Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, May 19 to 20, 2013

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, May 19 to 20, 2013
Start: 2013-05-19T11:10
End: 2013-05-20T18:10
Location: Iowa

May 19 to 20, 2013 · NWS DVN · 65 events in 18 counties and zones

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: 0
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 65

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.

A very unstable airmass on May 19, 2013 led to the development of severe thunderstorms that produced large hail and damaging winds. Temperatures were in the 80s with dewpoints around 70 with a mid level speed maximum rotating around the base of a developing upper low in the Plains states. This increased the deep layer shear during the afternoon and evening hours. Some of the storms produced golf to baseball size hail and 70 to 80 mph winds. A trained spotter reported baseball size hail knocked out sky lights at the Walmart store in northeast Keokuk. Golfball to baseball size hail was reported on the north end of the city, with nickel to quarter size hail on the south end of the city. A downburst produced wind damage in Benton county from the county line 3.5 miles southeast of Blairstown to 2.8 miles southeast of Shellsburg. There was a mile wide swath of near continuous damage to farm outbuildings, tree branches and some power poles. The greatest damage was from 3 miles south of Newhall, where a machine shed and garage were completely destroyed, to about 3 miles northwest of Atkins, where significant damage occurred to outbuildings. The emergency manager in Buchanan county reported a downburst with winds more than 70 mph struck Independence, Iowa. The northwest side of town sustained the most damage with trees down, power poles snapped and signs blown down.

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 May 19, 5:04 AM CST, 6 hours 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 19, 5:04 AM CST, 6 hours 6 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
604 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

.UPDATE...
ISSUED AT 554 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

AN ELEVATED WAA WING HAS ALLOWED SHOWERS AND STORMS TO DEVELOP
OVER THE WESTERN CWFA OVER THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS. THE ELEVATED
WING OF STORMS IS MOVING FURTHER AWAY FROM THE BETTER MOISTURE AND
INTO THE UPPER RIDGE SO WEAKENING IS EXPECTED THIS MORNING.

THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE A BRIEF LULL IN PRECIPITATION FROM MID TO
LATE MORNING AS THE ATMOSPHERE SLOWLY WARMS IN SPITE OF THE THICK
CS/CI SHIELD FROM THE PLAINS MCS. DIFFERENTIAL HEATING AND
BOUNDARIES LEFT OVER FROM THE NOCTURNAL CONVECTION WILL PROVIDE
THE FOCUS FOR NEW STORM DEVELOPMENT THIS AFTERNOON.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
ISSUED AT 249 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

06Z SFC ANALYSIS HAS SYNOPTIC LOWS SOUTH OF KABR AND IN SOUTHWEST
KANSAS. NUMEROUS MESO LOWS AND HIGHS WERE ACROSS NEBRASKA/KANSAS
BEHIND THE NOW DECAYING MCS IN WESTERN IOWA AND MISSOURI. THE MAIN
FRONT RAN FROM THE KABR LOW INTO SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN AND THEN INTO
THE OHIO VALLEY. DEW POINTS OVER MOST OF THE MIDWEST AND PLAINS WERE
IN THE 50S AND 60S WITH 40S AND 50S OVER THE GREAT LAKES.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(TODAY AND TONIGHT)
ISSUED AT 249 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

NONLINEAR PROCESSES ARE DRIVING THE SENSIBLE WX. THUS ONE MUST LOOK
MORE CAREFULLY AT THE MODELS.

MCS AND LIFT TOOLS INDICATE THE CURRENT MCS OVER THE WESTERN PARTS
OF IA/MO WILL CONTINUE TO SLOWLY DECAY AS IT OUT RUNS THE BETTER
MOISTURE AND RUNS INTO THE UPPER RIDGE. OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES FROM THE
MCS WILL HELP FIRE NEW CONVECTION THROUGH SUNRISE WITH ISOLATED TO
POSSIBLY SCATTERED CONVECTION ENTERING THE WESTERN CWFA. THIS
CONVECTION WILL SLOWLY WEAKEN AFTER SUNRISE AS THE LLJ SHIFTS BACK
INTO THE PLAINS.

ISOLATED TO SCATTERED CONVECTION SHOULD LINGER THROUGH THE MORNING
ACROSS THE CWFA AS MESOSCALE INDUCED SHORTWAVES AND BOUNDARIES MOVE
THROUGH THE AREA.

THE MCS AND LIFT TOOLS INDICATE NEW CONVECTION SHOULD FIRE IN
CENTRAL IOWA AROUND MID DAY AND ENTER THE WESTERN CWFA BY MID
AFTERNOON. MESOSCALE BOUNDARIES WILL PLAY HEAVILY INTO THE OVERALL
EVOLUTION OF THIS CONVECTION BUT IT SHOULD EVOLVE INTO AN MCS BY
LATE AFTERNOON.

GIVEN THE MOISTURE/INSTABILITY SEVERE STORMS ARE A THREAT. THE MORE
SIGNIFICANT SEVERE STORMS SHOULD BE ACROSS EASTERN KS/WESTERN MO BUT
THERE SHOULD BE SOME THREAT OF SEVERE WIND/HAIL DURING THE AFTERNOON
AND EVENING HOURS.

TONIGHT...STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE STORMS SHOULD BE SEEN ACROSS THE
AREA DURING THE EVENING. MCS/LIFT TOOLS SUGGEST AN MCS MOVING
THROUGH DURING THE EVENING. A MORE SUBSTANTIAL MCS SHOULD DEVELOP BY
SUNSET IN THE WESTERN PARTS OF IA/MO AND MOVE THROUGH THE AREA
OVERNIGHT. STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS MAY BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS MCS AS
WELL.

08

.LONG TERM...(MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY)
ISSUED AT 249 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS INTO WEDNESDAY THEN COOLER AND DRY INTO
NEXT WEEKEND WITH ANOTHER RAIN EVENT BY SUNDAY.

OVERVIEW...ALL SOLUTIONS AGAIN ARE ADEQUATE ON KINEMATIC OR FLOW
FIELDS BUT AS IS NORMAL WITH CONVECTION ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES.
VERIFICATION AT 06Z SUPPORTS A 70/30 MIX OF HI-RES ECMWF/GFS. THIS
SUGGESTS PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH POOR CONFIDENCE
ON TIMING EXCEPT FOR LIKELY DECENT ROUNDS LATE PM TODAY AND ONCE
AGAIN LATE MONDAY. RUN TO RUN VARIANCE SUPPORTS BELOW AVERAGE TO POOR
CONFIDENCE OF TIMING AND SHOWERS AND STORMS TUE/WED WITH NEXT 36-48
HOURS KEYS TO HOW LAST UPPER WAVE PASSES. MOST LOCATIONS STILL ON
TRACK TO PICK UP 1 TO 3 INCHES OR RAIN BY TIME EVENT ENDS WEDNESDAY.

MONDAY...CHANCE POPS WITH LINGERING SHOWERS AND STORMS WITH ENOUGH
HEATING AND FORCING FOR THUNDERSTORMS TO FIRE MID TO LATE PM.
CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT GOOD CHANCE OF SEVERE STORMS WITH
SHEAR PROFILES AND MODERATE INSTABILITY. LOCAL TOOLS CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT GOOD UNIDIRECTIONAL SHEAR FOR MIXING DOWN WINDS ALOFT FOR
WINDS OF 60-70 MPH AND ALSO ENOUGH DRY AIR ALOFT WITH WBZ OF 10 TO
11K AGL FOR LARGE HAIL UP TO 1.75 INCHES. AN ISOLATED TORNADO MAY
BE POSSIBLE WITH SOME BACKING OF SURFACE WINDS BUT THIS DOES NOT
SUGGEST ANY STRONGER OR LONGER TRACK EVENTS UNLESS WINDS BACK MORE
ALLOWING FOR MORE SCL DIRECTIONAL SHEAR. TEMPERATURES AND POPS LITTLE
CHANGE WITH HIGHS ROUGHLY 80-85 AND LOWS IN THE MID 60S. CHANCE POPS
IN THE DAY WITH LIKELY AT NIGHT AS STORMS FIRE WELL INTO THE EVENING
HOURS. RAIN AMOUNTS COULD BE LOCALLY HEAVY WITH 1-2 INCH AMOUNTS IN
THE STRONGEST STORMS WITH PW/S OF 1.25 TO 1.5 INCHES AND SOME STORM
TRAINING POTENTIAL.

TUESDAY...MORE ENERGY TO PASS ACROSS AREA WITH LOTS OF CLOUDS AND
SHOWERS AND STORMS. POOR CONFIDENCE ON MAX TEMPS DUE TO CLOUD COVERAGE
AND HOW MUCH PRECIPITATION MOVES INTO AREA OR FIRES DURING THE DAY.
GENERALLY HIGHS OF 75-80 ARE SUGGESTED BASED ON CONVECTIVE TEMPS.
KEPT MOSTLY LIKELY POPS IN THE DAY WITH CHANCE POPS OVERNIGHT BUT
TIMING IS POOR WHEN THIS NEXT ORGANIZED EVENT OCCURS. MINS AT NIGHT
IN THE LOWER 60S. MARGINAL SEVERE POTENTIAL SUGGESTED DUE TO LIMITED
INSTABILITY.

WEDNESDAY...UPPER LOW ROTATES SLOWLY OVER AREA WITH POPCORN SHOWERS
AND ISOLATED TO SCATTERED STORMS WITH MOSTLY CHANCE POPS IN THE
NORTH AND EAST SECTIONS. HIGHS MOSTLY IN THE LOWER 70S WITH MINS
FALLING INTO THE 50S AS WINDS SHIFT TO THE NORTH AS COLD FRONT
PASSES MOST AREAS BY THURSDAY MORNING.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...CLEARING SKIES AND SEASONABLY COOL AND
COMFORTABLE WITH HIGHS UPPER 60S TO LOWER 70S AND MINS UPPER 40S
TO LOWER 50S. MINS SATURDAY MORNING WITH SURFACE CANADIAN HIGH
PRESSURE OVERHEAD MAY NEED LOWERING BY 3+ DEGREES WITH ISOLATED
LOWER 40S POSSIBLE IN LOW LYING LOCATIONS.

SATURDAY...WARM AND UPPER DISTURBANCE FROM WEST TO INTERACT WITH
COOL AIRMASS TO BRING CLOUDS AND AREAS OF RAIN AND RAINSHOWERS WITH
STRONG EVAPORATIVE COOLING BY LATE SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY. HAVE CHANCE
POPS THAT SHOULD BR RAISED IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO WHEN TIMING ISSUES
BETTER CLARIFIED. EVENT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY
RAIN EVENT.

NICHOLS

&&

.AVIATION...(FOR THE 12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY MORNING)
ISSUED AT 554 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

STORMS HAVE DEVELOPED OVER EASTERN IOWA BUT WILL CONTINUE TO
WEAKEN AS THEY MOVE NORTHEAST. THIS CONVECTION WILL LIKELY AFFECT
KDBQ/KMLI/KBRL WITH BRIEF MVFR CONDITIONS. OTHERWISE VFR
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH 18Z/19. AFT 18Z/19 NEW CONVECTION
WILL DEVELOP AND MOVE THROUGH EASTERN IOWA AND ILLINOIS. THE
PROBABILITY OF A TSRA AFFECTING A TAF SITE WILL INCREASE. AFT
00Z/20 SEVERAL ROUNDS OF CONVECTION WILL AFFECT IOWA/ILLINOIS WITH
THE POTENTIAL FOR MVFR CONDITIONS.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...NONE.
IL...NONE.
MO...NONE.
&&

UPDATE...08
SYNOPSIS...08
SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...NICHOLS
AVIATION...08

Hazardous weather outlook, May 19, 2:55 AM CST, 8 hours 15 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
355 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-200900-
BENTON IA-BUCHANAN IA-BUREAU IL-CARROLL IL-CEDAR IA-CLARK MO-CLINTON
IA-DELAWARE IA-DES MOINES IA-DUBUQUE IA-HANCOCK IL-HENDERSON IL-HENRY
IA-HENRY IL-IOWA IA-JACKSON IA-JEFFERSON IA-JO DAVIESS IL-JOHNSON IA-
JONES IA-KEOKUK IA-LEE IA-LINN IA-LOUISA IA-MCDONOUGH IL-MERCER IL-
MUSCATINE IA-PUTNAM IL-ROCK ISLAND IL-SCOTLAND MO-SCOTT IA-
STEPHENSON IL-VAN BUREN IA-WARREN IL-WASHINGTON IA-WHITESIDE IL-
355 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

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...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE SEEN ACROSS THE AREA TODAY. SEVERE STORMS WILL
BE POSSIBLE AND THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS A SLIGHT RISK OF
SEVERE STORMS FOR THE ENTIRE AREA.

THE MOST LIKELY FRAME FOR ANY SEVERE STORMS WOULD BE FROM 3 TO 10 PM
WITH THE PRIMARY THREAT BEING DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH AND LARGE
HAIL UP TO 1.5 INCHES.

LATE TONIGHT...MORE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED. SOME OF THESE STORMS
COULD AGAIN BE SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL
OVER 1 INCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

MONDAY...THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE OUTLOOK AREA.  AT THIS
TIME...THE ENVIRONMENT IS EXPECTED TO HAVE MODERATE INSTABILITY AND
ENOUGH FORCING THAT MAY BE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE STORMS...MAINLY LATE
MONDAY PM AND INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.  THE PRIMARY RISKS APPEARS TO
BE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND LARGE HAIL WITH ISOLATED TORNADOES A
SECONDARY CONCERN LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON.

TUESDAY...STRONG STORMS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE AFTERNOON THAT COULD
PRODUCE SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS WITH MARGINAL...LOW END SEVERE
STORMS POSSIBLE.

WEDNESDAY...ANY STORMS SHOULD REMAIN BELOW SEVERE LEVELS DUE TO
LIMITED INSTABILITY.

THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS THE OUTLOOK AREA IN A SLIGHT RISK ON
MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

08/NICHOLS

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 19, 9:41 AM CST, 1 hour 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1041 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1039 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 SSW LADORA            41.73N 92.20W
05/19/2013  M1.00 INCH       IOWA               IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            OVERNIGHT STORM TOTAL

&&

OLY

Local storm report, May 19, 10:11 AM CST, 59 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1111 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1110 AM     HAIL             3 W NEW BOSTON          40.57N 91.55W
05/19/2013  M0.25 INCH       LEE                IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WINDS WERE ESTIMATED 30-35 MPH.

&&

OLY

Local storm report, May 19, 10:22 AM CST, 48 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1122 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1117 AM     HAIL             3 W FORT MADISON        40.62N 91.41W
05/19/2013  E0.25 INCH       LEE                IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HEAVY RAIN AND SMALL HAIL

&&

OLY

Special weather statement, May 19, 10:23 AM CST, 47 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1123 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

IAZ067-078-088-089-099-ILZ015-024>026-034-191715-
DES MOINES-HANCOCK-HENDERSON-HENRY-LEE-LOUISA-MERCER-MUSCATINE-ROCK
ISLAND-WARREN-
1123 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS...

AT 1119 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM MOUNT PLEASANT TO
NAUVOO...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

* THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  COLUSA...NEW LONDON AND DENMARK AROUND 1130 AM CDT...
  DALLAS CITY AROUND 1135 AM CDT...
  IOWA ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT...MOUNT UNION...MIDDLETOWN AND DANVILLE
  AROUND 1140 AM CDT...
  WINFIELD AROUND 1145 AM CDT...
  WEST BURLINGTON AROUND 1150 AM CDT...

ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 35 MPH...BRIEF HEAVY
RAIN...ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.

IF YOU HEAR THUNDER, MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO A STURDY BUILDING OR CAR
UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.

LAT...LON 4152 9118 4092 9076 4041 9132 4094 9162
TIME...MOT...LOC 1622Z 213DEG 28KT 4094 9151 4058 9130

DLF

Local storm report, May 19, 10:52 AM CST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1152 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1152 AM     HAIL             MIDDLETOWN              40.83N 91.26W
05/19/2013  M0.25 INCH       DES MOINES         IA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ALSO VERY HEAVY RAIN.

&&

OLY

Local storm report, May 19, 11:07 AM CST, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1207 PM CDT SUN MAY 19 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1206 PM     HAIL             1 ESE MUSCATINE         41.41N 91.06W
05/19/2013  M0.25 INCH       MUSCATINE          IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HEAVY RAIN WITH WIND ESTIMATED AT 30 TO 40 MPH.

&&

OLY

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:09 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

40 thunderstorm wind, 24 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: May 19, 11:10 AM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Muscatine Muni Arpt
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.370, -91.150

Peak wind gust measured by the Muscatine ASOS.

Hail, Clinton

When: May 19, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, 4.02 mi SSW of Goose Lake
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.920, -90.440

Pea to dime size hail.

Hail, Des Moines

When: May 19, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.48 mi SSE of Lenox Park
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.810, -91.120

Spotter forwarded pictures of golfball size hail from a friend in Burlington.

Hail, Des Moines

When: May 19, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.05 mi E of Burlington Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.780, -91.100

Hail, Des Moines

When: May 19, 4:07 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.48 mi SSE of Lenox Park
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.810, -91.120

East of the Burlington Airport.

Hail, Des Moines

When: May 19, 4:08 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 0.87 mi NE of Burlington Arpt
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.790, -91.110

Hail, Des Moines

When: May 19, 4:09 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.25 mi ENE of Burlington Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.790, -91.100

Hail, Des Moines

When: May 19, 4:09 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.71 mi WSW of Burlington
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.810, -91.110

Dime size hail.

Hail, Lee

When: May 19, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Lee County, 1.05 mi W of Keokuk
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.400, -91.400

Hail, Lee

When: May 19, 4:28 PM CST
Where: Lee County, 2.22 mi WNW of Keokuk
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.410, -91.420

Hail, Lee

When: May 19, 4:34 PM CST
Where: Lee County, 2.14 mi SSE of Mooar
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.420, -91.440

Spotter reported nickel size hail.

Lightning, Des Moines

When: May 19, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.48 mi SSE of Lenox Park
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.810, -91.120

A garage was struck by lightning at 2640 South Main Street in Burlington resulting in a structure fire.

Hail, Lee

When: May 19, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Lee County, 0.53 mi W of Keokuk
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.400, -91.390

Spotter reported baseball size hail knocked out sky lights at the Walmart store in northeast Keokuk. Golfball to baseball size hail was reported on the north end of the city, with nickel to quarter size hail on the south end of the city.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:04 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 0.69 mi N of Walcott
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.590, -90.780

Relayed by Scott County Sheriff's office.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 19, 5:04 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 0.69 mi N of Walcott
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.590, -90.780

Report relayed by the Scott county sheriff's office.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:28 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.32 mi NNW of Davenport
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.560, -90.600

Hail reported at 112th Avenue and U.S. 61 in Davenport via Facebook.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:28 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 1.03 mi W of West Lake Park
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 41.520, -90.700

Golfball size hail reported by a NWS employee about 0.5 mile west of West Lake Park.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:29 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 0.52 mi W of Davenport
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.530, -90.590

Pea to quarter size hail reported along with wind gusts over 45 mph.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.68 mi WNW of Davenport
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 41.540, -90.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 19, 5:32 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.95 mi NNW of West Lake Park
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.560, -90.700

Spotter reported 56 mph wind gusts along with nickel size hail.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:34 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.93 mi NW of Davenport
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.560, -90.620

Pea to quarter size hail west side of Davenport near Kimberly Road and Fairmont Avenue.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 19, 5:41 PM CST
Where: Scott County, Davenport Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.620, -90.580

A peak wind gust of 56 mph was measured by the Davenport Airport ASOS.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:42 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 1.03 mi E of Bettendorf
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.530, -90.500

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 19, 5:42 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 3.78 mi SW of Davenport Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 41.580, -90.630

Trees were reported down along Division Street to Central Park Avenue to 35th street in Davenport. The street was blocked by the fallen trees at some locations.

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:48 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 2.14 mi NNE of Bettendorf
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.560, -90.510

Hail, Scott

When: May 19, 5:50 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 1.24 mi WNW of Panorama Park
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.560, -90.490

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 19, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1.72 mi SE of Maquoketa
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.050, -90.660

Multiple 1 foot diameter trees were snapped.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 19, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.25 mi ESE of Lockridge
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.990, -91.750

Report relayed by the sheriff's office.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 19, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.6 mi NE of Four Corners
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.060, -91.750

Spotter reported pea to quarter size hail.

Hail, Washington

When: May 19, 7:54 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 5.26 mi SSE of West Chester
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.260, -91.790

A trained spotter reported golf ball size hail near Ainsworth.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 19, 8:10 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 0.52 mi E of Washington
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.300, -91.690

A COOP observer reported 3 inch diameter tree limbs down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: May 19, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 2.46 mi SW of Independence
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.450, -91.920

A spotter measured 60 mph winds near the Highway 20 exit on the west side of Independence.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: May 19, 8:26 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 1.02 mi W of Independence
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.470, -91.900

Trained spotter reported wind gust of 66 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: May 19, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 1.02 mi E of Independence Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.450, -91.950

AWOS measured 58 mph winds at Independence.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: May 19, 8:35 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 0.51 mi W of Independence
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.470, -91.890

The emergency manager reported a downburst with winds more than 70 mph struck Independence. The northwest side of town sustained the most damage with trees down, power poles snapped and signs blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Keokuk

When: May 19, 9:00 PM CST to 9:20 PM CST
Where: Keokuk County, 0.52 mi W of Sigourney
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.330, -92.210

The emergency manager reported widepread wind damage across Keokuk county which occurred between 10 pm and 1020 pm. Transmission lines were snapped near and east of Sigourney along with some buildings damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 19, 9:20 PM CST to 9:35 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, North English
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.520, -92.080

The emergency manager reported widespread wind damage at North English, Millersburg, Parnell and Williamsburg. The damage occurred between 1020 pm and 1035 pm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 19, 9:30 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 0.86 mi SE of Iowa City
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.660, -91.540

The emergency manager reported widespread wind damage across much of Johnson county which occurred between 1030 and 1100 pm. A tree was blown over onto Interstate 80 near mile marker 231. Winds were estimated at 65 to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 19, 9:31 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 0.86 mi SW of Williamsburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.660, -92.010

A trained spotter reported 60 mph winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 19, 9:31 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 1.24 mi ENE of Kalona
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.490, -91.700

A trained spotter estimated winds of 65 to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 19, 9:40 PM CST to 10:15 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2.31 mi SSW of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.970, -91.670

The emergency manager reported widespread wind damage across Linn county which occurred between 1040 pm and 1115 pm. There was tree damage in Cedar Rapids and three large road signs were blown down on Interstate 380 near Wright Brothers exit.

Thunderstorm Wind, Des Moines

When: May 19, 9:47 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 0.52 mi E of Middletown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.830, -91.260

A trained spotter measured 65 mph with half of the town without power.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: May 19, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2.92 mi NW of Atkins
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.010, -91.910

A trained spotter reported numerous trees down along with metal in fields from warehouse structures.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: May 19, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2.76 mi S of Shellsburg
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.060, -91.870

A spotter reported trees snapped off damaging a few mobile homes in a trailer park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: May 19, 9:50 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2.92 mi NW of Atkins
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.010, -91.910

A trained spotter measured 65 mph winds with numerous trees down and metal in fields from warehouse structures.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 19, 9:51 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 3.49 mi S of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.950, -91.660

A trained spotter estimated winds between 70 to 80 mph. Power out for 6.5 hours. Several large trees were uprooted, 6 inch branches broken and multiple garbage carts weighting 150 lbs blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 19, 9:52 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 3.49 mi S of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.950, -91.660

A trained spotter reported several large trees uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 19, 9:52 PM CST
Where: Linn County, (Cid)cedar Rapids Ar
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.880, -91.720

The ASOS near Cedar Rapids measured 70 mph winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 19, 9:54 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2.58 mi SE of Covington
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.970, -91.740

A trained spotter reported a large tree down in a yard on Carter street near Plainview and Cedar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: May 19, 9:55 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2.92 mi NW of Atkins
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.010, -91.910

A trained spotter reported tin everywhere, a grain bin in a field, power lines down and several trees 1 foot or greater in diameter uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: May 19, 9:55 PM CST to 10:15 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 2.06 mi W of Watkins
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.880, -92.040

A downburst produced wind damage from the county line 3.5 miles southeast of Blairstown to 2.8 miles southeast of Shellsburg. There was a mile wide swath of near continuous damage to farm outbuildings, tree branches and some power poles. The greatest damage was from 3 miles south of Newhall, where a machine shed and garage were completely destroyed, to about 3 miles northwest of Atkins, where significant damage occurred to outbuildings.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 19, 9:58 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 1.69 mi WNW of Marion
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.040, -91.630

A trained spotter measured 65 mph winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: May 19, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Henry County, 0.87 mi NW of New London
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.930, -91.410

A trained spotter reported a 10 inch partially rotted tree branch blown down at Chestnut and McKinley. A 4 inch health branch was blown down on the road near 300 East Cleveland in New London.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: May 19, 10:04 PM CST to 10:15 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 1.47 mi NNE of Atkins
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.000, -91.860

Wind damage to farm outbuildings in a southwest to northeast path in the Atkins and Shellsburg area. Reported by a Cedar Rapids media employee residing in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Des Moines

When: May 19, 10:07 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.48 mi SSE of Lenox Park
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.810, -91.120

The emergency manager reported live power lines down on a vehicle at 114 South Marshall Street in Burlington.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 19, 10:12 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2.95 mi NNW of Paris
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.270, -91.600

A trained spotter measured 76 mph winds from an anemometer before the equipment broke. Large trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: May 19, 10:15 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 0.86 mi NE of Monticello
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.240, -91.190

Emergency manager reported two trees down in Monticello.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 19, 10:15 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 1.72 mi NE of Robinson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.350, -91.560

The Sheriff's Department reported a camper blown over on top of a truck on 300th Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 19, 10:20 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 0.86 mi NW of Delhi
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.440, -91.340

The emergency manager reported power lines down between Delaware and Delhi and a tree was down across the highway just west of Manchester.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 19, 10:25 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 2.46 mi SW of Baileys Ford Park
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.410, -91.440

The sheriff's department reported a 40 by 50 foot shed had been lifted and dropped onto 180th Avenue.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 19, 10:28 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 0.86 mi SW of Baileys Ford Park
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.420, -91.410

The sheriff's department reported a roof blown off a pole barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: May 19, 10:40 PM CST
Where: Scott County, 1.24 mi NE of Davenport Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 41.630, -90.560

A large tree limb was blown down over power lines near the Davenport Airport.

Hail, Dubuque

When: May 19, 10:42 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 1.72 mi NE of Dubuque
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.520, -90.650

Pea to nickel size reported by a spotter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dubuque

When: May 19, 10:50 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 2.55 mi W of Asbury
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.520, -90.800

A trained spotter measured 60 to 70 mph winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lee

When: May 20, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Lee County, 1.26 mi WNW of Keokuk
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.410, -91.400

The emergency manager reported tree limbs down eastern Lee county.

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.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 2013 Every state in 2013 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, May 2013

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: 447232, 447207, 447208, 447209, 447210, 447211, 447212, 447213, 447214, 447215, 447216, 447237, 447227, 447217, 447233, 447221, 447224, 447218, 447222, 447234, 447220, 447235, 447219, 447236, 447225, 447226, 447272, 447229, 447228, 447230, 447270, 447239, 447238, 447240, 447273, 447250, 447248, 447249, 447276, 447277, and more.