A warm front lifted north across the state during the previous night.  At the same time, intense low pressure formed to the west of Iowa and tracked northeast through South Dakota into Minnesota.  The low intensified as a negatively tilted upper level trough of low pressure in the upper atmosphere lifted northeast out of the southwest U.S.  A strong jet and pronounced dry slot was evident in the warm sector of the system.  The jet and dry slot tracked across Iowa during the afternoon and evening of the 18th.  This set the stage for the high wind event.  A very strong south to southwest flow developed over the state.  Profiler data showed wind of 50 kts at 500 meters during much of the morning into the early part of the afternoon.  The winds increased to 75 kts at the 500 meter level by the late afternoon and evening hours.  The strong winds in the lowest range gates were not realized during much of the day do to strong upward vertical velocities.  Strong subsidence developed during the late afternoon and evening hours, allowing for sufficient mixing and for the strong winds to be realized at the surface.  During the day, winds were in the 30 to 35 MPH range across the state, with frequent gusts to around 55 MPH.  During the late afternoon and early evening hours, winds increased with sustained winds of 40 MPH or more across most of the state, with many areas reporting gusts of 60 to 65 MPH.  Widespread light damage was reported over the area, with scattered reports of significant wind damage.   Several reports of tree, power line, and out building damage were received from around the state.  Reports of semi-tractortrailers being blown off the roads.  U.S. Highway 18 in Cerro Gordo County was closed by two overturned trucks that were blown over by the wind.  Also, traffic was rerouted in Warren County at the junction of U.S. Highway 65-69 due to a truck being blown over.  In addition to the wind damage problems, dry conditions around the state lead to areas of blowing dust.  Visibilities were restricted at times, especially over the west half of the state.  In Kossuth County, the visibility dropped to as low as three eigths of a mile at the Algona Airport for about an hour.

High Wind in ADAIR, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in ADAMS, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 50 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in BOONE, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in BREMER, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in BUTLER, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in CALHOUN, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 56 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in CARROLL, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 53 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in CASS, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 50 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 56 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in CLARKE, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in CRAWFORD, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in HARDIN, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in HUMBOLDT, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 56 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in JASPER, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 50 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in DALLAS, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in DECATUR, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in EMMET, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 52 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in GREENE, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 56 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 52 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in HANCOCK, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in KOSSUTH, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 56 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in LUCAS, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in MADISON, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in MARION, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in PALO ALTO, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in POCAHONTAS, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in POLK, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 55 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in SAC, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in STORY, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in TAMA, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in UNION, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in WARREN, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 57 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in WAYNE, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 50 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in WINNEBAGO, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in WORTH, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 35 MS
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High Wind in WRIGHT, IOWA
From 18-APR-04 15:10:00 to 18-APR-04 21:00:00 (CST)
Magnitude: 52 MG
Property damage: 80K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC