Iowa
The end of El Niño could ramp up tornadoes in Iowa. What to expect this year.
Tornado forecast for Spring 2024
A meteorologist gives predictions for Spring’s severe weather season, specifically on the impact of tornadoes.
Spring started with a vengeance in Iowa in 2023. March had more tornadoes than any other month in Iowa during 2023. This spring season may be the opposite. Long-range forecasters warn of a slow start to severe weather season that will escalate as the year progresses.
Springtime weather patterns will contribute to severe weather throughout Tornado Alley, covering states from Texas through Nebraska, according to AccuWeather.
“The second half of spring is jumping out to us,” said Senior Meteorologist Paul Pastelok about the upcoming tornado activity.
More: A 2023 Iowa weather recap: Drought, tornado outbreaks and massive hail
What will this tornado season look like?
Last year’s weather season broke norms for severe weather season. In March, 206 tornadoes swept through the country. This is more than double the monthly historical average of 80, according to AccuWeather.
“The severe weather threat can be more frequent in the Midwest, Tennessee and Ohio valleys later March into May, while the northern Plains and Northeast can have an increase in May,” Pastelok said.
Tornadoes this year are also expected to near historic average of 1,225. AccuWeather predicts anywhere from 1,250 to 1,375 tornadoes across the country in 2024. That’s a downturn from the 1,423 reported in 2023.
More: Farm insurer joins others in pulling back from Iowa after increased storms
When is the highest risk for tornadoes in Iowa?
The month of May will have the highest risk for tornadoes in Iowa due to a change in weather patterns from the western and central Gulf of Mexico causing higher dewpoints and humidity.
“In addition, the southern storm track, impacting the Gulf Coast which lift north and meeting up with the northern storm track putting the central Plains and Midwest in a good path for strong severe weather events,” Pastelok said in an email to the Register.
Severe weather can still occur throughout March and April. From March 24 to March 29, Pastelok predicted potential severe weather including damaging wind gust, hail and some tornadoes. While April could have a high frequency of storms or cold fronts.
How many tornadoes were there in Iowa during 2023?
In 2023, 72 tornadoes touched down in Iowa, according to the National Weather Service. Last year had a little more than 20 tornadoes above normal.
2023 was also the earliest start to tornado season since the start of tornado recording in 1950, with two touching down on Jan. 16, 2023 in eastern Iowa, according to the NWS Iowa Tornado summary. March was the peak month for tornadoes in Iowa 2023. There were 25 tornadoes that swept different areas of the state that month.
Database: Track all of the tornaodes in Iowa since 1950
How many injuries were there in Iowa due to tornadoes in 2023?
In Iowa, there were 11 injuries due to tornadoes in 2023. Zero casualties occurred last year because of tornadoes, according to the NWS.
May could be ‘critical month’ for tornadoes: Why severe weather could increase as the year progresses?
El Niño predicted to conclude in the next few months. The El Niño season caused below average tornadoes and hail. There could be more activity in Tornado Alley during April and into May, according to AccuWeather. The temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico are near to slightly above historical averages, which can dictate severe weather season.
“If the water is slower to warm in March, this could hold back the number of severe weather reports in March, especially compared to March 2023,” Pastelok said.
As the Gulf of Mexico temperature increases later into spring, May could be a “critical month for tornadoes.”
“The season overall for the spring, for the entire nation will average near normal on severe weather reports but slightly below average on tornadoes (mainly due to the later start of high frequency tornado events),” Pastelok told the Register in an email Friday. “The number of tornadoes can pick up during the summer and the late season severe weather period in the fall.”
More: It’s official: February 2024 was the warmest-ever in Des Moines weather history
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
Iowa
AP Poll Top 25: Iowa State stays in same spot as no change at the top of rankings
The Iowa State men remain No. 3 in the latest AP Poll Top 25, which was released on Monday.
Following a win over Morgan State, the Cyclones (10-1) check in behind SEC powers Tennessee and Auburn, keeping the Top 3 the same for another week.
Duke and Alabama are right behind Iowa State, as Kentucky dropped six spots to No. 10 this week. Florida, Kansas, Marquette and Oregon complete the Top 10.
Along with Iowa State and Kansas, the Big 12 Conference is represented by Houston, Cincinnati and newcomer Baylor. The Cougars are ranked 15th, the Bearcats are No. 17 and the Bears are 25th.
Other newcomers include Mississippi State, Arkansas and Illinois, as Memphis, Dayton, Michigan and Clemson all dropped out.
The Cyclones close out 2024 when they travel to Boulder to take on Colorado. That game is set for Monday, Dec. 30 and will be the conference opener.
Here is the men’s college basketball AP Poll Top 25 for Week 8:
(Dec. 23)
1. Tennessee (41)
2. Auburn (21)
3. Iowa State
4. Duke
5. Alabama
6. Florida
7. Kansas
8. Marquette
9. Oregon
10. Kentucky
11. Connecticut
12. Oklahoma
13. Texas A&M
14. Gonzaga
15. Houston
16. Mississippi
17. Cincinnati
18. Michigan State
19. Mississippi State
20. San Diego State
21. Purdue
22. UCLA
23. Arkansas
24. Illinois
25. Baylor
Others receiving votes: Maryland 119; Dayton 108; Drake 91; St. John’s 90; Memphis 65; Michigan 50; Georgia 45; Pittsburgh 27 West Virginia 26; Missouri 25; Ohio State 23; North Carolina 20; Clemson 18; Arizona State 13; Utah State 9; Wisconsin 9; Texas Tech 8; Indiana 8; St. Bonaventure 4; Penn State 3.
Dropped from rankings: Memphis 21; Dayton 22; Michigan 24; Clemson 25.
Iowa
Which Iowa State football players have been invited to the annual Senior Bowl?
Three Iowa State football players have been invited to participate in the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl. The game will take place on Feb. 1 from Mobile, Alabama, airing live on NFL Network at 1:30 p.m. CT.
Higgins and Noel are both wide receivers while Porter transitioned from that position to defensive back before this past season.
Higgins, a Florida native, has 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns, earning second team all-Big 12 and third team all-Associated Press honors. He formed the first-ever 1,000-yard duo with Noel this past season for the Cyclones.
Noel, a Kansas City native, hauled in 72 passes for 1,077 yards with seven TDs. He was named the conference co-special teams player of the year and owns a 45-game streak with at least one reception.
Porter, from Bettendorf became a starter, picking off three passes while also blocking five kicks in his career.
Iowa State has had at least one played invited to the Senior Bowl each of the past four seasons.
Played annually since 1950, the Reese’s Senior Bowl is one of the nation’s best collegiate all-star games. This marks the second time in school history that ISU has had three players invited to the game (2021).
1955- Max Burkett
1962- Dave Hoppmann
1962- Chuck Walton
1963- Dave Hoover
1964- John Van Sicklen
1966- Eppie Barney
1968- Tom Busch
1972- Dean Carlson
1973- Merv Krakau
1974- Matt Blair
1975- Tom Goedjen
1977- Luther Blue
1979- Mike Stensrud (DNP)
1981- Kenny Neil
1983- Bruce Reimers
1986- Dennis Gibson
1991- Blaise Bryant
2000- Sage Rosenfels
2001- Ennis Haywood
2002- Seneca Wallace
2003- Jordan Carstens
2007- Ahtyba Rubin
2011- Leonard Johnson
2011- Kelechi Osemele
2013- Kirby Van Der Kamp
2014- E.J. Bibbs (DNP)
2017- Allen Lazard
2019 – Steve Wirtel
2021 – Charlie Kolar, Andrew Mevis, Mike Rose (DNP)
2022 – Xavier Hutchinson, Will McDonald IV (DNP)
2023 – TJ Tampa (DNP)
2024 – Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Darien Porter
Iowa
No Beau: What's Next for Iowa in the Portal?
On Sunday evening, we learned that Iowa officially missed out on Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula, a big target out of the transfer portal. After visits to Iowa, Missouri, UCF and Ole Miss, the former Nittany Lion elected to take his talents to Mizzou.
So what’s next for the Hawkeyes? What other available targets are worth looking into? Is their best option not in the portal (yet)?
Let’s take a look at what Iowa could do next at the QB position, with its top target off the board.
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