Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, March 5, 2022

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, March 5, 2022
Start: 2022-03-05T14:06
End: 2022-03-05T18:42
Location: Iowa

March 5, 2022 · NWS DMX · 36 events in 14 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: 7
Injuries: 6
Property damage: $223 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 36

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 DMX wrote it up.

On March 5, 2022 a total of 15 tornadoes occurred across the state of Iowa as a warm front lifted across the area. Supercells initially developed across southwest Iowa in the vicinity of the triple point of the surface low with strong, rotating updrafts. Longevity was initially lacking with the storms, producing funnel clouds, brief tornadoes, and hail in southwest Iowa. As the cells moved northeast and matured, larger hail began to fall with golf ball sized hail falling in Adams county and baseball sized hail into Adair county. Following this period of large hail the storms produced a tornado which would remain on the ground for just over 70 miles, carving a path across central Iowa from southwest of Winterset to just northeast of Newton. The tornado peaked in Winterset, Iowa, producing EF-4 damage with wind speeds estimated near 170 mph. The tornado continued across the southern portion of the Des Moines metro area and to Newton. This is the furthest north EF-4 tornado in the CONUS this early in the year on record, the first EF-4 tornado in Iowa since October 4, 2013 which occurred in Woodbury and Cherokee Counties, and is the second longest tornado in Iowa since 1980, behind the longest occurring on June 7, 1984 at a length of 117 miles across southern Iowa. As the storm skimmed the southern Des Moines metro, cells across south central became tornadic, producing several destructive tornadoes including an EF-3 tornado in Chariton, Iowa. This heartbreaking day resulted in seven fatalities, six in Winterset and one in Chariton, making it the deadliest tornado outbreak in Iowa since 2008. At 15 tornadoes, this is also one of the earliest outbreaks of this magnitude to occur so early in the season.

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 Des Moines, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 5, 11:38 AM CST, 2 hours 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 5, 11:38 AM CST, 2 hours 28 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1138 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

...Updated for the 18z Aviation Discussion...

.SHORT TERM.../Today through Tonight/
Issued at 415 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

Key Messages:
-- Showers, elevated storms through around early afternoon with any
   severe risk being hail
-- Higher risk of severe weather starting mid-afternoon into
   early this evening - tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, hail all
   possible
-- Period of gusty winds after the storms tonight

Current radar echoes show scattered rain showers with embedded
thunderstorms, mainly impacting central Iowa early this morning as
the low level jet remains prominent. Overall storms stayed below
severe criteria, with periods of downpours at times and isolated
radar-indicated under half-inch hail. Showers with embedded
thunderstorms are expected to continue through much of the morning
today as the warm sector of the low pressure system continues to
push through the state. Elevated hail looks to be the main threat
through the morning to early afternoon. The main concern for
possible severe weather arrives towards the afternoon to early
evening, as the surface low moves over the state. Model soundings
suggest the presence of steep lapse rates with high shear during
this period, however instability needed is in question as this will
depend on cloud cover through the day. The SPC HREF suggests some
clearing in cloud cover across southwest Iowa into the afternoon
hours that would tap into this instability along the dryline. Will
have to watch how conditions evolve through the day and will make
adjustments as needed. Main threats with any surface based
convection that results, if conditions are met, would be hail,
damaging wind gusts, and potentially a few tornadoes. As the cold
front arrives through the evening, temperatures will drop from west
to east. This strong cold air advection will bring windy conditions
as the tightened gradient slides across the region. After
coordinating with neighboring offices, have decided to issue a Wind
Advisory across much of central and southern Iowa from 00z tonight
through 09z Sunday. Most precipitation will have exited the state by
the end of the evening. However a transition to a brief period of
freezing rain may be possible through the early morning Sunday
across northern Iowa with no accumulations. All precipitation is
expected to move out of the state by sunrise Sunday, with attention
turning to the next system later in the day.

&&

.LONG TERM.../Sunday through Friday/
Issued at 415 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

Key Messages:
-- Mainly snow Sunday night into Monday, particularly
   southeastern Iowa
-- Another bout of wintry precipitation Thursday followed by
   unseasonably cold air

Details: A shortwave trough will be ejecting from the central
Rockies Sunday evening and there will be a stalled boundary well
south of Iowa stretching from the southern Plains into the Ozarks.
Moisture will be overrunning this boundary with isentropic lift in
the 295-305K layer and low level QG convergence will move from the
central Plains into Missouri and southern and central Iowa. This
will lead to moistening of the profile per forecast soundings and
yield rain over the southeastern forecast area and snow elsewhere
Sunday evening. As temperatures cool, should see predominately snow.
However, there are forecast soundings that show intermittent ice
lose, which would result in brief bouts of freezing rain over
southeastern areas late Sunday night into Monday morning. Icing
would be generally a glaze to a few hundredths. As the shortwave
trough moves over and east of the region on Monday, subsidence and
profile drying will bring an end to the wintry precipitation Monday
morning. Snow ratios will be below 10:1 initially, but will increase
as colder air filters in and end above in the 12-13:1 range. Snow
accumulations are expected to largely be around 1 inch or less
across much of the area. The exception may be over southeastern and
far south central Iowa where WPC superensemble shows closer to an
1.5 to 2 inches. However, this will somewhat depend on what amount
of wintry mix occurs, which will lower. Current forecast is below
the above over the south central and southeastern areas so will need
to monitor precipitation type over the next 24 to 36 hours to
possibly adjust snow amounts up.

High pressure will move spread into the region from the west later
Monday through Tuesday departing on Wednesday. It's departure will
be aided by a southward diving cold front on Wednesday, which will
lose its momentum and stall over Iowa. As surface low pressure moves
out from the Colorado Rockies and rides along the front ahead of a
longwave, positively tilted trough over the western US, increasing
low level thermal lift and QG convergence will overspread the state.
This will result in precipitation that will be largely snow, but
could be rain at times during the day over southern portions of the
state. The low will pass southeast of the state, though the CMC and
ECMWF are closer to Iowa than the GFS. At least breezy winds should
result later Thursday into Thursday night, which will bring
unusually cold air for March into the state with highs 15 to 20
degrees below normal to end the week.

&&

.AVIATION.../For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon/
Issued at 1138 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

Scattered thunderstorms and areas of low ceilings will produce
periodic IFR or lower conditions at the terminals this afternoon
and evening, which are described using VC and TEMPO groups in the
18Z TAFs. Amendments are likely based on short term convective
trends. The storms will move out around 00-02Z or so, after which
lingering MVFR ceilings will affect primarily the northern
terminals tonight before clearing out. Strong WNW winds are also
forecast overnight and may create LLWS and crosswind issues on
some runways, especially those with N-S orientation.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 339 PM CST Fri Mar 4 2022

Little has changed from previous thinking with respect to river
concerns. With event QPF generally a half inch to an inch,
possibly isolated 1"+, RFC ensemble and contingency forecasts
suggest within bank rises. Even with frost still in the ground and
enhancing runoff, dry soils in Abnormally Dry to Moderate Drought
areas will likely not produce sufficient runoff to reach flood
stage. However, within bank rises may still increase the potential
for ice jams, especially in more typical areas, so localized
flooding would still be possible in those locations early next
week.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 3 AM CST Sunday for
IAZ034>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-081>086-092>097.

&&

SHORT TERM...Bury/Ansorge
LONG TERM...Ansorge
AVIATION...Lee
HYDROLOGY...Small

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 5, 12:25 PM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1225 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057-058-070-061830-
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-Cass-
1225 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

There is a slight risk for severe weather later this afternoon
into early this evening. Damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, and hail
will be possible during this timeframe.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Rainfall from the Saturday storms will runoff into area rivers
and cause within bank rises. Where river ice remains, particularly
over northern Iowa, it is possible ice jams could develop and
cause localized flooding Sunday or early next week.

A wintry mix and snow is possible Sunday night into Monday. At
least minor snow accumulations are possible with the highest
confidence in accumulations over southeastern Iowa.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed this afternoon and early evening.

IAZ059>062-071>075-081>086-092>097-061830-
Dallas-Polk-Jasper-Poweshiek-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-
Adams-Union-Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-
Wayne-Appanoose-Davis-
1225 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

There is an enhanced risk for severe weather later this afternoon
into early this evening. Damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, and hail
will be possible during this timeframe.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for central and southern Iowa
tonight. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at
weather.gov/desmoines for further details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Rainfall from the Saturday storms will runoff into area rivers
and cause within bank rises. Where river ice remains, particularly
over northern Iowa, it is possible ice jams could develop and
cause localized flooding Sunday or early next week.

A wintry mix and snow is possible Sunday night into Monday. At
least minor snow accumulations are possible with the highest
confidence in accumulations over southeastern Iowa.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed this afternoon and early evening.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 5, 9:25 AM CST, 4 hours 41 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
925 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

IAZ083-084-094-095-051615-
Clarke IA-Lucas IA-Wayne IA-Decatur IA-
925 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Lucas, northern
Decatur, northern Wayne and eastern Clarke Counties through 1015 AM
CST...

At 924 AM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Leon, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Chariton.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 15 and 38.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4088 9398 4111 9376 4116 9351 4116 9325
      4082 9310 4065 9370
TIME...MOT...LOC 1524Z 230DEG 52KT 4080 9367

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Krull

Special weather statement, Mar 5, 9:49 AM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
949 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

IAZ074-084-085-051615-
Marion IA-Lucas IA-Monroe IA-
949 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Monroe,
eastern Lucas and southeastern Marion Counties through 1015 AM CST...

At 949 AM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Chariton, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of western Monroe,
eastern Lucas and southeastern Marion Counties, including the
following locations... Marysville, Melrose, Lovilia and Hamilton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4110 9323 4131 9300 4102 9276 4090 9306
      4090 9314
TIME...MOT...LOC 1549Z 237DEG 47KT 4095 9328

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Krull

Special weather statement, Mar 5, 12:51 PM CST, 1 hour 15 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
1251 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

IAZ058-059-071-072-081-082-051915-
Guthrie IA-Adams IA-Adair IA-Union IA-Madison IA-Dallas IA-
1251 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Madison, northwestern Union, southeastern Guthrie, northeastern
Adams, southwestern Dallas and Adair Counties through 115 PM CST...

At 1250 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Greenfield, moving northeast at 65 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Greenfield around 1255 PM CST.
  Stuart around 110 PM CST.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Earlham.

This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 85 and 110.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4108 9449 4119 9469 4171 9432 4146 9387
TIME...MOT...LOC 1850Z 214DEG 56KT 4122 9452

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Krull

Special weather statement, Mar 5, 1:10 PM CST, 56 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
110 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

IAZ059-060-072-073-051945-
Polk IA-Madison IA-Dallas IA-Warren IA-
110 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Polk, northeastern
Madison, southeastern Dallas and northwestern Warren Counties through
145 PM CST...

At 110 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Winterset, moving northeast at 65 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Norwalk, Des Moines Int'l Airport, Valley West Mall and Jordan
  Creek Town Center around 125 PM CST.
  West Des Moines, Johnston, Clive, Windsor Heights, Drake Stadium
  And Knapp Center, Iowa Events Center, Principal Park, Merle Hay
  Mall and Southridge Mall around 130 PM CST.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Des Moines, Ankeny,
Pleasant Hill, Saylorville, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Altoona,
Bondurant, Prairie Meadows and Adventureland Amusement Park.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 35 between mile markers 54 and 72, and between mile
markers 87 and 94.
 Interstate 80 between mile markers 114 and 146.
 Interstate 235 between mile markers 1 and 14.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4134 9409 4184 9371 4163 9335 4160 9335
      4160 9333 4156 9333 4124 9392
TIME...MOT...LOC 1910Z 220DEG 56KT 4136 9392

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Krull

Special weather statement, Mar 5, 1:37 PM CST, 29 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
137 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

IAZ060-061-052000-
Jasper IA-Polk IA-
137 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Polk
and western Jasper Counties through 200 PM CST...

At 137 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pleasant Hill, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Bondurant around 140 PM CST.
  Mitchellville around 145 PM CST.
  Colfax and Prairie City around 150 PM CST.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Newton, Baxter and
Iowa Speedway.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 80 between mile markers 140 and 170.
 Interstate 235 between mile markers 10 and 13.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4161 9290 4151 9339 4150 9341 4150 9342
      4151 9342 4150 9344 4151 9344 4151 9353
      4161 9362 4186 9311
TIME...MOT...LOC 1937Z 237DEG 49KT 4158 9346

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Krull

Special weather statement, Mar 5, 1:51 PM CST, 15 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
151 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

IAZ048-049-061-052015-
Story IA-Jasper IA-Marshall IA-
151 PM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Story,
Marshall and northwestern Jasper Counties through 215 PM CST...

At 151 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Baxter, or 10 miles northwest of Newton, moving northeast at 75 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Baxter around 155 PM CST.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Marshalltown.

This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 154 and 160.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4165 9322 4174 9335 4221 9311 4221 9277
      4217 9277 4217 9276 4211 9277 4187 9277
TIME...MOT...LOC 1951Z 225DEG 65KT 4178 9322

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Krull

The radar

The Des Moines radar (KDMX), 67 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:06 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 tornado, 14 hail, 2 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Marshall

When: March 5, 2:06 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 0.86 mi SE of Haverhill
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.940, -92.960

Social media picture of quarter sized hail.

Hail, Adams

When: March 5, 3:27 PM CST
Where: Adams County, Nodaway
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.930, -94.880

Quarter to ping pong ball sized hail reported southeast of Nodaway, Iowa.

Tornado, Adams

When: March 5, 3:38 PM CST to 3:40 PM CST
Where: Adams County, 2.08 mi ESE of Brooks to 2.6 mi SSE of Corning Muni Arpt
Rating: EFU
Path length: 1.48 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.934, -94.786

Storm chaser video and high resolution satellite imagery both indicate a brief tornado to the southwest of Corning. The tornado remained in rural open fields and interacted with no damage indicators, hence the EFU rating.

Hail, Adair

When: March 5, 3:54 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 2.6 mi W of Orient
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.200, -94.470

Hail report of 1.5 inches west of Orient, Iowa via Spotter Network.

Hail, Adams

When: March 5, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Adams County, 4.18 mi S of Williamson
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.090, -94.580

Hail report of 1.75 inches north of Prescott, Iowa via Spotter Network.

Funnel Cloud, Cass

When: March 5, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 1.25 mi ESE of Cumberland
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.260, -94.860

Multiple storm chaser reports of a funnel cloud southeast of Cumberland, IA.

Tornado, Adams

When: March 5, 4:01 PM CST to 4:04 PM CST
Where: Adams County, 4.45 mi S of Nevinville to 4.54 mi SE of Nevinville
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.05 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Continued into: Union, Ia (DMX)
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.086, -94.508

Storm Chaser video and high resolution satellite imagery provide solid evidence for this tornado. This tornado began just north of 150th street west of P13 and moved east northeast. It destroyed a small outbuilding shortly after developing and then remained mostly in rural cropland. It did produce some minor damage to a farmstead on the county line road before entering Union county.

Tornado, Union

When: March 5, 4:04 PM CST to 4:05 PM CST
Where: Union County, 4.55 mi N of Cromwell to 4.81 mi N of Cromwell
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.79 mi
Path width: 80 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.096, -94.471

This tornado moved into Union county from Adams county. The tornado remained in rural cropland for its short path in Adams county. Not encountering any damage indicators in the county, it was rated EFU.

Hail, Adair

When: March 5, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 2.08 mi E of Fisk
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.200, -94.490

Hail report of 1 inch via spotter network west of Orient.

Hail, Union

When: March 5, 4:07 PM CST
Where: Union County, 3.71 mi W of Spaulding
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.140, -94.450

Delayed Report. Golf ball to baseball hail reported. Report of numerous migratory birds killed by hail. Time estimated by radar.

Hail, Adair

When: March 5, 4:08 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 2.08 mi SW of Orient
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.180, -94.450

Report via mping.

Hail, Adair

When: March 5, 4:12 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 0.86 mi NW of Orient
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.210, -94.430

Two inch hail reported.

Hail, Adair

When: March 5, 4:12 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 0.52 mi E of Orient
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.200, -94.410

Trained spotter report of 2 inch hail in Orient, Iowa.

Hail, Adair

When: March 5, 4:12 PM CST
Where: Adair County, Orient
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 41.200, -94.420

Storm chaser report of baseball size hail accompanied with significant damage to vehicles via twitter.

Hail, Adair

When: March 5, 4:13 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 2.5 mi WNW of Zion
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.220, -94.360

Spotter report of ongoing tennis ball hail east northeast of Orient.

Funnel Cloud, Adair

When: March 5, 4:17 PM CST
Where: Adair County, 1.25 mi ESE of Zion
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.190, -94.300

Trained spotter report of a funnel cloud 6 miles west southwest of Macksburg, IA.

Tornado, Madison

When: March 5, 4:26 PM CST to 4:59 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 1.44 mi NW of Macksburg to 3.41 mi N of Bevington
Rating: EF4
Path length: 24.86 mi
Path width: 900 yd
Continued into: Warren, Ia (DMX)
Deaths: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $75 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.233, -94.201

This is the first segment of this devastating tornado which passed through four counties including Madison, Warren, Polk and Jasper. The tornado began northwest of Macksburg in western Madision county. The tornado remained in mostly rural cropland and wooded areas of western Madison county. The tornado passed through Pammel State Park southwest of Winterset producing extensive tree damage as the tornado continued to widen into a wedge tornado. Upon exiting the park, the tornado travelled along Carver Road. Several residential homes were extensively damaged or destroyed along Carver Road and six deaths occurred along this stretch of road. The tornado was at peak intensity at this time with EF4 damage occurring west of the intersection of Carver Road and Highway 169 with a house completely destoyed and removed from the foundation. After departing the Carver Road corridor, the tornado progressed just southeast of Winterset and eventually passed east of town and crossing State Highway 92. Damage in these areas was primarily to trees and outbuildings although a few homes were also impacted with mostly EF1 to EF2 damage. From Highway 92 to where the tornado exited the county, it remained mostly in rural cropland and wooded areas with numerous trees impacted. The tornado then moved into Warren county from Madison county.

Hail, Madison

When: March 5, 4:49 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 4.16 mi SW of Earlham
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.460, -94.190

Report from mping.

Tornado, Warren

When: March 5, 4:59 PM CST to 5:16 PM CST
Where: Warren County, 1.69 mi NW of Churchville to 2.89 mi N of Scotch Ridge
Rating: EF2
Path length: 12.8 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Continued into: Polk, Ia (DMX)
Property damage: $20 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.419, -93.791

This is a continuation of the tornado which started in Madison county and passed into Warren county. The tornado remained very broad with a maximum width of up to 500 yards at times. Video evidence supports a multi-vortex circulation with the tornado across much of Warren county. The tornado cross Interstate 35 shortly after entering the county but fortunately, no vehicles were impacted. The tornado remained in rural areas to the west southwest of Norwalk producing mostly tree and outbuilding damage. The tornado passed along the southeast edge of Norwalk producing EF0 to EF1 damage along Coolidge Street and along Highway G14 near Warrior Run Golf Course. The tornado crossed Highway 5 just west of the intersections of Highway 5 and Highway 69 approaching the southeast side of Des Moines. The tornado entered into Polk county shortly after crossing Highway 69 near the intersection of Highway 69 and Indianola Avenue.

Tornado, Decatur

When: March 5, 5:07 PM CST to 5:20 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 2.34 mi NNE of Leon to 2.78 mi SSE of Le Roy
Rating: EF2
Path length: 9.81 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Continued into: Wayne, Ia (DMX)
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.760, -93.708

This tornado passed through three counties including Decatur, Wayne and Lucas. The tornado developed east of Leon in central Decatur county and headed northeast. The torndo remained in rural areas of the county for the duration of its path. Damage was primarily to broken power poles, although residential house damage was also noted. A roof was removed from a house just east of Garden Grove producing EF2 damage with other damage to nearby outbuildings also noted. The tornado exited into Wayne county just north of 140th Street.

Tornado, Polk

When: March 5, 5:16 PM CST to 5:33 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 2.73 mi WSW of Avon to 1.77 mi ENE of Des Moines Ekman Arp
Rating: EF2
Path length: 13.62 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Continued into: Jasper, Ia (DMX)
Property damage: $75 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.511, -93.577

This tornado passed from Warren county into Polk county near the intersection of Highway 69 and County Line Road. The tornado crossed E Pine Avenue removing the roof of a house and then clipped the north edge of Avon producing EF2 damage to a couple of houses. The tornado then crossed the Des Moines River and impacted the Woodland Hills neighborhood damaging muliple structures. The damage continued to the northeast into less inhabited areas of eastern Polk county, however the tornado remained strong with EF2 damage at several locations along its path. The tornado crossed University Avenue near its intersection with NE 112th Street and then exited the county into Jasper county.

Tornado, Wayne

When: March 5, 5:20 PM CST to 5:30 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 4.41 mi WSW of Humeston to 3.08 mi NE of Humeston
Rating: EF2
Path length: 7.43 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Lucas, Ia (DMX)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.844, -93.557

The tornado continued into Wayne county from Decatur county. Once again, this tornado remained in mostly rural areas of the county, bypassing Humeston just to the north. Power poles snapped along J22 west of Humeston produced EF2 damage and there was damage to outbuildings just north of Humeston along Highway 65. However, the bulk of the path interacted with either empty cropland or woodland areas with numerous trees being toppled. The tornado passsed into Lucas county after crossing Watrous Road east of 70th Street.

Tornado, Decatur

When: March 5, 5:20 PM CST to 5:23 PM CST
Where: Decatur County, 1.73 mi NNE of Garden Grove to 2.18 mi SSE of Le Roy
Rating: EFU
Path length: 1.66 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Continued into: Wayne, Ia (DMX)
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.842, -93.585

Video provided by a storm chaser indicated a satellite tornado to the larger tornado which travelled through Decatur, Wayne and Lucas counties. This was the first satellite tornado with another occurring later with the larger tornado. This tornado was also observed in high resolution satellite ground imagery. The tornado impacted no damage indicators, hence the EFU rating.

Tornado, Wayne

When: March 5, 5:23 PM CST to 5:24 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 4.17 mi WSW of Humeston to 3.77 mi WSW of Humeston
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.41 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.854, -93.557

This tornado crossed into Wayne county from Decatur county. This tornado was documented by a storm chaser and also from high resolution satellite imagery. The short path in this county did not impact any damage indicators, hence the EFU rating.

Hail, Polk

When: March 5, 5:23 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 0.69 mi N of Hastie
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.580, -93.500

Public report of 2.5 inch or greater hail stones in Pleasant Hill via Twitter.

Tornado, Lucas

When: March 5, 5:28 PM CST to 5:33 PM CST
Where: Lucas County, 1.95 mi SSE of Derby to 2.63 mi ESE of Derby
Rating: EFU
Path length: 2.07 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.903, -93.439

Video from a storm chaser documented this tornado. This was a second satellite tornado to a larger tornado which had an earlier satellite tornado in Decatur and Wayne counties. This tornado remained in southern rural Lucas county and did not impact any damage indicators, hence the EFU rating.

Tornado, Lucas

When: March 5, 5:30 PM CST to 5:33 PM CST
Where: Lucas County, 2.39 mi SSE of Derby to 3.04 mi ESE of Derby
Rating: EFU
Path length: 2.18 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.898, -93.434

This tornado moved into Lucas county from Wayne county. This portion of the tornado was documented via video from storm chasers and high resolution satellite imagery. The tornado had no documented interaction with damage indicators, hence the EFU rating.

Tornado, Jasper

When: March 5, 5:33 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 5.75 mi NNW of Vandalia to 3.01 mi NE of Newton
Rating: EF2
Path length: 19.29 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $50 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.610, -93.349

The tornado moved into Jasper county from Polk county. The tornado remained largely in rural areas for much of its path across Jasper county. Despite its rural venture, the tornado impacted several residences in western Jasper county producing several areas of EF2 damage. The tornado did pass not far from the southeast side of Colfax damaging structures near the intersection of Highway 117 and S 44th Avenue West. The tornado crossed Interstate 80 east of Colfax near mile marker 160 and then proceeded towards Newton, grazing both the communities of Lambs Grove and Newton on the north sides. Most of the damage was to trees and minor damage to structures including loss of shingles and broken windows. The tornado did remove about a 100 foot segment of the roof of the former TPI Composites Plant northeast of Newton with the tornado dissipating shortly thereafter. In all, the tornado had a path length of just over 70 miles and passed through four counties including Madison, Warren, Polk and Jasper. The six deaths were the most by a tornado in Iowa since the Parkersburg tornado in May of 2008. The damage was into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Tornado, Lucas

When: March 5, 5:33 PM CST to 5:53 PM CST
Where: Lucas County, 3.45 mi ENE of Derby to 3.23 mi N of Russell
Rating: EF3
Path length: 11.28 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $1.5 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.941, -93.385

This tornado formed as two other tornadoes dissipated in southern Lucas county. The tornado moved to the northeast across rural areas of southern into central Lucas county primarily in wooded areas and cropland with little damage. Of note however, was a satellite tornado observed in chasing video (in seperate Storm Data entry) which developed north of the main tornado and moved south toward the main circulation, doing a complete revolution around the main tornado before being absorbed. Shortly afterwards, the tornado crossed State Highway 14 south of Chariton destroying a conservation center which was rated EF3. The tornado continued to the northeast removing a roof from a house along 235th Trail and passed through an open field before entering Red Haw State Park. The tornado ripped through a campground in the park with one fatality and one injury occurring. The tornado exited the park and crossed Highway 34 east of Chariton with numerous outbuildings and power poles damage or destroyed. The tornado then remained in rural wooded areas and cropland for the rest of its path with little additional damage noted.

Tornado, Wayne

When: March 5, 5:38 PM CST to 5:51 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 1.52 mi SW of Allerton to 4.14 mi E of Corydon
Rating: EF2
Path length: 9.87 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.683, -93.389

This tornado formed southwest of Allerton and moved northeast snapping power poles along Idaho Road before clipping the southeast edge of Allerton. A manufactured house had its roof removed on the edge of town with the tornado snapping power poles and a back stop at a park on the east side of town. The tornado then remained in rural areas of central Wayne county with little damage noted. The circulation stayed just southeast of Corydon but did destroy a machine shed along Highway 2 east of town. The tornado continued northeast before dissipating north of Newton Road west of 180th Street.

Tornado, Lucas

When: March 5, 5:40 PM CST to 5:42 PM CST
Where: Lucas County, 2.72 mi S of Chariton to 2.97 mi S of Chariton
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.25 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 40.981, -93.320

This was a satellite tornado which formed near the tornado which went on to impact areas just south and east of Chariton, Iowa. This satellite tornado was captured on video by storm chasers and left a path observed in high resolution satellite imagery. This tornado developed north of the main tornado and travelled due west before turning ninety degrees to the south with movement toward the main circulation. The tornado did a full revolution around the main tornado before being absorbed into the overall circulation. There was some tree damage associated with the satellite tornado but otherwise did not impact any other structures.

Hail, Polk

When: March 5, 5:57 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.7 mi ESE of Mitchellville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.660, -93.500

Report from mping.

Tornado, Jasper

When: March 5, 6:04 PM CST to 6:21 PM CST
Where: Jasper County, 3.24 mi WNW of Kellogg to 3.42 mi ENE of Newburg
Rating: EF2
Path length: 12.25 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Continued into: Poweshiek, Ia (DMX)
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.745, -92.973

This tornado developed from the same supercell that produced the Winterset to Newton tornado. It remained in rural areas of central and eastern Jasper county downing power poles and trees along its path. Machine sheds were destroyed at a residence along East 116th Street North with additional damage to outbuildings along East 132nd Street North. The tornado passed just west and north of the hamlet of Newburg before exiting the county into Poweshiek county just south of North 99th Avenue East.

Tornado, Poweshiek

When: March 5, 6:21 PM CST to 6:26 PM CST
Where: Poweshiek County, 2.38 mi W of Chester Center to 2.26 mi N of Chester Center
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.32 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Continued into: Tama, Ia (DMX)
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.833, -92.766

This tornado moved into Poweshiek county from Jasper county. The tornado remained in rural areas of the far northwest corner of the county mostly impacted empty cropland. There was some tree damage at a farm along 20th street and another farm on State Highway 146, otherwise very little additional damage occurred in the county. The tornado exited into Tama county shortly after crossing Highway 146.

Tornado, Tama

When: March 5, 6:26 PM CST to 6:28 PM CST
Where: Tama County, 7.44 mi S of Montour to 6.66 mi SSE of Montour
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.74 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $500
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.862, -92.715

The tornado entered into Tama county from Poweshiek county. Tree damage occurred at both D and E Avenue residences with moderate to large branches downed. The tornado dissipated near Highway E69 just east of E avenue.

Tornado, Tama

When: March 5, 6:33 PM CST to 6:42 PM CST
Where: Tama County, 4.28 mi SW of Tama Arpt to 1.1 mi SE of Gladstone
Rating: EF2
Path length: 8.54 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.902, -92.633

This tornado was the next in a series of tornadoes from the same supercell which tracked across central Iowa on this day. It formed southwest of the intersection of 370th Street and H Avenue and moved northeast. While remaining mostly over cropland and wooded areas, the tornado did impact a couple different residences with EF1 damage to outbuildings along Highway 63 south of Tama and then EF2 damage to a house on Highway E64 southeast of Tama where the roof was removed. Several cars were also tossed around at this location. The tornado then moved into the Iowa River valley producing tree damage with the tornado dissipating just shy of Highway 30 near P Avenue.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Madison	2022-03-05	2	Male	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	2022-03-05	5	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	2022-03-05	37	Male	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	2022-03-05	63	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	2022-03-05	64	Male	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Madison	2022-03-05	72	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Lucas	2022-03-05	40	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Iowa, 2022 Warnings in Iowa, March 2022

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: 1015774, 1015775, 1007059, 1015776, 1015777, 1015798, 1007061, 1007062, 1015778, 1015780, 1015781, 1015784, 1015786, 1015787, 1015782, 1015799, 1007076, 1015788, 1007094, 1007104, 1007096, 1007107, 1007109, 1007110, 1015790, 1007111, 1007108, 1007103, 1007112, 1007150, 1007152, 1015791, 1007153, 1007154, 1007156, 1007158.