2015 Iowa Tornadoes

Above is a map of the tornadoes that occurred across Iowa in 2015. Mouse over each icon to view more information on that tornado, which will appear in the box to the right. A season summary and table of these tornadoes is provided below. Detailed KMZ files for many of the tracks can be downloaded and viewed in Google Earth by clicking on the appropriate icon in the table below. To download the full year map shown above, click the download button below.

Please note: Track lines and contours are often interpolated and may not encompass the full extent of the damage. Surveying procedures vary between NWS offices. Downloadable tracks may not be available for weak tornadoes that were not surveyed.

     The 2015 Iowa tornado season was relatively quiet through the climatological peak of activity (May and June), but featured multiple, rare late-season events in October, November, and December. A total of 58 tornadoes were recorded for the year, above average of 48 tornadoes typically seen in a given year. Almost half of these tornadoes occurred in the fall months.

     The season got off to a start on April 9 when a pair of rain-wrapped tornadoes struck far east-central Iowa just north of Davenport. This storm complex would go on to produce deadly tornadoes across northern Illinois that evening. An EF1 tornado scoured a 23.5 mile track across Carroll and Calhoun counties between 7 and 8 pm on May 10, making a direct hit on Lake City, where a number of homes and the school sustained roof damage. This was one of three tornadoes to form that day. The latter part of May was characterized by two somewhat unusual early morning tornado events, one over Madison/Dallas counties on May 17 and another over Jackson County on May 24. The May 17 storm was also responsible for producing a downburst that derailed an 80-car train. The five short-lived tornadoes that occurred afterwards were relatively weak but did damage a few farmsteads. The May 24 tornado hit just prior to 10 am and only damaged some trees.

     Another early morning tornado event took place across central Iowa (Webster, Boone, and Story counties) between 1 and 2 am on June 7. Four very brief tornadoes touched down along the leading edge of a squall line, one of which moved through far southern Ames and caused tree and light building damage. A squall line was also responsible for five EF0/EF1 tornadoes that hit southeast Iowa on the afternoon of June 20. The strongest tornado of the season hit southeast Iowa on June 22. This large EF3 tornado caused extensive damage to a few farmsteads and trees in NW Monroe County. The tornado lifted eight miles northwest of Albia, but a second EF2 tornado developed just to the west of town and hopscotched through the southwest part of the city, heavily damaging several businesses and homes. Iowa saw only two tornadoes in August, one on August 2 and another on August 18. The August 2 EF1 tornado struck the hamlet of Williamson and featured a very erratic track over Adair and Adams counties.

     The barrage of late season tornadoes began on October 23 with seven tornadoes racing across northwest and west central Iowa during the late afternoon and evening hours. While visually striking, thankfully the damage was light and all of the tornadoes were rated EF0. A strong low pressure system lifted across the region on Veteran's Day (November 11) and led to the most prolific November tornado outbreak in Iowa history. A total of 19 tornadoes lashed the southern half of the state with some tracks over 20 miles long. Tornadoes touched down at the Des Moines Airport and the SE side of Knoxville and several other tornadoes reached EF-2 intensity near Lake Rathbun and Barnes City. Finally, December 23 witnessed two tornadoes in the eastern portion of the state near Cedar Rapids and Luxemburg, both of EF1 intensity. These two tornadoes set a record for the number of tornadoes to occur in Iowa in the month of December. Of the 58 tornadoes seen this year, all but four were rated EF0 or EF1. The split between EF0 and EF1 tornadoes was nearly equal (28 and 26 respectively).