Strong Wind — O'brien, Iowa

2025-05-19 · O'brien, Iowa

Event narrative

Sustained easterly winds reached 30 to 38 mph with gusts as high as 48 mph at Sheldon.

Wider weather episode

In advance of a deep mid-level trough pushing eastward out of the Rockies, a weakening line of thunderstorms moved northeast across the Northern Plains in the early morning hours. A large and dwindling stratiform area supported the development of a strong wake low with wind gusts as high as 70 to 75 mph in portions of southeast South Dakota as well as northwest Iowa. Sporadic tree and building damage were reported as well as numerous power outages, which left around 630 customers without power during the early morning hours along the Interstate 29 corridor in South Dakota and almost 1600 without power in parts of northwest Iowa.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1268431. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.