National Weather ServiceIowaTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in Iowa
The National Weather Service issued 58 tornado warnings for Iowa in 2025 and 93 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 10th most of any state. 2026 through September: 191, 124% above the average of 85 for those months in 2008-2025. Linn was covered most often (76 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does Iowa get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of Iowa. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 191 |
| 2025 | 58 |
| 2024 | 204 |
| 2023 | 98 |
| 2022 | 79 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2020 | 35 |
| 2019 | 76 |
| 2018 | 124 |
| 2017 | 98 |
| 2016 | 54 |
| 2015 | 61 |
| 2014 | 97 |
| 2013 | 59 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2011 | 100 |
| 2010 | 99 |
| 2009 | 52 |
| 2008 | 242 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linn | 76 | 30 | September 9, 2026 |
| Pottawattamie | 76 | 33 | July 9, 2026 |
| Jones | 66 | 24 | August 7, 2026 |
| Madison | 63 | 21 | June 11, 2026 |
| Jackson | 60 | 30 | August 11, 2026 |
| Marion | 59 | 23 | June 6, 2026 |
| Montgomery | 59 | 20 | June 11, 2026 |
| Clinton | 58 | 23 | August 11, 2026 |
| Fremont | 58 | 26 | September 14, 2026 |
| Scott | 57 | 25 | August 11, 2026 |
| Delaware | 56 | 21 | August 11, 2026 |
| Harrison | 54 | 26 | July 9, 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 tornado warnings for Iowa in AreaZine's record
NWS Omaha/ValleyWarningAugust 19, 2026
Tornado Warning: Fremont, Cass and Otoe, IA and NE
Expired 2:30 p.m. CDT, August 19, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningAugust 13, 2026
Tornado Warning: Jasper, Marshall, Polk and 1 more, IA
Expired 7:15 a.m. CDT, August 13, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningAugust 13, 2026
Tornado Warning: Marshall and Story, IA
Expired 7:15 a.m. CDT, August 13, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningAugust 13, 2026
Tornado Warning: Greene, IA
Expired 6:15 a.m. CDT, August 13, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningAugust 13, 2026
Tornado Warning: Carroll, IA
Expired 6:00 a.m. CDT, August 13, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningAugust 13, 2026
Tornado Warning: Carroll and Crawford, IA
Expired 5:15 a.m. CDT, August 13, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWarningAugust 10, 2026
Tornado Warning: Delaware County, IA
Expired 9:45 p.m. CDT, August 10, 2026
NWS Des MoinesWarningAugust 7, 2026
Tornado Warning: Black Hawk and Bremer, IA
Expired 4:15 p.m. CDT, August 7, 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 tornado warning?
The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. 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.