Temperatures averaged 4 to 6 degrees above normal, and precipitation varied between 25 and 75 percent of normal across Northwest Iowa during June. This led to no improvement in drought status.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 FSD wrote it up.
Temperatures averaged 4 to 6 degrees above normal, and precipitation varied between 25 and 75 percent of normal across Northwest Iowa during June. This led to no improvement in drought status.
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 Sioux Falls, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 31, 9:37 PM CST, 2 hours 23 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 1037 PM CDT Mon May 31 2021 .SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Tuesday) Issued at 244 PM CDT Mon May 31 2021 As expected, current satellite is showing a cumulus field developing along a boundary located roughly from Yankton to Spencer this afternoon. Still looking at a few sprinkles possible across the southeastern portion of the CWA this afternoon as a weak shortwave slides over the area in the presence of weak instability. Do not expected measurable rain at this point with soundings indicating a lot of dry air that would have to be overcome. Any sprinkles will come to an end toward sunset as daytime heating is lost, while the aforementioned boundary washes out tonight. Otherwise, a dome of surface high pressure will remain parked over the region for tonight. Winds will again become light overnight, and cannot completely rule out patchy fog, though most guidance is not suggesting that at this point in time. If it were to occur, it appears that portions of northwestern IA would have the greater risk with dewpoint depressions lowest over that area. Temperatures tonight will again be in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Not much change for Tuesday with thermal profiles similar to today. Highs will run in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Soundings would indicate that winds will not be quite as gusty on Tuesday. While mixing will be equivalent to today, boundary layer winds look weaker. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday Night through Monday) Issued at 244 PM CDT Mon May 31 2021 Another upper level shortwave tracks over the region for Tuesday night and Wednesday, though latest model guidance keeps our area mainly dry. There are still some hints that there could be a few sprinkles or a very light shower on Wednesday afternoon with daytime heating/weak instability, but it would be insignificant at this point with drier air again winning out. The main story for the end of the week and into the weekend is gradually warming temperatures and increasing dewpoints as an upper level ridge builds over the region. There is strong support from ensembles that much above normal temperatures will be the rule with highs into the upper 80s to lower 90s for Thursday through next Monday. With the strong ridge in place, precipitation will be unlikely through the period. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Tuesday night) Issued at 1036 PM CDT Mon May 31 2021 Quiet overnight period with some very patchy shallow ground fog possible in NW Iowa and NE Nebraska, but have left mention out of the SUX TAF as confidence remains low. The light and variable winds will become southerly/southwesterly by late morning, with mostly clear skies expected throughout the day as a cumulus field will likely develop. Areas near Huron could see a bit more cloud coverage as some showers will likely pass by to the west and north in the afternoon. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...NONE. MN...NONE. IA...NONE. NE...NONE. && SHORT TERM...JM LONG TERM...JM AVIATION...APT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 425 PM CDT Mon May 31 2021 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-012130- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory- Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook- Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton- Union- 425 PM CDT Mon May 31 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Much warmer weather is expected across the area Friday through Sunday with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Severe (D2) drought continued through June. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, June 2021
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: 962577, 962578, 962580, 962581, 962582, 962583, 962584, 962585, 962586.