Thunderstorm Wind in Union County, Iowa

Social media report of 4 inch diameter tree limb snapped. Time estimated from radar.

A line of thunderstorms tracked south and eastward out of South Dakota and Nebraska into western and central Iowa on the night of July 7, 2025. These storms brought strong winds to the area, particularly over western and southwestern Iowa with estimated gusts reaching 70 mph at times. These winds resulted in tree and crop damage, with multiple reports of tree branches snapped and entire trees blown down. Before the main line arrived, the Des Moines metro area experienced a downburst event as a cell formed directly overhead and began raining heavily. This resulted in reports of tree branch damage and at least one tree blown across a roadway. The line of storms then moved through the metro area afterwards, although winds weren't as strong with the main line as they were in southwestern Iowa. In addition to the strong winds, intense and efficient rainfall was observed, especially over central Iowa where rainfall occurred prior to the arrival of the line of thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches were measured in the metro area. The line of thunderstorms continued south and eastward through the night, but strength and severity diminished as the night progressed.