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National Weather ServiceIowaSevere Thunderstorm WatchArchive to October 1, 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Watches in Iowa

The National Weather Service issued 40 severe thunderstorm watches for Iowa in 2025 and 41 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 7th most of any state. 2026 through September: 59, 45% above the average of 41 for those months in 2008-2025. Fremont was covered most often (202 times since 2008).

How many severe thunderstorm watches does Iowa get?

40 severe thunderstorm watches for Iowa in 2025
204060802008: 5520082009: 5120092010: 7720102011: 4520112012: 4420122013: 3320132014: 3620142015: 2920152016: 4420162017: 3120172018: 2720182019: 4520192020: 3020202021: 3220212022: 3920222023: 3620232024: 4820242025: 4020252026: 5920262008-2025 average 412026 through September: 59204060802008: 5520082009: 512010: 7720102011: 452012: 4420122013: 332014: 3620142015: 292016: 4420162017: 312018: 2720182019: 452020: 3020202021: 322022: 3920222023: 362024: 4820242025: 402026: 5920262008-2025 average 412026 through September: 59204060802008: 5520082009: 512010: 7720102011: 452012: 4420122013: 332014: 3620142015: 292016: 4420162017: 312018: 2720182019: 452020: 3020202021: 322022: 3920222023: 362024: 4820242025: 402026: 5920262008-2025 average 412026 through September: 59204060802008: 5520082009: 512010: 772011: 452012: 442013: 332014: 362015: 2920152016: 442017: 312018: 272019: 452020: 3020202021: 322022: 392023: 362024: 482025: 402026: 5920262008-2025 average 412026 through September: 59

Every severe thunderstorm watch that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.

The numbers
YearCount
2026 (through September)59
202540
202448
202336
202239
202132
202030
201945
201827
201731
201644
201529
201436
201333
201244
201145
201077
200951
200855

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?

Iowa's severe thunderstorm watches by month, 2008-2025
100200300Jan: 0JanFeb: 0FebMar: 7MarApr: 59AprMay: 113MayJun: 223JunJul: 180JulAug: 106AugSep: 44SepOct: 7OctNov: 3NovDec: 0Dec223100200300Jan: 0JanFeb: 0FebMar: 7MarApr: 59AprMay: 113MayJun: 223JunJul: 180JulAug: 106AugSep: 44SepOct: 7OctNov: 3NovDec: 0Dec223100200300Jan: 0JanFeb: 0FebMar: 7MarApr: 59AprMay: 113MayJun: 223JunJul: 180JulAug: 106AugSep: 44SepOct: 7OctNov: 3NovDec: 0Dec223100200300Jan: 0JFeb: 0FMar: 7MApr: 59AMay: 113MJun: 223JJul: 180JAug: 106ASep: 44SOct: 7ONov: 3NDec: 0D223

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 zoneSince 2008Since 2023Last issued
Fremont20248September 6, 2026
Mills19945September 6, 2026
Adair19441September 6, 2026
Cass19441September 6, 2026
Pottawattamie19443September 6, 2026
Guthrie19239September 6, 2026
Montgomery19244September 6, 2026
Page19245September 6, 2026
Audubon19039September 6, 2026
Madison18943September 6, 2026
Union18639September 6, 2026
Adams18441September 6, 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 severe thunderstorm watch?

Severe thunderstorm watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when storms with large hail or damaging winds are possible over a large area for several hours. 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.