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.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — Several hundred Iowans turned out for the Republican Party of Iowa’s Lincoln Dinner fundraiser Friday night that served largely as a tribute to Gov. Kim Reynolds, the state’s first female governor who is retiring after her term expires in January.
One of granddaughters described Reynolds as her “best friend,” a moment that brought tears on stage.
Two of Reynolds’ daughters praised their mother’s work ethic and commitment to their family.
A video played during the evening included a salute for Reynolds from Terry Branstad, the former governor who had chosen Reynolds as his running mate.
Republican governors from Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Georgia also offered their compliments for Reynolds in videos.
So did Trump administration officials including U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins .
Reynolds, first elected lt. governor in 2010, became governor in 2017 after Branstad resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to China.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau. All rights reserved.
SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (KTIV) – Gelita USA held an open house Friday, July 10, to celebrate the completion of a new wastewater treatment facility at its plant near Sergeant Bluff, marking the end of years of regulatory violations tied to its discharge into the Missouri River.
Gelita manufactures gelatin and collagen, ingredients used in food, medicine, and supplements. That manufacturing process produces large amounts of contaminated wastewater containing proteins, fats, and ammonia, a substance categorized as a toxic pollutant.
According to an Iowa Department of Natural Resources sampling inspection from March 2025, the plant was processing nearly double its design capacity. Before the upgrade, the Iowa State lab documented black water in the Missouri River near the facility’s discharge site. The Iowa DNR found Gelita had exceeded ammonia limits multiple times.
The report said that at the outfall to the Missouri River, Iowa DNR Tom Ross observed that the effluent had a black coloration. Roos requested additional testing at this location.
“Following the inspection, the discharge location on the Missouri River was visited. During the visit, the effluent at the river appeared to be a dark color, much different then the effluent observed at the treatment facility. It was explained during the visit, the color of the discharge to the river was a violation of 567-61.3(2) ‘c’, lowa Administrative Code, which states that all surface waters shall be free from materials attributable to wastewater discharges or agricultural practices producing objectionable color, odor, or other aesthetically objectionable conditions.”
Jeff Tolsma, General Manager of Gelita USA, said the upgrade was the result of an extended dialogue with regulators and upgraded technology.
The new facility includes ultraviolet disinfection, a feature the old plant did not have. The UV light treatment damages the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms before discharge, improving the company’s compliance with Iowa DNR standards.
Company, regulators call it a turning point
“We met with the EPA and the Iowa DNR probably 18 months, two years ago. It’s been a long dialogue with them, but they were great partners, great to work with,” Tolsma said. “And this wastewater treatment plant allows us to basically meet those new regulations that have been put in place. I think what is significant is that this actually brings us forward from a compliance standpoint for a long-term sustainable operation.”
The Iowa DNR said it will continue monitoring the facility to ensure ongoing compliance.
Gelita USA has operated in the Siouxland area for approximately 30 years and employs around 200 people.
Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.
Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.
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