Iowa (RI) — After last year’s record tornado outbreak, Iowa is having a relatively mild severe weather season this year, according to state climatologist Justin Glisan. Now that we’re into August and out of what’s considered the peak season for twisters, Glisan says Iowa has seen few tornadoes by comparison this year.
During July alone, Iowa had more than 180 severe wind reports, but Glisan says overall, the late spring and summer have provided a reprieve from “widespread” severe weather. A powerful storm that’s now classified as a derecho swept across northern and eastern Iowa last week, with winds peaking at 99 miles an hour. Still, Glisan says severe weather has been much more active in the southern US.
While the traditional peak severe weather season is now behind us, Glisan reminds that tornadoes can strike during any season and in any month. He cites December of 2021 as a prime example, when Iowa was hit with a derecho and 63 tornadoes on a single day during the year’s final month.
Last year, Iowa had more reported tornadoes than ever before — at 125.
(Ethan Hewett, KMA, Shenandoah)
