Hot weather resulted in daily episodes of clusters of storms with damaging winds, isolated hail, and some areas of flash flooding from August 12 through August 18th. The most widespread activity occurred August 15th, and 18th, when several lines of storms moved through the area.
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.
Hot weather resulted in daily episodes of clusters of storms with damaging winds, isolated hail, and some areas of flash flooding from August 12 through August 18th. The most widespread activity occurred August 15th, and 18th, when several lines of storms moved through the area.
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 Aug 17, 5:34 PM CST, 2 hours 59 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
634 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Scattered, slow-moving soaking storms will continue through
mid-evening over parts of the area, mainly along the general
I-80 corridor and north; heavy rainfall that may result in
very localized flooding and brief funnel clouds with these.
- Hot and humid conditions will continue across the area on
Monday. Heat headlines for Monday will be dependent upon where
boundaries produced by the previous night's convection are
located. Slightly less humid conditions are expected on
Tuesday.
- Periodic chances (20-40%) of storms will continue through
Tuesday with strong to severe storms possible. The better
chances for rain look to be centered around Tuesday when a
cold front moves through the area.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 630 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
Slow-moving storms will continued into mid-evening, mainly along
and north of the general I-80 corridor. High values of mlCAPE
(>3000 J/kg), including in the lowest levels (0-3 km CAPE of
>175 J/kg), will help to support these storms in an otherwise
marginal deep layer shear environment. With multiple boundaries
including a webbing of outflow boundaries north of the Quad
Cities, some of these storms have exhibited stretching updrafts
and supercell characteristics in the low-levels, with
temporary rotation noted. That means the potential for funnel
clouds and and can't rule out completely a brief tornado.
Of possibly more note, is locally heavy rainfall with the
sluggish storm motions and precipitable waters above 1.7
inches. This includes where there are greater coverage of
storms, namely near the U.S. Highway 20 corridor in Iowa, and in
parts of Bureau and northern Putnam Counties in Illinois,
through 8-9 P.M.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 300 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
As expected the remnant outflow boundaries from the nocturnal
convection combined with diurnal heating and elevated theta e
gradients to generate isolated convection. Some further development
is expected through sunset but overall coverage will be isolated to
low end scattered (10-35%). Said convection will dissipate shortly
after sunset. Brief downpours are likely where it does rain.
After midnight weak warm air advection will start moving east from
central Iowa. This additional moisture combined with weak forcing
should be enough to initiate isolate to low scattered (20-30%)
nocturnal convection. However, the better low level jet (albeit
weak) remains in central Iowa so the convection in eastern Iowa may
end up being more isolated in nature.
Monday will be interesting. Another heat advisory will be needed but
the areal coverage will be dependent upon where nocturnal convection
is located along with any associated outflow boundaries. An educated
guess on areal coverage is along and south of I-80.
Nocturnal convection arriving from the west will decay during the
morning as the forcing becomes weaker. There may or may not be
isolated convection that persists into the afternoon before the
diurnal cycle of convection begins. Overall coverage during the
afternoon still looks to be isolated to low end scattered (15-30%).
A few strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 300 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
Monday night through Tuesday night
Assessment...Medium (30-50%) confidence regarding rain chances
Monday night into Tuesday the much anticipated cold front from the
coming pattern change will move through the area. The models vary on
the overall timing but the late Monday night/Tuesday morning time
frame seems to be favored.
Convection that develops Monday afternoon will continue into Monday
evening before decaying and possibly dissipating. Any convection
that remains potentially will get a new life as the cold front
arrives. Overall coverage of convection looks to be scattered (25-
50%) Monday night with coverage decreasing on Tuesday.
Some solutions push the front through the area and leave Tuesday
night dry while other solutions slow down the front and potentially
stall it briefly along the IA/MO border into central Illinois. As a
result, the model consensus keeps 20-30% pops going south of I-80
Tuesday afternoon with lingering rain south of an Ottumwa, IA to
Galesburg, Il line Tuesday evening.
Tuesday will still be very warm and humid across the area with peak
afternoon heat indices of 95 to 100 for areas south of Highway 30.
Wednesday through Sunday
Assessment...very high (>90%) of cooler temperatures. Low (10-20%)
confidence regarding rain chances
As mentioned yesterday the heat dome will retrograde to the Rockies
and potentially the Intermountain Region. This retrogression will
bring zonal to west northwest flow aloft and temperatures around or
slightly below normal.
Given the flow pattern aloft, mainly dry conditions will be seen
during the period. However, I cannot rule out rogue diurnal
convection occurring in the afternoon/evening. There is a weak upper
level disturbance progged by the models to move through Friday night
which 'may' result in a slightly better chance of some isolated
convection occurring. Regardless, 95 percent of the area will remain
dry the second half of the week and next weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 630 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
Scattered storms will be very slow moving through mid-evening.
Confidence is high that some of these will be at least within
15 miles of DBQ, CID, and MLI, but whether or not they impact
the airfields directly is on the lower end. If they do, locally
heavy rainfall taking visibility into the IFR category can be
expected. For overnight, in the wake of this activity, there may
be patchy shallow fog, though enough wind where it should not
result in a big problem. Given the saturated low-levels, some
model guidance does result in IFR ceilings at DBQ. Not enough
confidence yet for this but have hinted at it.
For thunderstorm potential on Monday, there are initial signs
that there are two windows, with semi-organized but weakening
storms moving eastward into eastern Iowa during the morning, and
redeveloping storm in the afternoon.
&&
.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for IAZ051-052-
063>065-067-068-076>078-087>089-098-099.
IL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for ILZ015>018-
024>026-034-035.
MO...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MOZ009-010.
&&
UPDATE...Friedlein
SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...08
AVIATION...FriedleinHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 304 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-182015- 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- 304 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025 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...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT Hot and humid conditions will continue today. A Heat Advisory has been issued for this afternoon and early evening for locations generally along and south of Highway 30. Chances of thunderstorms will increase once again this evening into tonight, some of which could become strong to severe. The Storm Prediction Center has a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) of severe storms outlooked for locations west of an Iowa City to Dubuque line. Damaging winds are the main threats, with the potential of torrential downpours that could lead to localized flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY Hot and humid conditions are likely once again Monday, with additional heat headlines likely needed for areas along and south of Interstate 80. Chances of thunderstorms will continue through Tuesday, with some strong to severe storms possible at times. Damaging winds remain the primary threat, along with torrential downpours that could result in localized flash flooding. A Marginal Risk for severe storms remains over most of the area Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is possible this evening through tonight. Reports of severe weather would be appreciated along with any reports of rainfall over one inch.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
445 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
IAZ051-172230-
Benton IA-
445 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
...Slow-moving thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern
Benton County through 530 PM CDT...
At 443 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a pair of slow-moving
thunderstorms near Vinton, moving northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could cause minor tree limb damage and blow
around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Vinton, Urbana, Vinton Memorial Airport, Benton County Fairgrounds,
Rodgers Park, Wildcat Bluff Park, Benton City Park, Cheney, and
Hoefle-Dulin Park.
This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 40 and 48.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring and may lead to localized flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Stay away from
flooded areas. Report any flooding to local law enforcement.
&&
LAT...LON 4230 9196 4230 9195 4222 9183 4215 9183
4205 9195 4218 9211
TIME...MOT...LOC 2143Z 231DEG 7KT 4216 9196
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
McClureSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
600 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
ILZ002-007-009-017-018-180015-
Whiteside IL-Carroll IL-Bureau IL-Stephenson IL-Putnam IL-
600 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Whiteside, Carroll,
northern Bureau, southwestern Stephenson and northeastern Putnam
Counties through 715 PM CDT...
At 557 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Savanna to Morrison to near Cherry.
Movement was south at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts greater than 40 mph and funnel clouds and
possibly weak, brief tornadoes.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Isolated damage to roofs, siding and trees is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Sterling, Rock Falls, Princeton, Morrison, Mount Carroll, Hennepin,
Depue, Spring Valley, Fulton, Savanna, Prophetstown, DePue, Erie,
Lanark, Granville, Walnut, Ladd, Garden Plain, Milledgeville,
Fairhaven, and Tampico.
Rainfall amounts of over one inch per hour are possible with these
storms, possibly resulting in minor flooding.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4153 8986 4158 8987 4158 8997 4164 9011
4180 9021 4181 9018 4190 9015 4196 9016
4201 9014 4206 9017 4212 9016 4219 9032
4220 8992 4221 8992 4200 8968 4193 8969
4193 8963 4159 8963 4158 8917 4123 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 2257Z 316DEG 15KT 4184 9003 4143 8924
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FriedleinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
707 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
ILZ017-018-180100-
Bureau IL-Putnam IL-
707 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
...An area of heavy rain will impact portions of east central Bureau
and northeastern Putnam Counties through 800 PM CDT...
At 706 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking heavy rain producing
thunderstorms from Malden to DePue to Spring Valley, including over
I-80, that were nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Minor flooding and winds in excess of 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could cause minor tree limb damage and blow
around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Princeton, Hennepin, Spring Valley, DePue, Granville, Ladd, Dalzell,
Mark, Cherry, Malden, Seatonville, Standard, Dover, Hollowayville,
Coal Hollow, Zearing, and Ottville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 80 in Illinois between mile markers 59 and 72.
Interstate 180 between mile markers 8 and 13.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring and may lead to localized flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Stay away from
flooded areas. Report any flooding to local law enforcement.
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.
If the heavy rain continues, a flash flood warning may be needed.
&&
LAT...LON 4135 8945 4147 8941 4143 8917 4122 8916
TIME...MOT...LOC 0006Z 304DEG 12KT 4135 8927
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FriedleinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
746 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
IAZ041-042-052>054-180200-
Linn IA-Delaware IA-Jackson IA-Dubuque IA-Jones IA-
746 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
...Heavy rain producing storms will impact portions of eastern Linn,
Delaware, southwestern Jackson, Dubuque and Jones Counties through
900 PM CDT...
At 743 PM CDT, heavy rain producing storms were located across the
area, in particular in Delaware and Jones Counties. Movement was
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Minor flooding.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Slowing or redirecting of traffic due to ponding or flowing
water. Closure of waterfront access due to flooding.
Locations impacted include...
Anamosa, Manchester, Dyersville, Monticello, Cascade, Epworth,
Farley, Peosta, Central City, Springville, Edgewood, Earlville, Olin,
Coggon, Hopkinton, Wyoming, Oxford Junction, Delhi, New Vienna, and
Colesburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring and may lead to localized flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4238 9067 4229 9067 4203 9083 4203 9090
4195 9090 4195 9147 4229 9160 4250 9160
4264 9140 4265 9108
TIME...MOT...LOC 0043Z 225DEG 23KT 4273 9142 4188 9159
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
FriedleinPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
758 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0740 PM Rain Spring Valley 41.33N 89.21W
08/17/2025 M2.31 Inch Bureau IL Public
Occurred in less than 2 hours.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
858 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
IAZ053-054-065-066-180300-
Clinton IA-Jackson IA-Cedar IA-Jones IA-
858 PM CDT Sun Aug 17 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Clinton,
southwestern Jackson, northern Cedar and southern Jones Counties
through 1000 PM CDT...
At 857 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Oxford Junction, or 10 miles northeast of Stanwood, moving southeast
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph, minor flooding and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible. Slowing or redirecting of traffic due to ponding
or flowing water. Closure of waterfront access due to
flooding.
Locations impacted include...
Maquoketa, Tipton, Mechanicsville, Stanwood, DeWitt, Lowden,
Wheatland, Olin, Grand Mound, Delmar, Wyoming, Oxford Junction, Lost
Nation, Calamus, Bennett, Onslow, Welton, Monmouth, Toronto, and
Morley.
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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 4185 9048 4177 9084 4177 9090 4176 9090
4170 9116 4195 9137 4201 9137 4217 9077
TIME...MOT...LOC 0157Z 322DEG 16KT 4195 9101
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
FriedleinThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 39 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:31 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Large branches were downed from the evening storms. Time estimated using radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, August 2025
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: 1277273.