It was quite an active week for severe weather in Iowa, with at least eight tornadoes confirmed statewide.
Here’s a roundup of all the confirmed tornado reports during the week of April 13 and when more severe weather is expected in Iowa.
What is the severe weather outlook in Iowa for Friday, April 17?
An enhanced (Level 3 of 5) severe weather risk remains in place for portions of Iowa on Friday. However, the National Weather Service office in Des Moines said the enhanced-risk area was reduced in its latest update sent Friday morning.
A tornado watch is in effect for much of the Iowa until 8 p.m.
Severe storms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening as a cold front moves east across Iowa, with storms beginning around 1-4 p.m. near and just east of Interstate 35, then moving east into the evening. The strongest storms are expected in eastern Iowa. The primary threats will be damaging winds of 70-80 mph and EF2 tornadoes, with large hail also possible.
The probability of tornadoes in Des Moines on Friday is 5–9%. The risk increases eastward, reaching 10–14% near the Iowa City area.
Confirmed tornadoes in Iowa on Monday, April 13
Officials with the National Weather Service confirmed four tornadoes in northwest Iowa on Monday, April 13.
The National Weather Service in Des Moines confirmed an EF2 tornado near Graettinger at 6:47 p.m. in Palo Alto County late Monday afternoon, with peak winds of 120 mph. The tornado traveled 4.77 miles, ending in Emmet County, and was approximately 100 yards wide, according to the Palo Alto County Emergency Management.
A second tornado also occurred at 6:47 p.m. Monday along Iowa 15 north of Armstrong in Emmet County before moving northeast for 1.17 miles into Kossuth County, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. It lasted roughly two minutes, and damage was sustained to farm outbuildings.
A preliminary report from the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls confirmed an EF-Unknown tornado in northwest Iowa near Archer and Summit in O’Brien County, according to the NWS. The tornado spent about 5 minutes on the ground and traveled 0.9 miles. No damage was reported.
Another preliminary report from the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls reported an EF0 tornado touching down north of Webb, Iowa, at 7:49 p.m. and staying on the ground for about 4 minutes while covering 2.1 miles. The NWS report said it caused damage to several trees and buildings on one property, but mostly traveled through open fields.
Confirmed tornadoes in Iowa on Tuesday, April 14
There were at least four confirmed touchdowns in Iowa on Tuesday, April 14 in eastern Iowa.
Des Moines Register reporter Lucia Cheng contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: At least 8 tornadoes hit Iowa this week. See the confirmed reports:
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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