A line of thunderstorms moved east across the area during the early morning hours of Sunday, August 18. Small hail and downed trees were seen in the Cedar Rapids area and in Cedar county.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS DVN wrote it up.
A line of thunderstorms moved east across the area during the early morning hours of Sunday, August 18. Small hail and downed trees were seen in the Cedar Rapids area and in Cedar county. A brief tornado occurred near Grand Mound, IA around 5:30 am as the storms rolled through the region.
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 Aug 18, 2:57 AM CST, 23 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 357 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019 .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 349 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019 Linear MCS is currently approaching northwest CWA, while additional stronger storms have developed over southern IA into northern MO. MCS driven by cold pool dynamics is diving E/SE while southern convection lifting northeastward with the two converging and set to bring much needed rain to a good portion of the area this morning. The convection is occurring ahead of a cold front extending from MN through southeast NE, which will pass through the area later today and evening. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and Tonight) ISSUED AT 349 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019 The cold pool driven linear MCS, and broad warm advection/isentropic ascent in advance should result in good coverage of showers and storms this morning. Despite some favorable severe parameters including 30-40+ kts of effective bulk shear and 2000-3000 j/kg MUCAPE, the time of day /overnight-morning arrival/ will likely limit the severe weather threat. But, that being said isolated severe weather is possible, especially with any mesoscale augmentation via mergers or splits, and terminus of LLJ ahead of line etc. The cold front will move across the CWA this afternoon through early evening, and will be accompanied by at least low chances for additional storms. However, much uncertainty exists with this potential and is tied to how much recovery of airmass occurs in wake of morning activity. This will also make for a very tricky high temperature forecast today. Forecast is staying close to previous days allowing for more PM cloud breaks getting highs back to around 80F or generally range of 80-85F, and low chances for PM/early eve storm. If storms persist longer today then anticipate reduction in both temps and chances for redevelopment ahead of front. If storms quickly diminish, then potential to see increase in highs and better prospects for PM redevelopment. More solar insolation coupled with southwest flow and compressional heating would likely push temps in some areas into the upper 80s to possibly near 90F ahead of the front. This amount of instability in presence of progged 20-30 kts of bulk shear would support an isolated severe storm threat. Have kept low PoPs for much of evening tapering off north to south after midnight. Will have to monitor potential for higher PoPs south if LLJ doesn't veer and remains focused into front as suggested by a couple of models. Cooler and drier air begins to filter in overnight, with lows dipping into the mid/upper 50s northwest CWA. Meanwhile, still hanging onto the warm and humid mid/upper 60s south. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday) ISSUED AT 349 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019 Next cold front is slated to move through on Tuesday. Will be closely monitoring potential for strong/severe storms ahead of front possibly as early as Monday night then into Tuesday, with models depicting moderate instability and seasonably strong mid level winds. The convective trends will loom large on the high temperature forecast Tuesday. Currently have highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s with heat index readings well into the 90s to possibly near 100F. However, trends of the models past several days showing better agreement on storm potential for Tuesday, thus any delta on temperatures would be lower from the looks of it right now. Once this cold front passes, some very nice pleasant weather is anticipated mid into late week as cool Canadian high pressure builds down through the Great Lakes. This will provide low humidity and near to slightly below normal temperatures. Warmer temperatures are then anticipated heading into next weekend, as the high settles over the eastern US and southerly return flow increases on the backside. This will likely lead to a gradual increase in humidity and eventual return of rain chances. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Sunday Night) ISSUED AT 1253 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019 Potentially several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are possible at all TAFs sites overnight into Sunday morning. MVFR ceilings and visibilities are expected with these showers and storms with periods of IFR conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds will be possible with the strongest storms. Conditions are forecast to improve to VFR conds on Sunday. A cold front will arrive Sunday evening with winds becoming northwest with the passage of the front. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...NONE. IL...NONE. MO...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...McClure SHORT TERM...McClure LONG TERM...McClure AVIATION...Haase
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 829 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-190130- 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- 829 PM CDT Sat Aug 17 2019 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...TONIGHT The Storm Prediction Center has a slight risk for severe thunderstorms across the entire outlook area for tonight. Thunderstorms will be likely after midnight into early Sunday morning. Some of the storms could be severe with large hail, damaging winds, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall. An isolated tornado is also possible but there is low confidence. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY On Sunday, there is a marginal risk for severe storms along and to the southeast of a line from Freeport, Illinois to Williamsburg, Iowa. The main threats are strong winds and lightning. The coverage of storms should be low. Peak heat indices on Monday and Tuesday may reach the upper 90s to around 100 degrees in the counties south of Interstate 80. There are chances for thunderstorms Tuesday and Tuesday night. It is too early to determine the risk for severe weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter and amateur radio network activation may be needed after midnight into early Sunday morning. Haase
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
307 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019
IAC011-019-055-113-180900-
Buchanan-Benton-Delaware-Linn-
307 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT BUCHANAN...BENTON...
DELAWARE AND NORTHWESTERN LINN COUNTIES UNTIL 400 AM CDT...
At 306 AM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Sumner to near Reinbeck to near
State Center. Movement was east at 45 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Independence, Vinton, Manchester, Robins, Belle Plaine, Jesup, Center
Point, Atkins, Urbana, Dysart, Fairbank, Palo, Shellsburg, Newhall,
Edgewood, Winthrop, Hazleton, Earlville, Walker and Blairstown.
This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 28 and 55.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms. Minor
flooding of low lying areas, creeks, streams and urban areas is
possible. If you encounter water over a roadway, do not drive through
it.
LAT...LON 4262 9113 4209 9167 4186 9214 4186 9230
4230 9230 4230 9206 4264 9208 4265 9113
TIME...MOT...LOC 0806Z 289DEG 41KT 4281 9201 4232 9249 4195 9317
UttechSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
408 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019
IAC011-095-103-107-113-183-181000-
Keokuk-Johnson-Benton-Washington-Linn-Iowa-
408 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT KEOKUK...JOHNSON...
SOUTHERN BENTON...NORTHERN WASHINGTON...SOUTHERN LINN AND IOWA
COUNTIES UNTIL 500 AM CDT...
At 408 AM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from Palo to near Delta. Movement was east at
50 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marengo, Sigourney, Marion, Coralville,
North Liberty, Hiawatha, Mount Vernon, Williamsburg, Belle Plaine,
Kalona, Lisbon, Fairfax, Solon, Tiffin, Ely, Atkins, Walford and
Wellman.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 205 and 253.
Interstate 380 between mile markers 1 and 26.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms. Minor
flooding of low lying areas, creeks, streams and urban areas is
possible. If you encounter water over a roadway, do not drive through
it.
LAT...LON 4151 9241 4151 9230 4189 9230 4214 9219
4200 9137 4142 9137 4142 9148 4130 9193
4124 9241
TIME...MOT...LOC 0908Z 274DEG 42KT 4208 9183 4125 9238
UttechSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
414 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019
ILC085-IAC011-019-055-061-097-105-113-181000-
Jo Daviess-Jackson-Buchanan-Dubuque-Benton-Jones-Delaware-Linn-
414 AM CDT Sun Aug 18 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN JO
DAVIESS...NORTHWESTERN JACKSON...SOUTHEASTERN BUCHANAN...DUBUQUE...
EAST CENTRAL BENTON...JONES...DELAWARE AND LINN COUNTIES UNTIL 500 AM
CDT...
At 414 AM CDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Luxemburg to near Hopkinton to Palo.
Movement was east at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Anamosa, Manchester, Marion, Hiawatha, Asbury,
Dyersville, Monticello, Robins, Center Point, Cascade, Epworth, East
Dubuque, Farley, Peosta, Central City, Springville, Palo and
Shellsburg.
This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 26 and 41.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms. Minor
flooding of low lying areas, creeks, streams and urban areas is
possible. If you encounter water over a roadway, do not drive through
it.
LAT...LON 4264 9071 4251 9064 4251 9043 4223 9063
4197 9106 4194 9138 4199 9141 4212 9207
4242 9148 4265 9135 4265 9090 4267 9089
TIME...MOT...LOC 0914Z 280DEG 38KT 4266 9106 4236 9129 4208 9178
UttechThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:23 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Several reports of tree damage on the west side of Cedar Rapids, as reported by broadcast media.
Partial roof collapse reported at business with a large warehouse style building.
A large tree was blown down, as reported through social media.
Several small trees were blown down.
One to two inch diameter branches were blown down between Durant and Bennett.
A farm reported seven trees uprooted and laying in the same direction. A small shed was also blown down.
A brief tornado occurred at a farmstead. Numerous tree branches were down, with one tree uprooted. The home had trim and shingle damage, and a window broken. Grass was splattered on the garage and wind driven hail was also noted on west side of home and garage. Maximum winds were estimated to be 85 mph.
Numerous large tree limbs in Scott County Park were reported blown down through photos on social media.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Iowa, 2019Warnings in Iowa, August 2019
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: 849418, 849409, 849412, 849419, 849413, 849414, 849415, 849420, 849416, 849421, 849423, 849424, 849448, 849425.