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Storm Events Database
Event Details:
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | EF1 |
| -- Length | 11.16 Miles |
| -- Width | 250 Yards |
| State | IOWA |
| County/Area | CHEROKEE |
| WFO | FSD |
| Report Source | NWS Storm Survey |
| NCEI Data Source | CSV |
| Begin Date | 2021-12-15 16:59 CST-6 |
| Begin Location | 7SSW AURELIA |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 42.635/-95.489 |
| End Date | 2021-12-15 17:07 CST-6 |
| End Location | 4NNE AURELIA |
| End Lat/Lon | 42.776/-95.388 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | 1.00M |
| Crop Damage | 0.00K |
| Episode Narrative | An unprecedented storm system lifted across the central Plains from December 15 into the early hours of December 16. Kinematic fields were at the top of the climatological distributions, leading to extreme wind shear in the lowest levels. Ahead of the system, record high temperatures with surface dew point values into the 50s and lower 60s surged toward northwest Iowa and resulted in instability not typically found in December. A serial derecho developed across Nebraska and Kansas during the early afternoon and raced to the northeast toward Iowa and Minnesota, with widespread damaging wind and a few tornadoes. The first Storm Prediction Center moderate risk, as well as severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings during December, were issued for the Sioux Falls warning area. There was even remaining snow cover in parts of northwest Iowa north of Highway 18 and into southwest Minnesota as the severe storms evolved during the afternoon and evening hours. As the cold front swung through the area behind the convective line, 60 to 75 mph winds aloft were mixed to the surface and resulted in a few synoptic wind gusts up to hurricane force. Some light wintry precipitation also fell during the transition toward the much colder air, which led to flash freezing as temperatures fell as much as 40 degrees during the overnight hours. |
| Event Narrative | The tornado spun up 7 miles south-southwest of Aurelia just west of the intersection of T Avenue and 610th Street. The tornado moved either northeast or north-northeast along its track and exited Cherokee County at 1707CST near the intersection of 510th Street and 10th Avenue. The tornado continued northeast and lifted one mile south of the Buena Vista County Conservation Park at 1712CST. Shortly after touchdown, the tornado partially collapsed the roof on a hog confinement which killed 13 hogs. Debris from this building was strewn for one to two miles to the northeast. On a northeastward track, another animal confinement farm was struck by the tornado after a couple minutes which resulted in loss of several roof panels on multiple buildings. At this point the tornado shifted path toward more of a north-northeast direction and moved into Aurelia. A drying unit was removed from the top of a grain elevator on the south edge of town. Most of the damage throughout the eastern half of Aurelia was snapped trees, which caused collateral damage to numerous roofs and windows along the path. The tornado moved through the golf course snapping and uprooting numerous trees. The tornado continued with a shift to a more northeast track, and destroyed a barn and three outbuildings along 535th Street northeast of Aurelia. Additional damage occurred to a machine shed and large trees along the Cherokee and Buena Vista County line. The tornado was rated EF1 in both Cherokee and Buena Vista Counties. The average path width was 150 yards in Cherokee County and the maximum estimated wind speed was 110 mph. Property damage costs are a rough estimate. |
Event Map:
Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 4.010M | 0.00K | |||||||
| SALIX | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:15 | CST-6 | Tornado | EFU | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HORNICK | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:19 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| SALIX | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:20 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 250.00K | 0.00K |
| SIOUX CITY | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:21 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| (SUX)SIOUX CITY ARPT | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:23 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 71 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BRONSON | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:23 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| BRONSON | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:25 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF2 | 0 | 0 | 500.00K | 0.00K |
| SIOUX CITY | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:25 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| LAWTON | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:28 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| LAWTON | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:28 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| LAWTON | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:31 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| ANTHON | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:34 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 75.00K | 0.00K |
| MOVILLE | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:35 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00K | 0.00K |
| DANBURY | WOODBURY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:38 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:38 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:39 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 78 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:39 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:39 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:40 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 82 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 30.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:40 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 83 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 35.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:41 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:41 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 72 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 30.00K | 0.00K |
| BATTLE CREEK | IDA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:42 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:44 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:44 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| FIELDING | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:46 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 74 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| KINGSLEY | PLYMOUTH CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:47 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| MARY HILL | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:53 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 83 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| MARCUS | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:56 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K |
| MERIDEN | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:56 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 83 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 30.00K | 0.00K |
| GALVA | IDA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:58 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF0 | 0 | 0 | 75.00K | 0.00K |
| AURELIA | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 16:59 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000M | 0.00K |
| AURELIA | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:00 | CST-6 | Tornado | EFU | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HANOVER | BUENA VISTA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:01 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| HANOVER | BUENA VISTA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:01 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00K | 0.00K |
| AURELIA | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:02 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 87 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| AURELIA | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:02 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 78 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 30.00K | 0.00K |
| AURELIA | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:02 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 87 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| AURELIA | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:03 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 78 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 30.00K | 0.00K |
| LARRABEE | CHEROKEE CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:05 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 250.00K | 0.00K |
| ALTA | BUENA VISTA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:07 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00K | 0.00K |
| STORM LAKE ARPT | BUENA VISTA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:07 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CALUMET | O'BRIEN CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:08 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K |
| STORM LAKE ARPT | BUENA VISTA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:08 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 66 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| SUTHERLAND | O'BRIEN CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:11 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 30.00K | 0.00K |
| SUTHERLAND | O'BRIEN CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:12 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PETERSON | CLAY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:14 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 76 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PETERSON | CLAY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:14 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PETERSON | CLAY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:14 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| REMBRANDT | BUENA VISTA CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:18 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF2 | 0 | 0 | 250.00K | 0.00K |
| ROYAL | CLAY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:23 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| MACLAY | CLAY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:24 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 64 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| ROYAL | CLAY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:25 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| SPENCER | CLAY CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:30 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| WEST OKOBOJI | DICKINSON CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:35 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| FULLER FLD ARPT | DICKINSON CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:39 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00K | 0.00K |
| SPIRIT LAKE | DICKINSON CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:49 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 65 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| SUPERIOR | DICKINSON CO. | IA | 12/15/2021 | 17:52 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| SIOUX (ZONE) | SIOUX (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 19:55 | CST-6 | High Wind | 58 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| WOODBURY (ZONE) | WOODBURY (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 20:20 | CST-6 | High Wind | 58 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| IDA (ZONE) | IDA (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 20:30 | CST-6 | High Wind | 59 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| PLYMOUTH (ZONE) | PLYMOUTH (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 20:35 | CST-6 | High Wind | 55 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| O'BRIEN (ZONE) | O'BRIEN (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 20:35 | CST-6 | High Wind | 54 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CHEROKEE (ZONE) | CHEROKEE (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 20:40 | CST-6 | High Wind | 39 kts. MS | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CLAY (ZONE) | CLAY (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 20:45 | CST-6 | High Wind | 63 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| LYON (ZONE) | LYON (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 21:00 | CST-6 | High Wind | 40 kts. MS | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| OSCEOLA (ZONE) | OSCEOLA (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 21:00 | CST-6 | High Wind | 37 kts. MS | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BUENA VISTA (ZONE) | BUENA VISTA (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 21:00 | CST-6 | High Wind | 59 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| DICKINSON (ZONE) | DICKINSON (ZONE) | IA | 12/15/2021 | 22:00 | CST-6 | High Wind | 51 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 4.010M | 0.00K |
