What Happened

Twenty-one tornadoes were reported across Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as a multi-state severe weather event unfolded across the central Plains and Midwest. The outbreak also produced 112 hail reports and 99 wind reports spanning seven states.

The first tornado touched down at 1846 UTC (1:46 pm CDT) near Little Sioux, Iowa, where an emergency manager relayed reports of numerous power lines down and roofs torn from buildings along 120th Street. The final confirmed tornado of the day occurred at 0149 UTC (8:49 pm CDT) just east of Weldon, Iowa, where a metal roof was blown off a structure.

No EF ratings have been issued as of this writing. The National Weather Service will conduct damage surveys in the coming days to assess tornado intensity and path characteristics.

Where the Tornadoes Occurred

Iowa (7 tornadoes)

Iowa saw seven tornado reports, concentrated in two clusters. The first wave struck western Iowa near Little Sioux and Riverton during the late afternoon. A second round developed across central Iowa after sunset, with tornadoes reported near Slater, Mitchellville, and Weldon.

The Weldon area experienced notable damage, with at least one tree falling on a house and power lines downed in addition to the metal roof loss reported just east of town.

Kansas (11 tornadoes)

Kansas recorded the most tornado reports with eleven touchdowns. Several were classified as landspouts—tornadoes that form along boundaries without a traditional mesocyclone—near Newton, Whitewater, and Valley Center.

The National Weather Service in Topeka confirmed tornado damage to at least three homes near Lake Kahola, southwest of Dunlap, around 2329 UTC (6:29 pm CDT). A confirmed tornado was also photographed near Dunlap at 2326 UTC.

Other Kansas tornadoes were reported near Burns, Allen (south of Admire), and across Butler County. A former NWS employee near Newton reported a landspout with a visible debris cloud at 2351 UTC.

Oklahoma (3 tornadoes)

Oklahoma saw three tornado reports, all in the northern part of the state near the Kansas border. Tornadoes touched down near Renfrow, Braman (where a satellite tornado was also observed), and Newkirk. One tornado near Vance Air Force Base was reported at 0111 UTC, coinciding with a measured wind gust of 107 mph at the base.

The NWS in Norman noted that the Renfrow tornado was ongoing as of 6:46 pm local time.

Hail and Wind Damage

While tornadoes drew the most attention, large hail was the dominant hazard. One hundred twelve hail reports came in across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

The largest hail—1.75 inches in diameter, roughly the size of a golf ball—was reported at multiple locations in Nebraska, including near Kennard, Pleasant Dale, and Fairbury. Lincoln, Nebraska, saw repeated hail reports ranging from quarter-size (1.00 inch) to 1.50 inches during the late afternoon.

Ninety-nine wind reports were logged, including the 107 mph gust at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Herington, Kansas, recorded a 70 mph gust at 2216 UTC. Structural damage was widespread: a barn was partially destroyed near Sparta, Wisconsin; a roof was blown off a home near Stanberry, Missouri; and a machine shed roof was torn off near Swan, Iowa.

Timing and Storm Evolution

The severe weather began in earnest during the mid-to-late afternoon across Nebraska and Iowa, with the first tornado reports arriving around 1846 UTC. Activity intensified through the evening as storms tracked eastward and northeastward.

Tornado reports peaked between 2300 UTC and 0150 UTC (6:00 pm to 8:50 pm CDT), a window that included the Kansas landspout cluster and the central Iowa tornadoes. The event wound down after midnight as storms moved into Missouri and weakened.

Context: April in Tornado Alley and the Midwest

April is historically one of the most active months for tornadoes in the central Plains and Midwest. The combination of increasing Gulf moisture, strong jet stream winds, and frequent frontal boundaries creates a volatile atmospheric setup.

Thursday's event fits the seasonal pattern. While 21 tornado reports in a single day is notable, it does not rise to the level of a major outbreak. For comparison, the April 14, 2012, outbreak produced more than 100 tornado reports across the Plains and Midwest.

What makes this event significant is its geographic spread and the number of communities affected. Tornadoes touched down in both rural and populated areas, and the timing—late afternoon through evening—meant many people were at home or commuting when warnings were issued.

Lessons and Preparedness

Thursday's storms underscore several key preparedness principles:

Warnings came during the evening commute and dinner hours. Many of the tornadoes occurred between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm local time, when people are often distracted or away from their primary shelter. Having multiple ways to receive warnings—including a NOAA Weather Radio, a smartphone weather app, and local broadcast alerts—is critical.

Landspouts can be dangerous despite their formation mechanism. Several of the Kansas tornadoes were classified as landspouts, which can develop rapidly and with less warning than supercell tornadoes. The presence of a landspout does not mean the threat is minimal—these tornadoes can still cause damage and injury.

Damage surveys take time. As of this writing, no EF ratings have been assigned. The National Weather Service will send survey teams to affected areas to assess damage, measure path length and width, and assign ratings based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. This process can take several days, particularly when multiple tornadoes occur across a wide area.

Hail was the most widespread threat. While tornadoes generate the most concern, hail affected a much larger area and caused significant property damage. Golf ball-size hail can shatter windows, dent vehicles, and destroy crops. Residents in hail-prone areas should move vehicles under cover when severe thunderstorm warnings are issued.

Looking Ahead

The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk for severe weather across parts of southeast Oklahoma and the ArkLaTex for Friday, April 24, with large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes possible. An Enhanced Risk remains in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday across portions of Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and the Mississippi Valley.

Residents across the Plains and Midwest should remain weather-aware through the weekend. Severe weather season is in full swing, and additional tornado threats are likely in the days ahead.

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