Several severe thunderstorms developed across much of eastern Iowa on the evening of May 6, 2023. Storms mainly produced hail up to golf ball size. Through the evening, storms merged and weakened in intensity, but not before producing some wind damage across northern and central Lee County. An isolated tornado also occurred in Muscatine County. Heavy rain also fell from storms as some remained stationary for long periods of time. Most notably, locations north and east of Fairfield, Iowa recorded over two inches of rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 18:31:00 to 07-MAY-23 18:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: (BRL)BURLINGTON MUNI
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS at Burlington Airport measured a 60 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in CEDAR, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 16:59:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: TIPTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Large tree fell on a shed. Time was estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 18:30:00 to 07-MAY-23 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Parking signs bent over by the thunderstorm winds. Time was estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:32:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

An off duty NWS employee estimated winds of 70 mph. He also reported nickel sized hail and large tree branches down near 53rd Street and US 61 in Davenport.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:38:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Roof torn off of a manufactured home due to the thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:35:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT UNION
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind from the north estimated to be 80 mph. Strong winds lasted for about 20 minutes. Power went out due to the strong winds. A 6 inch diameter tree limb blown down and smaller branches.  Also, some scaffolding was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in IOWA, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 16:59:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOMESTEAD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There were 15 to 18 inch diameter branches that were downed by the wind, along with some shingle and siding damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:03:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: NICHOLS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts estimated between 50 to 60 mph from the thunderstorm.

Thunderstorm Wind in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 16:19:00 to 07-MAY-23 16:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: IOWA CITY MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

There was a 72 mph wind gust reported at the Iowa City Airport ASOS.

Thunderstorm Wind in CEDAR, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:28:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: STANWOOD
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tree limbs and power lines down across town.

Thunderstorm Wind in CEDAR, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 16:51:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGDALE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Semi truck was blown over while driving on Interstate 80. Time was estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:48:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT PLEASANT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Large tree branches down by the thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:10:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASHINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The AWOS reported a 59 mph wind gust with the thunderstorm.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:50:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT PLEASANT MUNI ARP
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

There was a 77 mph wind gust reported at the AWOS with the second round of storms.

Funnel Cloud in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 18:19:00 to 07-MAY-23 18:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST BURLINGTON
Reported by: Public

Funnel clouds going up and down in the clouds occasionally, but never reached the ground.

Tornado in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 16:48:00 to 07-MAY-23 16:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST LIBERTY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado developed just NNW of West Liberty and tracked across the far northeast part of town before eventually crossing over U.S. Highway 6 between West Liberty and Atalissa, and diminishing shortly after. The extent of the damage was mainly to outbuildings, with several walls and roofs collapsed and in some cases blown across a downstream field. A few large trees and two utility poles were also snapped. A large metal batting cage anchored into concrete was twisted and bent sharply at its base.

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 19:17:00 to 06-MAY-23 19:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SELMA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Quarter sized hail, with very strong winds that resulted in some minor damage to the trees.

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 19:25:00 to 06-MAY-23 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOUDS
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Hail in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 19:52:00 to 06-MAY-23 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTONSPORT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 20:49:00 to 06-MAY-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEAVERDALE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 21:34:00 to 06-MAY-23 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BATAVIA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 22:20:00 to 06-MAY-23 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVERSIDE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Hail in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 21:41:00 to 06-MAY-23 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Hail in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 21:42:00 to 06-MAY-23 21:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: WELLMAN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 00:23:00 to 07-MAY-23 00:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYLAND
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 20:35:00 to 06-MAY-23 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAWYER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Eight inch diameter tree limbs downed by strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 20:45:00 to 06-MAY-23 20:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: SALEM
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

Trees blown down and shingles blown off of the roof.

Thunderstorm Wind in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 06-MAY-23 22:00:00 to 06-MAY-23 22:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BIRMINGHAM
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Tree blown down.

Hail in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:02:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HILLS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in CLINTON, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:15:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEWITT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

Estimated winds around 60 mph from the thunderstorm.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:11:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRIGHTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There was a 12 inch diameter tree that was blown down. Time was estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:28:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS at Davenport Airport measured a 64 mph wind gust from the thunderstorm.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLINTON, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:31:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLINTON MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The AWOS at Clinton Airport measured a 66 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:32:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT ARPT
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS at Davenport Airport measured a 67 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, IOWA
From 07-MAY-23 17:35:00 to 07-MAY-23 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

There was a 3 inch tree that was snapped by thunderstorm winds. Nearby reports of 60 to 70 mph winds.