April 02, 2026    
(Click on images to enlarge them)

My son Ryan and I had been eyeing the possibility of a storm chase leading up to this day.  The Storm Prediction Center had an Enhanced Risk forecasted with a slight risk for the Tornadoes.

We made a decision in the morning to head up to southeast Iowa.  Our target city was Iowa City, Iowa.  As we made our way northward, we took note of a line of storms out to the west, but noticed there was a cell out in front of the line.  Our goal was now to line ourselves up with that storm.  As we worked our way westward, the storm then became Tornado warned.

We got right out in front of the approaching storm and found an open area with a view on State Road 22.  Radar now showed a giant hook and it wasn't long before a Tornado was on the ground kicking up debris.









The Tornado disappeared and we stair-stepped our way northeast along side of the storm hoping for a repeat performance.  As we approached West Liberty, Iowa, another funnel drops down and begins throwing debris around in the fields.  It was a very hazy view with a bit of rain wrapping around the circulation, but visible inside was a Tornado firmly planted on the ground.









As the Tornado moved out of sight, we once again followed the cell that was now being absorbed into the fast approaching line of storms that had been out to the west.  We once again got sight of the Tornado in its rope out stage just before being consumed by the line of storms.



With this storm cell that had been out in front of the line becoming part of the line , all of the remaining severe storm cells were embedded in the now, two lines of storms moving at highway speeds.  As the lines of storms passed us, we ended our day and returned home.

National Weather Service Storm Damage Survey

Travel Log
14.5 Hours  -  465 Miles
Click on the link below to see video of some of these storms.
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Summary 2026 Page
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