Iowa Tornado Outbreak Wednesday Ranks Top 3

On Wednesday, July 14, 2021, supercells developed over portions of north-central Iowa during the afternoon. The environment was ripe for tornadic development and rotation was evident on radar shortly after storms formed.

After reviewing storm tracks and storm damage, the National Weather Service has preliminary data that there were 26 tornadoes that occurred on Wednesday from central to eastern Iowa. This amount of tornadoes would make it the third most tornadoes in a single day since records began in 1980. However, this number is subject to change as analysis now continues of satellite data.

Currently, June 11, 2004, sits at the number 3 spot for the most tornadoes in a single day in Iowa with 24 tornadoes. April 11, 2001, is second with 28 tornadoes, followed by August 31, 2014, at the top with 35 tornadoes in a single day.

Storm surveys will continue to be conducted by the NWS, but currently, the strongest tornado to occur on Wednesday was the Lake City, Iowa tornado. This tornado was on the ground for about 10 miles and has been rated an EF-3 with peak winds of 136 to 145-mph. Several other tornadoes, including the Jewell, Shell Rock, and Waverly, Iowa tornado have been rated EF-1’s.