Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are not uncommon throughout the spring and summer months, but given the very wet spring across Iowa, soils were primed and unable to hold copious amounts of new rainfall. 75 inches, and other marginal supporting factors.
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 DMX wrote it up.
Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are not uncommon throughout the spring and summer months, but given the very wet spring across Iowa, soils were primed and unable to hold copious amounts of new rainfall. The overall setup for this event was somewhat typical with a shortwave moving through the parent flow, and 850 mb low level jet aiding in convective initiation and moisture transport, precipitable water values around 1.5 to 1.75 inches, and other marginal supporting factors.
Convection initiated across portions of southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas late in the evening on the 20th and quickly propagated eastward through the overnight and morning hours. Eventually, two decaying waves of storms moved through portions of western Iowa and predominantly provided small hail and efficient heavy rainfall. A few locations reported as much as 3 to 5 inches of rainfall, which helped initiate flash flooding in the area.
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 Jun 21, 2:10 AM CST, 1 hour 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 310 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019 .DISCUSSION.../Today through Thursday/ Issued at 310 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019 MCS currently ongoing across south central Nebraska with additional activity developing further west as a 50+ kt low level jet(LLJ) continues to fuel the storms. The LLJ will shift further east this morning and will bring increasing instability to southwest Iowa and should help the MCS to maintain intensity as it reaches central and south central Iowa. Several of the CAM solutions are weakening the currently leading edge of the thunderstorms with the western new development overtaking the lead storms as it reaches the forecast area. Another area of storms may develop in advance of the MCS into central Iowa where increasing elevated instability along a stronger push of theta-e advection centered around 750 mb. These storms could develop a large hail threat given increasing instability and steepening lapse rates aloft. These storms should rapidly move east through the area this morning but could produce local rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches. Another concern that is being hinted at by the CAMs and fits the situation is the development of a wake low this morning with the most favored region being north of Highway 30. The threat for a broad area of easterly winds in excess of 50 kts will be the primary threat. Should the wake low develop, a High Wind Warning may be necessary. CAM solutions continue to suggest quick thunderstorm redevelopment this afternoon in central and south central Iowa. There seems to be a narrow window for this to occur before the elevated mixed layer(EML) intensifies and caps the region. Model raw precipitation chances look much too high later this afternoon and into the early evening with the EML in place. A more plausible scenario is increasing saturation below the EML that could lead to broad stratus development and possibly drizzle. For this reason, have also lowered high temperatures today with the low level saturation not allowing for much warming. Thus after this mornings convection, the severe weather threat is quite conditional. The LLJ cranks back up towards midnight and combined with the arrival of another impulse lifting through the southwest flow, may be sufficient for additional thunderstorm development. The EML intensifies once again late tonight into Saturday and may maintain much of the day and keep the area storm free. Do have chance pops in the forecast but that is to mainly capture and potential development late in the afternoon. A more likely scenario is redevelop again overnight as another strong short wave arrives along with the increasing LLJ. The primary upper level system will eject out of the intermountain west Sunday and Sunday night and will bring additional showers and thunderstorms to the state, possibly lingering into Monday morning. This activity could produce additional severe storms and locally heavy rainfall. The heaviest rainfall potential today through Sunday night is still projected over the southern half of Iowa where 1 to 3 inches of rain are possible with the usual locally higher amounts. Conditions for efficient rainfall rates are possible at times during the period with PWATs increasing to near 2 inches at times along with warm cloud depths over 12 kft. Therefore, despite the general rainfall amounts mentioned, a few areas with heavy rainfall rates could experience flash flooding and rises on local streams. Little chance beyond Monday. The biggest feature for the extending is the building upper ridge into the Central and Northern Plains which likely will bring more summer like heat to the state by the mid to late part of the week. High temperatures in the 90s certainly will be possible across portions of the state. && .AVIATION.../For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night/ Issued at 1128 PM CDT Thu Jun 20 2019 Thunderstorms currently over southern Nebraska and northern Kansas will truck eastward quickly overnight with possible development ahead of this main line over central Iowa in the next few hours. Have VCSH wording for the latter with prevailing TSRA around the most likely time of thunderstorms for the former. Impacts with storms should range from MVFR to IFR restrictions if not lower at times. These storms may also have locally strong wind gusts, though that is not in the official forecast. 12z TAFs will further refine these impacts along with any necessary amendments. Once this line of storms moves out of the area toward midday Friday, additional showers and storms are possible trending from southern into northern Iowa with time in the afternoon and overnight hours. This was all handled with VCSH to avoid a prolonged period of thunder. && .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && DISCUSSION...Donavon AVIATION...Ansorge
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Des Moines IA 349 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019 IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075- 081>086-092>097-220900- Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo- Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun- Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Crawford-Carroll-Greene- Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper- Poweshiek-Cass-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Adams-Union- Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-Wayne- Appanoose-Davis- 349 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight Thunderstorms will move across the area this morning. Quarter sized hail and damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph are possible. Additional storms are possible especially especially over southern Iowa late this afternoon and overnight with a few severe storms possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Additional rounds of storms are anticipated over the weekend mainly Saturday night into Monday. A few severe storms and locally heavy rainfall will be possible during the period. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation might be needed at times over the next several days.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Des Moines IA 414 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019 IAZ033-034-045-210945- Calhoun IA-Sac IA-Carroll IA- 414 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019 ...Nickel Hail Possible... At 414 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles southeast of Black Hawk Lake, or 9 miles north of Carroll, moving northeast at 30 mph. Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Carroll, Lake City, Lake View, Black Hawk Lake, Breda, Auburn, Lidderdale, Yetter, Sac City Municipal Airport and Blackhawk Lake State Park. LAT...LON 4206 9482 4219 9509 4241 9497 4232 9466 TIME...MOT...LOC 0914Z 204DEG 24KT 4220 9491 Beerends
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
417 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019
IAZ059-060-072-073-210945-
Polk IA-Madison IA-Dallas IA-Warren IA-
417 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019
...NICKEL HAIL POSSIBLE...
At 417 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles west of Adel to near Waukee to near
Norwalk. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Waukee,
Norwalk, Grimes, Adel, Windsor Heights, Carlisle, Dallas Center,
Southridge Mall, Jordan Creek Town Center, Merle Hay Mall, Iowa
Events Center, Principal Park, Des Moines Int'l Airport, Drake
Stadium And Knapp Center and Valley West Mall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 AM CDT for
central and south central Iowa.
LAT...LON 4181 9407 4168 9370 4147 9347 4134 9372
4153 9391 4162 9424
TIME...MOT...LOC 0917Z 227DEG 24KT 4163 9414 4156 9390 4143 9376
BeerendsSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
437 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019
IAZ033-211000-
Sac IA-
437 AM CDT Fri Jun 21 2019
...NICKEL HAIL POSSIBLE...
At 437 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northeast of Odebolt, or 10 miles west of Sac City, moving
northeast at 20 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Sac City, Lake View, Black Hawk Lake, Wall Lake, Schaller, Early,
Nemaha, Wall Lake Municipal Airport and Blackhawk Lake State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 4253 9539 4256 9538 4256 9508 4245 9495
4223 9507 4238 9532 4247 9532 4248 9539
TIME...MOT...LOC 0937Z 205DEG 18KT 4241 9520
BeerendsThe Des Moines radar (KDMX), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:02 UTC.
4 flash flood, 2 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Sheriff Deputy from Calhoun County measured 4.8 inches of heavy rainfall from his rain gauge. Location is estimated, but reported to be 3 miles south of Lake City along the North Raccoon River. Beginning time estimated.
Trained spotter reported heavy rainfall of 2.75 inches from Thursday night into Friday morning. This is a delayed report. Beginning time estimated.
Calhoun County Sheriff reported water over the road at the junction of Highway 4 and Highway 175 east of Lake City.
Law enforcement reported several roads in Boone barricaded earlier due to heavy rainfall. Water has receded now.
Emergency management reported flash flooding at Lincoln Way and Duff Ave, and along E Lincoln Way at S Dayton Ave.
Local law enforcement reported road closure due to flooding near the intersection of Easter Ave and 170th St.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, June 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: 832529, 832530, 832525, 832527, 832526, 832528.