Iowa’s Third Destructive Derecho of Year Hits Forecast Marks

The severe weather threat we were warned of yesterday (7/29/25) and into this morning (7/29/25) materialized, and it did so with some extreme force across the cornfields of Iowa.

A confirmed derecho tore across parts of the Upper Midwest from late Monday (7/28) through early Tuesday (7/29) morning, delivering widespread wind damage, particularly across parts of South Dakota and Iowa. The system performed largely as forecast, though it initiated slightly farther south than weather models had predicted.

The storm complex grew and wasted no time gathering into a classic bowing line of intense thunderstorms. As it moved southeast, it unleashed scattered wind gusts of 80 to 110 mph. The most intense impacts in the state were felt between Sioux Falls and Cedar Rapids. Locations along and south of the I-90 and I-80 were the hardest hit, with severe criteria wind gusts (58+ mph) reported from south-central South Dakota all the way to Davenport, Iowa, according to Midewst Weather.

Numerous communities are now cleaning up from the significant wind damage, which includes downed trees and power lines, overturned trailers, and reports of roof and structural damage. While the destruction is substantial in spots, no fatalities have been reported.

This marks the third confirmed derecho of the season across Iowa, following events on May 24th and July 15th. That’s a notable statistic, as derecho outbreaks typically become less frequent heading into late August. Either way, we’re still firmly in “derecho season,” and recent trends show that the atmosphere remains primed for these fast-moving, high-impact events.

The weather is always crazy in Iowa: as the saying goes, "just wait 10 minutes." This latest system serves as a reminder of how fast these storms can grow and change, and how crucial it is to stay weather-aware. That's especially the case during the overnight and early morning hours. Stay tuned, stay prepared, and remember: derecho season isn’t over just yet.