Thunderstorm Wind in Pottawattamie County, Iowa

Public report of several large tree branches down. Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

During the afternoon and evening of June 5, 2026, a stalled frontal boundary draped from southeast Nebraska into southwest Iowa served as the focal point for thunderstorm development. As an approaching shortwave disturbance provided forcing for ascent, storms initiated along the boundary. The surrounding environment was characterized by strong deep-layer shear and robust instability, capable of supporting all severe hazards. High atmospheric moisture content situated over saturated soils also created efficient rainfall processes, elevating flash flooding concerns. These storms initially erupted as brief, discrete cells before rapidly undergoing upscale growth into a larger convective complex as they moved into southwest Iowa.

As the severe complex traversed southwest Iowa, it produced several areas of severe weather. Isolated large hail up to quarter-size (1.00 inch) was reported. However, as the storms merged and grew upscale, straight-line winds quickly became the dominant threat. Multiple stations measured severe wind gusts peaking at 69 mph, which resulted in significant and widespread tree damage. Notable impacts included uprooted trees in Elliott, a mature walnut tree completely uprooted near Macedonia, and numerous large tree limbs snapped in Carson and Essex before the complex eventually tracked east and weakened.