A strong spring storm system moved from the central Plains into the Great Lakes region on 2 April 2006.  A strong low level jet of 40-50 knots (46-58 mph) allowed thunderstorms to develop in the semi-moist atmosphere of the warm sector.  These storms rapidly developed into a squall line that raced northeast across far northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa, and west central Illinois.  The storms were prolific non-severe hail producers while at the same time producing severe hail.  Eight tornadoes were produced across southeast Iowa and west central Illinois by this squall line.  A second squall line developed along the occluded front in eastern Iowa and moved northeast into northwest Illinois producing some wind and hail damage.

Hail in LEE, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:35:00 to 02-APR-06 15:35:00 (CST)
Location: DONNELLSON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail.  Time estimated based on radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:46:00 to 02-APR-06 15:56:00 (CST)
Location: WASHINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 53 MG
Property damage: .5K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

KAWG AWOS

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:40:00 to 02-APR-06 15:40:00 (CST)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail.  Time estimated based on radar.

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:37:00 to 02-APR-06 15:41:00 (CST)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

ham report; dime size hail

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:49:00 to 02-APR-06 15:54:00 (CST)
Location: WASHINGTON
Magnitude: 61 EG
Property damage: 4K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Power lines were downed on 220th Street just west of County W61 by a downburst from the mesocyclone of the Washington tornado or a rear flank downdraft.  Winds estimated at 61 knots (70 mph).

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:53:00 to 02-APR-06 15:55:00 (CST)
Location: DANVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

At Harmony Bible Church

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:51:00 to 02-APR-06 15:56:00 (CST)
Location: WASHINGTON
Magnitude: 74 EG
Property damage: 25K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Damage was first noted by law enforcement on a farmstead on 220th Street.  The owners report the loss of the porch roof with windows blown out of the house.  A machine shed had a wall caved in with power lines down.

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:59:00 to 02-APR-06 15:59:00 (CST)
Location: MIDDLETOWN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: .5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:14:00 to 02-APR-06 16:14:00 (CST)
Location: RIVERSIDE
Magnitude: 61 EG
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Power lines down

Hail in LEE, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:51:00 to 02-APR-06 15:51:00 (CST)
Location: KEOKUK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Hail in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:12:00 to 02-APR-06 16:12:00 (CST)
Location: TIFFIN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: .5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

also reported by hams; dime to nickel size hail

Hail in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:20:00 to 02-APR-06 15:28:00 (CST)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Pea to dime size hail, accumulated up to one inch deep in places. Also estimated 35 to 43 knot (40 to 50 mph) winds.

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:50:00 to 02-APR-06 16:00:00 (CST)
Location: DANVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Jct U.S. 34 & X27; dime size hail with a lot of pea hail

Funnel Cloud in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:50:00 to 02-APR-06 15:53:00 (CST)
Location: DANVILLE
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Funnel and wall cloud north of Danville.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:57:00 to 02-APR-06 16:02:00 (CST)
Location: WASHINGTON
Magnitude: 74 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

First discovered by law enforcement.  Owners report a utility shed was flattened and scattered across the property.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOUISA, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:58:00 to 02-APR-06 16:04:00 (CST)
Location: COTTER
Magnitude: 74 EG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Pine trees snapped off at the base.

Hail in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:10:00 to 02-APR-06 16:10:00 (CST)
Location: LONE TREE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:22:00 to 02-APR-06 16:25:00 (CST)
Location: MUSCATINE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail

Hail in CEDAR, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:53:00 to 02-APR-06 16:58:00 (CST)
Location: STANWOOD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:54:00 to 02-APR-06 16:04:00 (CST)
Location: HASKINS
Magnitude: 65 EG
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Straight line winds destroyed a barn on the Rick Gerot farm.

Hail in JONES, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 17:15:00 to 02-APR-06 17:15:00 (CST)
Location: ANAMOSA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

Media relayed public report of dime size hail

Thunderstorm Wind in CEDAR, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:45:00 to 02-APR-06 16:45:00 (CST)
Location: LOWDEN
Magnitude: 61 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

From co-op observer; power poles snapped off with damage noted to evergreen trees.  Shingles were noted missing from a barn.  Time estimated based on radar.

Hail in LINN, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:48:00 to 02-APR-06 16:48:00 (CST)
Location: LISBON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Also reported by amateur radio; dime to quarter size hail from Lisbon to the Linn/Cedar county line.

Hail in CEDAR, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 16:55:00 to 02-APR-06 16:55:00 (CST)
Location: MECHANICSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

On the Linn/Cedar county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLINTON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 17:02:00 to 02-APR-06 17:09:00 (CST)
Location: LOST NATION
Magnitude: 70 EG
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

An outbuilding was blown 5 feet off its foundation, breaking the frame and tilting it at a 30 degree angle.  The one thing preventing total collapse was a tractor inside the building.

Hail in JACKSON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 17:43:00 to 02-APR-06 17:43:00 (CST)
Location: OTTER CREEK
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy Rain in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 20:45:00 to 02-APR-06 20:45:00 (CST)
Location: DANVILLE
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Deputy reported zero visibility at the intersection of U.S. 34 and X27.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:15:00 to 02-APR-06 15:15:00 (CST)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 61 EG
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Tree and mailboxes down in Fairfield.

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 02-APR-06 15:06:00 to 02-APR-06 15:08:00 (CST)
Location: CANTRIL
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

dime size hail