Hail and Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 18, 2026

Name: Hail and Damaging Wind in Iowa, May 18, 2026
Start: 2026-05-18T16:04
End: 2026-05-18T16:57
Location: Iowa

May 18, 2026 · NWS OAX · 5 events in 2 counties and zones

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

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 5

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 OAX wrote it up.

On the afternoon of May 18, severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds gusts and hail across southwest Iowa. a strong shortwave trough ejected eastward across the region, providing robust forcing for large-scale ascent. Despite lingering morning cloud cover, very steep mid-level lapse rates combined with the daytime heating of a moist low-level airmass to generate strong instability south of an advancing cold front. Mesoanalysis revealed strong theta-e advection extending from central Kansas through southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa, highlighting the rapid return of a highly volatile environment. Thunderstorms initially initiated on the warm side of the boundary over northwest Kansas before additional development began over far southeast Nebraska, eventually pushing into southwest Iowa by 4:00 PM CST. This convection initially exhibited discrete supercell characteristics before eventually transitioning into a broader multicell cluster.

The primary hazards with this portion of the severe complex were large hail and significant straight-line winds. Residents in communities such as Farragut and College Springs reported hail up to ping-pong ball size (1.50 inches). Meanwhile, the bowing segments of the storm complex continued to produce extreme downdrafts, highlighted by an 84 mph wind gust measured by a personal weather station northeast of Shambaugh. The storms tracked eastward into the evening hours.

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 Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 18, 11:47 AM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Potential for more severe weather today, mainly across southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Large hail, damaging winds, strong tornadoes, and flash flooding will all be possible.
Cooler weather moves in on Tuesday with potential for morning frost for northeast Nebraska on Wednesday.
Another active pattern may set up going into next weekend with chances for more storms, and possibly severe weather.

Area forecast discussion, May 18, 11:47 AM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1247 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Potential for more severe weather today, mainly across
  southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Large hail, damaging
  winds, strong tornadoes, and flash flooding will all be
  possible.

- Cooler weather moves in on Tuesday with potential for morning
  frost for northeast Nebraska on Wednesday.

- Another active pattern may set up going into next weekend with
  chances for more storms, and possibly severe weather.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1155 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

Today and Tonight...

We had a deceivingly cool, cloudy start to the day.  Temperatures
this morning started off in the 50s at 9 AM, and dipped into the
upper 40s over northeast Nebraska. Farther south, however, Falls
City had already warmed to 70 degrees, on the warm side of a cold
front draped from Beatrice, to Offutt AFB, towards Shelby, IA.
Spotty showers and a few rumbles of thunder developed behind the
boundary this morning. A strong shortwave trough will continue to
eject eastward this afternoon, bringing forcing for large-scale
ascent. Despite the lingering cloud cover, very steep lapse rates
aloft and daytime heating of a moist low-level airmass will likely
support strong instability south of the cold front. Mesoanalysis
depicting strong thetaE advection from central Kansas through
southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa depicted the abrupt resurgence
of a volatile airmass. Storms have already begun to fire on the warm
side of the boundary over northwest Kansas, and are expected to
develop over far southeast Nebraska by 2 PM this afternoon. Initial
isolated supercells will have the greatest potential for producing
strong, potentially violent tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging
winds, with the greatest risk in far southeast Nebraska. By 4 or 5
PM, CAMS depict more widespread clusters of storms developing, with
the potential for supercell structures. While not as extreme as the
possible intensity over far southeast Nebraska, these storms,
primarily along and southeast of a line from Lincoln to Omaha will
still be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and
perhaps a tornado or two.

In addition to hail, winds, and a chance for tornadoes, heavy rain
will also become an issue overnight. Last night's round of
convection brought around 0.5" to 1" of rain across the forecast
area. The potential for a few training storms with 3"+ per hour
rates on top of the already saturated soils will create the
potential for flash flooding across parts of far southeast Nebraska
and southwest Iowa tonight. Therefore, a Flood Watch remains in
effect until 7 AM Tuesday for southeast Nebraska and parts of
southwest Iowa.

Tuesday and Beyond...

We'll see the cold front clear well to the south and east of our
area by Tuesday, putting a cooler Canadian air mass in place
across the region. Tuesday will start out cloudy once again, but
really clear by the afternoon as high pressure builds over our
area. High temperatures on Tuesday will only reach into the
upper 50s to mid 60s. With clear skies and nearly calm winds,
this lends to potential for frost early Wednesday. Overnight
lows will drop into the mid 30s for northeast Nebraska to low
40s across southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Cooler weather
holds into Wednesday though we do see a reversal to southerly
winds and start to advect moisture back into the region. An
upper-level shortwave could potentially bring a few showers to
the area Wednesday afternoon and evening, but the ensembles
haven't picked up on this latest change in the deterministic
guidance. In any case, this wouldn't be anything impactful.

A better chance for showers and storms moves in Thursday as the
longwave trough that's been nearly stationary over the western
US shifts eastward toward our area. With temperatures still in
the sixties for highs, I wouldn't anticipate much of a severe
weather threat with this system for our area.

Temperatures start to rebound on Friday though as we see
enhanced warm air advection ahead of a deepening surface low
which develops on the lee side of the Rockies over eastern
Colorado and western Nebraska. Depending on the track of this
system, we could potentially see more active weather next
weekend with several chances for storms.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

Widespread IFR/MVFR ceilings are observed across terminals this
afternoon. Will see an area of scattered showers and storms
overspread KLNK and KOMA after 21z. Have refined timing a bit with
this issuance, but expect further refinements and adjustments.
Storms that affect terminals will likely become severe with strong
winds, very large hail, and the potential for a tornado. Have added
a transition to -SHRA at KOMA and KLNK after 01/02z. Ceilings will
bounce between MVFR/IFR overnight, before largely becoming MVFR late
in the TAF period. Winds from the north northeast will turn to the
north northwest this evening, with gusts gradually increasing to 25
to 30 kts, persisting for the rest of the TAF cycle.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for NEZ065-066-068-078-
     088>093.
IA...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for IAZ090-091.

&&

DISCUSSION...KG/McCoy
AVIATION...Castillo

Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 11:56 AM CST, 4 hours 8 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
1256 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-
042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-191800-
Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page-
Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Antelope-Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison-Stanton-
Cuming-Burt-Platte-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas-
Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline-Jefferson-Gage-Johnson-
Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson-
1256 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Iowa, west central
Iowa, east central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast
Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Additional strong to severe storms are forecast this afternoon, with
an increased threat for large hail (2-4+ inches) and strong
tornadoes. Additional chances for heavy rainfall on top of what has
already fallen since Friday night will result in a potential for
flash flooding, particularly for portions of southeastern Nebraska.
Chances to see severe storm activity is maximized over southeast
Nebraska.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 18, 3:18 PM CST, 46 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
418 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0412 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 SSW Johnson           40.35N 96.05W
05/18/2026  E90 MPH          Nemaha             NE   Public

            Personal Weather Station.

&&

DAC

Local storm report, May 18, 3:20 PM CST, 44 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
420 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0411 PM     Hail             4 SE Lewiston           40.21N 96.35W
05/18/2026  M1.00 Inch       Pawnee             NE   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

DAC

Local storm report, May 18, 3:39 PM CST, 25 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
439 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0434 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNW Auburn            40.41N 95.86W
05/18/2026  M62 MPH          Nemaha             NE   Mesonet

            Personal weather station gusted to 62 mph.

&&

JC

Local storm report, May 18, 3:46 PM CST, 18 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
446 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     Tornado          6 SW Pawnee City        40.05N 96.24W
05/18/2026                   Pawnee             NE   Emergency Mngr

            Report of multi-vortex tornado east of Hwy
            99 and Hwy 8.

&&

DAC

Local storm report, May 18, 3:54 PM CST, 10 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
454 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 SE Peru               40.45N 95.70W
05/18/2026  M59 MPH          Nemaha             NE   Public

            Personal Weather Station.

&&

DAC

Local storm report, May 18, 4:02 PM CST, 2 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
502 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0500 PM     Tornado          5 S Dawson              40.07N 95.82W
05/18/2026                   Richardson         NE   Storm Chaser

            Photo of a cone tornado ongoing south of
            Dawson.

&&

DAC

The radar

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:05 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Fremont

When: May 18, 4:04 PM CST
Where: Fremont County, 4.28 mi SSW of Farragut
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.660, -95.490

Emergency management report of hail measured up to 1.50 inches in diameter.

Hail, Page

When: May 18, 4:36 PM CST
Where: Page County, College Spgs
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.620, -95.120

Emergency management report of hail estimated up to 1.50 inches in diameter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Page

When: May 18, 4:47 PM CST
Where: Page County, 2.32 mi NNE of Shambaugh
Measured: 73 kt (84 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 40.680, -95.010

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 84 mph.

Hail, Page

When: May 18, 4:51 PM CST
Where: Page County, 0.87 mi NW of Clarinda
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.740, -95.040

Public report of hail measured up to 1 inch in diameter.

Hail, Page

When: May 18, 4:57 PM CST
Where: Page County, Clarinda
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.730, -95.030

Public report of hail estimated up to 1 inch in diameter. Report received via mPING.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, May 2026

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: 1339496, 1339462, 1339466, 1339463, 1339465.