A strong upper level trough of low pressure lifted northeast out of the southwest U.S., lifting the seasons first significant storm system out of the southern Rockies into the central U.S.  Deep moisture was drawn north as the system pulled moisture north following the landfall of Hurricane Lili.  A warm front lifted north into the state during the evening hours of the 3rd.  This sent temperatures into the mid 60s to low 70s, with dew point readings at or just below the temperature.  By the late evening of the 3rd and early morning of the 4th, a powerful speed max lifted northeast across the area with wind speeds in the core of 70 to 100 kts.  Thunderstorms erupted during the evening of the 3rd.  They formed in two lines.  There was a main line over eastern Nebraska, with a secondary scattered line well east of the main line.  The secondary line did not produce much in the way of severe weather, but high winds did cause considerable damage in Madison County as the winds damaged trees and out buildings.  As the main line progressed east, high winds were the significant severe event of the day.   Numerous trees were downed across western into parts of central Iowa.  Damage was reported to outbuildings as well.  For example, in Adams county, the roof was ripped off a machine shed and chicken barn.  Hog and grain buildings were severely damage in Madison and Audubon Counties, and a silo was blown down in Story County.  Wind and outbuilding damage also was reported from Taylor, Hamilton, and Webster Counties as well.   In  Stratford, high winds blew several windows out of a farmhouse in rural Stratford.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 01:20:00 to 04-OCT-02 01:20:00 (CST)
Location: PRESCOTT
Magnitude: 61 E
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 5K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 03:00:00 to 04-OCT-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: WINTERSET
Magnitude: 57 E
Property damage: 10K
Crop damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in STORY, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 02:31:00 to 04-OCT-02 02:31:00 (CST)
Location: COLO
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Thunderstorm Wind in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 01:24:00 to 04-OCT-02 01:24:00 (CST)
Location: BEDFORD
Magnitude: 50 E
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 01:15:00 to 04-OCT-02 01:15:00 (CST)
Location: LENOX
Magnitude: 52 E
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 02:05:00 to 04-OCT-02 02:05:00 (CST)
Location: STRATFORD
Magnitude: 61 E
Property damage: 30K
Crop damage: 5K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Thunderstorm Wind in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 01:29:00 to 04-OCT-02 01:29:00 (CST)
Location: HAMLIN
Magnitude: 69 E
Property damage: 50K
Crop damage: 10K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 01:15:00 to 04-OCT-02 01:15:00 (CST)
Location: WINTERSET
Magnitude: 61 E
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 01:55:00 to 04-OCT-02 01:55:00 (CST)
Location: LEHIGH
Magnitude: 57 E
Property damage: 10K
Crop damage: 1K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in STORY, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 02:30:00 to 04-OCT-02 02:30:00 (CST)
Location: FERNALD
Magnitude: 65 E
Property damage: 30K
Crop damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 04-OCT-02 01:27:00 to 04-OCT-02 01:27:00 (CST)
Location: CLEARFIELD
Magnitude: 52 E
Property damage: 10K
Crop damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT