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Storm Events Database
Event Details
| Event | Hail |
| Magnitude | 0.75 in. |
| State | IOWA |
| County/Area | SAC |
| WFO | DMX |
| Begin Date | 05/01/2012 22:34:00 CST-6 |
| Begin Range | 0 |
| Begin Azimuth | N |
| Begin Location | SAC CITY |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 42.42/-95 |
| End Date | 05/01/2012 22:34:00 CST-6 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | 0.00K |
| Crop Damage | 0.00K |
| Episode Narrative | A strong push of moist air occurred during the day on the 1st with surface dewpoint readings climbing to the mid 50s to mid 60s across the state. The low level jet increased in strength during the evening with wind speeds around 45 kts by mid evening, helping to push precipitable water values to around 1.25 inches. The atmosphere became unstable with CAPE values in the 2000 to 3000 J/kg range. Downdraft CAPE was in the 900 J/kg range with a relatively low LCL of 750 meters. Wind shear, though not strong, was sufficient with 35 to 45 kts of available shear. The CAPE in the -10 to -30 C layer of the atmosphere was between 200 and 300 J/kg. The freezing level was around 13,000 feet. A line of thunderstorms formed ahead of the approaching cold front from South Dakota and moved southeast into Iowa during the mid to late evening hours. They produced gusty winds and hail as they passed. The stronger storms produced winds of 60 MPH over northwest into parts of north central and central Iowa, along with hail up to quarter size. Significant damage occurred in the Ames area as high winds of 70 to 75 MPH moved through Story County. Large trees were downed in the city. The garage doors and gutters were damaged on an apartment complex. A house was significantly damaged as a large tree was blown down onto it. The strongest winds were estimated to be around 85 MPH due to a microburst. Around the county, there were numerous reports of tree and outbuilding damage as well. |
| Event Narrative |
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 620.00K | 0.00K | |||||||
| GRAETTINGER | PALO ALTO CO. | IA | 05/01/2012 | 21:20 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| WHITTEMORE | KOSSUTH CO. | IA | 05/01/2012 | 21:55 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| WHITTEMORE | KOSSUTH CO. | IA | 05/01/2012 | 21:58 | CST-6 | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 3.00K | 0.00K |
| SAC CITY | SAC CO. | IA | 05/01/2012 | 22:34 | CST-6 | Hail | 0.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| (FOD)FT DODGE MUNI A | WEBSTER CO. | IA | 05/01/2012 | 22:34 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| DELOIT | CRAWFORD CO. | IA | 05/01/2012 | 23:25 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| FANSLERS | GUTHRIE CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:35 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| FRASER | BOONE CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:35 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| BOONE | BOONE CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:40 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 100.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:50 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 250.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:50 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:50 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:51 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES ARPT | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:52 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:52 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 53 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:53 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:55 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 63 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K |
| ROLAND | STORY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 00:59 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| STATE CENTER | MARSHALL CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 01:19 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| REINBECK | GRUNDY CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 01:40 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| PRAIRIE CITY | JASPER CO. | IA | 05/02/2012 | 01:58 | CST-6 | Hail | 0.88 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 620.00K | 0.00K |
