The hits just kept on rolling, with yet another pair of rounds of strong to severe storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Through much of the end of May, the synoptic setup across the region remained relatively unchanged, including this event.
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.
The hits just kept on rolling, with yet another pair of rounds of strong to severe storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding. Through much of the end of May, the synoptic setup across the region remained relatively unchanged, including this event. Upper level flow continued to be out of the SW, precipitable water values remained in excess of 1.5 inches, and a relatively stationary boundary remained over the area. In addition to that broad setup, MUCAPE values hovered in the 1000-2000 J/kg range, bulk effective shear was supportive in the 40 to 60 kts range, and low level moisture flow continued to move into the area.
The 28th saw two rounds of strong to severe storms move through from the west and southwest, each causing at least a few severe reports and contributing to overall heavy rainfall and eventually flash flooding. Severe reports were generally relegated to west central and southwest Iowa, where storms were strongest and able to utilize the greatest amounts of effective bulk shear, while heavy rainfall and flash flooding prevailed over already wet areas of south-central and southeastern Iowa. Fortunately flash flooding was predominantly relegated to road closures, though some flooding did linger into the 29th.
Note, the morning round of strong to severe storms is covered in another Storm Data event entry (27-28 May 2019).
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 May 27, 10:57 PM CST, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 1157 PM CDT Mon May 27 2019 .DISCUSSION.../Tonight through Monday/ Issued at 357 PM CDT Mon May 27 2019 The main forecast concern is now focused on the Tuesday's severe weather potential. Appears to be two separate time frames for thunderstorm activity with some of the latest hires models (27.12z HREF and 27.16z HRRRx) suggesting the boundary to remain across southern Iowa and reigniting thunderstorms late this evening into the overnight hours. This convection should clear east of the forecast area by 15-18z Tuesday before the upper low moving into the Central Plains brings a good slug of theta-e advection into central Iowa past 21z Tuesday. With the warm front laid up across southern Iowa overnight tonight and the latest ECMWF suggesting this front to nudge further north to about the Highway 30 corridor by Tuesday afternoon. However, there remains disagreement with the 27.12z NAM/GFS as these suggest the warm front to remain in the vicinity of Highway 34 to the Missouri border. Thus, the greatest tornadic threat should be tied to this boundary and southward where the best instability, helicity and low level shear are present. North of the front, there still remains the potential for elevated convection and mainly some large hail and possibly damaging wind threat per the HREF suggesting decent updraft helicity Tuesday afternoon. With the two rounds of convection Tuesday, the heavy rain threat and additional flooding remains a concern. Precipitable water values increase to near 2 inches by Tuesday afternoon over southern Iowa and with this area remaining saturated from recent rains, certainly need to consider additional flash flood headlines depending on where the warm front sets up tomorrow. Wednesday...the upper low remains cutoff or blocked from the deep low pressure trough over the Great Lakes. This looks to provide some additional thunderstorm and possibly severe threat on Wednesday. Per the GFS, the surface low does track into western Iowa Wednesday afternoon and pulls the warm front to the Interstate 80 corridor. Strong deep layer and low-level shear and instability looks to have a chance to increase throughout the day Wednesday over southern Iowa. The NAM is a further east with the surface low and wants to bring the cold front across the forecast area during the daytime Wednesday and providing subsidence by the afternoon hours except for the southeast. Lastly, the ECMWF is northeast with the surface low and quicker than the GFS, so the continuity in the models is not great and low confidence in deciphering where and when severe weather may occur on Wednesday. Thursday through Sunday...the aforementioned upper level low finally weakens as it moves east Thursday but there is enough forcing and moisture present to keep thunderstorm chances going. Upper level ridge builds over the region Friday and persists into the weekend providing relatively dry weather. There are a few weak shortwaves to try and bring rain chances into the state over the weekend, but low confidence in pinpointing the timing and location. && .AVIATION.../For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Tuesday night/ Issued at 1157 PM CDT Mon May 27 2019 Low MVFR to IFR ceilings are expected overnight across central and northern Iowa. These will lift somewhat on Tuesday but with the threat of showers and storms throughout, will never really get rid of MVFR to IFR conditions altogether. Surface winds will become easterly on Tuesday with the threat of severe convection by afternoon and evening across the state. && .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE. && DISCUSSION...Podrazik AVIATION...Cogil
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Des Moines IA 352 PM CDT Mon May 27 2019 IAZ006-007-016-017-023-025>028-033-034-036>038-044>046-048-057- 058-061-062-070>074-081>085-092>097-282100- Winnebago-Worth-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-Pocahontas-Wright-Franklin- Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Crawford-Carroll- Greene-Story-Audubon-Guthrie-Jasper-Poweshiek-Cass-Adair-Madison- Warren-Marion-Adams-Union-Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Taylor-Ringgold- Decatur-Wayne-Appanoose-Davis- 352 PM CDT Mon May 27 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight A few thunderstorms may be seen across portions of southern Iowa this evening with the potential for hail and strong winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Thunderstorms are likely Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night. Tornadoes are possible, along with large hail and damaging winds. Heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding concerns. Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening. At this time, the threat for severe weather with these storms is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening, and again Tuesday afternoon and evening. IAZ004-005-015-024-035-039-047-049-050-059-060-075-086-282100- Emmet-Kossuth-Palo Alto-Humboldt-Webster-Black Hawk-Boone- Marshall-Tama-Dallas-Polk-Mahaska-Wapello- 352 PM CDT Mon May 27 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight River Flood Watches and Warnings are in effect for parts of the area. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for further details. A few thunderstorms may be seen across portions of southern Iowa this evening with the potential for hail and strong winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday River Flood Warnings are in effect for parts of the area. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for further details. Thunderstorms are likely Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night. Tornadoes are possible, along with large hail and damaging winds. Heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding concerns. Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening. At this time, the threat for severe weather with these storms is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening, and again Tuesday afternoon and evening. CURTIS
The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 127 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:29 UTC.
9 flash flood, 7 flood, 3 heavy rain, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Trained spotter reported heavy rainfall of 2.20 inches so far today, and 1.7 inches since 330pm. Beginning time estimated from radar.
Trained spotter reported heavy rainfall of 3.22 inches. Beginning time estimated from radar.
Trained spotter reported some small hail and heavy rainfall of 2.05 inches since 7am.
Water was reported over 120th St just east of Highway 25 near the Freedom Rock, which was overflow from the Middle River. Several gravel roads were flooded in and around the Middle River across Adair County.
Public reported nickel to quarter sized hail in addition to very heavy rainfall near Attica.
Trained spotter reported ping pong ball sized hail.
Law enforcement reported flowing water over both lanes of Highway 63 at mile marker 53 just south of Eddyville. Depth unknown at the time.
Iowa DOT reported that Monroe County is closing 614th Ave due to water over the road.
Iowa DOT reported that Monroe County was closing 602nd Ave near Cedar Creek.
WHO TV reported water over the road on Highway 2 east of Promise City.
Emergency manager reported that several secondary roads in Monroe and Davis Counties have water over them and will be barricaded and closed. Debris in streams also a concern for damaging culverts.
Emergency manager reported that several secondary roads in Monroe and Davis Counties have water over them and will be barricaded and closed. Debris in streams also a concern for damaging culverts.
Law enforcement reported water covering 317th street between Orange and Montana.
Law enforcement reported water over the road near Highway 5 and T30 blocking poeple from leaving their residences.
Law enforcement reported high water on Highway 2 underneath the railroad overpass.
The Muchakinock Creek gauge went into flood during the evening hours on the 28th and continued into the early afternoon hours of the 29th. Water goes over the road on Highway 92 west of Oskaloosa when it is flooding.
The Muchakinock Creek gauge went into flood during the evening hours on the 28th and continued into the early afternoon hours of the 29th. Water goes over the road on Highway 92 west of Oskaloosa when it is flooding.
Emergency manager reported multiple secondary secondary roads remained under water or closed, a few culverts known to be damaged or destroyed, and one rural wood truss bridge lost in Davis County from the rainfall and subsequent overland and river flooding yesterday. The Fox River rose over 15 feet in 5 hours at Bloomfield. A rural truss wooden bridge was damaged.
Emergency manager reported multiple secondary roads remained under water or closed and a few culverts damaged or destroyed in Appanoose County from the heavy rainfall and subsequent overland and river flooding.
Emergency manager reported multiple secondary roads remained under water or closed in Monroe County from the heavy rainfall yesterday and subsequent overland and river flooding.
Emergency manager reported multiple secondary roads remained under water or closed in Lucas County from the heavy rainfall and subsequent overland and river flooding.
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, May 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: 822613, 822614, 822612, 826919, 822617, 822619, 824312, 824321, 824322, 826913, 824324, 826914, 824325, 824326, 824327, 827217, 827226, 824328, 824329, 824330, 826918.