National Weather ServiceIowaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Iowa
The National Weather Service issued 592 severe thunderstorm warnings for Iowa in 2025 and 563 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 18th most of any state. 2026 through September: 809, 47% above the average of 549 for those months in 2008-2025. Pottawattamie was covered most often (627 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does Iowa get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 809 |
| 2025 | 592 |
| 2024 | 835 |
| 2023 | 540 |
| 2022 | 534 |
| 2021 | 366 |
| 2020 | 423 |
| 2019 | 483 |
| 2018 | 597 |
| 2017 | 622 |
| 2016 | 382 |
| 2015 | 395 |
| 2014 | 670 |
| 2013 | 476 |
| 2012 | 431 |
| 2011 | 648 |
| 2010 | 684 |
| 2009 | 438 |
| 2008 | 1,012 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pottawattamie | 627 | 186 | September 15, 2026 |
| Harrison | 491 | 157 | September 15, 2026 |
| Mills | 481 | 131 | September 15, 2026 |
| Polk | 453 | 128 | September 8, 2026 |
| Jasper | 443 | 140 | September 8, 2026 |
| Fremont | 431 | 122 | September 15, 2026 |
| Dallas | 423 | 105 | September 15, 2026 |
| Warren | 421 | 113 | September 8, 2026 |
| Adair | 418 | 119 | September 15, 2026 |
| Madison | 404 | 105 | September 15, 2026 |
| Linn | 399 | 114 | September 9, 2026 |
| Marion | 399 | 117 | September 8, 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 severe thunderstorm warnings for Iowa in AreaZine's record
NWS Des MoinesWarningSeptember 19, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Decatur and Wayne, IA
Expired 8:15 p.m. CDT, September 19, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningSeptember 19, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Decatur and Wayne, IA
Expired 8:15 p.m. CDT, September 19, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningSeptember 15, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Adair, Audubon, Cass and 1 more, IA
Expired 2:15 a.m. CDT, September 15, 2026
NWS Omaha/ValleyWarningSeptember 15, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Harrison, Pottawattamie and Shelby, IA
Expired 2:00 a.m. CDT, September 15, 2026
NWS Omaha/ValleyWarningSeptember 14, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Fremont and Otoe, IA and NE
Expired 10:15 p.m. CDT, September 14, 2026
NWS Omaha/ValleyWarningSeptember 14, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Montgomery and Page, IA
Expired 9:30 p.m. CDT, September 14, 2026
NWS Omaha/ValleyWarningSeptember 14, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Fremont, Johnson, Nemaha and 1 more, IA and NE
Expired 8:30 p.m. CDT, September 14, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningSeptember 14, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Adair, Audubon, Cass and 1 more, IA
Expired 8:30 p.m. CDT, September 14, 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 severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. 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.