National Weather ServiceIowaHigh Wind WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Warnings in Iowa
The National Weather Service issued 22 high wind warnings for Iowa in 2025 and 6 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 24th most of any state. 2026 through September: 15, 303% above the average of 4 for those months in 2008-2025. Woodbury was covered most often (27 times since 2008).
How many high wind warnings does Iowa get?
Every high wind warning that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 15 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2008 | 9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury | 27 | 9 | March 15, 2026 |
| Ida | 25 | 7 | March 15, 2026 |
| Plymouth | 25 | 9 | March 15, 2026 |
| Calhoun | 24 | 7 | March 15, 2026 |
| Sioux | 24 | 8 | March 15, 2026 |
| Cherokee | 23 | 7 | March 15, 2026 |
| O'Brien | 23 | 7 | March 15, 2026 |
| Buena Vista | 22 | 7 | March 15, 2026 |
| Emmet | 22 | 7 | March 15, 2026 |
| Hamilton | 22 | 8 | March 15, 2026 |
| Lyon | 22 | 7 | March 15, 2026 |
| Marshall | 22 | 8 | March 15, 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.
The latest high wind warnings for Iowa in AreaZine's record
NWS Des MoinesWarningJune 11, 2026
High Wind Warning: Bremer, Black Hawk and Tama, IA
Expired 11:00 a.m. CDT, June 11, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningMay 16, 2026
High Wind Warning: Jasper, Poweshiek, Madison and 6 more, IA
Expired 1:00 a.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a high wind warning?
A high wind warning means sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or longer, or gusts of 58 mph or more, in most offices; some mountain and coastal offices use higher values. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Iowa.