Thunderstorms rapidly developed over northern Iowa during the afternoon and organized into a powerful line of wind producing storms that surged through the Quad Cities and into northern and central Illinois through the evening hours. These storms brought widespread damaging winds up to 100 mph for many locations, extending across eastern Iowa, much of Illinois, and into Indiana.
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 DVN wrote it up.
Thunderstorms rapidly developed over northern Iowa during the afternoon and organized into a powerful line of wind producing storms that surged through the Quad Cities and into northern and central Illinois through the evening hours. These storms brought widespread damaging winds up to 100 mph for many locations, extending across eastern Iowa, much of Illinois, and into Indiana. The Storm Prediction Center has classified this event as a Derecho which by definition is a swath of wind damage at least 400 miles long and at least 60 miles wide including several well-separated significant wind gusts over 75 mph. Corridors of significant wind damage occurred along Highway 20. 10 tornadoes also occurred with these storms in the NWS Quad Cities service area.
In addition to the wind, very heavy rainfall fell in a short amount of time with many locations seeing over an inch. Flash flooding was reported in Cedar Rapids as well as in parts of Dubuque County.
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 Jul 15, 2:16 AM CST, 3 hours 14 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
316 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
.KEY MESSAGES...
- The heat continues for today and Monday with peak heat indices
between 100 to 110 F. A Heat Advisory is in effect area-wide
today until 8 PM but afternoon relief is possible north if
storms arrive.
- An Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe storms across the
outlook area. Damaging winds are the primary hazard, but
tornadoes will also be possible today.
- Moderate to major river flooding continues on the Mississippi
River with most sites crested. The Rock River is now expected
to see flooding due to the heavy rains upstream in the past 24
hours.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 316 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
Today is another day to closely monitor forecasts and warnings!
Our area is set to be impacted by a damaging line of storms
this afternoon and evening, with an abundance of observational
and model data supporting the apex of a severe bowing line,
moving through eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois. SPC has our
area in Enhanced, level 3 of 5, today, focusing primarily on
damaging winds, but also noting a 5% tornado risk, and a low 2%
hail risk.
Today will be hot and humid, and while that will get handled by
an advisory today (though some values may reach warning criteria
in the south), the focus needs to be on severe weather during
the afternoon and evening. This heat will be the pool of energy,
CAPE we need to supply another round of severe storms. However,
this time, we're dealing with a strong trigger (mid level jet
streak), focusing mechanism (front), and significant shear over
40 kts, and PWAT values over 2 inches and all those factors
really add up to a potential high end event.
The activity in eastern ND early today, will likely drop
southeast into MN, but could trigger a few elevated cells into
eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. Some CAMs do create a
separate event from this activity, but that seems unlikely.
Instead, it looks like air mass recovery will occur quickly
today, with winds becoming southeast and increase to 10 to 15
mph. This is especially true over northern areas, where the
mesohigh from last evening's storms will be decaying.
I expect storms to fire in central Iowa by mid afternoon, and
will rapidly spread east and southeast. Damaging wind will be a
threat from the onset, but with the backed winds in eastern Iowa
and northern Illinois, STP values may exceed 2 in locations
north of Interstate 80, supporting supercells and tornadoes
during the afternoon and early evening.
By early evening, an established bowing storm segment should be
formed, moving east, with a comma head, and trailing line of
cells. This will lay out a swath of heavy rainfall and wind,
with guidance most supportive of this falling roughly along the
Interstate 80 corridor, then sinking south during the evening.
While the exact position is looking to go through our area, this
event will fall into line once we know the position of backed
winds and initial storms that trigger in central Iowa/northeast
Iowa today. Once they are, the axis of most significant storms
can be identified and communicated.
After 9 PM, the mode of storms looks to become primarily heavy
rain producing multicells storms, with the axis of heavy rain
gradually sinking south through the late evening and overnight.
Rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches will be common with this event,
with some amounts in the late evening training supporting and
additional 1" where training storms occur. Thus, this event
could again impact rivers, especially with any amounts over
northern Illinois, which is dealing with back to back heavy
rainfall events in the past 36 hours.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 316 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
Cooler and less humid air will move into the region behind a
cold front by Tuesday and last through the end of the week.
Overnight lows in the 50s are forecast on several nights, giving
our air conditioning a bit of a break.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1249 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
Widespread thunderstorms have ended for the night, but a few
high based showers with an low chance for lightning may flare up
from time to time, especially near BRL, but also possibly
through 08z at CID. We're watching to see if a strong cluster of
storms in North Dakota will take shape into a severe squall
line, which could sweep into eastern Iowa and Illinois as early
as early afternoon, I have handled that wind and storm threat
with a prob30 group for now, but either way, another round of
strong to severe storms with heavy rain through the evening.
Some shallow morning fog may also form this morning, but will be
not added until we're more certain.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 316 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
A broad crest on the Mississippi River is occurring from
Gladstone, IL (L/D 18) down through Gregory Landing, MO. This
crest will last up to two days. Upstream of Keithsburg, IL
river levels are falling.
Tributary Rivers:
The Cedar River near Conesville, IA fell below flood stage last
evening and will continue falling over the next week.
The lower Wapsipinicon River near Dewitt, IA is expected to fall
below flood stage around sunrise Monday morning. The rate of
fall on the river has slowed down due to locally heavy rainfall
overnight.
Backwater effects from the Mississippi River continue to lessen
on the lower Iowa River. The Iowa River at Oakville, IA is
forecast to drop just below flood stage this evening but then
remain near flood stage through the remainder of this week.
River flood warning have been issued for Joslin and Moline
given the additional 1-3 inch heavy rain falling on the basin
this past evening following the 2 to 5 inch rainfall event just
the night before.
&&
.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT this
evening for IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-
098-099.
IL...Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT this
evening for ILZ001-002-007-009-015>018-024>026-034-035.
MO...Heat Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM CDT this
evening for MOZ009-010.
&&
SHORT TERM...Ervin
LONG TERM...Ervin
AVIATION...Ervin
HYDROLOGY...08/ErvinHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 347 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-160900- 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- 347 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 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 The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting an Enhanced risk, level 3 of 5, this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds are the primary threat during the afternoon and evening, with tornadoes, large hail, and torrential rainfall also possible. Storms are expected to develop in very unstable atmosphere today as the approach eastern Iowa this afternoon. Supercell thunderstorms with tornadoes, would initially be most likely in areas north of Interstate 80 this afternoon and early evening, followed by a damaging wind producing line of storms, moving from west to east towards early evening. Wind gusts over 75 mph are possible with storms later today, and storms could move east as fast as 60 mph. Later in the evening, storms will become widespread and sink south through Missouri and central Illinois, and heavy rain will become the primary threat. Heavy rains through tonight could bring additional rises to rivers, and could bring isolated areas of flash flooding. Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. Hot and humid conditions will be over the area through early this evening, with heat index readings topping between 100 and 110 degrees. A Heat Advisory is in effect through 8 PM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is expected this afternoon and evening. GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY: To the east and southeast at 45 to 60 mph. ERVIN
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1256 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1143 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NE Moronts 41.30N 89.27W
07/14/2024 Putnam IL Law Enforcement
Couple trees downed in Wolf Hollow area.
Time estimated using radar.
&&
MTFPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
120 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 AM Rain 2 NNE Sterling 41.82N 89.67W
07/15/2024 M2.64 Inch Whiteside IL Mesonet
Evening rainfall total.
&&
MTFPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
121 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 AM Rain 2 WSW Loran 42.22N 89.95W
07/15/2024 M1.98 Inch Jo Daviess IL Mesonet
Evening rainfall total.
&&
MTFPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
124 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0716 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Hanover 42.25N 90.28W
07/14/2024 Jo Daviess IL Law Enforcement
Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from
Hanover. Tree down in Hanover. Time
estimated from radar data.
0740 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Plum River 42.32N 90.01W
07/14/2024 Jo Daviess IL Law Enforcement
Trees down a few miles south of Stockton.
Times estimated from radar data.
0815 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 N Freeport Albertus 42.28N 89.58W
07/14/2024 Stephenson IL Law Enforcement
Tree limbs down.
0815 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Freeport Albertus 42.25N 89.58W
07/14/2024 M58 MPH Stephenson IL AWOS
AWOS at the Freeport Airport measured a gust
of 58 mph.
0815 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Freeport 42.29N 89.63W
07/14/2024 E50 MPH Stephenson IL Trained Spotter
Estimated 50 MPH wind gust.
0825 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSW Pearl City 42.24N 89.85W
07/14/2024 Stephenson IL Law Enforcement
Tree limbs blown down.
0839 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNE Coleta 41.92N 89.79W
07/14/2024 Whiteside IL Storm Chaser
Tree limb damage. Possible Tornado 839 pm to
843 pm in this area.
0843 PM Flash Flood 2 SE Freeport 42.26N 89.62W
07/14/2024 Stephenson IL Public
Report from mPING: Street/road flooding;
Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.
0921 PM Hail 1 SE Sherrard 41.31N 90.49W
07/14/2024 M0.75 Inch Mercer IL Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
0958 PM Rain 3 N Stockton 42.40N 90.00W
07/14/2024 M1.29 Inch Jo Daviess IL CO-OP Observer
1003 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Lowden 41.86N 90.92W
07/14/2024 E50 MPH Cedar IA CO-OP Observer
1/2 half inch rain in 10 minutes.
1035 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NE Credit Island 41.52N 90.59W
07/14/2024 Scott IA Law Enforcement
1400 block of west 3rd street. Tree blown
down.
1035 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 N Credit Island 41.52N 90.62W
07/14/2024 Scott IA Law Enforcement
Tree blown down.
1035 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SE Davenport 41.53N 90.57W
07/14/2024 Scott IA Law Enforcement
Trees blown down at 7th and Iowa St.
1035 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Davenport 41.54N 90.57W
07/14/2024 Scott IA Law Enforcement
1500 block of Iowa Street. Tree down on
powerline.
1054 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Geneseo 41.46N 90.15W
07/14/2024 M62 MPH Henry IL Mesonet
Measured at Bob Reade Field on the north
side of Geneseo.
1100 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Atkinson 41.42N 90.01W
07/14/2024 Henry IL Newspaper
tree limb down on powerlines. Time of the
event estimated using radar.
1100 PM Flash Flood 1 SE Elmoville 42.25N 90.04W
07/14/2024 Jo Daviess IL Law Enforcement
Bethel and East Rush Roads closed due to
flash flooding. Water also affecting Highway
78.
1115 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Neponset 41.30N 89.79W
07/14/2024 Bureau IL Law Enforcement
powerpoles and a tree down near Neponset.
Time of the event estimated using radar.
1119 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SW Kewanee 41.21N 89.97W
07/14/2024 M58 MPH Henry IL Mesonet
Measured at the Kewanee Airport. (KEZI).
1122 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NE Galva 41.20N 89.98W
07/14/2024 Henry IL Emergency Mngr
Sheriff reported a tree blocking Midland
Road near the country club. Time of the
event estimated using radar.
1143 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NE Moronts 41.30N 89.27W
07/14/2024 Putnam IL Law Enforcement
Couple trees downed in Wolf Hollow area.
Time estimated using radar.
1150 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mc Nabb 41.18N 89.21W
07/14/2024 Putnam IL Law Enforcement
Large branches of 1 foot plus downed.
&&
MTFSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 428 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 IAZ042-053-054-065-066-068-ILZ001-002-007-009-015-016-151230- Dubuque-Jones-Jackson-Cedar-Clinton-Scott-Jo Daviess-Stephenson- Carroll-Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL- Including the cities of Dubuque, Anamosa, Maquoketa, Tipton, Clinton, Davenport, Bettendorf, Galena, Freeport, Mount Carroll, Sterling, Moline, Rock Island, and Geneseo 428 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024 ...Patchy Dense Fog Early Today... Clear skies after last evening's heavy rain, is resulting in patchy dense fog in eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois. Use extra caution driving, and allow for extra time through 7 AM today, as visibilities will be under 1/4 mile at times.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
552 AM CDT Mon Jul 15 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0552 AM Rain 3 ENE Garden Plain 41.81N 90.08W
07/15/2024 M1.40 Inch Whiteside IL Trained Spotter
Rainfall total from Sunday.
&&
MTFThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:29 UTC.
55 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood, 3 tornado, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A public report of a tree blown down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Emergency Manager relayed a public report of 1.25 inch hail.
The Benton County Emergency Manager measured a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 70 MPH.
A trained spotter reported that a pine tree was snapped by thunderstorm winds at Backbone State Park.
The Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down on a car. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
The Emergency Manager relayed a report of a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 86 MPH from the Aurora Fire Department.
A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm wind speeds of 60 to 70 MPH.
A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm wind speeds up to 75 MPH.
A trained spotter reported a 58 MPH thunderstorm wind gust.
A public report of a 1 foot diameter tree branch down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A trainspotter reported that 2 outdoor sheds were destroyed.
The Emergency Manager reported a 10 inch tree limbs down.
The Emergency Manager estimated thunderstorm wind speeds of 80 MPH.
The Emergency Manager reported a measured wind gust of 70 MPH.
A public report of a 58 mph thunderstorm wind gust.
A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm winds speeds of 60 MPH. There was also wind driven hail.
A trained spotter reported tree branches down.
The Emergency Manager reported a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 97 MPH.
A trained spotter reported that a 7 inch diameter tree limb was down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A trained spotter reported a large tree limb down and powerlines down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A public report of larger than 3 inch diameter tree branches down by thunderstorm winds.
The Emergency Manager reported flooding on roads west of New Vienna.
A trained spotter report 4 to 6 inch tree limbs down.
A trained spotter reported an estimated thunderstorm wind gust of 64 MPH.
A public report of a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 67 MPH.
A trained spotter reported a 3.5 inch tree limb down.
A trained spotter reported an estimated thunderstorm wind gust of 70 MPH.
A trained spotter reported a small tree down along with several tree branches. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A trained spotter estimated a thunderstorm wind gust of 70 MPH.
A report from the public of a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 76 MPH.
The Emergency Manager reported that large healthy trees were uprooted and scattered. They estimated the thunderstorm wind speeds of 90 to 100 MPH. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
The ASOS at the Dubuque Regional Airport measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 57 knots.
A measured thunderstorm wind gust of 57 knots from Mesonet Station DW9981 near Dubuque.
An EF-0 tornado started in a field, flattening corn along its path. The tornado continued towards a farmstead, resulting in damage to the roof of the house, along with a metal structure toppling over on the house. The tornado continued to do damage to trees along its path, ending just across the Wapsipinicon River.
A trained spotter reported water over 1st Avenue. Trucks are having trouble navigating the road.
The ASOS at the Dubuque Regional Airport reported a measured thunderstorm wind gust of 69 knots.
A public report of a large tree down across military road.
A trained spotter reported a large, 1 foot diameter, tree limb was blown down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A public report of a tree blown down in North Liberty. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
The Fire Department reported that flash flooding was occurring over US 61 near Zwingle.
A public report of a 58 MPH thunderstorm wind gust.
A trained spotter reported that a 1 foot diameter tree was split in half and blocking a road. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A public report of estimated thunderstorm wind gust of 60 MPH.
A public report of 70 MPH thunderstorm storm wind gust.
A public report of thunderstorm wind damage.
A public report of a pine tree twisted and snapped by thunderstorm winds. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A tornado was captured on video near the shore of the Mississippi River in Muscatine County Iowa. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River and moved onshore in Rock Island County Illinois, just west of the Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, where it uprooted trees and downed large branches. No rating is assigned for the path of the tornado over the Mississippi River. Once onshore, the tornado was rated EF-0 with maximum winds around 75 mph.
A public report of estimated 70 MPH winds. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A trained spotter reported a 6 inch diameter tree branch down with an estimated 75 MPH wind gust.
A newspaper relayed a report of a billboard that was blown down with the wooden beams snapped by the winds.
A trained spotter reported that there was a large tree down across West Washington Street in town. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Nearly continuous damage was surveyed consistent with a tornado producing 85-100 mph winds. In Davenport, Iowa, damage occurred to dozens of large trees, including several large healthy snapped trees. Some trees fell on homes and at least one on a car. A large section of an apartment roof was also torn off. Damage in Scott County Iowa was rated EF1 with maximum winds around 100 mph. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River and moved into Rock Island County Illinois along River Drive in East Moline, around 18:28 CST. The tornado snapped some tree trunks before dissipating around 18:32 CST. The tornado was also rated EF-1 in Rock Island County, with maximum winds around 90 mph.
The Emergency Manager reported that multiple powerlines were with all of Brady Street blocked across from Theisens. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
The ROSIS at the Davenport National Weather Service Office reported a 64 knot thunderstorm wind gust.
AN off duty NWS employee reported a large tree branch down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A trained spotter reported an estimated 60 MPH thunderstorm wind gust. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A trained spotter reported numerous tree limbs down in the vicinity of NorthPark Mall. Tires from an Auto Shop were blown into Kimberly Road.
A trained spotter reported that a tree was snapped in half.
Broadcast Media reported that numerous trees were blown down on Locust Street. The time of event was estimated using radar.
A trained spotter reported a snapped tree.
A public report of an 8 inch tree limb down blocking the road. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
The ASOS at the Burlington Airport reported a 58 MPH thunderstorm wind gust.
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, July 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: 1201258, 1201284, 1201165, 1201255, 1201272, 1201166, 1201191, 1201192, 1201262, 1201222, 1201193, 1201197, 1201195, 1201194, 1201274, 1201196, 1201210, 1201201, 1201248, 1201236, 1201278, 1204617, 1201220, 1201202, 1201215, 1201232, 1201205, 1201226, 1201208, 1201214, 1201280, 1201212, 1201268, 1204433, 1204620, 1201213, 1201230, 1201249, 1201261, 1204622, and more.