A Bust and a Blip

Dire forecasts for severe weather, including "intense" tornadoes and "tornado outbreaks" were predicted by many weather sources for Monday, April 27, 2026, several days in advance, including a Moderate Risk for areas in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois on the morning of the expected event. For the most part it did not happen, and would be described by many as a major "bust"--weak to no storm events. Eastern Iowa was included in the predicted tornado "hatching" area the day before, but saw nothing...except the small "blip" event that occurred during the late afternoon of April 27. Around 4:00 pm a small storm cell formed near the border of Tama and Poweshiek counties, began to intensify and moved in an east-to-northeasterly track toward Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Radarscope reflectivity capture above from 5:03 pm CDT shows the cell with lightning and small areas of hail as it began to draw attention.

5:12 pm. Radar capture. Pink areas showing hail is increasing as the storm approaches. 

5:20 pm. The storm draws near to my location at Bowman Woods Park in Cedar Rapids. This image looks west. A lowering feature which included a brief weak rotation and a wispy funnel was observed. 

Corresponding Radarscope capture to the photo above it showing reflectivity (top) and velocity (bottom). My location is indicated by the blue target icon.

5:22 pm. The storm is ever closer, but has now lost its rotational appearance and looks more "whale's mouth" outflow dominant.

5:24 pm. The leading edge of the (outflow) storm seen in the northeast sky as it pushes through. Nikon Z6ii camera.

5:31 pm. Radar capture. Largest area of hail (pink) just north of my position. Reports from the nearby town of Robins told of "quarter size hail that littered their yards." This prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to tag this storm as severe warned.

5:35 pm. Hail size comparison to a dime at my location five minutes after the largest of the small stones had fallen. iPhone 11 camera. This isolated event was the only severe occurrence in the state of Iowa, and generally speaking in the midwest, happening this day. A mere "blip."