Complete Catalog of Products Issued
by NWS Des Moines

Severe Weather Information

 
Flooding Information

 
Winter and Non-Precipitation Information
 

 

Product Definitions
Severe Weather Forecast Hydrologic
Winter Weather & Non-Precipitation Climatological & Temperature-Precipitation Miscellaneous

 

Severe Weather Products
Tornado Warning WFUS53 KDMX TORDMX

Issued when a Tornado is occurring or imminent in the warning area.  Updates on Tornado Warnings are transmitted under Severe Weather Statements.
 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

WUUS53 KDMX SVRDMX

Issued when a Severe Thunderstorm is occurring or imminent in the warning area.  Severe Thunderstorms are defined as having damaging winds equal to or greater than 58 mph, and hail equal to or greater than three-quarters of an inch diameter.  Frequent lightning and heavy rains are not included in the definition of a severe thunderstorm.  Updates on Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are transmitted under Severe Weather Statements.
 

Severe Weather Statement

WWUS53 KDMX SVSDMX

Provides updated information on Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings that are currently in effect or recently expired.  Can include related damage reports or weather conditions and also cancel existing warnings.
 

Tornado/Severe Tstm Watch Areal Outline

WWUS32 KDSM SLSIA

This product is issued shortly after a Tornado or Severe Weather Watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center and defines which Iowa counties are included in the watch.  For watch cancellations, refer to Special Weather Statements.
 

Local Storm Report

NWUS53 KDMX LSRDMX

This product contains preliminary, unofficial severe weather reports received by our office.  Official statistics can be found in Storm Data published by the National Climatic Data Center.
 

Forecast Products

 Zone Forecast

FPUS53 KDMX ZFPDMX
Narrative 7 day forecast for each county (zone).   Issued twice daily by 415 am and 400 pm for our entire forecast area.  Updates are issued on an as needed basis.  Headlines include all long fuse watches, advisories and warnings.  Discussion of reasoning behind forecast issued under Area Forecast Discussion (see below).
 

Short Term Forecast (Nowcast)

FPUS73 KDMX NOWDMX

Narrative short term forecast for much of central Iowa issued on an as needed basis focusing on significant weather phenomena.  The product will be issued when precipitation is occurring or forecast to occur within the next several hours or when hazardous non-precipitation weather is going to affect the area.  Winter weather and non-precipitation advisory and warnings will be included as will severe weather watches.
 

State Forecast Product

FPUS63 KDMX SFPIA
Narrative 5 day forecast for the entire state of Iowa issued twice daily, usually by 430 am and 430 pm with updates as needed.   Blend of all 5 zone forecast products the include Iowa counties.
 

Iowa 30 & 90 Day Outlook

FEUS83 KDMX 30LIA
Narrative outlook for the state of Iowa over the next 30 and 90 days usually issued in the middle of the month.  Provides above or below normal trends of temperature and precipitation.  Climatological normals are suggested if there is not a tendency toward above or below normal.  General temperature and precipitation normals are also given for the state through 90 days.  For additional information see the Climate Prediction Center.
 

Area Forecast Discussion

FXUS63 KDMX AFDDMX
Discussion of forecast reasoning behind recently issued Iowa Zone Forecast.  Also includes general area description for long fuse watches, warnings, or advisories issued by office.   Does not include Storm Prediction Center products.  Usually set by 400 am and 400 pm with other updates as needed.  Normally sent by 330 am and 330 pm with other updates as needed.
 

Hydrological Products

Flash Flood Warning

WGUS53 KDMX FFWDMX

Flash Flood Warnings are issued when flash flooding or flooding has been reported or is imminent.  Updates are transmitted under Flash Flood Statements.  Flash Flood Warnings are 6 hours in length or less and can be issued for water washing out roads or bridges and flooding on ungaged rivers or streams.  Ice jams or dam breaks may also cause a Flash Flood Warning to be issued.   Flood Warnings can also be sent under this AWIPS and WMO header when widespread life threatening flooding is expected to last more than 6 hours and is not related to gaged rivers.
 

Flood Watch

WGUS63 KDMX FFADMX

Flood Watches are issued when flash flooding or flooding is possible in the watch area usually within 24 to 36 hours.  This is most often issued when heavy rains are expected to fall on saturated ground, but can also be posted during ice jams or possible dam breaks.  Updates on Flood Watches are transmitted under Flood Statements.
 

Flash Flood Statement

WGUS73 KDMX FFSDMX

Flash Flood Statements are issued to update Flash Flood Warnings.  They can include information about the current flooding situation as well as what is expected.
 

Flood Warning

WGUS43 KDMX FLWDMX
This product is issued when flooding that will significantly affect life or property is occurring or expected within 12 hours along gaged rivers or creeks yet more than six hours after that causative event (e.g., heavy rain, snow melt, ice jams, or reservoir releases).  Current stages, flood stages, forecast stages and crest information are included in a tabular format.  Flood Warnings for gaged rivers are issued when stages should reach or exceed predetermined levels which may be over flood stage.    Often times the river may be out of its banks, but significant damaging or life threatening conditions are not present until the river reaches several feet above the official flood stage.  Updates of Flood Warnings for rivers are issued under Flood Statements, but Flood Warnings may also be reissued if significant changes in timing and crest levels are anticipated.  When flooding is expected along non gaged rivers or streams, Flash Flood Warnings are issued.
 

Flood Statement

WGUS83 KDMX FLSDMX
Flood Statements are issued to update, cancel, reduce in areal coverage, provide supplementary information on  Flood Warnings or Flood Watches that are already in effect.  They can also contain forecast information for gaged rivers that are currently at or expected to be between flood stage and the level at which Flood Warnings would be issued within 24 hours.  Additionally, this product may be used to inform the public of elevated stream flows or ponding of water that is not serious enough to warrant a warning.
 

River Statement

FGUS83 KDMX RVSDMX
River Statements may contain a variety of general river information, but are most often issued with forecast information for gaged rivers that are relatively high, but expected to remain below flood stage for 24 hours.

Hydrologic Outlook

FGUS73 KDMX ESFDMX

This product is issued when there are good chances of widespread, significant flooding usually beyond 36 hours.  Since the event would be relatively far out in the future, the product would contain a general summary of anticipated conditions.  In shorter time frames, Flood Watches would be issued with more specific information and higher detail.  This product is also issued for even longer outlook periods, usually during the Spring for the expected snowmelt along mainstem rivers and also each month for a probabilistic outlook of river stages and flow.  Finally, if water supply problems or drought is expected to develop or is ongoing, expect information about these conditions in this product.
 

Miscellaneous River & Precipitation Information

SRUS43 KDMX RVADMX

Several different products are issued under this AWIPS and WMO header.  These include the daily Central Iowa River and Reservoir Data as well as rainfall and snowfall information from our cooperative observers, both of which are sent around 1030 am each day.    Other miscellaneous data may be sent under this product id as well.
 

Daily River & Lake Summary

FGUS43 KDMX RVDDMX
Issued is issued once per day in the morning to provide a summary of river and lake stages along with forecasts for specific points along the rivers.
 

Winter Weather & Non-Precipitation Warnings, Watches, & Advisories

Winter Weather Warnings, Watches, and Advisories

WWUS43 KDMX WSWDMX

    All of the following winter weather products would be issued under this AWIPS and WMO header and titled "Winter Weather Message".  Updates of these products will be issued under the same AWIPS and WMO header.

    • Winter Storm Watch (One of the following warning or advisory conditions are expected in the next day or so)
      • Blizzard Warning (Sustained wind or frequent gusts to at least 35 mph and blowing snow reducing visibilities to a quarter mile or less for 3 hours or longer)
      • Winter Storm Warning (Issued when events that pose a direct threat to life or property such as heavy snow or an ice storm are imminent or occurring.
      •  Ice Storm Warning (Damaging accumulations of ice usually of 1/4 inch or greater)
      • Winter Weather Advisory (Issued for less serious winter weather conditions (snow, blowing/drifting snow, freezing rain/drizzle) that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.).
    • Wind Chill Watch (One of the following warning or advisory conditions are expected in the next day or so)
      • Wind Chill Warning (Sustained wind of 10 mph or greater combined with very cold temperatures to produce wind chills of 30 degrees below zero or greater
      • Wind Chill Advisory (Sustained wind of 10 mph or greater combined with very cold temperatures to produce wind chills from 20 to 30 degrees below zero

Non-Precipitation Warnings, Watches, and Advisories

WWUS45 KDMX NPWDMX

    All of the following non-precipitation products would be issued under this AWIPS and WMO header and titled "Weather Message".  Updates of these products will also be issued under the same AWIPS and WMO header.

    • Freeze Advisory (Surface air temperature is expected to be 32°F or below over a widespread area for a climatologically significant period of time.  Usually issued once a season and may or may not be accompanied by frost)
    • Frost Advisory (Widespread frost formation.  Can occur with temperatures above 32°F)
    • High Wind Watch (Wind warning conditions are expected in a day or so.  Rarely issued)
    • High Wind Warning (Non-thunderstorm winds sustained at 40 mph for an hour or more, or 58 mph or more for any duration)
    • Wind Advisory (Sustained winds of 30 mph or greater for 1 hour or longer, or gusts to 45 mph or greater for any duration)
    • Excessive Heat Watch (Heat Warning conditions are expected in a day or so)
    • Excessive Heat Warning (Apparent temperature of 110°F or more and an overnight low temperature of 75°F for at least a 48 hour period)
    • Heat Advisory (Apparent temperature of 105°F, or a maximum temperature of 100°F)
    • Dense Fog Advisory (Widespread visibilities of 1/4 mile or less for several hours)
    • Blowing Dust Advisory (Strong winds cause blowing dust with visibility of 1/4 mile or less for several hours)

Climatological & other Temperature/Precipitation Products

Des Moines Daily Climatological Data

CDUS43 KDMX CLIDSM
This product contains daily temperature, precipitation, wind, degree day and astronomical data for Des Moines.  Preliminary data is normally sent by 530 pm with complete and final data by 330 am.  The final summary also contains data for Ottumwa.
 

 Waterloo Daily Climatological Data

CDUS43 KDMX CLIALO
This product contains daily temperature, precipitation, wind, degree day and astronomical data for Waterloo.  Preliminary data is normally sent by 530 pm with complete and final data by 330 am.  The final summary also contains data for Mason City.
 

Des Moines Monthly Climatological Data

CXUS43 KDMX CLMDSM

This product contains Des Moines temperature, precipitation, wind, degree day, cloud cover and air pressure data totaled for each month as well as a narrative summary.   It is usually issued on the first day of the following month.
 

Waterloo Monthly Climatological Data

CXUS43 KDMX CLMALO
This product contains Waterloo  temperature, precipitation, wind, degree day, cloud cover and air pressure data totaled for each month as well as a narrative summary.   It is usually issued on the first day of the following month.
 

Max/Min Temperature and Precipitation Table for Iowa

ASUS63 KDMX RTPIA
This product contains high and low temperature information as well as 24 hour precipitation amounts for many surface observation sites across the state.  It is usually transmitted by 930 am local time, and 700 pm CST or 800 pm CDT.  The morning issuance also contains data from cooperative observer sites.
 

Max/Min  Temperature and Precipitation Table for Central Iowa

ABUS63 KDMX RTPDMX
This product contains high and low temperature information as well as 24 hour precipitation amounts for many surface observation sites across the Des Moines County Warning Area - or about the central third of Iowa.  It is usually transmitted by 830 am local time, and 630 pm CST or 730 pm CDT.  The morning issuance also contains data from cooperative observer sites.
 

Record Event Report

SXUS73 KDMX RERDMX

This product is issued as needed when record weather phenomena are officially recorded within the Des Moines National Weather Service county warning area.
 

Miscellaneous Products

Civil Emergency Message

WOUS43 KDMX CEMDMX
This product is disseminated upon request of federal, state, county or local government officials.  Information or appropriate actions necessitated by nuclear incidents, hazardous material releases, unstable explosive materials or other occurrences is relayed.
 

Special Weather Statement

WWUS83 KDMX SPSDMX

There are several different uses for this header and can be titled other things besides Special Weather Statement.  Each day, this header is used to issue the Hazardous Weather Outlook which details any hazardous weather that is expected the next several days.  Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watches will be canceled using this product using the generic Special Weather Statement name.
 

Weather Summary for Iowa

ABUS31 KDMX RWSDMX

Broken into two sections, this product contains forecast information about what will soon occur region-wide as well as a summary of recent weather conditions across Iowa.
 

Public Information Statement

NOUS43 KDMX PNSDMX

This is a generic product that can contain many different kinds of information.  Weather information pertinent to recent conditions or forecasts and changes in National Weather Service products are just some of the things that may be transmitted under this header. 

During the middle and late summer months, pollen counts from several sites across the state are also transmitted under this header.  This information is not National Weather Service data however.  It is collected from various health departments and labs and is relayed for dissemination.   Soil temperatures are also transmitted during the beginning and end of the growing season.

Iowa State Weather Roundup

ASUS43 KDMX RWRIA

Weather data is sent with this product around the top of each hour and includes sky conditions, weather phenomena, temperature, dewpoint, relative humidity, wind and atmospheric pressure for many sites across Iowa.  The product is initially transmitted at 2 minutes before the top of each hour with a more complete set of information sent around 7 minutes after the hour.
 

WSR-88D Outage Notification

SDUS43 KDMX FTMDMX

Information regarding service outages of the Des Moines WSR-88D Doppler Radar can be found in this product.
 

Iowa Road Conditions

SXUS43 KDMX STOIA

This product contains Iowa road conditions from the Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Department of Public Safety.  The National Weather Service has no control over its timeliness or content and only disseminates the information made available.
  • National Weather Service
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