Hail, Iowa
- When
- May 13, 11:45 AM CST to 11:55 AM CST
- Where
- Iowa County, 2.58 mi W of Williamsburg
- Measured
- 1.25 in hail
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 41.670, -92.050
Report received from Mping.
Hail in Iowa, May 13, 2023
Strong to severe storms developed through the day, with a couple of isolated storms that led to sporadic reports of large hail. Otherwise, this was a low end severe weather event and localized to two counties.
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
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 2
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 DVN wrote it up.
Strong to severe storms developed through the day, with a couple of isolated storms that led to sporadic reports of large hail. Otherwise, this was a low end severe weather event and localized to two counties.
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 Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 13, 11:11 AM CST, 34 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 13, 11:11 AM CST, 34 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 1211 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 ...AVIATION UPDATE... .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 240 AM CDT Sat May 13 2023 Upper low that produced numerous tornadoes, some violent, in eastern Nebraska yesterday was located over northeast Nebraska early this morning. Meanwhile, clusters of thunderstorms were located in nw Iowa and were moving northward. A stationary e-w boundary was situated roughtly along Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa with a warm front from sw Iowa to eastern Missouri. && .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) Issued at 240 AM CDT Sat May 13 2023 Key messages: 1) SLGT risk for severe storms this afternoon and evening, including several tornadoes possible. 2) Large hail and damaging winds also possible. Details: Upper low will continue to drift eastward and weaken as it runs into ridging aloft centered in the mid MS Vly and Deep South. The deep layer shear is much weaker compared to the ideal set-up in eastern Nebraska yesterday. However, with that said there is still enough parameters coming together to produce a few tornadoes, along with large hail damaging winds in any supercells that form. HRRR indicates the best time-frame for severe storms are from 3 pm to 10 pm. The parameters haven't changed much from yesterday's thinking. Moderate effective shear (30 kts) and instability focusing along and south of a warm front will be supportive of a few severe thunderstorms, with the most likely timing during the late afternoon and evening. The primary risks are large hail and damaging winds (60+ mph). There is also a risk for a few tornadoes near the warm front where forecast soundings indicate right looping low-level hodographs with 0-1 km SRH near 100 m2/s2. Latest HREF CAM output places the most likely area for severe storms across the southwest half of the CWA, or along/southwest of a line from Independence, IA to Kewanee, IL. There is a risk for heavy rainfall rates of 1-2"/hr from the strongest storms south of highway 30 as PWATs jump to near 1.7 inches. Much of the day could be dry for central and eastern locations before the showers/storms arrive by the evening into tonight. Highs will be in the mid 70s north to lower to mid 80s south. Lows tonight in the 50s north to lower to mid 60s south. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Friday) Issued at 240 AM CDT Sat May 13 2023 Sunday: The upper low will continue to drift eastward but also weaken considerably. However, a cold front dropping southward will trigger at least scattered showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will be much cooler for Mother's Day with highs ranging from around 60 along Hwy 20 to the mid 70s south. Next week: Pattern change to a split flow with the polar jet well to our north and southern stream jet well to our south. This typically brings dry and mild weather to our area and we expect temperatures to be quite pleasant with highs in the 70s and lows mainly in the 50s. However, global models sweep a strong cold front across the cwa Thursday night, accompanied by showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) Issued at 1207 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 MVFR to VFR cigs remain at the start of the TAF period, transitioning to VFR conditions by 21z. Showers and thunderstorms will continue to fill in this afternoon, which will bring along lightning, hail, and some MVFR cigs (1500-2500 ft) too. This will continue into the evening and overnight hours. Around 06z, we will start to see a shield of low clouds fill in, bringing MVFR to IFR cigs, especially at MLI and BRL, hovering between 1000-2500 ft. Vis remains to stay between 4-6 miles through the night, with reductions mainly seen in heavier showers. Gusty northeasterly winds will remain, gusting upwards to 25 KTs through the night. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...NONE. IL...NONE. MO...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...Haase SHORT TERM...Haase LONG TERM...Haase AVIATION...Gunkel
Hazardous weather outlook, May 13, 2:12 AM CST, 9 hours 33 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 312 AM CDT Sat May 13 2023 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-140815- 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- 312 AM CDT Sat May 13 2023 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...TODAY AND TONIGHT This afternoon and evening, the Storm Prediction Center has a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for locations along and southwest of an Independence, Iowa to DeWitt, Iowa to Kewanee, Illinois line. Several tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are the main risks. A secondary risk is heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding. The Mississippi River continues to experience flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY A few thunderstorms are possible on Sunday but severe weather is not expected. The Mississippi River will continue to experience flooding next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed this afternoon and evening, mainly between 3 pm and 10 pm. Haase
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 13, 7:37 AM CST, 4 hours 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL 837 AM CDT Sat May 13 2023 IAZ076-131400- Keokuk IA- 837 AM CDT Sat May 13 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Keokuk County through 900 AM CDT... At 837 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Ottumwa Industrial Airport, or 11 miles north of Ottumwa, moving northeast at 25 mph. HAZARD...Half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Hedrick around 855 AM CDT. Other locations in the path of this storm include Delta, Martinsburg and Hayesville. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. 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. && LAT...LON 4148 9241 4119 9211 4116 9219 4116 9241 TIME...MOT...LOC 1337Z 240DEG 21KT 4119 9246 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Gunkel
Local storm report, May 13, 10:59 AM CST, 46 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1159 AM CDT SAT MAY 13 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1145 AM HAIL 2 ESE HOMESTEAD 41.76N 91.82W
05/13/2023 M0.50 INCH JOHNSON IA TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
PSSpecial weather statement, May 13, 11:03 AM CST, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL 1203 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 IAZ063-076-077-131730- Keokuk IA-Iowa IA-Washington IA- 1203 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Keokuk, western Washington and southern Iowa Counties through 1230 PM CDT... At 1202 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over South English, or 9 miles northeast of Sigourney, moving north at 35 mph. HAZARD...Half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This strong thunderstorm will be near... South English and Kinross around 1205 PM CDT. North English around 1215 PM CDT. Millersburg around 1220 PM CDT. Other locations in the path of this storm include Parnell, Williamsburg and Conroy. This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 210 and 228. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 4122 9185 4123 9216 4175 9222 4175 9184 TIME...MOT...LOC 1702Z 182DEG 28KT 4143 9207 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Gunkel
Special weather statement, May 13, 11:14 AM CST, 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL 1214 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 IAZ076-077-087-088-131745- Henry IA-Keokuk IA-Washington IA-Jefferson IA- 1214 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Henry, southeastern Keokuk, southwestern Washington and northern Jefferson Counties through 1245 PM CDT... At 1214 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Richland, or 9 miles north of Fairfield, moving northeast at 15 mph. HAZARD...Half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Pleasant Plain around 1230 PM CDT. Other locations in the path of this storm include Brighton and Coppock. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. 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. && LAT...LON 4096 9200 4123 9216 4126 9177 4114 9166 TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 233DEG 12KT 4114 9195 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Gunkel
Special weather statement, May 13, 11:33 AM CST, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL 1233 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 IAZ051-063-064-076-077-131815- Keokuk IA-Iowa IA-Benton IA-Washington IA-Johnson IA- 1233 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Keokuk, western Johnson, south central Benton, northwestern Washington and Iowa Counties through 115 PM CDT... At 1233 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Parnell, or 14 miles south of Marengo, moving north at 25 mph. HAZARD...Nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Williamsburg around 1250 PM CDT. Other locations in the path of this storm include Conroy, Marengo and Amana. This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 213 and 228. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. 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. && LAT...LON 4149 9193 4152 9217 4187 9215 4181 9180 TIME...MOT...LOC 1733Z 193DEG 21KT 4158 9206 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Gunkel
Special weather statement, May 13, 11:40 AM CST, 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL 1240 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 IAZ064-131815- Johnson IA- 1240 PM CDT Sat May 13 2023 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Johnson County through 115 PM CDT... At 1240 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near University Heights, or near Iowa City, moving north at 20 mph. HAZARD...Penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This strong thunderstorm will be near... University Heights around 1250 PM CDT. Iowa City, Coralville, Tiffin and Oakdale around 100 PM CDT. Other locations in the path of this storm include North Liberty. This includes the following highways... Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 235 and 250. Interstate 380 between mile markers 1 and 6. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 4152 9150 4154 9173 4179 9172 4176 9138 TIME...MOT...LOC 1740Z 189DEG 17KT 4162 9160 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Gunkel
The radar
The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 122 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:44 UTC.
Event by event
2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail, Johnson
- When
- May 13, 11:55 AM CST to 12:05 PM CST
- Where
- Johnson County, 1.7 mi WNW of University Hgts
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 41.660, -91.600
What these are
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Excessive Heat and Heat in Arizona, May 13 to 16, 2023
- Tornado in Texas, May 13, 2023
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Iowa, May 13, 2023
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Missouri, May 13, 2023
- Tornado and Flash Flood in Oklahoma, May 13, 2023
- Flash Flood and Damaging Winds in Utah, May 13 to 14, 2023
- Hail in Missouri, May 13, 2023
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in Gulf of Mexico, May 13, 2023
- Flooding in Alaska, May 13 to 18, 2023
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds and Waterspout in Gulf of Mexico, May 13, 2023
- Flash Flooding in Texas, May 13, 2023
- Flooding in Alaska, May 13 to 18, 2023
More
Every storm in Iowa in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, May 2023
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: 1103435, 1103436.