High Wind in Iowa, October 26, 2008

Name: High Wind in Iowa, October 26, 2008
Start: 2008-10-26T09:30
End: 2008-10-26T16:30
Location: Iowa

October 26, 2008 · NWS DMX · 43 events in 42 counties and zones

S. on the 26th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 43 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: $2.4 million
Crop damage: $1.1 million
Events: 43

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.

The seasons first strong push of cold air moved south into the central U.S. on the 26th. A very strong upper level trough of low pressure aloft dropped south out of Saskatchewan accompanied by a strong upper level jet stream and a tropospheric fold. As the cold air moved in, the atmosphere became adiabatic, creating a mixed layer, up to the 700 mb to 600 mb level. The mixed layer contained very strong winds of 60 to 70 kts. The downward momentum in the subsidence area behind a cold front that moved south across the area produced high winds over a large part of the state. Most areas reported sustained winds of 40 to 45 MPH for several hours, with many areas reporting gusts of 60 to 65 MPH. The highest gust was recorded in Polk County in West Des Moines with a gust of 69 MPH. Some of the other higher gusts occurred in north central Iowa with a 68 MPH wind gust in Cerro Gordo County at Ventura, and in Polk County in Windsor Heights. Scattered damage was reported around the state with numerous tree branches broken and some trees blown over. Power was knocked out in several locations. In the Des Moines metropolitan area, about 17,000 homes were without power at the height of the storm. Power was out for 3 to 6 hours in most cases. Thousands of homes were without power for brief periods of time during the wind event. In Black Hawk County, at Dunkerton, the high winds caused severe damage to a nearly completed new COOP with damage estimated over a million dollars. The new COOP was under construction following the damage earlier in the spring as a tornado destroyed the old one. There was some crop damage as well as the high winds caused lodging of some of the corn around the state as the harvest was not yet complete. During the afternoon of the 26th, the high winds caused some travel problems as it was difficult to maintain control due to cross winds. The mile long bridge across the Saylorville Reservoir near Polk City, in Polk County, was closed for several hours due to the high winds for safety reasons.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

43 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Emmet

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Emmet forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 43.378, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Palo Alto

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Palo Alto forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 43.082, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Pocahontas

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Pocahontas forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.734, -94.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Calhoun

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.385, -94.640 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Carroll

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Carroll forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Crawford

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.037, -95.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Audubon

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Audubon forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.906 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Guthrie

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Guthrie forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.684, -94.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Greene

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.397 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Webster

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.428, -94.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Humboldt

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Humboldt forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.777, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Kossuth

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Kossuth forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $50,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 43.204, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hancock

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hamilton

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Winnebago

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.378, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wright

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Butler

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.732, -92.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Grundy

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.402, -92.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Worth

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Worth forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.377, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cerro Gordo

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Franklin

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Hardin

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Boone

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.037, -93.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Story

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Story forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.036, -93.465 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Bremer

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Bremer forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.775, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Sac

When: October 26, 9:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Sac forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.386, -95.105 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cass

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.332, -94.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Adair

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Adair

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Madison

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.016 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Warren

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Polk

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $100,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Marshall

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.036, -92.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Jasper

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Marion

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.099 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Black Hawk

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Black Hawk forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1.3 million
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.470, -92.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Significant wind damage occurred in Dunkerton, where a COOP was damaged.

High Wind, Tama

When: October 26, 10:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Tama forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Poweshiek

When: October 26, 11:00 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Poweshiek forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.686, -92.531 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Mahaska

When: October 26, 11:00 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Mahaska forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.335, -92.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Monroe

When: October 26, 11:00 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.030, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lucas

When: October 26, 11:00 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Lucas forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Clarke

When: October 26, 11:00 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Clarke forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.785 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Union

When: October 26, 11:00 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Mesonet
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 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, October 2008

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 133059, 133069, 133071, 133072, 133073, 133074, 133075, 133076, 133078, 133080, 133081, 133083, 133084, 133085, 133086, 133087, 133090, 133091, 133092, 133094, 133095, 133096, 133097, 133098, 133099, 133126, 133102, 133103, 133104, 133106, 133107, 133108, 133109, 133110, 133111, 133114, 133116, 133117, 133118, 133119, and more.