Hail — Des Moines, Iowa

2003-05-08 · near Burlington, Des Moines, Iowa

Event narrative

Covered the ground

Wider weather episode

The first of 3 severe weather events occurred across Northeast Missouri, Eastern Iowa, and the Northern third of Illinois. Supercell thunderstorms developed in the late afternoon and evening north of a warm front that was associated with a powerful spring storm system. Favorable moisture and shear profiles allowed the storms to produce large hail and heavy rain. In Fort Madison, Iowa it was reported to be the most hail seen since 1993 with a car dealership reporting damage to about 400 cars on its lot along with numerous cars and buildings. In the Burlington, Iowa area, the most severe damage from the hail was on the south side of the city. Three schools and a golf course were heavily damaged prompting officials to cancel school for students in those buildings until the following Monday.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.7333, -91.0833)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5359124. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.