National Weather ServiceIowaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Iowa
The National Weather Service issued 17 fire weather watches for Iowa in 2025 and 9 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 17th most of any state. 2026 through September: 14, 110% above the average of 7 for those months in 2008-2025. Monona was covered most often (39 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Iowa get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 14 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2022 | 17 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Iowa get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Iowa?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monona | 39 | 14 | March 28, 2026 |
| Harrison | 35 | 13 | March 28, 2026 |
| Pottawattamie | 35 | 14 | March 28, 2026 |
| Lyon | 34 | 25 | April 16, 2026 |
| Plymouth | 34 | 23 | April 16, 2026 |
| Woodbury | 34 | 23 | April 16, 2026 |
| Fremont | 33 | 15 | March 28, 2026 |
| Sioux | 33 | 24 | April 16, 2026 |
| Mills | 32 | 15 | March 28, 2026 |
| Page | 29 | 13 | March 28, 2026 |
| Shelby | 29 | 11 | March 28, 2026 |
| Montgomery | 28 | 13 | March 28, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Iowa.