Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, March 30, 2006

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, March 30, 2006
Start: 2006-03-30T14:45
End: 2006-03-30T21:18
Location: Iowa

March 30, 2006 · NWS DMX · 77 events in 31 counties and zones

An early spring storm moved into Iowa during the day on the 30th. Though somewhat early in the season for such a storm, the storm was a classic storm.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 3
Property damage: $1.1 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 77

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 early spring storm moved into Iowa during the day on the 30th. Though somewhat early in the season for such a storm, the storm was a classic storm. As it quite typical of April or May, the storm was a classic "bowling ball" type system with a closed upper low lifting northeast out of the southwest U.S. Surface low pressure moved from Kansas into Southwest Iowa during the event. A dryline pushed northeast with the low into the state. Strong moisture transport took place ahead of the storm with dew points reaching the mid 50s to low 60s over Iowa as afternoon temperatures were in the 60 to 70 degree range. Strong south winds in the low levels were in place with speeds in the 35 to 45 kt range. The atmosphere destabilized during the afternoon with lifted indices reaching -7 by the early afternoon. CAPE values were not all that great, at about 1000 J/kg. The freezing level during the storms was relatively low, at about 10,700 feet. Thunderstorms developed in western Iowa and lifted northeast at 50 to 55 MPH during the afternoon. These formed in the warm sector. At the same time, the dryline pushed into western Iowa during the late afternoon. The storms from the dryline produced hail and strong winds, along with 2 small tornadoes. The line of storms took on a bow echo appearance as they raced across the state. The storms that formed ahead of the dryline were not as significant and produced only marginal severe weather. As the dryline storms moved in, reports of hail and high wind were numerous. Two small tornadoes touched down briefly, causing little damage. One was west of the Creston Airport in Union County, the second was near De Soto in Dallas County. Minor damage occurred with the tornado west of Creston as it damaged breeze way and carport there. High winds were quite wide spread with wind speeds reaching or exceeding 80 MPH at times. In Latimer winds of 80 MPH took the roof off of a building for example. In Franklin County, high winds lifted bleachers and threw them 300 feet, across a road. Damage was reported to an apartment building roof in Crawford County and a dugout destroyed as well. Several reports of semi-tractortrailer trucks being overturned were received. One was overturned in Crawford County on the Shelby County line, 6 were overturned in Adair County by 71 MPH winds with one person receiving minor injuries. Six trucks were blown off the highway in Guthrie County and another in Story County. Two people were injured in Boone County when high winds blew a tree onto a mobile home. The mobile home was totally destroyed. Three mobile homes were flipped in Story County by the high winds. Reports of damage to outbuildings were too numerous to mention here. Hail reports were quite numerous. Much of the hail was around an inch in diameter. One of the storms produced large hail in the Des Moines Metro area. Two inch diameter hail fell in Des Moines, with golf ball size hail in Norwalk and one and one half inch diameter hail falling at the Des Moines Airport.

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 Mar 30, 2:39 PM CST, 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 30, 2:39 PM CST, 6 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
239 PM CST THU MAR 30 2006

DISCUSSION...
NEAR TERM FOCUS IS POTENTIAL SEVERE OUTBREAK. WARM SECTOR CONVECTION
IS SURGING NORTH OUT OF KANSAS INTO SE NEBRASKA AND SW IA ATTM. A
TRAILING LINE OF STORMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRY LINE EXTENDS FROM
NORTHEAST NEBRASKA INTO EASTERN KANSAS. PER LATEST SWOMCD AND NEW
TORNADO WATCH...THE MAIN TORNADO THREAT CONTINUES TO BE THE SW
COUNTIES OF THE DES MOINES CWA. HOWEVER...WITH LIMITATIONS IN
SURFACE BASED INSTABILITY...THE OVERALL MAIN THREAT OVER THE CWA IS
LIKELY STRAIGHT LINE WINDS...FROM DISCRETE CELLS/BOWING SEGMENTS AND
LATER IN THE EVENING A LIKELY SQUALL LINE. ISOLATED FLASH FLOODING
IS ALSO POSSIBLE...MAINLY FROM VERY INTENSE RAINFALL RATES AS THE
STORM MOTION WILL LIKELY BE NORTHWARD IN THE 40-55 MPH RANGE. THE
THREAT IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE WIDESPREAD ENOUGH TONIGHT TO WARRANT A
WATCH. BY MIDNIGHT...THE THREAT WILL LIKELY HAVE SHIFTED INTO
EASTERN IOWA...WITH LINGERING SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDER MAINLY
NORTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

THE NEXT SYSTEM IS STILL ON TARGET FOR SAT NITE/SUN WITH A SIMILAR
SFC LOW PROGGED TO MOVE THROUGH IOWA. ALL MODES OF SEVERE WEATHER
WILL LIKELY BE IN PLAY...INCLUDING HEAVY RAIN AND FLASH FLOODING.

LOOKING AHEAD...UPPER RIDGING WILL BUILD IN MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.
THERE IS SOME MODEL UNCERTAINTY HAS TO HOW FAST THE RIDGE WILL PUSH
INTO THE EASTERN CONUS. CURRENT FORECAST HAS SHOWER AND
THUNDERSTORM CHANCES FROM TUES NITE THRU THURSDAY. NORMALLY...I
DON/T PREFER TO HAVE SO MANY WET PERIODS IN THE EXTENDED...BUT WILL
LEAVE THE FORECAST ALONE FOR NOW. THE GFS IS INDICATING WAA STORMS
LATE TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...THEN A STRONG SYSTEM THROUGH
THE REGION THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. TEMPS SHOULD MODERATE
THROUGH THE PERIOD...WITH HIGHS PUSHING 70 CENTRAL AND SOUTH BY
THURSDAY.
&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...TORNADO WATCH ALONG AND SOUTH OF
STATE HIGHWAY 30 AND ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 35 UNTIL 04Z.

&&

KINNEY

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 30, 2:44 PM CST, 1 minute before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA
244 PM CST THU MAR 30 2006

IAZ044>047-057>060-070>073-081>083-092>094-311200-
CRAWFORD-CARROLL-GREENE-BOONE-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-POLK-CASS-
ADAIR-MADISON-WARREN-ADAMS-UNION-CLARKE-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-DECATUR-
244 PM CST THU MAR 30 2006

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL IOWA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

SEVERAL ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. INITIALLY LARGE HAIL WILL BE THE MAIN THREAT...HOWEVER
AFTER 5 PM...ALL TYPES OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE POSSIBLE
INCLUDING LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS AND SOME TORNADOES. THIS
THREAT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 10 PM AS A LINE OF STORMS MOVES
QUICKLY ACROSS CENTRAL IOWA. INDIVIDUAL STORMS WILL MOVE FROM 45
TO 60 MPH TO THE NORTHEAST DURING THE EVENT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

ANOTHER THREAT OF THUNDERST0RMS EXISTS ON SATURDAY NIGHT INTO
SUNDAY WITH THE POTENTIAL OF HEAVY RAIN AND SOME SEVERE WEATHER.
MORE THUNDERSTORMS ARE FORECAST TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WITH
ALTHOUGH THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE CALL HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR 315
PM THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE SEVERE WEATHER EPISODE. SPOTTER
ACTIVATION WILL BE NECESSARY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH EARLY
DEPLOYMENT NECESSARY DUE TO THE FAST MOVING NATURE OF THE STORMS.

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-048>050-061-062-074-075-
084>086-095>097-311200-
EMMET-KOSSUTH-WINNEBAGO-WORTH-PALO ALTO-HANCOCK-CERRO GORDO-
POCAHONTAS-HUMBOLDT-WRIGHT-FRANKLIN-BUTLER-BREMER-SAC-CALHOUN-
WEBSTER-HAMILTON-HARDIN-GRUNDY-BLACK HAWK-STORY-MARSHALL-TAMA-
JASPER-POWESHIEK-MARION-MAHASKA-LUCAS-MONROE-WAPELLO-WAYNE-
APPANOOSE-DAVIS-
244 PM CST THU MAR 30 2006

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL IOWA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL EXPAND ACROSS THE REST OF CENTRAL IOWA LATE
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SCATTERED SEVERE STORMS ARE EXPECTED
WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS THE MAIN THREAT. AN ISOLATED
TORNADO IS POSSIBLE LATER THIS EVENING...PRIMARILY SOUTH OF
INTERSTATE 80. THE TIME OF GREATEST THREAT WILL BE FROM 6 TO 11
PM. THESE STORMS WILL BE MOVING VERY QUICKLY NORTHEAST AT 45 TO 60
MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

ANOTHER THREAT OF THUNDERST0RMS EXISTS ON SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY
WITH THE POTENTIAL OF HEAVY RAIN AND SOME SEVERE WEATHER. MORE
THUNDERSTORMS ARE FORECAST TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WITH
ALTHOUGH THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE CALL HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR 315
PM THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE SEVERE WEATHER EPISODE. SPOTTER
ACTIVATION WILL BE LIKELY LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH
EARLY DEPLOYMENT NECESSARY DUE TO THE FAST MOVING NATURE OF THE
STORMS.

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 35 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:43 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

59 thunderstorm wind, 15 hail, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Audubon

When: March 30, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Audubon County, 10 mi NW of Audubon Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.033, -93.617

Hail, Crawford

When: March 30, 3:40 PM CST
Where: Crawford County, Charter Oak
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 42.033, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: March 30, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Crawford County, 8 mi S of Denison
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.917, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: March 30, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Crawford County, Aspinwall
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.183, -93.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: March 30, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Crawford County, 5 mi N of Aspinwall
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.300, -93.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Sac

When: March 30, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Sac County, Lake View
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.967, -93.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Sac

When: March 30, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Sac County, 5 mi E of Odebolt
Measured: 85 kt (98 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.017, -93.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: March 30, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, 2 mi SSW of Manning
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.150, -93.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Cass

When: March 30, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Cass County, Massena
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.183, -93.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Adams

When: March 30, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Adams County, 11 mi N of Corning
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.083, -93.817

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: March 30, 5:22 PM CST
Where: Taylor County, 4 mi SE of New Market
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.100, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When: March 30, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Taylor County, 1 mi W of Bedford
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.650, -93.500

Hail, Warren

When: March 30, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Warren County, Norwalk
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.767, -93.367

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When: March 30, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Adair County, Fontanelle
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.150, -93.117

Hail, Warren

When: March 30, 5:31 PM CST
Where: Warren County, Norwalk
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.817, -93.367

Hail, Warren

When: March 30, 5:33 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 3 mi S of Norwalk
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.867, -93.367

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:34 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines Arpt
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.750, -93.367

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When: March 30, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 9 mi N of Fontanelle
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 42.550, -93.050

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:36 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.133, -93.133

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:37 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.100, -93.133

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:38 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.783, -92.783

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:38 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 42.817, -92.667

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:39 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 1 mi S of Des Moines Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.450, -92.767

Thunderstorm Wind, Guthrie

When: March 30, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Guthrie County, Casey
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 40.900, -93.750

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:41 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Altoona
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.033, -93.483

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 5:42 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.317, -95.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: March 30, 5:43 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, Rockwell City
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.850, -94.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Adair

When: March 30, 5:44 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 4 mi E of Adair
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: UNKNOWN
Coordinates: 42.367, -93.100

Thunderstorm Wind, Pocahontas

When: March 30, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Pocahontas County, Laurens
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.683, -94.167

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: March 30, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Union County, Creston
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 42.300, -93.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: March 30, 5:52 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Redfield
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.800, -95.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: March 30, 5:52 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, Manson
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.067, -95.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Ringgold

When: March 30, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Ringgold County, 2 mi W of Mt Ayr
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.900, -95.350

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When: March 30, 5:56 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 7 mi SSW of Earlham
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.917, -95.133

Tornado, Union

When: March 30, 5:57 PM CST
Where: Union County, 3 mi W of Creston
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.983, -95.133

Tornado touched down briefly west of Creston. Damage was done to an attached two-car breezeway and tore it away from the house. There was little apparent damage to the car inside.

Hail, Polk

When: March 30, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Des Moines
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.317, -95.167

Thunderstorm Wind, Pocahontas

When: March 30, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Pocahontas County, 2 mi SE of Palmer
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.867, -95.083

Tornado, Union

When: March 30, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Union County, 4 mi W of Creston Arpt
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.250, -94.783

Brief touchdown in open field.

Tornado, Dallas

When: March 30, 6:04 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, 1 mi N of De Soto
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 41.150, -94.733

Brief touchdown in open fields.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: March 30, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Adel
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 40.700, -94.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When: March 30, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Webster County, 1 mi SW of Vincent
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 40.667, -94.733

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: March 30, 6:11 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, Minburn
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.483, -93.683

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: March 30, 6:17 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Grimes
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.300, -94.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: March 30, 6:18 PM CST
Where: Boone County, 5 mi WSW of Boone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.483, -93.683

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: March 30, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Boone County, Pilot Mound
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.433, -93.683

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: March 30, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Boone County, Madrid
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.533, -93.667

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: March 30, 6:22 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, 2 mi S of Stratford
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.433, -94.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: March 30, 6:26 PM CST
Where: Boone County, Luther
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Dallas

When: March 30, 6:27 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, 10 mi W of Dallas Center
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Story County, 1 mi W of Ames
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: March 30, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Polk County, Ankeny
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Story County, Ames
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)
Coordinates: 41.517, -93.667

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:34 PM CST
Where: Story County, Ames
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.517, -94.533

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:35 PM CST
Where: Story County, 1 mi N of Huxley
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.650, -93.467

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:38 PM CST
Where: Story County, Story City
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Hamilton

When: March 30, 6:39 PM CST
Where: Hamilton County, Jewell
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.400, -94.633

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:39 PM CST
Where: Story County, Nevada
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 41.500, -94.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:39 PM CST
Where: Story County, 4 mi WSW of Roland
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.067, -94.367

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Story County, Story City
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 41.583, -94.200

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: March 30, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Hancock County, 1 mi S of Britt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 42.533, -94.533

Thunderstorm Wind, Story

When: March 30, 6:46 PM CST
Where: Story County, 5 mi N of Ames
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 40.717, -94.267

Thunderstorm Wind, Wright

When: March 30, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Wright County, Dows
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.400, -94.183

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: March 30, 7:07 PM CST
Where: Hardin County, Eldora
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.033, -93.633

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: March 30, 7:08 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, Latimer
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.067, -94.417

Thunderstorm Wind, Marshall

When: March 30, 7:10 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 3 mi NE of Clemons
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.600, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: March 30, 7:12 PM CST
Where: Hardin County, Hubbard
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 41.733, -93.617

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: March 30, 7:13 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 3 mi N of Latimer
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 42.617, -94.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: March 30, 7:14 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 7 mi N of Latimer
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.017, -94.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: March 30, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Franklin County, 1 mi S of Latimer
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 41.550, -94.017

Thunderstorm Wind, Hardin

When: March 30, 7:21 PM CST
Where: Hardin County, Ackley
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 41.617, -94.017

Thunderstorm Wind, Cerro Gordo

When: March 30, 7:38 PM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo County, 4 mi ESE of Mason City
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.583, -94.033

Thunderstorm Wind, Cerro Gordo

When: March 30, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo County, 5 mi SE of Mason City
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 41.767, -94.033

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: March 30, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 2 mi N of Allison
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 41.683, -93.800

Thunderstorm Wind, Butler

When: March 30, 7:40 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 2 mi N of Clarksville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 42.033, -93.967

Thunderstorm Wind, Grundy

When: March 30, 7:45 PM CST
Where: Grundy County, 6 mi N of Grundy Center
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.167, -94.017

Hail, Decatur

When: March 30, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 3 mi NE of Van Wert
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD
Coordinates: 41.883, -93.850

Hail, Lucas

When: March 30, 9:18 PM CST
Where: Lucas County, 1 mi W of Lucas
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.233, -93.933

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

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 The tornado archive for Iowa, 2006 Warnings in Iowa, March 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: 5496058, 5496059, 5496060, 5496061, 5496062, 5494814, 5496063, 5496064, 5496065, 5496066, 5496067, 5496068, 5496069, 5496070, 5496071, 5496072, 5496073, 5496074, 5496075, 5496076, 5496077, 5496078, 5496079, 5496080, 5496081, 5496082, 5496083, 5496084, 5494815, 5496085, 5494684, 5494685, 5494686, 5494687, 5494688, 5494689, 5494690, 5494691, 5494692, 5494693, and more.