Unseasonably warm and moist weather mixing with cool dry air fueled some funnels across parts of northeast Iowa.
Authorities were tracking reports of funnel clouds near Parkersburg in Grundy, Bremer and Butler counties.
A confirmed tornado pushed a few buildings off their foundations in the northeast corner of Parkersburg, Butler County Emergency Management Coordinator Mitch Nordmeyer said.
“So far we’ve escaped pretty good,” Nordmeyer said.
Spotters reported a tornado on the ground near Parkersburg at about 4 p.m.
A tornado touched down near Radcliffe in Hardin County before 1 p.m. The tornado overturned a truck, damaged some structures and downed some power lines. No injuries were reported.
Trained spotters then spotted a funnel cloud shortly after 3:30 p.m.
Pea-sized hail was also reported in Charles City.
Unseasonably warm, humid air mixing with a trough of cooler air and opposing winds caused the storms Monday, meteorologists said.
“It’s unusual but certainly not unprecedented to have this kind of activity this time of year,” said Craig Cogil, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines.
Tornado activity is expected to wane early evening, he added.
“Usually this time of year, the activity tends to die down around sunset,” he said.
Cooler but still warmer than average weather will move in Tuesday in what is expected to be a much quieter day weather-wise.
By JOHN MOLSEED For The Globe Gazette
