During the evening hours on August 5th, a line of severe thunderstorms brought strong winds to portions of northeast Iowa. Additionally, an embedded supercell thunderstorm would go on to produce three tornadoes in northeast Iowa.
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 ARX wrote it up.
During the evening hours on August 5th, a line of severe thunderstorms brought strong winds to portions of northeast Iowa. Additionally, an embedded supercell thunderstorm would go on to produce three tornadoes in northeast Iowa.
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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 5, 5:29 PM CST, 3 hours 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
629 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Thunderstorms will increase late today into tonight with a
risk for heavy rain/flooding and severe storms. The higher
severe weather threat looks to be from southeast Minnesota and
northeast Iowa, possibly into southwest Wisconsin.
- Cooler, drier weather expected for much of the rest of the
week with low rain chances at times.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 235 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
Late this afternoon-Tonight:
A band of showers has been expanding eastward from central MN into
WI within a zone of mid-level frontogenesis. Late this afternoon, a
shortwave trough will approach from the northern plains with a
surface low expected to pass eastward across Iowa tonight along the
surface boundary. Generally expect an uptick in storms later this
afternoon and evening across southern Minnesota/northern Iowa
and eventually southern Wisconsin as forcing from the wave
increases and interacts with a narrow zone of higher instability
(MLCAPE 1000-2000 J/kg) focused along the front.
With 45-55 kts of westerly 0-3 and 0-6 km bulk shear, organized
clusters/bowing structures or even supercells could evolve, posing a
risk for large hail and damaging winds late this afternoon and more
likely this evening. The 12Z HREF shows the strongest signal in the
updraft helicity fields across southeast MN and far northern IA this
evening, with some longer tracks, likely indicating more organized,
persistent convective structures. As hodograph size increases with
increasing low-level jet late today/this evening, some tornado
potential could evolve in a narrow corridor along the front if
storms can become surface-based. However, this potential would
be lower if storms remain north of boundary and the warm sector
remains capped from surface-based storms. Mesoscale trends will
need to be monitored later this afternoon to better discern the
likelihood of this potential.
As has been discussed for the past few days, the environment will
support heavier rainfall, especially as low-level moisture transport
increases this evening ahead of the wave. Precipitable water values
rise to nearly 200% of normal north of the boundary with warm cloud
depths around 4 km. HREF 3-hour ensemble max rainfall reaches 3" in
spots, while 3-hour flash flood guidance is generally 2.5-4", lower
along our northern tier of counties in southeast Minnesota through
north-central Wisconsin where more rain has fallen recently. As a
result, antecedent conditions support a flood potential if heavier
rains fall in this area. However, given high rain in storms
tracking southeast along the instability gradient, did expand
the watch farther south into southeast Minnesota and southwest
Wisconsin. If areal coverage of higher amounts is high enough,
river systems may see some rises too. The organized rain/storms
will gradually diminish from west to east overnight as the
shortwave tracks east.
Tuesday-Monday:
A drier, cooler pattern will return for Tuesday, likely continuing
through the week as west to northwest flow aloft persists. The
shortwave trough impacting the area tonight will slide
southeast with dry, Canadian high pressure building southeast in
its wake and gradually clearing skies. Broad mid-level
troughing sinking south from Canada through late week will help
suppress the strong western US ridge and allow seasonably cool
air to infiltrate the Upper Mississippi Valley. There is some
signal for modest moisture return mid-week ahead of a front,
with some shower/storm potential (20-30%) later Wednesday into
Thursday but deep moisture return will be fairly weak with this
system. Otherwise, confidence for impactful showers/storms
through the weekend is low.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 628 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
Main taf concern is convection at both RST/LSE taf sites this
evening. Then...MVFR/IFR conditions at both taf sites after 06z
Tuesday. Surface low will move quickly across the region this
evening and spread showers/storms into the taf sites. Brief periods
of MVFR/IFR conditions will accompany the convection this evening
mainly 01z to 06z Tuesday timeframe. Gusty winds of 40 to 50 knots
are possible with the stronger storms this evening. On backside of
surface low ceilings are expected to lower into MVFR/IFR after 06z
Tuesday. MVFR/IFR conditions will continue through the morning hours
Tuesday. Conditions will improve to VFR around 18z Tuesday...as high
pressure builds into the region and stratus deck erodes.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 235 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
The flood watch has been expanded slightly southward across
southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin with the potential
for clusters of storms with high rain rates (1 to 2" per hour).
Storms capable of producing heavy rain will move into these
areas late this afternoon, sticking around into tonight. While
overall amounts of 1" to 3" are expected, 3" to 5" is possible
in spots where storms frequent. Where storms frequent, localized
flooding is likely, especially in low lying areas and flood
prone areas such as culverts.
&&
.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for WIZ029-032>034-041>044-
053-055.
MN...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for MNZ079-086>088-095-096.
IA...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...JM
AVIATION...DTJ
HYDROLOGY...JARHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service La Crosse WI 248 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ094-WIZ054-061-070000- Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette- Clayton-Mower-Crawford-Grant- 248 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota...northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are likely tonight, some possibly severe. Large hail, locally heavy rainfall and damaging winds will be the main hazards with a lower chance for a tornado. Localized flooding could develop. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... A few spotter groups may be requested this afternoon or evening. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. MNZ079-086>088-095-096-WIZ029-032>034-041>044-053-055-070000- Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Fillmore-Houston-Clark-Buffalo- Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-Vernon-Richland- 248 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southeast Minnesota...central Wisconsin and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are likely tonight, some possibly severe. Large hail, locally heavy rainfall and damaging winds will be the main hazards with a lower chance for a tornado. Localized flooding could develop. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... A few spotter groups may be requested this afternoon or evening. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. WIZ017-070000- Taylor- 248 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible tonight. Severe weather is not expected, but any storms could produce locally heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Rainfall reports would be appreciated. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... No webinar is scheduled. nofwd
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
758 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0742 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Dodge Center 44.02N 92.85W
08/05/2024 M58 MPH Dodge MN Public
&&
JSBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
802 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0746 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Berne 44.16N 92.78W
08/05/2024 Dodge MN Law Enforcement
Tree blown down on County Hwy 24.
&&
JSBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
821 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0748 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mantorville 44.07N 92.76W
08/05/2024 Dodge MN Public
Powerline blown down.
&&
JSBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
821 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
MNZ079-087-088-060145-
Wabasha MN-Olmsted MN-Winona MN-
821 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WINONA...EASTERN
OLMSTED AND WABASHA COUNTIES THROUGH 845 PM CDT...
At 821 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 10 miles north of Plainview to near
Stewartville. Movement was southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Plainview, Eyota, and Elgin around 825 PM CDT.
Chatfield and Dover around 835 PM CDT.
St. Charles around 840 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Whitewater State
Park, Pioneer Campground, County Roads 9 And 10, Potsdam, West
Albany, County Roads 33 And 4, Rattlesnake Ridge, Bremen, Theilman,
and Beaver.
This includes Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 212 and
233.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for southeastern
Minnesota.
&&
LAT...LON 4440 9228 4441 9210 4440 9205 4438 9203
4436 9197 4433 9192 4431 9191 4429 9193
4427 9190 4426 9189 4385 9211 4385 9222
4391 9247
TIME...MOT...LOC 0121Z 293DEG 34KT 4430 9224 4390 9242
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SkowPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
822 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0819 PM Flash Flood Austin 43.67N 92.97W
08/05/2024 Mower MN Public
Street flooding.
&&
JSBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
924 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
MNZ088-095-096-WIZ041-060315-
Fillmore MN-Winona MN-Houston MN-La Crosse WI-
924 PM CDT Mon Aug 5 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN WINONA...HOUSTON...
SOUTHEASTERN FILLMORE AND SOUTHWESTERN LA CROSSE COUNTIES THROUGH
1015 PM CDT...
At 924 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Winona to near Canton. Movement was east
at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Houston and Mabel around 930 PM CDT.
Spring Grove around 935 PM CDT.
Caledonia, Dakota, and Brice Prairie around 940 PM CDT.
La Crescent, Holmen, and Hokah around 945 PM CDT.
La Crosse, Onalaska, La Crosse Airport, and French Island around
950 PM CDT.
Brownsville around 955 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Choice, North Side
Of La Crosse, Riceford, Ridgeway, County 5 And Peyton Road, New
Hartford, Newhouse, Eitzen, Beaver Creek Valley State Park, and
Highway 44 And Sanden Road.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 90 in Minnesota between mile markers 255 and 276.
Interstate 90 in Wisconsin between mile markers 1 and 5.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for northeastern
Iowa...southeastern Minnesota...and southwestern Wisconsin.
&&
LAT...LON 4400 9162 4397 9117 4373 9125 4371 9127
4350 9133 4350 9192
TIME...MOT...LOC 0224Z 279DEG 32KT 4401 9160 4350 9187
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SkowThe La Crosse radar (KARX), 107 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:32 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
The public reported a tree fallen onto a roadway south of Lime Springs.
The public reported both a tree onto a roadway and loss of power in Bluffton.
The public reported small tree limbs down throughout the town of Bluffton.
This brief EF-0 tornado developed about 2 miles southeast of Bluffton. It lasted for one minute, damaging several trees but causing no damage to structures.
The public reported trees down around a residence north of Decorah and one 12-inch diameter pine trunk snapped.
The public reported roof damage northeast of Decorah.
The public reported a large tree limb broken two miles southeast of New Hampton.
This EF-0 tornado developed about 5 miles north of Decorah, embedded within a downburst that resulted in a complex damage path. The tornado damaged trees, crops, and one outbuilding before being overcome by downburst winds.
The public reported a tree down onto a roadway southeast of Decorah.
This EF-1 tornado damaged mainly trees along its path about 5 miles north of Waukon. One home had a garage roof taken off and several outbuildings/vehicles were damaged as well.
The public reported a large tree snapped at the base.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Iowa, 2024Warnings in Iowa, August 2024
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: 1212827, 1212833, 1212848, 1212819, 1212853, 1212852, 1212845, 1212820, 1212839, 1212816, 1212843.