A line of strong thunderstorms moved across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois and produced 50+ mph winds, causing some areas of damage to trees, roofs, and a few outbuildings. The line of very gradually fading storms produced surges of straight-line wind damage.
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.
A line of strong thunderstorms moved across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois and produced 50+ mph winds, causing some areas of damage to trees, roofs, and a few outbuildings. The line of very gradually fading storms produced surges of straight-line wind damage. These were most pronounced to the immediate south of mesovortices (small scale circulations within the thunderstorm line that can in themselves result in tornadoes). Based on the nature of damage, observations, and radar, these reflect 65-80 mph wind gusts.
Two main areas of damage that experienced enhanced wind surges were: 1.) Kalona, IA (Washington Co) and 2.) the east-southeast side of Iowa City (Johnson County).
A third area of isolated wind damage from Miles to Sabula, IA (Jackson County) was a little different in that it was much more of an outflow surging from decaying storms, but again straight-line winds.
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 Apr 23, 5:28 PM CST, 4 hours 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 628 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 ...Updated for 00z Aviation... .KEY MESSAGES... - There is a Slight (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather late this afternoon/evening west of a line from Dubuque to Keokuk. Damaging wind will be the primary threat, with a few stripes of heavy rainfall. - Dry weekend, with a return of active weather early next week. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 157 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 A breezy mild day continues over eastern Iowa, Missouri and Illinois this afternoon, with dry weather lasting into early afternoon so far. There is a mid level thete-e advection axis just west of our CWA, which has been associated with a few flare-ups of showers and weak thunderstorms since this morning over central Iowa. This is the feature we will follow for afternoon development as it slowly works into our western CWA. While our atmosphere remains weakly capped over the east 1/2 per our 18Z sounding, farther west, this weak capping is expected to give way to scattered storms this afternoon, with coverage remaining low, but in general the highest probability in our western 1/3 of the CWA. CAPE values of 1200 to 2000 are found over eastern Iowa, with 0-3km shear values under 20kts, mid level lapse rates around 7C/km, and PWATs of 1 to 1.25" this afternoon in Iowa. This combination will allow for some scattered strong, to lower end severe storms at times through early evening. To our west, the front is located near the Missouri river, with the main low pressure found near southern Manitoba, and secondary low pressure along the front found near southwest Kansas. Thunderstorms, some severe, have formed from near Omaha NE northward to southwest Minnesota as of 130 PM. This frontal zone to our west is expected to become the primary convection focus through 8 PM to our west, but after that time, both the front's progression east and cold pool mergers to our west (becoming a line of storms), will help spread storms east into eastern Iowa and northeast Missouri between 8 PM and 10 PM. From 10 PM to 6 AM, this line is expected to move through our entire area, with a weakening in intensity both due to a loss of CAPE, and increasing speed of the line, resulting in tilting of updrafts to the cool side of the boundary, that nearly always causes the line to begin to bubble/fester east rather than remain solid. As this line arrives later tonight, wind gusts are the primary threat, with a lower end severe weather threat supported by the mature line, but weakening instability, combined with a stabilizing boundary layer. SPC's outlook generally supports this transition as well. Rainfall this afternoon through tonight, will be heavy, but rather spotty in nature, with some stripes of 1"+ in our west, and mainly amounts under 0.5" in the east 1/2. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... Issued at 157 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 An upper level low over south-central Canada will bring seasonable conditions and additional precipitation chances through next week before moving to the east. Some showers and thunderstorms will linger through Friday morning as the cold front continues to move through the region. Following the frontal passage, Friday afternoon and Saturday will be clear and dry due to subsidence associated with the 500mb jet around the upper level trough. Highs are expected to remain a few degrees above normal at around 70 degrees. The next chances for precipitation will come Sunday into Monday as an embedded shortwave translates through the upper level flow. At this point, the greatest uncertainty lies in the track of the associated surface low. Current ensemble mean forecasts place the surface low over eastern Iowa, though some members have it as far west as the IA-NE border. Where this low tracks will determine the precipitation footprint and instability. The eastern low scenario, such as seen in the deterministic GFS, has a plume of IVT up to 500 kg m-1 s-1 advecting into northeast MO/west-central IL while the axis of greatest IVT remains southwest along the IL-KY border. This results in lower QPF totals across the region. In a western low scenario, such as seen in the deterministic ECMWF, QPF increases across the area. While the spread in QPF is still quite large with these scenarios, ensemble means suggest that at least 0.5 inches of rain will be likely (70% chance) area-wide. Similar to QPF, instability will depend on the track of the low. With an eastern low, the axis of greatest MUCAPE is pushed east of the area, while a western low allows for MUCAPE to peak along the MO-IA border into eastern Iowa. Together, these give two potential scenarios: an eastern low that has reduced QPF and thunderstorm chances and a western low with enhanced QPF and thunderstorm chances. After this embedded shortwave passes through Monday night, zonal flow will return along the southern edge of the upper low. The 500mb jet will remain to the north, leading to broad synoptic subsidence Tuesday and Wednesday. This will allow for another dry and clear period, with temperatures remaining seasonable for late April. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 620 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 Predominantly VFR to MVFR through the period, with a chance of some IFR in storms (visibility) and low clouds with a cold front. Initially through 03z we will continue to see scattered showers and a few storms across the area, which has been handled with PROB30 mention. A line of storms approaching I-35 in central Iowa will move eastward and across the terminals roughly in the 03z-07z timeframe. This line will be gradually weakening, but could produce sporadic damaging gusts to 50 kt with this potential being highest near to west of KCID. Wind gusts elsewhere with the line of storms may be in the range of 30-45kt from a westerly direction. Prior to the arrival of this line, winds will be occasionally gusty from the south to 25-30+ kt. After the line passes, rain with some thunder may persist for 2+ hours before waning. Lower clouds with mainly lower MVFR ceilings will develop along and after a cold frontal passage 07z-12z with a low chance for IFR. This will be accompanied by a wind shift to the northwest with gusts to 20 kt. Eventually this will usher in drier air and a return of VFR conditions by mid morning through early afternoon on Friday. && .CLIMATE... Issued at 251 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 Record High Temperatures: April 23: KBRL: 84/1960 && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...None. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Ervin LONG TERM...Ellingworth AVIATION...McClure CLIMATE...Gross
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 207 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-241915- 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- 207 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026 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 There is a Slight, or a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather tonight along and west of a line from Cascade Iowa, to Muscatine, to Donnellson Iowa. The primary hazards will be damaging wind and isolated tornadoes. Scattered thunderstorms, some possibly strong are expected this afternoon in eastern Iowa and far northeast Missouri. Later this evening, a widespread round of thunderstorms is expected to arrive from central Iowa and move across the entire area. This line of storms may bring severe wind gusts, lightning, and heavy rain. As the storms move east of the Mississippi River around midnight, they are expected to weaken. Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY Severe thunderstorms will be possible Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed this afternoon and evening. ERVIN
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
753 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
IAZ051-063-240130-
Iowa IA-Benton IA-
753 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Iowa and
southwestern Benton Counties through 830 PM CDT...
At 752 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Millersburg, or 13 miles southwest of Marengo, moving north at 45
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Marengo, Williamsburg, Victor, Blairstown, Norway, Ladora,
Millersburg, Luzerne, Conroy, South Amana, West Amana, Lake Iowa
Park, Upper South Amana, Genoa Bluff, Hannen Lake Park, Watkins,
Koszta, Iowa County Fairgrounds, and High Amana.
This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 205 and 220.
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 4174 9230 4196 9222 4189 9188 4151 9211
4156 9230
TIME...MOT...LOC 0052Z 200DEG 39KT 4164 9221
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
UttechSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
755 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
IAZ051-052-240130-
Linn IA-Benton IA-
755 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...An area of heavy rain will impact portions of western Linn and
southeastern Benton Counties through 830 PM CDT...
At 754 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking heavy rain over Hiawatha,
or near Cedar Rapids, moving north at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, Center Point, Fairfax,
Atkins, Central City, Palo, Shellsburg, Walker, Alburnett, Coggon,
Toddville, Troy Mills, Paris, Buffalo Creek Park, Pleasant Creek
State Recreation Area, Linn County Fairgrounds, and Pinicon Ridge
Park.
This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 22 and 40.
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 4230 9182 4229 9141 4189 9176 4193 9193
TIME...MOT...LOC 0054Z 200DEG 39KT 4204 9174
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
UttechSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
816 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
IAZ063-064-076-077-240145-
Keokuk IA-Iowa IA-Washington IA-Johnson IA-
816 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Keokuk,
southeastern Iowa, northwestern Washington and west central Johnson
Counties through 845 PM CDT...
At 816 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Harper, or 8 miles east of Sigourney, moving north at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Wellman, North English, South English, Parnell, Harper, Kinross,
Keota, Frytown, Amish, Holbrook, Lancaster, and Talleyrand.
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 4121 9194 4129 9219 4165 9202 4160 9171
TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 200DEG 39KT 4134 9204
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
UttechSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
837 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
IAZ040-041-052-053-240215-
Linn IA-Buchanan IA-Delaware IA-Jones IA-
837 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Linn,
southeastern Buchanan, Delaware and northwestern Jones Counties
through 915 PM CDT...
At 836 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Masonville to near Marion. Movement was
north at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Minor flooding from heavy rainfall.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Slowing or redirecting of traffic due to ponding or flowing
water.
Locations impacted include...
Cedar Rapids, Manchester, Marion, Hiawatha, Dyersville, Robins,
Central City, Palo, Earlville, Alburnett, Coggon, Hopkinton, Delhi,
Ryan, Greeley, Prairieburg, Delaware, Toddville, Troy Mills, and
Waubeek.
This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 19 and 34.
Rainfall amounts of 0.50 to 1.50 inches have fallen and up to an
additional inch is possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 4247 9113 4193 9161 4205 9183 4258 9151
4262 9113
TIME...MOT...LOC 0136Z 198DEG 36KT 4243 9158 4207 9157
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
UttechSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
846 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
IAZ076-077-240215-
Keokuk IA-Washington IA-
846 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Keokuk
and western Washington Counties through 915 PM CDT...
At 846 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Brighton, or 10 miles southwest of Washington, moving north at 40
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Washington, Kalona, Wellman, Riverside, Brighton, Richland, Richmond,
Keota, West Chester, Lake Darling State Park, Talleyrand, Washington
County Fairgrounds, and Rubio.
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 4151 9191 4151 9155 4116 9179 4116 9204
TIME...MOT...LOC 0146Z 198DEG 36KT 4123 9187
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
UttechSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
905 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
IAZ064-077-240230-
Washington IA-Johnson IA-
905 PM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Washington
and central Johnson Counties through 930 PM CDT...
At 905 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Richmond, or 9 miles north of Washington, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Kalona, Tiffin, Wellman,
University Heights, Riverside, Hills, Oakdale, Richmond, Iowa City
Municipal Airport, Frytown, Windham, Johnson County Fairgrounds,
Hills Access, Cosgrove, Amish, F.W. Kent Park, and University Of
Iowa.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 234 and 253.
Interstate 380 between mile markers 1 and 3.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
southeastern and east central Iowa.
&&
LAT...LON 4177 9173 4169 9137 4159 9137 4129 9158
4137 9186
TIME...MOT...LOC 0205Z 209DEG 39KT 4143 9169
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
UttechThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 140 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:27 UTC.
15 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Large tree branches at least several inches in diameter blown down. The time was estimated using radar data.
One building destroyed, another damaged, and main building with roof damage at lumber yard. Likely around 80 mph winds given damage. Time estimated using radar data.
Multiple trees blown down, with at least one on a home. The time was estimated using radar data.
Machine shed heavily damaged. The door was blown off and took down a power pole and lines. Time estimated based off radar.
Power lines downed in the area due to strong thunderstorm winds.
Light structural damage to homes in the community, resulting from strong straight-line thunderstorm winds.
A measured a 60 knot gust was recorded on home a weather station.
The time was estimated using radar data.
Out building roof and walls damaged along with a grain bin. The time was estimated using radar data.
A tree was blown down near Cedar Street. The time was estimated using radar data.
Door blown off a small outbuilding, and a window blown out of a barn. A tree blown down nearby. The time was estimated using radar data.
The Davenport Airport, ASOS measured a 60 knot gust from decaying thunderstorm outflow.
John Deere employee reported damage to a 100-foot section of their roof.
A 40 by 90 feet shed was destroyed. Trees damaged in town. The time was estimated using radar data.
A tree was blown down. The time was estimated using radar data.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, April 2026
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: 1328699, 1328689, 1328690, 1328698, 1328686, 1328687, 1328693, 1328696, 1328701, 1328697, 1328700, 1328694, 1328695, 1328691, 1328692.