Hail, Dubuque

When: April 13, 9:54 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, Bernard
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.317, -90.833

dime size hail on the Dubuque/Jackson line.

Hail, Jackson

When: April 13, 9:54 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1 mi N of Garry Owen
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.300, -90.817

Dime sized hail on the Jackson/Dubuque County line.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
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.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 2006 Every state in 2006 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, April 2006

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: 5501982, 5501984, 5501983, 5502043, 5502044, 5502047, 5502049, 5502048, 5502050, 5502383, 5502045, 5502052, 5502053, 5502054, 5502056, 5502059, 5502051, 5502055, 5502384, 5502046, 5502057, 5502058, 5502061, 5502060, 5502062, 5502113, 5502114, 5502115, 5502116, 5502117, 5502375, 5502374, 5502118, 5502119, 5502376, 5502127, 5502120, 5502382, 5502122, 5502123, and more.