National Weather ServiceIowaRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Iowa
The National Weather Service issued 26 red flag warnings for Iowa in 2025 and 15 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 17th most of any state. 2026 through September: 29, 134% above the average of 12 for those months in 2008-2025. Monona was covered most often (72 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Iowa get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 29 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
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 | 72 | 30 | April 18, 2026 |
| Plymouth | 63 | 35 | May 14, 2026 |
| Sioux | 62 | 35 | May 14, 2026 |
| Fremont | 61 | 23 | March 28, 2026 |
| Mills | 61 | 23 | March 28, 2026 |
| Pottawattamie | 61 | 24 | March 28, 2026 |
| Harrison | 59 | 24 | March 28, 2026 |
| Page | 58 | 22 | March 28, 2026 |
| Montgomery | 56 | 23 | March 28, 2026 |
| Woodbury | 56 | 30 | May 14, 2026 |
| Lyon | 51 | 32 | May 14, 2026 |
| Shelby | 51 | 22 | 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.
The latest red flag warnings for Iowa in AreaZine's record
NWS Sioux FallsWarningMay 13, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson and 24 more, IA and MN
Expired 7:00 p.m. CDT, May 14, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningMay 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson and 42 more, IA and MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, May 12, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningApril 21, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lyon, Osceola, Sioux and 21 more, IA and MN
Expired 8:00 p.m. CDT, April 22, 2026
NWS Omaha/ValleyWarningApril 17, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Monona, Knox, Cedar and 16 more, IA and NE
Expired 8:00 p.m. CDT, April 18, 2026
NWS Omaha/ValleyWarningApril 16, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Monona, IA
Expired 8:00 p.m. CDT, April 16, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningApril 15, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth and 7 more, IA and MN
Expired 8:00 p.m. CDT, April 16, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningApril 12, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth and 6 more, IA and MN
Expired 7:00 p.m. CDT, April 12, 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 red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. 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.