Story County Storm Activity
Wind, hail, and tornado activity from official NOAA sources (NWS & SPC) · Last 12 months · Updated Sep 11, 2026
Story County, Iowa has recorded tornado activity: official National Weather Service (NWS) and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) records list 1 tornado report among 47 severe weather events here in the last 12 months, alongside 7 hail reports with hail up to 2.75" and 39 high-wind reports with gusts up to 72 mph. The most recent recorded storm activity was on Jul 20, 2026. This page updates daily: every event comes straight from official NOAA data — no estimates, no modeling, just the record.
What the radar showed
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Check an address free →Storm log — the official record, day by day
Events older than 30 days, as recorded by the National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center. Excerpts are quoted directly from official warnings and verified reports.
Monday, July 20, 2026
2 SPC verified storm reports — hail up to 2.75", wind gusts up to 69 mph
“Measured from personal weather station. (DMX)”
- Hail 2.75" 1 NE Story City SPC verified report
- Wind 69 mph 4 E Ames SPC verified report
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
2 SPC verified storm reports — wind gusts up to 60 mph
“Delayed report. Photo of a downed tree near the Golden Loop on Iowa State Campus. (DMX)”
- Wind 60 mph 2 SSE Gilbert SPC verified report
- Wind Unknown 1 WNW Ames SPC verified report
Thursday, June 11, 2026
2 SPC verified storm reports — wind gusts up to 72 mph
“Delayed entry - measured from KAMW. (DMX)”
“Delayed report - time estimated by radar. Received photos via email of tree damage in Nevada... IA. (DMX)”
- Wind 72 mph 2 S Ames SPC verified report
- Wind Unknown 1 E Nevada SPC verified report
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 55 mph
“At 1028 AM CDT, trained weather spotters reported strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles north of Ogden to 4 miles south of Roland to near State Center. Movement was northeast at 30 mph. Hazard: Wind gusts up to 55 mph possible with storms. 50 to 55 mph. Weather stations also reporting wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph.”
- Wind 55 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Monday, May 18, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 55 mph
“WHAT...Gusty east to southeast winds will occur on the backside of the departing thunderstorms. Gusts of 40 to 55 mph are expected and may last up to an hour. WHERE...Much of Central, North Central and South Central Iowa. WHEN...During the pre-dawn hours this morning. IMPACTS...Unsecured outdoor objects may be blown around and smaller tree branches may break.”
- Wind 55 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report — 1 tornado report
“Several reports from local fire department and spotters of tornado on the ground. (DMX)”
- Tornado Tornado 2 ENE Slater SPC verified report
Friday, April 17, 2026
1 SPC verified storm report — hail up to 1"
“Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). (DMX)”
- Hail 1" Collins SPC verified report
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
3 SPC verified storm reports — hail up to 1.25"
“Report of damage so far is a barn lost a lean-to and part of a roof. Time estimated from radar. (DMX)”
- Hail 1.25" Story City SPC verified report
- Hail 1" Collins SPC verified report
- Wind Unknown 1 NW Mccallsburg SPC verified report
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
3 SPC verified storm reports — hail up to 2"
“A few 2 inch... mostly 1.75 and smaller. (DMX)”
- Hail 2" 1 SW Mccallsburg SPC verified report
- Hail 1.75" 3 SSE Nevada SPC verified report
- Hail 1.5" 2 SE Gilbert SPC verified report
Sunday, March 15, 2026
3 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS DEVELOPING AND PERSISTING TONIGHT... .A significant winter storm will move across the area through tonight. Widespread snow will fall across Iowa with higher amounts of 6+ inches possible north and east. Winds will gust 55 to 65+ mph, resulting in significant drifting of snow and visibility reductions to white-out conditions at times.”
“WHAT...Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 to 65 mph expected. The highest wind gusts will be late this afternoon and this evening. WHERE...Portions of central, north central, northeast, northwest, south central, southeast, southwest, and west central Iowa. WHEN...Until 4 AM CDT Monday. IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible.”
- Wind 65 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Saturday, March 14, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY MORNING... .A significant winter storm will impact parts of the Upper Midwest this weekend, mainly from Sunday through Monday morning. Widespread snow will fall across Iowa with higher amounts of 6+ inches possible north and east. Winds will gust 55-65+ mph, resulting in significant drifting of snow and visibility reductions.”
- Wind 65 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, March 13, 2026
4 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to around 60 mph expected. Isolated gusts of 60 to 65 mph are possible. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa, including I-35 and I-80. WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT this morning. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
“WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to around 60 mph expected. Isolated gusts of 60 to 65 mph are possible. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa, including I-35 and I-80. WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT this morning. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
- Wind 65 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 65 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 55 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Thursday, March 12, 2026
4 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 65 mph
“WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to around 60 mph expected. Isolated gusts of 60 to 65 mph are possible. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa, including I-35 and I-80. WHEN...Until 10 AM CDT Friday. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
“WHAT...West to northwest winds 30 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. WHERE...Central and northern Iowa. WHEN...From 10 PM tonight to 10 AM CDT Friday. IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
- Wind 65 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
2 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 60 mph
“WHAT...West to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. WHERE...Much of northern Iowa and portions of central Iowa. WHEN...From Thursday night into Friday morning. IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles on north south roads.”
“WHAT...West to northwest winds sustained at 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. WHERE...Much of northern Iowa and portions of central Iowa. WHEN...From Thursday night into Friday morning. IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles on north south roads.”
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
5 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“...Critical Fire Weather Conditions Continue This Afternoon... .Strong and gusty west winds combined with very low relative humidity and cured fuels are resulting in conditions conducive for rapid fire growth. AFFECTED AREA...All of central Iowa. WIND...West wind 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. HUMIDITY...Minimum relative humidity values of 15 to 25%.”
“WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. WHERE...Portions of northern into central Iowa. WHEN...Until 6 PM CST this evening. IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
2 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. WHERE...Portions of central, north central, northeast, northwest, and west central Iowa. WHEN...From 8 AM to 4 PM CST Wednesday. IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
“...Critical Fire Weather Conditions are Expected Wednesday... .Strong and gusty west wind combined with very low relative humidity and cured fuels will lead to conditions conducive for very fast fire growth. The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 7 PM CST Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.”
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Sunday, January 18, 2026
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 55 mph
“WHAT...Localized snow showers and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations of a dusting. Winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph with a few gusts to 55 mph possible. WHERE...Portions of central into northeastern Iowa. WHEN...Until midnight CST tonight. IMPACTS...Plan on periods of reduced visibility. Gusty winds could also bring down tree branches.”
- Wind 55 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Friday, January 16, 2026
2 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 50 mph
“...PERIODS OF SNOW SHOWERS OR SNOW SQUALLS POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY EVENING... .Snow showers and snow squalls remain possible through early this evening. This activity may bring brief but intense snow rates, which will reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less at times, and quickly cover roads creating hazardous travel conditions.”
“...LOCALIZED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN SNOW SQUALLS TODAY... .Snow showers and snow squalls will become more widespread this afternoon as a cold front arrives from northwest. This activity will move southeast by the afternoon before diminishing tonight.”
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 50 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 60 mph
“...STRONG WINDS RESULTING IN BLOWING SNOW THIS MORNING... .Very strong winds will continue over much of Iowa this morning. Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected. Strong winds may interact with snowpack on the ground, leading to blowing and drifting of snow. Scattered snow showers in conjunction with the strong winds may lead to brief visibility reductions this morning.”
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
4 NWS warnings — wind gusts up to 60 mph
“...STRONG WINDS RESULTING IN BLOWING SNOW TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... .Very strong winds will develop over much of Iowa later tonight and into Wednesday morning. Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected. Strong winds will interact with snowpack on the ground, leading to blowing and drifting of snow.”
“...STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL OCCUR TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... .Very strong winds will develop this evening and tonight, with the strong wind gusts persisting into Wednesday morning. Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected. Much of the area has 6 inches or more of snow on the ground.”
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Monday, December 8, 2025
1 NWS warning — wind gusts up to 60 mph
“...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR DUE TO SIGNIFICANT BLOWING SNOW TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING... .Very strong winds will develop Tuesday evening with the strong wind gusts persisting into Wednesday morning. Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected. Much of the area has 6 inches or more of snow on the ground.”
- Wind 60 mph Story County NWS severe weather mention
Sunday, September 21, 2025
1 SPC verified storm report
“Several large tree branches greater than 3 inches in diameter down around the city. (DMX)”
- Wind Unknown Ames SPC verified report
Today's severe weather outlook
Common questions
When was the last severe storm in Story County, IA?
The most recent recorded event was on Jul 20, 2026. Official NWS and SPC records show 47 severe weather events in Story County over the last 12 months. Exact dates and locations for recent storms are available in the app with a free account.
Has there been hail in Story County recently?
Yes — 7 hail reports in the last 12 months, with hail up to 2.75" recorded.
How do I check whether a specific address was affected?
Create a free IDOLCheck account and run an address check. It shows verified storm reports and official NWS warning boundaries around any specific property — county-level pages like this one only tell part of the story.