2018 Iowa Tornadoes

Above is a map of the tornadoes that occurred across Iowa in 2018. 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.

    A total of 69 tornadoes occurred across the state of Iowa in 2018.  The first tornado of the year did not occur until May 3rd which is around a month later than usual.  Four tornadoes occurred on that day with two in southwest Jasper county, one in northern Marion county and the last near Olin in Jones county.  All were weak and short lived with only crop and tree damage noted.  The next tornado occurrence was on Memorial Day when a weak tornado occurred southeast of Plover in Pocahontas county.  Another similar tornado spun-up on the next day just northeast of Ames and remained over cropland.  The tornadoes in June occurred mainly on two days, the 9th and 20th.  Three tornadoes touched down on June 9th in northern Iowa with two EF1 tornadoes occurring, one near Forest City and the other southeast of Winthrop.  On the 20th, six EF0 tornadoes occurred, mainly in central Iowa.  The largest outbreak of the year and also the largest since November 2015 occurred on July 19th when 21 tornadoes touchdown across the state.  The most significant tornadoes were two EF3's.  One passed just northeast of Pella but hit the Vermeer manufacturing plant on the east side of town, producing 13 injuries.  The other EF3 formed northwest of Marshalltown and produced a path of destruction from the northwest side of town, through the middle of the business district, exiting the east side of town over the Lennox plant.  This tornado produced 22 injuries along with damages estimated over $200 million.  A few weak tornadoes occurred in eastern Iowa in the later half of August producing minimal damage.  September saw twelve more tornadoes added to the total for the year including a 5 mile long tornado which caused damage in Superior, Iowa.   The last two tornado days of the year occurred on October 8th and 9th with a combined 13 tornadoes.  One of the tornadoes on the 8th moved through northeast Clarke county injuring one individual.