A surface low sinking south into the area allowed for scattered storms to develop across central Iowa in the afternoon. Steep lapse rates and deep layer shear allowed for the development of organized updrafts while low melting levels supported larger hail development. Several storms strengthened and prompted warnings, though few resulted in any severe reports. The strongest quickly developed over the Des Moines metro, where the time between a clear radar image and golf ball sized hail was just over 20 minutes. Hail pummeled the west side of the metro for nearly 30 minutes, resulting in hundreds of vehicles with significant damage. One high school in West Des Moines also reported damage to the building which resulted in water leaking into the library and a rush to protect the books. After the hail ended the storms continued to train across the metro, resulting in flash flooding a a couple of water rescues due to stranded vehicles.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:33:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHAWA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Report from mping.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:40:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOVER HILLS
Magnitude: 1.50 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

WOI-5 storm team reports ping pong ball sized hail at studio.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:40:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHAWA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf balled sized hail reported breaking windshields.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:40:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOVER HILLS
Magnitude: 2.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

One and a half to two inch hail in Clive.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:43:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOVER HILLS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Dime up to golf ball sized hail.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:45:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: ASHAWA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Delayed report via social media of ping pong ball sized hail in West Des Moines. Time estimated via radar.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:45:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST DES MOINES
Magnitude: 2.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Delayed report of egg sized hail in West Des Moines. Time estimated by radar.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:45:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOVER HILLS
Magnitude: 3.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

WOI-5 reported three inch hail at the station in West Des Moines.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:46:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOVER HILLS
Magnitude: 2.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Delayed report via social media of two inch diameter hail reported at Valley High School. Many cars with broken windshields. Hail damage to school resulted in water falling into the library with damage to books. Time estimated via radar.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:47:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINDSOR HGTS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Report from mping.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:50:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOVER HILLS
Magnitude: 2.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail at least 1.5 to 2 inches with many cars damaged at Valley West Mall. Delayed report, time estimated via radar.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:50:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINDSOR HGTS
Magnitude: 1.25 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Report from mping.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 13:56:00 to 19-AUG-22 13:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: DES MOINES
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Report from mping.

Hail in DALLAS, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 14:08:00 to 19-AUG-22 14:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAUKEE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HARDIN, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 14:10:00 to 19-AUG-22 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEAMBOAT ROCK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Delayed report relayed by broadcast media. Time estimated via radar.

Hail in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 14:10:00 to 19-AUG-22 14:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DES MOINES
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Delayed report of quarter sized hail. Time estimated form radar.

Hail in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 14:50:00 to 19-AUG-22 14:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLLAND
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Delayed report via social media of ping pong ball sized hail north of Grundy Center. Time estimated by radar.

Hail in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 14:56:00 to 19-AUG-22 14:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Pea to quarter sized hail falling north of Holland.

Flash Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 15:30:00 to 19-AUG-22 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAPITOL HGTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Report of car stranded in intersection. Occupants indicate water is beginning to enter the vehicle. Water rescue in progress at time of report.

Flash Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 19-AUG-22 15:30:00 to 19-AUG-22 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DES MOINES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Flash flooding across Hickman between 24th and MLK Drive. Car stranded with water up to the hood. Report via social media.