vlog

Skip to content
NOWCAST vlog News at 7am Sunday Morning
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

Iowa weather: Recapping Monday's storms

Iowa weather: Recapping Monday's storms
ARE STILL DEALING WITH SOME STORMS. YEAH, JASON, THE RADAR STILL LOOKS REALLY ACTIVE. IT’S STILL LIT UP. YEAH, WE STILL HAVE SOME SEVERE STORMS OUT THERE TOO. SO NOTHING TO THE CALIBER OF WHAT WE HAD EARLIER, BUT STILL 60 MILE PER HOUR WINDS WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH HUBBARD, AS WELL AS NEARING. THAT STORM IS ABSOLUTELY COOKING TO AT AROUND 55MPH. SO WE’LL PUT A TRACK ON THAT FOR YOU. 55MPH TO THE NORTHEAST. THAT MEANS CLEMONS IN A MINUTE. NEW PROVIDENCE IN TWO MINUTES. UNIONS SEVEN MINUTES. LISCOMBE COMING IN. AND NINE. CONRAD 17, HOLLAND, 23, AND GRUNDY CENTER COMING IN IN 24 MINUTES. SO LET’S HOP OVER AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE VELOCITIES. YOU CAN SEE THAT BO OF STRONG WINDS THAT’S SURGING ITS WAY TO THE NORTHEAST. SO AREAS LIKE ALBION AGAIN WON’T BE TOO LONG BEFORE YOU PICK UP ON SOME OF THAT YOURSELF. AND AS FAR AS SHEAR GOES, TRACKING THAT LOW LEVEL ROTATION. THIS IS JUST BRINGING WIND AND PERHAPS SOME SMALL HAIL ASSOCIATED WITH IT. WE’RE NOT SEEING THAT ROTATION ANYMORE. BUT LOOK AT THE CORE ON THIS. IT’S PRETTY LONG. WE’VE GOT MORE SOUTH OF AMES TOWARDS HUXLEY. THAT’S GOT A LITTLE BIT OF SMALL HAIL ON IT AS WELL. AND AS WE LOOK AT OUR OUR SUPER DOPPLER EIGHT HERE STATEWIDE, YOU CAN SEE THIS LINE THAT WE’VE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT KIND OF SHOT UP. AND IT’S KIND OF UNZIPPED ITS WAY DOWN. AND IT’S ACTUALLY BEEN WEAKENING, ESPECIALLY ON THE SOUTHERN EXTENT OF THIS. SO EVEN THOUGH IT’S WEAKENING, IT’S STILL PUTTING OUT QUITE A BIT OF LIGHTNING. ALL OF THE STORMS THAT WE HAVE SEEN HAVE REALLY BEEN SURGING WITH LIGHTNING. YOU GO A LITTLE FURTHER TO THE NORTH. LOOK AT ALL THAT LIGHTNING HEADED UPWARDS TOWARDS MASON CITY. YEAH, PRETTY, A PRETTY FLICKERY LIGHTS IN THE SKY FOR US AS WE WORK OUR WAY INTO THE REMAINDER OF THE EVENING. SO THAT’S WHERE WE’VE GOT THE LONE STRONG TO SEVERE STORM RIGHT NOW, AS WE WORK OUR WAY INTO THE NEXT 12 HOURS, ALL OF THIS ACTIVITY IS GOING TO SURGE ITS WAY ON OUT OF HERE. SO IT WILL BE HERE THROUGH AROUND MIDNIGHT. AND I’LL BE HERE WITH YOU TOO, HANGING OUT TO MAKE SURE NONE OF THIS STUFF ACTS UP. BUT YOU CAN SEE MORE STORMS DOWN NEAR LAMONI. AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY TOMORROW, ALL OF THIS ACTIVITY CLEARS OUT AND EVEN THE SKIES GENERALLY CLEAR OUT, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A SUNNY DAY FOR US, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE QUITE A BIT COOLER, SOME OF US TO THE WEST PUSHED CLOSE TO 90 DEGREES TODAY. WE’RE TALKING HIGHS TOMORROW IN THE MIDDLE 60S, AND THEN WE BRING IN THAT NEXT CHANCE FOR RAIN. THANKFULLY, NO SEVERE STORMS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. BUT AGAIN TONIGHT STILL COULD SEE SOME STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH CENTRAL AND EAST CENTRAL PORTIONS OF THE STATE AS THAT AREA OF STORMS CONTINUES TO SURGE THAT DIRECTION. SO AREAS THAT SEE THE STRONGEST STORMS WILL HAVE THE HIGHEST LIKELIHOOD FOR ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL. SO AREAS THROUGH CENTRAL IOWA MODELS NOT PICKING UP ON IT GREAT RIGHT NOW, BUT AROUND A QUARTER INCH COULD BE POSSIBLE IN SOME OF THOSE STORMS. YOU LOOK AT THE DAY TOMORROW, STARTING OFF WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD COVER. AND IN THE 40S. SO A LITTLE COOLER. WE’RE BACK INTO THE MIDDLE 60S THOUGH. SUNNY SKIES LOOKS TO BE AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY FOR US. WE’RE DOWN TO 49 TONIGHT AGAIN. STILL COULD SEE AN ISOLATED SEVERE STORM AS WE HEAD INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. 66 TOMORROW AS WE LOOK AT A MUCH QUIETER DAY. AND THAT ACTUALLY HITS US RIGHT ON AVERAGE FOR THE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR THE DAY. THOSE WINDS OUT OF THE NORTHWEST AT AROUND TEN MILES PER HOUR. SO NOT LOOKING AT TOO MUCH OF A BREEZE. BUT THAT EIGHT DAY FORECAST AGAIN, RAIN CHANCES INCREASE ON WEDNESDAY COULD SEE SOME OF THAT INTO THURSDAY MORNING. TEMPERATURES TOUCH BACK ON 70 AND THEN WE CLIMB FROM THERE. 73 ON SATURDAY. SUNNY SKIES, CHANCES F
vlog logo
Updated: 7:42 AM CDT Apr 29, 2025
Editorial Standards
Advertisement
Iowa weather: Recapping Monday's storms
vlog logo
Updated: 7:42 AM CDT Apr 29, 2025
Editorial Standards
Strong to severe storms developed in parts of Iowa Monday afternoon and evening, resulting in tornado warnings, hail and rain.Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts | Latest forecastHere's what to know:Temps drop following Monday stormsWe'll see a dramatic decrease in our temperatures with overnight lows dipping back into the upper 40s and highs Tuesday in the mid- to upper-60s under mostly sunny skies. Our next chance for rain arrives Wednesday as an area of low pressure surges up from Missouri.We'll likely see rain stick around into Thursday morning.Temperatures will warm into the mid-60s Wednesday and upper-60s to low-70s Thursday. Another weak wave will move through Friday, bringing in light chances for rain. This will keep our high temperatures a bit cooler and in the mid to upper 60s. After this system moves through we'll be riding a warmup close to 80° by Monday.Tornado warning issued for Cass CountyThe tornado warning for northeastern Cass County was canceled at 9:20, about 10 minutes ahead of its expected expiration. Severe thunderstorm watch issued for NW IowaEleven northwest Iowa counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch through 11 p.m. Monday. Counties included are Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Ida, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury.Main threats are large hail and damaging winds.Iowa weather: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for NW IowaGorgeous photo of double rainbowMidAmerican Energy Company prepares for power outages during severe weatherTornado warnings expire in northern IowaThe tornado warning for northern Kossuth County was canceled at 6:20, about 10 minutes earlier than it was to expire. vlog Storm Chaser: Zane Satre tracks tornado-warned storms in NW IowaIowa weather: Tornado warning for portion of Kossuth CountyPhoto: Swea City storm cloudsTornado watch expanded south to Missouri borderThe tornado watch has been expanded southward to the Missouri border, and now includes Polk County. Nearly 50 counties are now under a tornado watch, which expires for most northern Iowa counties at 8 p.m. It expires at 11 p.m. for the following counties: Butler, Calhoun, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Sac, Winnebago, Worth and Wright.Primary threats include:A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likelyWidespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to 3" in diameter likelyScattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possibleYou can see the latest watches and warnings here.Dusty drive in NW Iowa for vlog Storm ChaserKeep an eye on weather across Iowa with vlog's skycamsWeather watchers can keep an eye on conditions by checking our skycam page, which shows aerial views from a dozen sites across the state.View from Algona: Security State BankView from Des Moines: vlogView from Pella: The Amsterdam Hotel Fort Dodge airport reports 76 mph wind gust"It's a tad windy today," officials with the Fort Dodge Regional Airport posted on Facebook.At 4:40 p.m. Monday the post showed a current wind speed reading of 37 knots, which is 42.5 mph, and a maximum reading of 66 knots, or 76 mph.Iowa weather: Timeline of Monday's expected stormsShare videos, photos of storm with vlogIf you capture videos or photos of this week's storms, please consider sharing them with us through this link.Here’s how to make sure your phone provides severe weather alertsWhen storms are in the forecast, you want to make sure your mobile phone settings allow for alerts that warn you of severe weather.The U.S. Homeland Security Department says to check your phone's settings and ensure you have "Government Alerts" or "Emergency Alert Messages" enabled.You can keep track of the weather wherever you are with the vlog app: Apple | Google PlayWe'll send you weather alerts and you can track live radar right on your phone.Weather Aware: What’s the difference between a watch and a warning?Iowa weather: Zane Satre updates late Monday afternoon from Storm Chaser in northern IowaTornado safety tipsIf you are in a home, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.Do not open windows.If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.Possible actions (which do not guarantee safety) include:Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.How we describe hail size Traditionally, common objects like peas and golf balls and softballs have been used to describe the hail you may see. Here's a guide to help.Some schools let out earlyWith the storms expected to hit mid- to late afternoon in many areas, some schools released their students early. Others completed the school day but canceled evening activities.Most early dismissals were limited to northern Iowa districts, including Algona, Belmond-Klemme and Eagle Grove.You can see a full list here.Significant severe weather possibleA "moderate" or Level 4 of 5 severe weather risk remains in place for northern Iowa — specifically areas north of Highway 20.The rest of the state remains in a Level 3, or "enhanced" risk for severe storms.This elevated risk is due to significant amounts of heat, moisture, and wind shear that will arrive Monday. Temperatures will top 80°, humidity levels will be the highest yet this spring, and winds will gust around 40 mph. Aloft, a ribbon of wind called a jet streak will further enhance the atmosphere's wind shear.All this means the atmosphere will be primed to produce tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail — IF storms can ignite. The most likely area to see more widespread severe weather will be across northern Iowa this afternoon into the early evening. More isolated storms are possible for central and southern Iowa, developing later in the evening. There may only be one or two storms in this zone, but if they form, they will likely be severe.Number of storms could be limitedWhile the ingredients are there for severe weather, it's not certain storms will actually be that widespread. The main limitation will be a lack of obvious triggers in Iowa to help storms start. Low pressure will be centered well to our north in Minnesota. The most likely feature to watch will be a boundary called a dry line moving into Iowa from Nebraska later in the afternoon.This dry line could set off storms that travel eastward through Iowa. Long window of storm potentialStorms likely won't start up until early to mid-afternoon Monday. Northern/northwest Iowa will be the first area to watch. The approaching dry line will approach areas like Pocahontas and Emmetsburg around 1-4 p.m. Storms could fire then and zoom east near and north of Hwy. 20 into the evening. Farther south, the likelihood of storms is more questionable. The previously mentioned boundary will eventually travel through the rest of Iowa. For the southern two-thirds of the state, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the current window to watch for storm development. Any storm that develops in this zone will move east quickly with a significant risk for severe weather.Some additional storms are possible between 8 p.m. and Midnight as the main cold front pushes through the state, but these storms are less likely to be severe. By midnight to 2 a.m., the threat should be move out of southeast Iowa, leaving us quiet the rest of the night.

Strong to severe storms developed in parts of Iowa Monday afternoon and evening, resulting in tornado warnings, hail and rain.

Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts | Latest forecast

Advertisement

Here's what to know:

Temps drop following Monday storms

We'll see a dramatic decrease in our temperatures with overnight lows dipping back into the upper 40s and highs Tuesday in the mid- to upper-60s under mostly sunny skies. Our next chance for rain arrives Wednesday as an area of low pressure surges up from Missouri.

We'll likely see rain stick around into Thursday morning.

Temperatures will warm into the mid-60s Wednesday and upper-60s to low-70s Thursday. Another weak wave will move through Friday, bringing in light chances for rain. This will keep our high temperatures a bit cooler and in the mid to upper 60s. After this system moves through we'll be riding a warmup close to 80° by Monday.


Tornado warning issued for Cass County

The tornado warning for northeastern Cass County was canceled at 9:20, about 10 minutes ahead of its expected expiration.


Severe thunderstorm watch issued for NW Iowa

Eleven northwest Iowa counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch through 11 p.m. Monday. Counties included are Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Ida, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury.

Main threats are large hail and damaging winds.

Iowa weather: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for NW Iowa


Gorgeous photo of double rainbow

Matt Escobar shared this image of a double rainbow near Armstrong, Iowa, after Monday night's storm blew through.
Matt Escobar
Matt Escobar shared this image of a double rainbow near Armstrong, Iowa, after Monday night’s storm blew through.

MidAmerican Energy Company prepares for power outages during severe weather


Tornado warnings expire in northern Iowa

The tornado warning for northern Kossuth County was canceled at 6:20, about 10 minutes earlier than it was to expire.

vlog Storm Chaser: Zane Satre tracks tornado-warned storms in NW Iowa

Iowa weather: Tornado warning for portion of Kossuth County


Photo: Swea City storm clouds

Dixie Harms shared this photo of storm clouds near Swea City on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Dixie Harms
Dixie Harms shared this photo of storm clouds near Swea City on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Tornado watch expanded south to Missouri border

The tornado watch has been expanded southward to the Missouri border, and now includes Polk County.

Nearly 50 counties are now under a tornado watch, which expires for most northern Iowa counties at 8 p.m. It expires at 11 p.m. for the following counties: Butler, Calhoun, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Sac, Winnebago, Worth and Wright.

Primary threats include:

  • A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likely
  • Widespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to 3" in diameter likely
  • Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible
This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

You can see the latest watches and warnings here.


Dusty drive in NW Iowa for vlog Storm Chaser

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Keep an eye on weather across Iowa with vlog's skycams

Weather watchers can keep an eye on conditions by checking our skycam page, which shows aerial views from a dozen sites across the state.

View from Algona: Security State Bank

View from Des Moines: vlog

View from Pella: The Amsterdam Hotel


Fort Dodge airport reports 76 mph wind gust

"It's a tad windy today," officials with the Fort Dodge Regional Airport posted on Facebook.

At 4:40 p.m. Monday the post showed a current wind speed reading of 37 knots, which is 42.5 mph, and a maximum reading of 66 knots, or 76 mph.

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Iowa weather: Timeline of Monday's expected storms


Share videos, photos of storm with vlog

If you capture videos or photos of this week's storms, please consider sharing them with us through this link.


Here’s how to make sure your phone provides severe weather alerts

When storms are in the forecast, you want to make sure your mobile phone settings allow for alerts that warn you of severe weather.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department says to check your phone's settings and ensure you have "Government Alerts" or "Emergency Alert Messages" enabled.

You can keep track of the weather wherever you are with the vlog app: |

We'll send you weather alerts and you can track live radar right on your phone.


Weather Aware: What’s the difference between a watch and a warning?


Iowa weather: Zane Satre updates late Monday afternoon from Storm Chaser in northern Iowa


Tornado safety tips

If you are in a home, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center or high-rise building:

  • Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
  • If you are in a pickup line at your child’s school, get inside the building as quickly as possible.
  • In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
  • Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.
  • Do not open windows.

If you are in a mobile home, manufactured office building or camper:

  • Get out immediately and go to a pre-identified location such as the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.

If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision.

Possible actions (which do not guarantee safety) include:

  • Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
  • Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.
  • Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the road and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or cushion if possible.

How we describe hail size

Traditionally, common objects like peas and golf balls and softballs have been used to describe the hail you may see. Here's a guide to help.

Here are some common objects to help describe hail sizes.

Hearst Owned
Traditionally, common objects like peas and golf balls and softballs have been used to describe the hail you may see.

Some schools let out early

With the storms expected to hit mid- to late afternoon in many areas, some schools released their students early. Others completed the school day but canceled evening activities.

Most early dismissals were limited to northern Iowa districts, including Algona, Belmond-Klemme and Eagle Grove.

You can see a full list here.


Significant severe weather possible

A "moderate" or Level 4 of 5 severe weather risk remains in place for northern Iowa — specifically areas north of Highway 20.

severe weather risk for today
Hearst Owned
Significant severe weather is possible today across northern Iowa, with a few scattered storms for the rest of the state.

The rest of the state remains in a Level 3, or "enhanced" risk for severe storms.

This elevated risk is due to significant amounts of heat, moisture, and wind shear that will arrive Monday. Temperatures will top 80°, humidity levels will be the highest yet this spring, and winds will gust around 40 mph. Aloft, a ribbon of wind called a jet streak will further enhance the atmosphere's wind shear.

All this means the atmosphere will be primed to produce tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail — IF storms can ignite.

The most likely area to see more widespread severe weather will be across northern Iowa this afternoon into the early evening. More isolated storms are possible for central and southern Iowa, developing later in the evening. There may only be one or two storms in this zone, but if they form, they will likely be severe.

severe weather risk for today
Hearst Owned
Very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes will be possible with any storms today.

Number of storms could be limited

While the ingredients are there for severe weather, it's not certain storms will actually be that widespread.

The main limitation will be a lack of obvious triggers in Iowa to help storms start. Low pressure will be centered well to our north in Minnesota. The most likely feature to watch will be a boundary called a dry line moving into Iowa from Nebraska later in the afternoon.

This dry line could set off storms that travel eastward through Iowa.

iowa weather
Hearst Owned


Long window of storm potential

Storms likely won't start up until early to mid-afternoon Monday.

Northern/northwest Iowa will be the first area to watch. The approaching dry line will approach areas like Pocahontas and Emmetsburg around 1-4 p.m. Storms could fire then and zoom east near and north of Hwy. 20 into the evening.

Farther south, the likelihood of storms is more questionable.

The previously mentioned boundary will eventually travel through the rest of Iowa. For the southern two-thirds of the state, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the current window to watch for storm development. Any storm that develops in this zone will move east quickly with a significant risk for severe weather.

Some additional storms are possible between 8 p.m. and Midnight as the main cold front pushes through the state, but these storms are less likely to be severe. By midnight to 2 a.m., the threat should be move out of southeast Iowa, leaving us quiet the rest of the night.

Storm timeline today
Hearst Owned
Questions remain on just how widespread storms will be, but any storms will initially form in northwest Iowa, with risks increasing elsewhere by the evening.